Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:
- Flack jackets and hate speech come to the lectern at this month's Duval County School Board meeting after board member Tony Ricardo's anti-Islam Facebook post brings out a record number of public commenters;
- A modified incentives deal for an apartment complex anchored by a Downtown Publix wins approval from a more cautious Jax City Council; wary of overspending with Amendment 3's cuts on the horizon;
- New financial records show the former head of JTA Nat Ford spent more than $200,000 on his own travel while the agency sank into financial chaos;
- President Trump ousts his longtime chief of staff, Northeast Florida resident Susie Wiles, following the midterm elections' "blue wave;"
- And a local election likely will come down to a coin flip.
We talk about all that and take your calls, questions and comments. You can join the conversation on air at 904-549-2937 or go to firstcoastconnect.org to find all the ways to connect with us.
Guests:
- David Bauerlein, metro reporter, The Florida Times-Union
- Christina Burgess, reporter, First Coast News
- Megan Mallicoat, education reporter, Jacksonville Today
- Sylvia Perry, editor, Jacksonville Free Press
Oysters, gill-monsters and Firewater
The St. Johns Riverkeeper has chosen an appropriate theme for its annual fundraiser on Friday the 13th: The Creature From the Black Lagoon. The 1954 horror sci-fi film was partially filmed in and around the St. Johns River, and the sequel actually included scenes shot in Downtown Jacksonville (along with a somewhat cringy acting debut by a young Clint Eastwood). The movie’s iconic green “gill-monster” theme rounds out an evening offering a feast of abundant bivalves and live music by The Firewater Tent Revival. The St. Johns Riverkeeper’s 25th annual Oyster Roast starts at 7 p.m. at the Garden Club of Jacksonville.
Guest: Meredith Jespersen, development director, St. Johns Riverkeeper
Topics and guests subject to change.