WJCT News Now

First Coast Connect: Week in Review

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: * Congestion, confusion and contusions complicate Jacksonville’s inaugural Ironman. * The NAACP calls on college athletes to boycott eight Southern states, including Florida, for voting rights rollbacks. * Yet another subpoena expands the JEA investigation sparked by City Council President Kevin Carrico’s errant email. * A sworn statement contradicts a Deegan administration official’s claim that he was unaware of a city illegal gun registry. Guests: * Nate Monroe, executive editor at the Florida Trib * Anthony Austin, anchor at First Coast News * Will Brown, race and poverty reporter at Jacksonville Today * David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union The Merci seat An open mic poetry collective with hip-hop roots promises a night of rhythm and creativity from local poets and artists. Described by organizers as one of Jacksonville’s few events devoted to incubating and fostering dynamic, performance-based poetry, Poetically Mic’d welcomes writers of all levels to share their work on stage in a welcoming atmosphere. Poetically Mic’d is founded by local rapper and community organizer Merci, hosting events ranging from poetry battles, artist showcases and other live performances. He says the movement “is dedicated to blending the power of poetry with hip-hop and dynamic lyricism to elevate Northeast Florida’s cultural scene.” A Poetry Open Mic [https://posh.vip/e/poetically-micda-poetry-open-mic-531] is 7 to 11 p.m. May 31 at 9570 Regency Square Blvd. Guest: Merci, rapper, founder and director of Poetically Mic’d See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Marineland’s New Chapter and Memorial Day Weekend Events

On today’s episode, we hear how new ownership is reshaping the future of Marineland Dolphin Adventure after months of uncertainty for the historic aquarium and its dolphins. Plus, a look at Memorial Day weekend events across Northeast Florida, including the Blue Crab Festival in Palatka, JAX Anchor Fest in Jacksonville and Riverfest in Green Cove Springs. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: Flood control

Making sure new homes aren’t built in flood zones sounds like a no-brainer, but a surprising number of developments are in at-risk areas, made more vulnerable by rising seas. A proposed amendment to the city’s master plan for development focuses on steering new development out of harm’s way. Nearly three years after the mayor rolled out the 50-year resilience plan, the city is considering a comprehensive plan change that would incentivize rather than force developers to build with an eye to sustainable housing. The proposal creates “target growth areas” in which developers can build more densely in exchange for including affordable housing units and building properties resilient to the risks of climate change. We discuss how the city arrived at this approach and what the timetable is for adopting the change. Guest: Helena Atalla Parola, director of the city’s Planning Department Jacksonville Jazz Fest  With a lineup that ranges from P-Funk and esperanza spalding to Nile Rodgers and CHIC, the Jacksonville Jazz Fest [https://jacksonvillejazzfest.com/] showcases a vast expanse of musical styles, including some not traditionally thought of as jazz. We talk to acclaimed saxophonist and host of the WJCT 89.9 FM jazz program Bop City Daniel Stark about past Jazz Fest greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Marcus Roberts, as well as what he’s most looking forward to this year (hint: Ghost-Note [https://www.ghost-note-official.com/] and John Lumpkin & The Covenant [https://www.facebook.com/LilJohnLumpkin/] are on the shortlist). We also discuss what the annual event contributes to the local jazz scene, and whether more can be done to integrate the moment into a larger musical movement. Guest: Daniel Stark, host of Bop City on WJCT 89.9 FM, executive director of Friday Musicale  Charismatic megafauna pics Right whales are on the move north after a successful calving season, and an exhibit celebrating the endangered mammals is also on a journey. The Right Whales of Amelia Island [https://ameliaislandwhaleambassadors.org/events/] exhibit is on display at the Beaches Museum through Aug. 23, part of a tour that began in Fernandina Beach and ends up at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium later this year. We talk to a local whale ambassador about why this was a bumper year for baby whales and what this season means for the creature’s long-term health and survival. Guest: Krissi Barr, Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Culinary Incentives Moves Forward and Historic Preservation in Duval County

Jacksonville city leaders move closer to approving $35 million in public incentives aimed at bringing the Culinary Institute of America to a proposed downtown riverfront development. Plus, the Jacksonville History Center adds four new sites to its annual list of endangered historic structures in Duval County. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: Gram Parsons’ Florida legacy

From his role in the birth of alt-country to his tragic death at age 26, we explore the life and legacy of Florida’s own Gram Parsons on the eve of his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Known for his work playing with The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, in addition to launching the career of Emmylou Harris, Parsons is considered the founding father of country rock and alt-country. His preferred label was "Cosmic American Music," a genre-jumping style that blended R&B, folk and rock with traditional country. As one of 18 inductees this November, Parsons joins a class that includes Phil Collins, Fela Kuti, Iron Maiden and Queen Latifah. We talk to the Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist and author Bob Kealing about his definitive biography of the groundbreaking musician. Guest: Bob Kealing, journalist and author of Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock [https://www.amazon.com/Calling-Me-Home-Parsons-Country/dp/0813042046] Paw-Paw potion He’s been called one of “Florida’s earliest and more successful snake-oil salesmen” and “America’s most colorful medical huckster,” but his signature elixir continues to captivate customers. Munyon’s Paw-Paw liqueur has been reanimated by two entrepreneurs and beverage industry veterans, who dug into the checkered but colorful history of Dr. James M. Munyon, a turn of the (last) century wellness guru and self-made millionaire (though never a doctor). Their new aperitif kindles the taste and ambiance of earlier times, without the original product’s secret ingredient: THC. We talk to the reporter who recently profiled the product and its creators in Flamingo Magazine [https://flamingomag.com/2026/04/27/munyons-paw-paw-palm-beach/]. Guest: Steve Dollar, freelance journalist, artistic director of the Tallahassee Film Festival 8th wonder  A storied after-school and summer program receives the largest grant in its 35-year history. The $250,000 gift from the Ponte Vedra Beach-based philanthropy the Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation will allow Sanctuary on 8th Street to upgrade its facilities and expand its offerings. Established in 1992, the 8th St. program has grown from a dozen participants in after-school and summer camp programs to hundreds of kids over the years. The facility, which caters to children ages 5 to 17 in the Eastside/Springfield area, plans to use the funds to create a "sensory, development and play" space and launch a new summer nourishment program. We talk to its executive director about what else the nonprofit needs and how the community can help. Guests: * Rick Cartlidge Jr., executive director, Sanctuary on 8th Street * Emani Walker, program coach, Sanctuary on 8th Street See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.