Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:
- Jacksonville leaders approve emergency funds for a food bank as the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history shreds SNAP assistance.
- A Jacksonville city councilman calls for an investigation into the city’s telehealth program, citing fraud claims the health provider dubs “entirely false.”
- Florida is on track to more than double the state’s record of annual executions, well outpacing the rest of the country.
- A local lawmaker proposes schoolteachers take an oath to the Constitution in order to work in Florida classrooms.
- A Beach Boulevard grocery store pulls back on a request for a small-scale slaughterhouse after community pushback.
Guests:
- Frank Powers, former assignment manager at News4Jax.
- Robin Lumb, former Jacksonville City Council member.
And, it’s a tradition here at WJCT Public Media and public media organizations across the country to collect cold-weather clothing and items for those who need them most during the holiday season. The 23rd Annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive honors the legacy of Fred Rogers, who hosted the beloved PBS children’s show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for more than two decades. The community can drop off new or gently used sweaters, jackets and blankets, along with new socks and underwear, at WJCT Public Media headquarters at 100 Festival Park Ave., participating VyStar Credit Union branches, Suddath Cos. locations and all Tom Bush Family of Dealerships businesses until Nov. 30. All donations will be distributed to neighbors in need at the Clara White Mission and City Rescue Mission.
Guests:
- Darren Cook, vice president of consumer sales, The Suddath Cos.
- Paul Stasi, CEO and executive director, City Rescue Mission.
- Kemal Gasper, vice president of community engagement, VyStar Credit Union.