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This Week in Jacksonville

Kent Justice hosts a discussion with decision makers and other people behind the news every Sunday at 9 a.m.

Pride Month lights on Acosta Bridge; State Sen. Travis Hutson; 100 Black Men of Jacksonville President Ronnie King

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Equality Florida’s Jimmy Midyette discusses the impact of changing the lights on the Acosta Bridge from rainbow for Pride Month to blue and then back to rainbow again. State Sen. Travis Hutson weighs in on the governor signing the largest state budget in Florida’s history. Some of the vetoes included killing requests to fund the Hotel Ponce de Leon Preservation and Restoration ($250,000) and a program called St. John’s Schools Classroom to Careers/Flagships. And 100 Black Men of Jacksonville President Ronnie King reacts to a bill that would have given $1 million to a project called Coding in Color being vetoed.

Jacksonville City Council votes to double gas tax; State’s new gambling agreement; Florida House speaker

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” News4Jax political analyst and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney gives perspective on the Jacksonville City Council voting to double Duval County’s gas tax. State Reps. Tracie Davis and Clay Yarborough discuss the pros and cons of the state’s new gambling agreement. And Florida Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls talks about the 2021 legislative session.

Changes to health care; plans for Emerald Trail; tribute to former JU President Fran Kinne

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” we are joined by Mayo Clinic Jacksonville CEO Dr. Kent Thielen to discuss the changes to health care becoming permanent following the pandemic. We’re also digging deeper into plans for Emerald Trail in Duval County with Groundwork Jacksonville CEO Kay Ehas and Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney. And we’re closing our show with a tribute to JU’s beloved former President Fran Kinne and a look back at her 62-year association with the university.

Gas tax proposal; Florida’s upcoming special legislative session

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Jacksonville City Councilwoman LeAnna Cumber explains her view on the local option gas tax proposal. Author and local attorney Chris Hand also shares his view and provides insight on the proposal. And state Sen. Aaron Bean talks about Florida’s upcoming special legislative session.

City Council president on gas tax legislation; OurJax chairman; Jumbo Shrimp owner

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” legislation to increase the local option gas tax is finally getting attention from the Jacksonville City Council. City Council President Tommy Hazouri explains the impact on transportation and infrastructure. OurJax Chairman David Miller weighs in on various city projects and developments. And it’s been a long time since the Jumbo Shrimp hit the diamond. That changes soon. Jumbo Shrimp Owner Ken Babby talks about what to expect for the upcoming season.

Impact of Derek Chauvin’s conviction; Jacksonville’s infrastructure needs & proposed gas tax increase

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Northside Coalition President Ben Frazier and Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police President Steve Zona each discuss the impact of the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin verdict. Then Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute Director Rick Mullaney joins the show as Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nat Ford and Jacksonville Civil Council Chairman John Delaney each discuss the city’s infrastructure needs and the proposed gas tax increase.

US Rep. Kat Cammack; school choice, J&J vaccine

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack weighs in on what’s happening on the southern border. We’re also digging into why some parents can’t say enough about school choice and where the issue stands on its way through the Florida Legislature. Plus, Dr. Sunil Joshi talks about the COVID-19 vaccine and what happened with Johnson & Johnson.

US Rep. Al Lawson; former Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland; vaccine passports

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” U.S. Rep. Al Lawson talks about a wide variety of issues, including the border crisis, the proposed infrastructure bill and the COVID-19 vaccine. Then former Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland joins the show to talk about his experiences with voting systems and the new voting law in Georgia. Finally, tech expert Ian Kahn joins the show to talk about vaccine passports and his views on whether they will be required in the future.

Jacksonville City Council meetings; ‘anti-riot’ bill; Feeding Northeast Florida

Jacksonville City Councilman Terrance Freeman joins this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” to discuss the City Council meetings in March that included discussions of the NOPE bill and the replacement of septic systems in the Christobel neighborhood. Then, Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren and state Rep. Cord Byrd join the show to share their views on HB 1, the so-called “anti-riot” bill. Finally, Susan King, president and CEO of Feeding Northeast Florida, joins the show to talk about her meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris and the help her organization is receiving and providing for COVID-19 relief.

Health care in Florida; Sen. Rick Scott; State’s legislative session

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” state Rep. Angie Nixon and Dr. Nancy Staats, both of whom have called for Florida to expand Medicaid, talk about how it could help people in need of health care and the money that would be involved in making it happen. U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, of Florida, calls for states to send back federal relief money if they aren’t spending it on COVID-19 expenses. And state Sen. Travis Hutson talks about his energy bills and how he feels about proposed changes to the Bright Futures scholarship program.

Florida’s 2021 legislative session; governor’s State of the State address; UNF research polls

On this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville,” Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis weighs in on what can be accomplished during Florida’s 2021 legislative session. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried shares her thoughts on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address. And University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab Director Dr. Michael Binder explains recent poll results.

Rep. Renner weighs in on controversial ‘anti-mob’ bill

In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests across the country, Gov. Ron DeSantis has been publically pushing legislation that would impose felony-level penalties on anyone who damages property, causes injury or destroys public property during a protest.