Thursday the Biden Administration is expected to announce new vaccination requirements for federal employees and contractors .

First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross

COVID Vaccines And The Workplace; 'I Alone Can Fix It'; Screen Time; Bob White

Across the First Coast, ICUs are overwhelmed with patients admitting with COVID-19, a large number of them unvaccinated. This week, the Jacksonville Civic Council (JCC) launched a new campaign called Get the Facts Jax aimed at increasing the city’s vaccination rate.

Get The Facts Jax; Science is US; Parents Advocate for Universal Masking; Dave Koz

Across the First Coast there is a high demand for COVID tests, as people try to find out if they are positive with the rapidly spreading Delta variant of the virus .

COVID Testing OnThe First Coast

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to rise in our area , as students are preparing to return to school in a few weeks - without a mask mandate.

Masks In Schools; COVID-19 Nurse; Perkins & Will; 'The Sunshine Plate'

We devoted today’s Media Roundtable to the surge in COVID cases in Northeast Florida and around the state and how local officials and Gov. Ron DeSantis are handling it. The panelists were: David Bauerlein of The Florida Times -Union Journalist Claire Goforth Contributor Charles Griggs Mike Mendenhall of the Jax Daily Record Just Like Me Just Like Me is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a free performance at the Florida Theatre . The organization was founded to help foster children on the verge of aging out by teaching them the arts as a way to engage in self expression. The performance, which is a showcase for the students' work, is July 29 at the Florida Theatre in Downtown Jacksonville at 6:30 p.m. Kathryn McAvoy , the founder and executive director of The Performers Academy , which hosts and runs the Just Like Me program, joined us.

Friday Media Roundtable; Just Like Me

On Wednesday, Mayor Lenny Curry and Jacksonville's top health officials urged the public to get vaccinated as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our area again.

COVID In Florida; Jax Riverfront; Florida's Opioid Issue; CampCraft Cocktails

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry has presented his proposed budget for the city , which has re-ignited a debate about how the city's money should be spent.

People's Budget; 'Cruising by Mailboat; Long Covid; What's Good Wednesday

COVID is on the rise yet again. The Jacksonville area has recently become a hotspot for the virus , according to the Mayo Clinic.

COVID On The Rise In Duval; Women's Health; Going Green; Author Craig Pittman

The National Low Income Housing Coalition has released its annual outreach report , which found that affordable housing is out of reach for many Americans.

Housing Costs Rise; First Coast Success; Teen Obesity; Turntable Tuesdays

The Friday Media Roundtable covered these top stories from the First Coast: Jacksonville is now considered a hotspot for CO VID Mayor Lenny Curry is in favor of bringing a Sands casino to Jacksonville Statewide demonstrations protesting Cuba's dictatorship broke out The panelists were: Dan Scanlan of The Florida Times-Union Radio host Angela Spears Tim Gibbons of The Jacksonville Business Journal Sydney Boles of WJCT News Jacksonville Music Experience The Jacksonville Music Experience , WJCT 's multi-platform music hub, offers listeners the authentic sounds of the First Coast. Matt Shaw , the editor-in-chief of Void Magazine , and host of Voidcast , a podcast that's part of the Jacksonville Music Experience, joined us to discuss his favorite music of the moment, all of which you can catch on the Jacksonville Music Experience . That's at JaxMusic.org . Mackenzie Guiry can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org

Friday Media Roundtable; Jax Music Experience

People across Florida have been demonstrating in solidarity with Cubans protesting their country's communist dictatorship over the past few days.

Fla.'s Protest Law; Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings; Lung Cancer Walk; Cocktail Competition

Florida's COVID-19 numbers have been facing a sharp rise, and the surge in infections is linked to the arrival of the new Delta variant.

Delta COVID Variant Spreads In Jax; Surfside Investigation; Shepardfest; What’s Good Wednesday

Thousands of Cubans have protesting food shortages and high prices amid the coronavirus crisis, in one of biggest anti-government moments in memory.

Protests In Cuba; Bill & John Delaney On Fla. Voting Law; Author Tim Gilmore

First Coast News anchor, and marathon founder Donna Deegan , one of Duval County's most prominent Democrats, is strongly considering running for Jacksonville mayor.

Donna Deegan's Political Future; Caregiving; MOSH; St. John’s County Anniversary

This week’s Friday Media Roundtable covered these top stories on the First Coast: Donna Deegan is considering a mayoral run Mayor Lenny Curry announced his pick for the role of chief resiliency officer The mayor took out billboards in four cities urging people to move to Jacksonville Florida is seeing a rise in new Covid-19 cases as the Delta variant takes hold in unvaccinated pockets of the population nationwide This weeks panelists were: Anne Schindler of First Coast News Mike Mendenhall of the Jax Daily Record Contributor Charles Griggs David Bauerlein of The Florida Times-Union 'Mandy’s Voice' Mandy's Voice , a short film that's set to film in Jacksonville, is a true story about a local non-verbal autustic teen. The film showcases the teen's experience with facilitated communication--a polarizing form of communication therapy. Roxanna Lewis , the director and producer of Mandy’s Voice , joined us to discuss her upcoming film. Mackenzie Guiry can be reached at newsteam@wjct.org

Friday Media Roundtable; 'Mandy's Voice'

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.

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First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross

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