Sports

Gov. Rick Scott has ordered an independent analysis of the state's prison system and the development of two prisons to test new ways of handling and housing prisoners with mental health issues, as well as the general population. Scott is also directing the Department of Corrections to work with the departments of Children and Families and Juvenile Justice on how to improve mental health services. That’s a change mental health advocates say is badly needed here in the Sunshine State. We discuss the issue with Denise Marzullo, President and CEO of Mental Health America of Northeast Florida.

The "Voices of the River" event this weekend aims to spotlight the important role the St. Johns River has played in our area’s history and continues to play today. The MOSH, the Cummer Museum and the Ritz Theatre will each have programming that explores the people and perspectives that have interacted with the St. Johns River through the years. This part of the larger Cultural Fusion Year of the River initiative celebrating the St.

Teaction continues to pour in after the Supreme Court on Friday declared same-sex marriage a constitutional right. However, religious conservatives decried the decisionm, calling it an example of judicial overreach. Jacksonville activists supporting the cause of marriage equality say their work on this issue is not yet done, as this remains one of only a few major cities in the United States that lacks discrimination protections for gays and lesbians. We discuss the ruling with Jacksonville attorney and activist Jimmy Midyette.

As a new Jacksonville City Council prepares to convene for the first time this month, there is renewed controversy over the issue of sectarian prayer at Council meetings. Over the years, meetings have often, but not always, began with an invocation of Christian prayer. Activists have long held this violates the Constitution and have called for either a moment of silence or a more inclusive prayer tradition to recognize those of other faiths or no faith living in Duval County.

The Downtown Investment Authority is asking for community input at a public meeting this week on what should be done to redevelop the Jacksonville Landing in downtown. We discuss what could be in store for the Landing, and issues facing downtown in general, with Tim Gibbons, Jacksonville Business Journal editor, and Doris Goldstein, Downtown Investment Authority board member.

The Florida House voted down an expansion of Medicaid on Friday. Lawmakers were called back into special session this month to try to come to an agreement on health care spending. The Florida Coastal School of Law’s Disability and Public Benefits Clinic has several clients affected by the “no” vote on Medicaid expansion. We speak with Clinic director Sarah Sullivan and law student Jenny Rose.

A series of articles in the Florida Times-Union this week is looking inside a bold plan that includes single-gender classrooms and school uniforms to turn around the struggling Eugene J. Butler Middle School. Tessa Duvall, Florida Times-Union children and families reporter, joins us to discuss the successes and challenges the plan has met so far.

We speak with Adam Sugalski, Creative Director of Compassion Works International, about why he protesting the use of animals in a circus being held at the local Moroccan Shrine this week.

After strong early voting over the weekend, the candidates for Jacksonville mayor have one day left to make their case. We hear from incumbent Mayor Alvin Brown and challenger Lenny Curry. Then UNF political scientist Matt Corrigan joins us with analysis of Tuesday's elections and a look at the wide range of factors that can affect voter turnout.

We discuss the latest news in the long-running dispute between Governor Rick Scott and the federal government over the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion in Florida with Carol Gentry, WUSF Health News Florida correspondent.

Google has announced new rules for the search engine will rank mobile-responsive website. Dave Wingard and Scott Magdalein of Wingard Creative join us with what companies need to know about making sure their site is mobile friendly.

As CNN approaches its 35th anniversary, we speak with Emmy and Peabody award-winning photojournalist Mark Biello about his career covering major events, such as the Gulf War, Hurricane Katrina and the protests in Ferguson, MO, for the network. 

Connie Brown of FSCJ's Vision Education and Rehabilitation Center joins us to discuss the community-based rehabilitation program for adults and high school students with blindness or visual impairment.

Hundreds of faith and community leaders are expected to meet at Jacksonville’s Potter’s House Church Monday to press city officials about Jacksonville’s crime problem, along with discussing other campaign issues like education, jobs and mental health. The event is sponsored by ICARE, the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment. We speak with ICARE members Rev. Bruce Havens, of Arlington Congregational, and Rev. James Wiggins, of St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Hillary Clinton officially announced her run for president in 2016 Sunday. We discuss the road ahead for her campaign and other candidates with A.G. Gancarski, columnist for Florida Politics and Folio Weekly.

Jacksonville University is making new efforts to help Jacksonville's Arlington neighborhood, including a community development program and a Charter Day of Service. We speak with Jacksonville University President Tim Cost and Brigadier General (Retired) Michael Fleming, JU's Chief Government, Military & Community Relations Officer.

Faith leaders on the First Coast are speaking out about the brutality and extremism of the organization that calls itself Islamic State. Iraqi government forces and allied militias have had some success pushing ISIS back out of the city of Tikrit but the group continues gaining territory elsewhere. Here in the U.S., outrage and alarm over the group’s butchery and persecution of those they term “infidels” continues to grow. We speak with Dr. Parvez Ahmed of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida and Father Nicholas Louh of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church.

Nancy Soderberg, national security and foreign policy strategist, and A.G. Gancarski, Jacksonville writer and Folio Weekly columnist, join us to discuss the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris and the fight against radical extremism.

We also speak with Dr. Bud Hammes, one of America's foremost authorities on advanced care planning, about the importance of end of life care.

And Cole Pepper joins the show to talk college football and the NFL playoffs in this week's First Coast Sports Wrap Up.