First Coast Connect: Celebrating Emancipation Day

First Coast Connect: 'Addictive, unsafe and ineffective'

The Mayo Clinic calls it [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/in-depth/kratom/art-20402171] addictive, unsafe and ineffective. Opponents call it [https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/kratom-targeted-crackdowns-states-cities-rcna166661] “gas station heroin.” But for Patti Wheeler, it’s the tragic cause of death for her 27-year-old son Robert “Wyatt” Wheeler, who suffered a fatal seizure just six weeks after he began taking Kratom. With the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announcing [https://www.dea.gov/press-releases/2026/07/01/dea-temporarily-schedule-7-oh-and-related-substances-protect-public] July 1 that it is implementing a temporary, emergency ban on synthetic, concentrated forms of the drug — a compound called 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) — we talk to Wheeler about her years of advocacy work and why she believes the ban needs to be broader and permanent. We also speak to a local recovery expert about the unique threats and challenges posed by ever-evolving formulas of synthetic drugs. Guests: * Patti Wheeler, author, film producer, founder of A Beautiful Life Stolen * Nick Padlo, founder and CEO of Sophros Recovery Lived experience The Jacksonville Housing Authority is poised to implement new work requirements and eviction guidelines that would be among the strictest public housing rules in the nation. The story broke in a series [https://jaxtoday.org/2026/07/01/housing-authority-work-requirement/] of reports by Jacksonville Today’s newest reporter, who found that JHA has crafted a local version of federal Housing and Urban Development guidelines, even though the rules are optional and still face a variety of legal challenges. Among the changes: JHA tenants would be required to work at least 30 hours a week and have just three months to find employment if they lose their job. We discuss the story, as well as her earlier work on an investigation [https://www.npr.org/2024/04/06/1243276508/the-prosecutor-who-put-her-away-says-she-should-be-free-but-shes-still-in-prison] that led to the release of a 72-year-old woman imprisoned for life after a shooting in self-defense. Guest: Elizabeth Caldwell [https://jaxtoday.org/2026/06/15/jacksonville-today-elizabeth-caldwell/], investigative reporter, Jacksonville Today Deck the halls The Lufrano Gallery at the University of North Florida is the backdrop for an artistic recycling project that shreds traditional expectations. Artist Zakriya Rabini uses hundreds of damaged and destroyed skateboard decks to create surprisingly haunting artistic installations that he’s dubbed “Divine Decks.” The artist drops in for a freewheeling discussion about his rise from grom to gallery director, and why the board provides a perfect launching pad for larger discussions about society and the scars that come with human experience. The exhibit [https://www.unf.edu/gallery/Galleries/Lufrano-Intercultural-Gallery.html] opens July 13 and runs through late September. Guest: Zakriya Rabani, artist, director of fine arts operations and gallery director at Jacksonville University See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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.