First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross

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Hosted by Melissa Ross, First Coast Connect is an hour-long call-in program that features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, arts, activities across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, along with spot news features and a weekly roundtable of local journalists.

WJCT


    • Oct 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 1,319 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2025 51:00


    It's the week's biggest headlines, from council pressure on the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to back-to-back losses for the state attorney.

    Policing the police

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 51:00


    A local documentary series looks back at the unprecedented federal investigation into officer corruption, drug dealing and murder at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

    Florida, strange but true

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2025 50:59


    Acclaimed author and environmental reporter Craig Pittman talks about the endless inspiration of his home state.

    Unsafe behind bars

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2025 51:00


    A former prison investigator flags safety concerns as the Department of Corrections chief submits a “staggering” budget request.

    Crackdown on campus speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2025 51:00


    Teachers at the University of North Florida and Florida State College at Jacksonville discuss threats, retaliation and the chilling effect of secret surveillance.

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2025 51:00


    It's the week's biggest headlines, from a controversial arrest by Jacksonville police, to city leaders denying School Board members their own attorney.

    Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 51:00


    A conversation with the author whose book and podcast, “Bone Valley,” helped free a wrongfully convicted man after 36 years in prison.

    When foster care comes to an end

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 51:01


    Employment and housing are just two of the challenges facing foster care “graduates” aging out of the state system.

    Why do people migrate?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 51:01


    An international migratory expert explains the economic and environmental forces reshaping global migration, ahead of an appearance in Jacksonville.

    Lenny Curry 2.0 Has Zero Apologies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 50:57


    From social media posts to JEA to critiques of the current administration, former Mayor Curry says, "It is what it is."

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 51:00


    It's the week's biggest headlines, from an aborted sale of the Duval Schools headquarters to the city's riderless “driverless” vehicles.

    Gubernatorial candidate David Jolly

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 51:00


    A former Republican turned Democratic candidate hopes to be Florida's next governor.

    'Fans, bands and fried chicken'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 51:00


    Riverside Avondale Preservation's second annual Music Tour features the author of a new history of the legendary Jax Beach nightclub Einstein A Go-Go.

    Ask the Mayor

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 51:00


    From a gubernatorial critique of an airport hologram to the resignation of a top staffer, we talk city news with Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan.

    mayors ask the mayor
    Drones that address manatee deaths

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 51:00


    As manatee deaths rise in Northeast Florida, a local nonprofit convenes scientists, conservationists and maritime professionals with one mutual goal: saving the gentle giants while keeping the shipping economy afloat.

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 50:59


    It's the week's biggest headlines, from a new tool for tracking domestic violence to a hologram hullabaloo staged by state officials.

    No 'safe harbor' for sex trafficking victims

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 53:00


    State laws designed to treat people who are trafficked as victims instead of criminals aren't working as planned. A new report shows what's happening instead.

    The Young Ones

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 51:00


    A new generation of local environmental activists is tackling everything from litter to climate change. We meet three of them.

    Retribution and the justice system

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 53:00


    A local political and legal expert analyzes the Trump administration's crackdown on the president's personal enemies and political rivals.

    10 years after the El Faro disaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 53:00


    Family members and a local historian remember the 33 lives lost when the cargo ship left Jacksonville and sailed into a hurricane.

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 51:02


    It's the week's biggest headlines, from late-night budget wrangling to an unexpected expansion of beach driving on Amelia Island.

    State and local headlines with Chris Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025


    From a marathon budget debate to the state of free speech in the Free State of Florida, we get expert analysis of the latest news.

    Childhood cancers and empty cupboards

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 51:01


    Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin turns his focus to food insecurity in families dealing with childhood cancers.

    Changing perceptions of Palatka

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 51:00


    Mayor Robbi Correa discusses how the small town is managing what locals hope is a downtown renaissance.

    The power of the front porch

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 51:00


    Can your neighbors extend your life expectancy? We explore the effects of new urbanism on health.

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2025 51:00


    It's the week's biggest headlines, from state pressure on city finances to a new future for the historic JEA tower.

    Local charity trains surgeons globally

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2025 51:01


    “The only neurosurgeon in Sierra Leone” is now performing lifesaving operations because of the Jacksonville-based Mission:BRAIN.

    Will health care cuts cause permanent injury?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2025 51:02


    Three health care CEOs warn of impacts ahead of a City Council vote to cut spending on health programs.

    Political civility + algorithmic quicksand

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2025 51:00


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

    A 'Cat 6' storm?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 50:59


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

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2025 51:00


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

    Ask the Mayor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 51:00


    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.

    mayors city council ask the mayor
    Bun in the oven: Pregnancy and heat dangers

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2025 51:00


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

    Reducing the vulnerability of 'micromobility'

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2025 51:00


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

    The world and your oyster

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2025 50:58


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

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2025 50:58


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

    When rehabs prey on patients

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2025 51:00


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

    A 'House Call' from Dr. Joe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2025 51:00


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

    Mercy for military veterans?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2025 51:00


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

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2025 51:00


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

    The female gaze: Women and modern art in Jacksonville

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 51:00


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

    Is AI making IQ obsolete?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2025 51:00


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

    The reporter who solved a double murder

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025 51:00


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

    Health insurance expected to spike

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2025 51:00


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

    First Coast Week in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2025 51:00


    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.

    Talking politics with Chris Hand

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 51:00


    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.

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