Radio 89.9 News

February 3, 2012

Law enforcement officials will spend the next month cracking down on motorists who violate the state’s Move Over law.
As WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, while the law has been on the books in Florida for almost ten years, most motorists don’t know it exists. Listen

February 2, 2012

Punxsutawney Phil may have seen his shadow on Thursday, predicting six more weeks of winter. But as WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, officials at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens say Millie the hedgehog is far more accurate weather forecaster. Listen

The head of the Police and Fire Pension Fund says solving the pension crisis now facing the city of Jacksonville won’t happen overnight. As WJCT’s Scott Kim reports, a fund official says there are solutions, if city officials are willing to implement them. Listen

February 1, 2012

The trial date for 13-year-old Cristian Fernandez will almost certainly be pushed back. That’s after Duval County Public Defender Matt Shirk withdrew from representing the boy, clearing the way for another defense team to step in. WJCT’s Scott Kim has more. Listen

January 31, 2012

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown signed the three-year contract with the police union into law today. (Tuesday)
As WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, Brown says the deal will save the city about 20-million dollars.
Listen

January 30, 2012

Former U-S House Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke to about 100 supporters in Downtown Jacksonville today. (Monday)
As WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, Gingrich says he’s relying on people power, instead of money to win the Florida primary and the nomination. Listen

The latest study by the Jacksonville Community Council, Incorporated…or J-C-C-I…finds that the quality of life for First Coast residents continued to get better in 2010. But, as WJCT’s Cyd Hoskinson tells us, there’s still plenty of room for improvement… Listen

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney rallied the faithful today (Monday) in Jacksonville, one day before Florida’s primary election. As WJCT’s Scott Kim reports, Romney leveled criticism at both Newt Gingrich and President Barack Obama. Listen

Polls open at 7 tomorrow morning (Tuesday) in the Florida Republican primary election. WJCT’s Jessica Palombo went to the Jacksonville Landing to talk to registered voters, and as it turns out, many were still not sure who would get their vote. Listen

The Republican field of presidential candidates has been winnowed down over the past month, but a clear frontrunner has yet to emerge. This Tuesday’s Florida primary election should help clarify the situation somewhat, but the uncertain nature of the race is rather unusual for American politics. That’s the view of David Ignatius, award-winning journalist and columnist for the Washington Post. Ignatius was in Jacksonville recently to address the World Affairs Council. He spoke with WJCT’s Scott Kim about the GOP primary election, and what President Barack Obama must focus on in order to win re-election. Ignatius says this year’s Republican primary reminds him of two similar situations. Listen

January 27, 2012

The University of North Florida was alive with debate last night…from the official discourse among the 4-Republican presidential candidates onstage…to the equally passionate but infinitely less disciplined displays outside. WJCT’s Cyd Hoskinson was there, taking it all in. She filed this audio-snapshot… Listen

Students from the University of North Florida Applied Journalism Class prepared the following podcasts about the UNF Presidential Debate for WJCT:

For some University of North Florida students, 2012 is the first time they’re eligible to vote in a presidential election. Jon Shumake and Ashlee Gaudet have this report on how the debate might affect the student vote. Listen

The debate gives the University of North Florida a chance to shine on national television, and no one is more proud than University President John Delaney. Rebecca Hoart and Melanie Pagan spoke with Delaney about the benefits of hosting a major political event. Listen

Jessica Dubois-Maahs and Kionta Brooks spoke with UNF students about the issues that are most important to them in this election. Listen

University of North Florida public relations students got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help CNN prepare for the debate. Alex McClain and Nicholas Jones spoke with one of the lucky students and prepared this report. Listen

The debate brought a national spotlight and also attracted protestors to the UNF campus. Gabe Thompson, Lindsey Montgomery and Paula Senn have that story. Listen

A group of politically active UNF students is supporting Newt Gingrich. Katie Gile and Naomi Bermudez spoke with the students about the strategy they think their candidate should take. Listen

Two communications students, Maggie Seppi and Darianne Stubbs, received tickets for the debate. This is their “insider” account of what it was like to see the debate from the Lazarra Performance Hall. Listen

Debate preparations turned the UNF campus upside down. Cassidy Roddy and Anastassia Melnikov captured student reaction to the disruption of their regular schedules and routines. Listen

Community members gathered today (Friday) in front of State Senator John Thrasher’s office in Jacksonville…to protest bills that would privatize state prisons. As WJCT’s Greg Parlier reports, the protesters sat the bills would lead to job losses in communities that cannot afford them. Listen

January 26, 2012

The latest in the series of Republican Presidential Primary debates is tonight in the Lazarra Performance Hall on the University of North Florida campus. This is the 6th such debate C-N-N has sponsored during this current election cycle. But it’s a first for U-N-F. WJCT’s Cyd Hoskinson visited the campus to get some idea of what it takes to host an event of this magnitude. Listen

January 25, 2012

Jacksonville will be the center of the nation’s politics on Thursday as the four remaining Republican Presidential candidates meet for a debate at the University of North Florida. As WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, the debate could play a major role in determining who wins the GOP nomination. Listen

Jacksonville-based on-line marketing provider Web-dot-com is expanding its staff. As WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, the company announced this morning (Wednesday) it will hire 200 more employees over the next two years. Listen

A survey released today (Wednesday) on risky behavior and health habits among Duval County middle and high school students shows mixed results. A WJCT’s Scott Kim reports, health officials say the survey helps them understand where they need to focus more resources. Listen

January 24, 2012

The Jacksonville City Council has approved the city’s new three-year contract with its police union.
As WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, the deal is expected to save the city over 20-million dollars over its length. Listen

January 23, 2012

State Representative Janet Adkins hosts a public meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Tallahassee to discuss the possible closure of the St. Johns River Ferry. The service links Fort George Island and Mayport Village, and has been operating since 1948. As WJCT’s Scott Kim reports, businesses and residents are holding out hope that the ferry can be saved. Listen

Officials say more than 250-thousand Florida republicans have already cast their ballot for next week’s state Presidential Preference Primary. But as WJCT’s Kevin Meerschaert reports, election officials want to remind voters, if you’ve already cast a ballot you CAN’T change your mind and ask for another one. Listen