The Morning Report: JEA Workplace Survey and Juneteenth Celebrations

The Morning Report: NE FL Heat Advisory and New Fernandina Beach E-Bike Rules

A Heat Advisory is in effect across Northeast Florida as forecasters warn that feels-like temperatures could reach up to 110 degrees. Also, Fernandina Beach approves new regulations for e-bikes and other personal mobility devices, setting speed limits and penalties aimed at improving safety. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: Squatters' rights

A Jacksonville landlord’s real-life squatters nightmare drew local and national attention for dramatically highlighting the maddening legal hurdles some homeowners face when trying to evict these unwanted and illegal tenants. Now, her story is just one of several featured in a new Hulu docuseries — and isn’t even close to being the worst. We ask her about the path from crime victim to legislative advocate and how she continues to hear from the vandals who occupied her Springfield rental for more than a month. We also get a local real estate lawyer’s advice on how to squat-proof your home and how tactics for fighting illegal occupation are evolving in step with the strange practice. Guests: * Patti Peeples, Jacksonville homeowner featured on Hulu docuseries Squatters: Get The F*** Out of My House  [https://www.hulu.com/series/squatters-get-the-f-out-of-my-house-5b4bd1e1-ed53-4ab7-a6e2-26a312d4da0b] * Zach Roth, real estate attorney, Ansbacher Law House call from Dr. Joe A study showing seismically better success rates with morning cancer treatments proved too good to be true. We discuss why the much-publicized study in the journal Nature Medicine has now been retracted after its Chinese authors acknowledged it did not meet the rigorous standards of a “high-impact journal.” We also discuss the role that inflammation may play in the treatment of depression and the explosive resurgence of a stomach ailment that should persuade everyone to wash your damn hands [https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExcDNndzcwOXoxc3ptZDFqb2YzanlqYjl3ZWk5ODB5MzQ0ODk4N2VmdyZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/hveoKnD383VlH7Wrbf/giphy.gif].  Guest: Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of WJCT’s What’s Health Got To Do With It? [https://news.wjct.org/show/whats-health-got-to-do-with-it] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Fake St. Johns Voter Guide Charges and New Riverfront Plaza Restaurant

Charges have been filed against five people, including two sitting St. Johns County commissioners and a St. Augustine Beach city commissioner, in connection with an alleged fake Republican voter guide distributed during the 2024 primary election. We'll also look at the future of Jacksonville's Riverfront Plaza, where European Street Cafe has been selected to operate the park's café as the downtown destination continues to expand. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: Representing Florida

With the passing of July 4th, election season gets underway in earnest, along with our candidate interviews. Firebrand First Coast lawmaker Angie Nixon joins us to discuss her bid for U.S. Senate, in which she faces Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and fellow Democrat Alex Vindman. Nixon comes to the race with a funding disadvantage but with a reputation as a fighter (albeit one with few legislative victories), as well as a vocal foe of the governor. We ask her why she chose to leave a “safe” seat — and what would have been her fourth and final term in the state House — in order to run for a seat in the upper chamber. First Coast Connect will be covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org [http://vote411.org]. The deadline to register to vote in the August primaries is July 20. Guest: State Rep. Angie Nixon, candidate for U.S. Senate Paper trail The world’s largest private collection of historic documents returns to Northeast Florida. Although the Jacksonville Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Springfield closed in 2023 as part of a reorganization by its parent company, a new St. Augustine location will serve as the internationally known museum’s flagship. The Karpeles Manuscript Library [https://www.karpeles.com/] features an array of rare manuscripts and artifacts spanning centuries of history from Civil War records to writings by Albert Einstein to Disney animation sketches. We talk to the museum’s director about the history of the collection, their mission to make historic documents accessible to future generations and what visitors can expect during their soft opening as America celebrates its 250th birthday. Guest: Wayne Jackson, director, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum Collective memory Jacksonville’s newest community theater stages its inaugural show with a nod to the musical version of the 1982 classic film Victor/Victoria. The Arts Collective Theatre is a joint project of longtime First Coast performers Lee Hamby and Julie Harrington and aims to broaden local theater offerings while serving as “a sanctuary for artists of all backgrounds.” We discuss how the first show of what the team is calling “Season Zero” fits the creators’ vision and what challenges have come with the maiden production. Victor/Victoria opens July 10 and runs through July 26. Guests:  * Lee Hamby, artistic director, Arts Collective Theatre [https://artscollectivetheatre.com/] * Josh Waller, actor playing Toddy in Victor/Victoria * Joshua Bond, actor playing King in Victor/Victoria See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Duval Libertarian Candidate Remains on Ballot and JTA CEO retiring

A judge has ruled that a Libertarian candidate can remain on the ballot in Jacksonville’s upcoming City Council special election, setting up a three-way race for the open seat. Plus, Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford announces his retirement after leading major transit projects, including the launch of the nation’s first autonomous vehicle public transit system. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.