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Global trade volatility isn’t fading - it’s becoming the baseline. In this episode of This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition, Kent Justice talks with Robert Peek, Chief Commercial Officer at JAXPORT, about how overlapping shocks (wars, tariffs, Panama Canal drought, Red Sea disruptions, oil-price spikes) are reshaping supply chains — and why Jacksonville’s port strategy is to “play the long game” with infrastructure and capacity.

The Jacksonville City Council is facing big issues, including a property tax referendum, public safety, affordability and much more. And next month, every voter in the city can vote in a special election for an at-large seat on the City Council. News4JAX political analyst Rick Mullaney, filling in for anchor Kent Justice, talks with the candidates for that seat. Plus, in four short years, the Jacksonville University College of Law has become one of the best law schools in Florida, including a bar passage rate above 90% last year. The founding dean, Nick Allard, joins Mullaney to discuss the law school and its future. NOTE: Mullaney is the executive director of the Haskell Public Policy Institute at JU.

Jacksonville University College of Law Founding Dean Nick Allard joins Kent Justice to explain how JU built a brand-new downtown law school in just a few years—and why it matters for Jacksonville’s growth.

Kent Justice talks with Adam Butcher, North Florida area manager for PCL Construction, about the visible—and less visible—economic impact of Jacksonville’s downtown/riverfront buildout. Butcher explains PCL’s growing local presence, why One Tower Court is a signal that Shipyards redevelopment is “real,” and how multiple anchor projects (including the Four Seasons) create an ecosystem that attracts more investment.

Florida voters could soon decide the biggest property tax change in a generation. If tax revenue goes down, what happens to the services your city depends on? And who pays the difference? Then, Jacksonville has a new City Council president. Nick Howland steps into the role as City Hall prepares for difficult budget choices, renewed scrutiny over JEA, and questions about how much government should spend - and how much it should cut.

Jacksonville University College of Law Founding Dean Nick Allard joins Kent Justice to explain how JU built a brand-new downtown law school in just a few years—and why it matters for Jacksonville’s growth.

We start with a headline from Washington with ripple effects everywhere: the U.S. Supreme Court striking down President Trump's order attempting to end birthright citizenship — and raising fresh questions about how far a president can go by executive action.  Political analyst Rick Mullaney joins us. Then, we'll bring it back home to Florida's economy: high-wage manufacturing jobs, a statewide push to grow them, and what it takes to keep companies investing here.

Hurricane season is here, and FPL spokesperson Kam Eppinger says preparation is a year-round effort focused on reliability: hardening poles and equipment, aggressive vegetation management, and a data-driven push to underground neighborhood lines.

Jacksonville City Council enters a new political season. What are the biggest challenges facing city government? From scrutiny of JEA to the potential impact of major changes to property taxes, Councilman Ken Amaro joins us. Then, Freshman Congressman Randy Fine says he's delivering results. But he's also making headlines far beyond Florida's Sixth Congressional District. We'll ask him about the controversies, the criticism, and his approach to representing Northeast Florida. 

As Jacksonville University prepares for a leadership transition, outgoing President Tim Cost joins Kent Justice for a candid conversation about his legacy, the future of higher education, and the university's role as an economic engine for Northeast Florida.

A proposed statewide property tax overhaul is headed toward the ballot - but a lawsuit claims the language voters will see is misleading. And closer to home, Duval County Public Schools is trying to lock in revenue - pushing to extend the 1‑mill school tax. Who decides what goes on the ballot, and what happens if voters say no? Plus, the politics of 2026: Democrats David Jolly and Gwen Graham join us with their pitch to lead Florida - and what they'd do about affordability, growth, and trust in government.

Kent Justice talks with Dr. Carlton Robinson, Chief Innovation Officer at the Jax Chamber, about how Jacksonville can stay competitive as AI shifts from buzzword to workplace reality. Robinson explains why the Chamber launched its new Center for Applied Infrastructure—framing “human-centered AI” as the next kind of public infrastructure—and why the goal is augmentation, not replacement: identifying what must remain human-led and using AI to remove friction in everyday work. 

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s COO Scott SirLouis says Jacksonville is one of the biggest remaining growth opportunities for the 40-year-old, Florida-grown “family sports pub” brand. He explains how Beef’s uses site analytics (cell phone and purchase-pattern modeling) to pinpoint strong neighborhoods, why grocery-anchored centers outperform mall-front real estate for them, and what makes the chain different in a crowded sports-bar category: kid-friendly booths and game rooms, community events like trivia and bingo, and a bar program that’s part of the mix—but not the identity.

Florida issues don't seem to resolve very quickly. We put the Legislature's top concerns to Byron Donalds. The US Representative is campaigning to be Florida's next governor. He weighs in on the budget... affordability in the Sunshine State... and congressional redistricting. Then, City Councilman Jimmy Peluso is in studio. The latest on new leadership at city hall... plus the ongoing controversy over JEA.

Workforce expert and former Congressman Dr. Jason Altmire joins Kent Justice on "This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition" to talk about his new book, Trade Up, and why he believes the future of American competitiveness depends on rebuilding the skilled-trades pipeline.

Is downtown Jacksonville on the verge of a historic transformation? We're sitting down with the CEO of the Downtown Investment Authority. Plus, changes are taking flight at Jacksonville International Airport. A look at the new concourse, new nonstop flights, and a third parking garage, that are all on the way. And, preparing a long-term strategic plan for Jacksonville's future. The city's Chief Resilience Officer joins us to discuss the work of the Office of Resilience.

Entrepreneur Darien “Jack” Jackson returns to This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition to open his newest downtown venture in the Elbow: Dapper Cheesesteaks downstairs paired with a cigar lounge experience upstairs in the former 11 Ocean space. Jackson walks host Kent Justice through a year of delays—from a slow permitting process and repeated plan revisions to contractor turnover that even led to litigation—before finally landing with a new construction team and clearing inspections ahead of a Friday grand opening.

Florida Lawmakers still need to pass a budget before July first. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville City Council is pressing ahead with the JEA investigation and possible subpoenas, even as business leaders call it overreach. Add the push to pause AI data centers, and the pressure of affordable housing as Downtown grows. Government law attorney Chris Hand breaks down what the law allows, what it requires, and what happens if leaders get it wrong?

Florida now requires a stand-alone personal financial literacy course for high school graduation - but guests on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition say the real question is whether it changes behavior. Host Kent Justice talks with Dr. Ronetta Wards of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF) and Howard Dale of the Rotary Club of Jacksonville about what “financial literacy” should actually mean for 17- and 18-year-olds: credit, debt, taxes, budgeting, savings, investing, and even emerging currency like crypto.

On This Week In Jacksonville - the power struggles shaping City Hall. The mayor under fire over a campaign complaint while her office insists everything was done by the book. A fresh wave of controversy swirling around JEA - now with subpoenas and politics colliding over oversight. And as Jacksonville wrestles with affordability and growth, we'll press for what 'progress' really means heading into the next year.  Mayor Donna Deegan joins us. And later, former Congressman Jason Altmire on the national political climate and what it means for Jacksonville.