This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - WJCT’s community-powered evolution
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When WJCT Public Media faced state and federal funding cuts, the organization didn’t just survive—it thrived. In this revealing conversation on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition , President & CEO David McGowan discusses how more than 1,000 donors contributed over $1 million to support independent local media, making WJCT 100% community-funded.
Discover how WJCT is expanding its impact through:
Digital innovation with Jacksonville Today reaching 50,000 subscribers
Early childhood education programs growing to 12 sites
New independent film series featuring 25 upcoming screenings
Record audience engagement in local news
PREVIOUS EPISODE | UNF’s Free AI Certificate Program draws over 20,000 global registrants
McGowan shares insights on building sustainable community support and how local ownership enables WJCT to respond directly to community needs.
This episode offers valuable lessons for media organizations navigating changing funding landscapes while staying true to their public service mission.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Kent Justice headshot
Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.
Arrest warrant issued for Bell High player who struck Fernandina Beach player with helmet ▶ 0:41
Arrest warrant issued for Bell High player who struck Fernandina Beach player with helmet
Family shares safety warning after minibike crash lands man in hospital with serious injuries ▶ 0:23
Family shares safety warning after minibike crash lands man in hospital with serious injuries
Clay County couple makes last-minute bid to save Marineland dolphin park ▶ 1:18
Clay County couple makes last-minute bid to save Marineland dolphin park
Weekend warm up before we're back to sweater weather early next week ▶ 1:15
Weekend warm up before we're back to sweater weather early next week
JSO investigating deadly shooting in Mandarin area ▶ 0:48
JSO investigating deadly shooting in Mandarin area
Locals say SNAP funding disruption hampered ability to pay bills, partial funding not enough ▶ 0:49
Locals say SNAP funding disruption hampered ability to pay bills, partial funding not enough
Kids Free November returns with family fun, districts across Jacksonville ▶ 0:20
Kids Free November returns with family fun, districts across Jacksonville
Richard's Swing Makeover Pt. 6: Staining & sealing the slats ▶ 1:40
Richard's Swing Makeover Pt. 6: Staining & sealing the slats
Furloughed federal worker steps in to help clean up neglected Northwest Jacksonville cemetery ▶ 1:23
Furloughed federal worker steps in to help clean up neglected Northwest Jacksonville cemetery
Jaguars fans buzzing over nail-biting overtime victory in Las Vegas ▶ 0:45
Jaguars fans buzzing over nail-biting overtime victory in Las Vegas
JAXBest 2025: Chenile’s Kitchen captures Best Taco title ▶ 0:48
JAXBest 2025: Chenile’s Kitchen captures Best Taco title
Must watch: News4JAX reporter Caleb Yauger learns how to line dance ▶ 1:03
Must watch: News4JAX reporter Caleb Yauger learns how to line dance
Hundreds fed at Jerome Brown BBQ for government shutdown relief ▶ 0:45
Hundreds fed at Jerome Brown BBQ for government shutdown relief
Florida and Georgia fans talk about what makes the rivalry special ▶ 0:33
Florida and Georgia fans talk about what makes the rivalry special
Teagan Rebane said 🗣️ ‘I’ll take that!’ — Pick 6 to the crib 🐝 ▶ 0:24
Teagan Rebane said 🗣️ ‘I’ll take that!’ — Pick 6 to the crib 🐝
Jaden Weatherly with a 💣to Naeem Burroughs for the score!! ▶ 0:25
Jaden Weatherly with a 💣to Naeem Burroughs for the score!!
Luke Toland knows Camden Tietze is down there for 6️⃣⬆️⬇️ ▶ 0:23
Luke Toland knows Camden Tietze is down there for 6️⃣⬆️⬇️
Perfect pass. Clean catch. Golden touchdown. 🦅 Eric Gentry drops a dime to Gavin Boysen 🎯 ▶ 0:24
Perfect pass. Clean catch. Golden touchdown. 🦅 Eric Gentry drops a dime to Gavin Boysen 🎯
Othellus Swift with a 🏠📞 ▶ 0:25
Othellus Swift with a 🏠📞
Blink and you’ll miss him 👀 Speed kills 😤 Alexander Lee turns the corner and he’s GONE! 🦁 ▶ 0:26
Blink and you’ll miss him 👀 Speed kills 😤 Alexander Lee turns the corner and he’s GONE! 🦁
Donato's chips in to help those struggling with food insecurity as shutdown nears one-month mark ▶ 0:43
Donato's chips in to help those struggling with food insecurity as shutdown nears one-month mark
Local barbeque joint lends helping hand to community affected by potential SNAP cuts ▶ 0:56
Local barbeque joint lends helping hand to community affected by potential SNAP cuts
Latest: Man involved in deadly stabbing at Anheuser-Busch plant hid after committing violent act ▶ 0:43
Latest: Man involved in deadly stabbing at Anheuser-Busch plant hid after committing violent act
Halloween Forecast: Cooler temps call for costume layers tonight ▶ 0:26
Halloween Forecast: Cooler temps call for costume layers tonight
Richard's Swing Makeover Pt. 5: Time to rinse the grunge off now that rust is gone ▶ 1:24
Richard's Swing Makeover Pt. 5: Time to rinse the grunge off now that rust is gone
Previous photo Next photo