First Coast Connect: The price ain’t right

First Coast Connect: The price ain’t right

The once sleepy, quaint and borderline podunk vibe of 1980s and ‘90s St. Augustine is now ancient history in the Ancient City. In its place: a buzzy tourist favorite that ranks high on influencer feeds and glossy magazines’ Top 10 lists. T-shirt and seashell shops have given way to upscale Airbnbs, sleek coffee vendors and, now, four Michelin recognized restaurants. Some who’ve watched the change worry the small town is now giving Hilton Head vibes and pricing out locals. We discuss the promise and perils of progress in America’s Oldest City and how the affordability crisis is playing out on the streets of St. Augustine. Guest: St. Augustine City Commissioner Jim Springfield  Foundational art Interpreting the Declaration of Independence through an artistic lens. A new exhibit at the St. Augustine Art Association asks artists to share their perspective on the historic document and how its principles have evolved or influenced the American experience over time. The exhibit, When in the Course of Human Events, is part of America's 250th celebration. Participating artists employ a range of materials to explore the exhibit’s theme, and curators hope the works spark thoughtful conversation about the country’s past, present and future. We sit down with two featured artists, including the artist awarded Best in Show, to hear what inspired the winning piece, I Am. The exhibit is free and open to the public through Aug. 2. Guests: * Jennifer Flynt, executive director, St. Augustine Art Association * Richlin Burnett-Ryan, portrait artist, painter, curator * Weldon Ryan, multimedia artist, former NYPD police sketch artist Stellar strongman A constellation named after a demigod with superhuman strength. We dig into the science behind the “celestial snow globe” known as the Hercules cluster with resident spaceman Eddie Whisler. The grouping of stars officially known as M13 orbits the Milky Way. It’s an estimated 145,000 light-years wide, 25,000 light-years from Earth and contains more than 100,000 stars. Discovered in 1714 by Edmond Halley (of comet fame), it was initially thought to contain zero stars; famed French astronomer Charles Messier officially cataloged it on his list of "non-comets" because his telescope wasn’t strong enough to detect individual stars. We talk about the stunning globular cluster and why peak viewing season is about to begin. Guest: Eddie Whisler, director of planetarium and outreach, Museum of Science & History See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: JEA's CEO Testifies and Florida’s Budget Decisions

JEA CEO Vickie Cavey faces questions from a Jacksonville City Council investigation into workplace concerns, leadership changes, and the utility’s decision-making process. Plus, Florida’s more than $114 billion state budget heads to Governor Ron DeSantis as lawmakers await his decisions ahead of the new fiscal year. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: Power move

As multiple investigations into JEA continue, local climate activists are calling on the Jacksonville utility to lower rates and commit to phasing out the use of fossil fuels. The demands are outlined in a new petition [https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jea-lower-our-utility-bills-and-protect-our]calling on JEA to reduce emissions, improve air quality and find more sustainable plans to reduce energy costs long term. The move comes as solar power use grows and coal usage declines, with solar remaining the leading source of new power [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/solar-power-hits-new-milestones-in-the-u-s-even-as-trump-boosts-coal-over-clean-energy] in the United States. In May, for the first time, solar supplied more electricity than coal nationwide. The petition is the most recent effort by local organizations to put pressure on JEA to stop using fossil fuels, even as the utility looks to move forward with plans to build an estimated $1.57 billion natural gas-fired power plant. In December, multiple advocacy groups including the Sierra Club, NAACP, St. Johns Riverkeeper and Solar United Neighbors delivered sacks of coal [https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/12/17/jacksonville-advocacy-groups-to-deliver-coal-for-christmas-to-jea-in-rally-against-coal-rate-hikes/] to JEA’s headquarters, protesting the utility’s rising rates and coal use. We sit down with members of the groups leading the petition to ask why advancing solar is a main priority and how it could potentially lower utility costs. Guests:   * Jalicia Lewis, community outreach lead, Jacksonville Climate Coalition * Leah Ferrell, solar access and affordability associate, Solar United Neighbors In the same vein Jacksonville sickle cell advocates are working to raise awareness and expand support to community members living with the hereditary blood disorder that affects roughly 100,000 people in the U.S. A college student reveals the challenges she faces living with the disease and the inspiration behind her nonprofit, Project Little Veins [https://www.instagram.com/_little.veins/], which provides care packages to hospitalized sickle cell patients. We also speak with a healthy equity leader whose own son died from sickle cell disease ahead of his second birthday about how his passing transformed her advocacy work. Guests: * Fredrianna Copeland Webster, sickle cell disease advocate and founder of Project Little Veins * Selena Webster-Bass, founder, Richard Webster-Bass Health Institute [https://richardwbhi.org/] Daddy daughter dance Girls Inc. of Jacksonville hosts its annual Daddy Daughter Dance fundraiser at WJCT Studios. Fathers and daughters are asked to wear their best dress and suit for the event themed “An Enchanted Night in Paris.” The event features a DJ, dancing, dinner, raffle, silent auction and a space to celebrate the bond between daughters and their fathers, or any male role model in their lives. All proceeds from the event go to support Girls Inc. of Jacksonville, one of 74 affiliates nationwide with the mission to equip girls with skills and knowledge to create impactful change in the future. The 2026 Daddy Daughter Dance [https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2026daddydaughterdance/event/2giojadddc/] is from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at WJCT Soundstage. Tickets are required. Guest: Diedra Simon, CEO of Girls Inc. of Jacksonville See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Proposed Public Safety Spending in Jax and State Drug Rules Tighten

