Representing Florida

With the passing of July 4th, election season gets underway in earnest, along with our candidate interviews. Firebrand First Coast lawmaker Angie Nixon joins us to discuss her bid for U.S. Senate, in which she faces Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and fellow Democrat Alex Vindman. Nixon comes to the race with a funding disadvantage but with a reputation as a fighter (albeit one with few legislative victories), as well as a vocal foe of the governor. We ask her why she chose to leave a “safe” seat — and what would have been her fourth and final term in the state House — in order to run for a seat in the upper chamber. First Coast Connect will be covering a range of local races and election-related topics between now and Nov. 3. You can find detailed information about upcoming elections, including information about candidates and ballot initiatives in your specific district, at the nonpartisan League of Women Voters website Vote411.org. The deadline to register to vote in the August primaries is July 20.

Guest: State Rep. Angie Nixon, candidate for U.S. Senate

The world’s largest private collection of historic documents returns to Northeast Florida. Although the Jacksonville Karpeles Manuscript Museum in Springfield closed in 2023 as part of a reorganization by its parent company, a new St. Augustine location will serve as the internationally known museum’s flagship. The Karpeles Manuscript Library features an array of rare manuscripts and artifacts spanning centuries of history from Civil War records to writings by Albert Einstein to Disney animation sketches. We talk to the museum’s director about the history of the collection, their mission to make historic documents accessible to future generations and what visitors can expect during their soft opening as America celebrates its 250th birthday.

Guest: Wayne Jackson, director, Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum

Jacksonville’s newest community theater stages its inaugural show with a nod to the musical version of the 1982 classic film Victor/Victoria. The Arts Collective Theatre is a joint project of longtime First Coast performers Lee Hamby and Julie Harrington and aims to broaden local theater offerings while serving as “a sanctuary for artists of all backgrounds.” We discuss how the first show of what the team is calling “Season Zero” fits the creators’ vision and what challenges have come with the maiden production. Victor/Victoria opens July 10 and runs through July 26.

Guests: 

• Lee Hamby, artistic director, Arts Collective Theatre
• Josh Waller, actor playing Toddy in Victor/Victoria
• Joshua Bond, actor playing King in Victor/Victoria