First Coast Connect: The 'Fee State' of Florida

First Coast Connect: Week in Review

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week: * ICE agents are involved in three deaths in just one week — including one in St. Augustine. * The governor steps up his already record-setting pace of executions, scheduling two on the same day. * The courts stop STOP WOKE — again — on college campuses. * Duval County School Board candidate Clarence James just can’t quit AI. * The “Harvard of the culinary world” agrees to make Jacksonville its Southeast home Guests: * Christina Burgess, reporter, First Coast News * Jack Webb, attorney and former Jacksonville City Council president * Obi Umunna, attorney and political consultant Heat wave The Art Center Cooperative Inc. has hosted more than 100 exhibits since its inception in 2005, but its newest exhibit is a look-ahead at the future. Titled “Temperature Rising [https://www.tacjacksonville.org/temperature-rising-at-library.html],” the exhibit inside the Jacksonville Main Library explores the central question as temperatures rise: “Is it just hot outside, or is it climate change?” Featuring pieces from 22 artists, the show is open through Aug. 17, with a free reception Aug. 5 during Art Walk. Local artists have a chance to participate in the group’s next show, called “It’s In The Books,” which asks artists to create a piece inspired by their favorite book. The deadline to submit a piece is Tuesday, and the exhibit will be on display from Aug. 17 to Oct. 5. Both exhibits are supported by a Cultural Services grant, which could see impacts in the forthcoming city budget. We ask the group’s grant coordinator about the possibility of funding cuts and the value of financing community culture. Guest: Ed Malesky, wood artist, secretary and grant coordinator, Art Center Cooperative Inc. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Airport Authority Standoff Update & Local Congressional Candidate Arrest

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority votes on a decision to delay legal action against the city for 30 days while pursuing mediation over a dispute about airport governance. Also today, we report on the arrest of a Jacksonville congressional candidate facing federal charges after allegedly making threats against President Donald Trump. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: St. Johns Gold Rush

Well, that escalated quickly. Just hours after a new state law took effect offering a fast track to develop Florida’s farmlands, four large-scale developers applied to take advantage of it. Senate Bill 686 allows property owners to develop their land at least as intensely as adjacent properties without going through any additional rezoning process at the county level. The streamlined procedure also places a 30-day timetable for county approval, meaning longstanding agricultural lands could become massive residential developments without any input from the public or local lawmakers. As reported by [https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2026/07/02/developers-poised-to-get-quick-approval.html] the Jacksonville Business Journal, of the four properties in question the largest by far is a 4,426-acre parcel situated west of the Intracoastal and north of Nocatee Parkway. The land is owned by Sonoc Co., the holding company associated with The PARC Group, which developed Nocatee. We explore the practical implications of accommodating the new law in an increasingly growth-strained county, as well as the political debate that is already emerging among growth-averse residents. Guests: * Stuart Korfhage, managing editor at the Jacksonville Business Journal * Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter at Jacksonville Today Hypertension study A new drug for high blood pressure could make treatment far easier for patients — and its final trial is happening on the First Coast. A Phase 3 clinical trial will examine the effectiveness of a twice-yearly injection that’s designed to lower blood pressure at its source. During previous trials, the drug was shown to block the liver’s production of angiotensinogen, which in turn reduces levels of a hormone known to increase blood pressure. Researchers say the goal of the multiyear trial is to identify whether lowering one’s blood pressure through this new injection reduces the likelihood of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular death. Guest: Dr. Mitchell Rothstein, principal investigator, ENCORE Research Group Digital literacy Ever wonder what Jacksonville newspaper headlines or cartoons looked like back in the day? The Jacksonville Library’s newly expanded digital database includes local newspaper collections, from The Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Journal to the Beaches Leader. The archive includes newspaper pages, photographs, graphics and ads from papers dating back as far as 1883. We sit down with two special collections librarians to hear how online archives are bridging a historical gap, and connecting a new generation to traditional news sources. Guests: * Claire Manos, special collections librarian, Jacksonville Public Library * Tatyanna Brash, special collections librarian, Jacksonville Public Library Obstacle course A local songwriting competition invites songwriters to perform original songs inspired by a select theme — in this case, obstacles. The Songwriter Competition is hosted by local musician and songwriter Joyce Whorton at The Inkwell Art Bar in Fernandina Beach, described as an “intimate listening room setting.” Participants are judged on the quality and creativity of their lyrics, melody and structure. The event also highlights the Art Bar’s weekly Open Mic Nights, which gives local musicians a welcoming space to perform. The event is at 6-10 p.m. Monday, July 20. Participants can register here [https://904tix.com/events/songwriter-competition-hosted-by-joyce-whorton-7-20-2026]. Guest: Joyce Whorton, local musician and songwriter See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Morning Report: Vigil for Man Hit and Killed Fleeing ICE in St. Johns and Voter Deadline Quickly Approaching

A vigil in St. Johns County honors a man who died while fleeing ICE agents, as organizers call attention to concerns over immigration enforcement. We also explain the upcoming voter registration deadline ahead of Florida's August primary election, including how to register or update your information. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

First Coast Connect: No defense

Connor Cauley, one of the “City Hall Three,” was recently released from jail after serving a 60-day sentence for battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer without violence. The case grew out of May 2025 pro-Palestine disturbance at a meeting of the Jacksonville City Council, during which Cauley and two others were arrested. Although he lost his case at trial, his defense rested on a claim that he could not be held liable for resisting, because the officer “was not lawfully executing a legal duty.” The Florida Legislature eliminated that legal defense this year in a bill that greatly expands protections for law enforcement officers. Under the new law [https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/local/data/government/officer-raynor-act-florida-senate/77-b5ee1cc2-f7a3-40f5-ad9c-669a9edd13c1], resistance is unjustified even if the officer is acting illegally or using excessive force. We ask Cawley about the jury verdict and his time served, and ask his lawyer how the new law will affect defendants in the future. Guests:   * Conor Cauley, protester arrested, one of the “City Hall Three” * Melinda Patterson, criminal defense attorney A clean getaway An Oceanway community group formed to fight blight in the Northside neighborhood has evolved into an alliance that is about connection as much as cleaning up. The founder of Collect & Connect — Keep Oceanway Beautiful [https://www.facebook.com/groups/624242303693721/] was inspired to take action after seeing increased dumping and “a ton of trash everywhere.” The group, which now has about 300 members, and a smaller core group of regular volunteers, has been recognized twice [https://www.jacksonville.gov/mayor/initiatives/keep-jax-cute/jax-litter-league#past-winners] by the Jacksonville Litter League, an inter-neighborhood competition for prizes and bragging rights. We ask two volunteers about the appeal of dirty work. Guests: * Susan Shinego, co-founder, Collect & Connect — Keep Oceanway Beautiful * Jolie Levene-Pryor, volunteer member, Collect & Connect — Keep Oceanway Beautiful Midsummer Market Murray Hill makers, bakers and movers & shakers gather for the annual Midsummer Market. The twilight celebration includes a curated list of vendors, including florists, artisan bakers and handmade crafters selling their wares to a soundtrack of live jazz. The community event will be held from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at Spruce, 3644 Post Street. We sit down with the owner of the host venue to discuss the appeal of a neighborhood market on a hot night. Guest: Ida Vera, owner of Spruce and founder of Midsummer Market See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.