Jacksonville’s proposed city budget is expected to include another year of increased spending on police and fire services, with department leaders requesting additional funding for staffing and salaries. Also, Florida officials are tightening restrictions on 7-OH, a compound derived from the kratom plant, as the state says some manufacturers are finding ways around previous limits. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: History of land conservation

Florida is considered a leader in land preservation nationwide, with roughly 31% of the state’s land designated for conservation efforts. But the fight to get there was no easy feat. Rather, it took years of pushing by advocates, politicians and artists to establish the environmental protections we see today. Environmental attorney and author Clay Henderson details the “small victories” over time that helped create Florida’s national park system and national wildlife refuges in his 2022 book Forces of Nature: A History of Florida Land Conservation. Henderson will be a featured guest as part of the Jacksonville Public Library’s 2026 Conservation Series [https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/blog/lit-chat-interview-forces-nature-author-clay-henderson]on June 27. The event includes a group walk with Henderson at Blue Cypress Park, where he will talk about conservation work happening locally and the flora and fauna along the St. Johns River. Then, Henderson will host a Q&A and book signing at the University Park Branch Library. We ask about the current challenges facing conservation lands today and whether the growth in data center development risks undoing more than a century of environmental protection. Guest: Clay Henderson, environmental attorney and author of Forces of Nature: A History of Florida Land Conservation [https://jaxpl.na4.iiivega.com/search/card?id=c13e094e-4f1c-52c2-932d-7e70b0ca4733&entityType=FormatGroup] Real-time rapture An evangelical preacher and radio host literally and spiritually “left behind.” It’s the subject of a new one-man show as the rapture happens live on air. The Phil Mitchell Radio Hour, created and starring actor and experimental artist Noah Bennett, is a 70-minute performance merging satirical comedy and psychological horror. The show follows Bennett’s character, described as a mix between Joel Osteen, Jim Bakker and Kenneth Copeland with a “sweet pair of sideburns,” as he hosts his final broadcast. The show debuted in Columbus, Ohio, but has graced stages in Georgia, North Carolina and New York City. A Jacksonville native, Bennett is bringing the show to the historic San Marco Church, his first-ever site-specific performance. The Phil Mitchell Radio Hour [https://jaxplays.org/productions/2026-the-phil-mitchell-radio-hour/] will be hosted at 7:30 p.m. June 25-27. Guest: Noah Bennett, actor and creator of The Phil Mitchell Radio Hour Neighborhood rivalry A Springfield tradition makes its return on July 4th as the Eastside Reds and Westside Giants battle for bragging rights on the baseball field. Returning for its 19th year, the Fourth of July Throwback Baseball Game [https://www.sparcouncil.org/throwback_baseball_game] features Springfield residents in “turn-of-the century” throwback uniforms, equipment, umpires and more. Food trucks and drinks will be available, and folks are encouraged to bring extra seating as bleacher spots are limited. The family-friendly event takes place at Klutho Park Heritage Field on July 4. First pitch is at 11 a.m. Guests: * Michael Haskins, executive director, Springfield Preservation and Revitalization * Jose Acevedo, Westside Giants player See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.