Term Limits on Local Officials

The Florida Supreme Court released an opinion earlier this month that essentially said that charter counties like Duval County can impose term limits on local officials. In 1992 voters in Duval amended the city charter to limit offices like the sheriff and the clerk of courts to two terms. That decision was deemed unconstitutional by [...]

Preventing Summer Backslide on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

Summer is almost here, and that means thousands of school kids will be on summer break. A new study by the RAND Corporation shows that the break oftentimes leads to backsliding among students, who can forget some of what they’ve learned during the school year and lose momentum for the next semester. We discussed what [...]

The Mitt Romney Presidential Campaign in Florida on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

A new Quinnipiac poll shows former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is pulling ahead here in Florida – he now leads President Barack Obama among the state’s registered voters, 49% to 41%. Both candidates will be fighting fiercely for the state’s 29 electoral votes this November. We spoke to renowned GOP strategist Ed Rollins, who has [...]

Jacksonville Business Leaders Come Out in Support of City’s Human Rights Ordinance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

The Jacksonville City Council will soon vote on legislation that would update the city’s human rights ordinance. The new measure would ban discrimination against gays and lesbians in housing, jobs and public accommodations. This change is getting strong support from the local Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Council and a number of high-profile local CEOs. [...]

WJCT’s First Coast Conect God Squad

A huge crowd gathered last night at Jacksonville City Hall as the public turned out to voice both vocal support and opposition for a change to the city’s human rights ordinance. The legislation would ban discrimination against the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. We discussed the issue with our own First Coast [...]

Challenges Facing the Alvin Brown Administration on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

From fights over furniture to a flap over Jacksonville’s new budget, to ongoing questions about the city’s human rights ordinance, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown and his staff have their hands full on a number of fronts. The mayor’s approval rating remain high but political scientists say the honeymoon always end for city leaders. We discussed [...]

Changes to FCAT Scores on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

The Florida Board of Education held an emergency meeting facing tough criticism over changes in FCAT scoring that led to plunging drops in students’ writing scores. The score change led to an uproar from parents and educators. We discussed the issue with Trey Csar, executive director of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, Ashley Smith Juarex, [...]

Marissa Alexander Sentencing on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

Jacksonville mother Marissa Alexander has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after firing what relatives say was a warning shot at an abusive husband. That ruling came down last Friday afternoon. This morning we took a look at the case and plans to appeal the ruling. Joining us was Angie Nixon, North Florida’s representative [...]

Media Roundtable Week in Review on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

It’s Friday, and that means it was time to look back at the week’s top headlines with our media roundtable. Joining us today to discuss the biggest stories from this past week were: Larry Hannan, reporter for the Florida Times-Union; David Champman, reporter for the Financial News and Daily Record; John Burr, editor of the [...]

Florida’s Imperiled Water on WJCT’s First Coast Connect

Silver Springs, located just east of Ocala, is the site of one of the largest artesian spring formations in the world, producing 500 million gallons of crystal clear waters every day. It’s also one of the state’s most famous natural resources, attracting millions of visitors to Florida over the last century. But Silver Springs is [...]