Federal financial disclosures show that gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds’ household wealth comes primarily from millions in tax dollars derived from the state’s charter school industry. A new Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald investigation found that Erika Donalds’ charter school management companies have collected more than $30 million over the past four years from charter schools, with her virtual reality curriculum firm OptimaEd slated to receive another $15.7 million in service fees from the online Optima Classical Academy for the coming school year. That money ultimately comes from a state budget approved by the governor, raising concerns among some observers about how the couples’ work could present ethical conflicts. Donalds has said that the success of his wife’s companies should not be confused with her personal income and that he will draw a line between her business and the state’s if elected. We talk to the reporter behind the story about tracking dollars in the charter school food chain.
Guest: Claire Heddles, senior political correspondent, Miami Herald
School Board candidate Lindsey Denmark
After emerging from a five-way primary fight in August with 33% of the vote, candidate Lindsey Denmark heads to the Nov. 3 runoff against opponent Clarence James (who got 20% of the primary vote). Campaigning on a platform of restoring order to classrooms and holding students and parents accountable for disciplinary issues, Denmark is an eighth-generation Floridian and a 20-year resident of the city’s Westside with a background as a Realtor and a children’s ministry director at Restoration Baptist Church in Dinsmore. The District 6 Duval County School Board seat, which includes the Westside and Baldwin, was previously held by board Chair Charlotte Joyce, who is term-limited. Voters can reach the candidate on air at 904-549-2937 or email questions to firstcoastconnect@wjct.org. First Coast Connect is covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find all of our election coverage here, and you can find detailed information about upcoming races in the Jacksonville Today voter guide.
Guest: District 6 Duval County School Board candidate Lindsey Denmark
Fair game
After seven decades Downtown, the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair opens in its Westside digs for the first time Nov. 5. The 82-acre fairground is more than five times bigger than its previous footprint and includes a new 10,000 capacity Jax Amphitheatre. The 11-day exposition features a 155-foot Ferris wheel, aerial feats from famed acrobats, livestock shows and deep-fried fair staples, along with a broad range of musical performances by JJ Grey & Mofro, Dwight Yoakam, Grace Potter and 311. We talk to the fair’s president and marketing director about the logistical challenges of the big move and what first-time fairgoers will find when they get there.
Guests:
- Bill Olson, president and CEO, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair
- Lisa Thomas, director of marketing, branding and PR, Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair
Daddy on board
A Neptune Beach father is paddling the length of Florida — a trek of 540 miles, expected to take 20 days — to raise money in support of research into Sjögren’s disease, the third-most common autoimmune disease after rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Jason Parker launches from Fort Clinch State Park on Nov. 2 and journeys alone to Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West on just a stand-up paddleboard. He’s making the voyage to recognize his daughter, Gabby, who was diagnosed with the chronic condition when she was 11. Sjögren’s attacks the body's moisture-producing glands, resulting in scratchy eyes and dry mouth, but can also manifest as joint pain, swelling and stiffness. We ask Parker how he’s planning for his statewide pilgrimage and how he hopes to translate the trip into $25,000 for Sjögren’s research.
Guest: Jason Parker, solo participant in the inaugural “Paddle for Sjögren's”
Topics and guests subject to change.