First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross

How to have reasoned debate about hard topics in an age of social media manipulation.

A new study recommends expanding the definition of a potentially catastrophic storm to include real hazards — like storm surge and rainfall.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from contentious council debates to possible incentives for a Southside surf park.

We ask Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan about rallying community support for her budget and a recent City Council walkout, and take your calls and questions.

Extreme temperatures and a warming climate pose increased risks to pregnant women and their unborn children.

A new regional campaign takes aim at e-bike, scooter and motorized skateboard safety in response to a surge in accidents and head injuries.

A Florida professor is using music to teach about climate change — including the collapse of the oyster population.

From Downtown Pub subs to the state's elimination of vaccine mandates, we discuss all the week's headlines with our panel of experts.

Investigative reporter Shoshana Walter's new book, “Rehab: An American Scandal,” explores the multibillion-dollar for-profit industry.

From a “raging fire” in public health to pregnancy robots in China, we talk about the latest medical headlines with Dr. Joe Sirven.

A new campaign is urging the governor to stop executing former service members.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from a police shooting in Atlantic Beach to a rapidly emptying Alligator Alcatraz.

A century after a pivotal exhibition planted the flag for modern art in Jacksonville and the South, a new book examines its lasting impact.

Education experts contend advancements in artificial intelligence are changing how we value traditional measures of human intelligence.

Investigative reporter Joshua Sharpe helped exonerate an innocent man and lead investigators to the suspect now charged with two brutal Camden County murders.

The Big Beautiful Bill is coming due for health care costs, according to insurance industry forecasts.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from a major reversal in a Department of Justice redlining case to growing pushback on cuts to Meals on Wheels.

From the politics of Jags ticket perks to the policies of immigrant detention, we discuss the latest state and local headlines with government expert Chris Hand.

After three students are hit by vehicles in just three days, what is the school district doing to protect them?

With the City Council proposing to cut congenital syphilis prevention from the mayor's budget, two local experts explain why the problem in Duval is especially dire.

St. Johns County Cultural Council unveils its new heritage trail, inviting visitors to explore centuries of Black history in St. Augustine and surrounding communities.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from a state attorney's investigation into a controversial police punching incident to concerns about City Council members violating sunshine laws.

Ahead of the WJCT event, The Caregiver Journey Workshop, we discuss a job that is both a labor of love and an often unbearable burden.

Tax season arrives alongside a wave of critical state attention on Jacksonville's property tax revenues.

From a brewing battle over public health spending to a “performative” tax cut, we get Jacksonville Mayor Deegan's take on budget season so far.

The official policies and personal preferences of new Health and Human Services Secretary RFK have broad effects across the First Coast.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from a shooting at Fort Stewart to a detention center at Camp Blanding.

A new city initiative aims to tell the difficult stories of Jacksonville's disparities through hard numbers.

A series of discussions prompted by a controversial arrest tackles concerns about police violence and a broken trust with some in the Black community.

In an increasingly politicized City Hall, we ask new Jax City Council President Kevin Carrico what kind of leader he plans to be.

Animal rescuers and advocates discuss the challenges and rewards of humane activism.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from the discovery of a long-overdue report into the Douglas Anderson scandal to the ongoing controversy over a viral traffic stop video.

The University of North Florida's first faculty fellow for artificial intelligence explains what we need to watch, anticipate and possibly even fear.

The director of the critically acclaimed “No Sleep Till” discusses the inspiration behind her locally shot and set film.

A new report finds 34 children sent to the notorious school for boys ended up sentenced to death in Florida courts.

We talk with the reporter behind a yearlong investigation into why the acclaimed arts school became a magnet for sexual misconduct scandals.

From a police punching video to political perceptions in a new GOP poll, we talk about all the week's biggest headlines with our panel of journalists.

How a promise made 17 years ago led the First Coast News anchorman to help a stranger with leukemia.

How changing immigration policies are making it tougher for employers to comply with the law.

A traffic stop in February becomes topical news after the driver's attorney releases the shocking video.

We check in with Jacksonville Today beat reporter Noah Hertz about what's happening in the state's fastest growing coastal county.

It's the week's biggest headlines, from questions about Alligator Alcatraz contracts to City Council politics over committee appointments.

Government expert Chris Hand helps decipher what the mayor's spending plan means for government priorities — and taxpayers.

From the shadow docket to the expansion of presidential powers, we ask experts in constitutional law to help interpret a consequential Supreme Court term.

A lead sex crimes prosecutor explains how federal funding and advanced DNA testing have helped the local State Attorney's Office build successful cases out of the state's rape kit backlog.

We ask a local attorney how the state's extension of noncompete restrictions on employees could affect your next job hunt.