Well, that escalated quickly. Just hours after a new state law took effect offering a fast track to develop Florida’s farmlands, four large-scale developers applied to take advantage of it. Senate Bill 686 allows property owners to develop their land at least as intensely as adjacent properties without going through any additional rezoning process at the county level. The streamlined procedure also places a 30-day timetable for county approval, meaning longstanding agricultural lands could become massive residential developments without any input from the public or local lawmakers. As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, of the four properties in question the largest by far is a 4,426-acre parcel situated west of the Intracoastal and north of Nocatee Parkway. The land is owned by Sonoc Co., the holding company associated with The PARC Group, which developed Nocatee. We explore the practical implications of accommodating the new law in an increasingly growth-strained county, as well as the political debate that is already emerging among growth-averse residents.

Guests:


Stuart Korfhage, managing editor at the Jacksonville Business Journal


Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter at Jacksonville Today

Hypertension study

A new drug for high blood pressure could make treatment far easier for patients — and its final trial is happening on the First Coast. A Phase 3 clinical trial will examine the effectiveness of a twice-yearly injection that’s designed to lower blood pressure at its source. During previous trials, the drug was shown to block the liver’s production of angiotensinogen, which in turn reduces levels of a hormone known to increase blood pressure. Researchers say the goal of the multiyear trial is to identify whether lowering one’s blood pressure through this new injection reduces the likelihood of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular death.

Guest: Dr. Mitchell Rothstein, principal investigator, ENCORE Research Group

Digital literacy

Ever wonder what Jacksonville newspaper headlines or cartoons looked like back in the day? The Jacksonville Library’s newly expanded digital database includes local newspaper collections, from The Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Journal to the Beaches Leader. The archive includes newspaper pages, photographs, graphics and ads from papers dating back as far as 1883. We sit down with two special collections librarians to hear how online archives are bridging a historical gap, and connecting a new generation to traditional news sources.

Guests:


Claire Manos, special collections librarian, Jacksonville Public Library


Tatyanna Brash, special collections librarian, Jacksonville Public Library

Obstacle course

A local songwriting competition invites songwriters to perform original songs inspired by a select theme — in this case, obstacles. The Songwriter Competition is hosted by local musician and songwriter Joyce Whorton at The Inkwell Art Bar in Fernandina Beach, described as an “intimate listening room setting.” Participants are judged on the quality and creativity of their lyrics, melody and structure. The event also highlights the Art Bar’s weekly Open Mic Nights, which gives local musicians a welcoming space to perform. The event is at 6-10 p.m. Monday, July 20. Participants can register here.

Guest: Joyce Whorton, local musician and songwriter

Well, that escalated quickly. Just hours after a new state law took effect offering a fast track to develop Florida&rsquo;s farmlands, four large-scale developers applied to take advantage of it. Senate Bill 686 allows property owners to develop their land at least as intensely as adjacent properties without going through any additional rezoning process at the county level. The streamlined procedure also places a 30-day timetable for county approval, meaning longstanding agricultural lands could become massive residential developments without any input from the public or local lawmakers. As <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2026/07/02/developers-poised-to-get-quick-approval.html">reported by</a> the Jacksonville Business Journal, of the four properties in question the largest by far is a 4,426-acre parcel situated west of the Intracoastal and north of Nocatee Parkway. The land is owned by Sonoc Co., the holding company associated with The PARC Group, which developed Nocatee. We explore the practical implications of accommodating the new law in an increasingly growth-strained county, as well as the political debate that is already emerging among growth-averse residents.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
Stuart Korfhage, managing editor at the Jacksonville Business Journal
</li>
<li>
Noah Hertz, St. Johns County reporter at Jacksonville Today
</li>
</ul>
Hypertension study
A new drug for high blood pressure could make treatment far easier for patients &mdash; and its final trial is happening on the First Coast. A Phase 3 clinical trial will examine the effectiveness of a twice-yearly injection that&rsquo;s designed to lower blood pressure at its source. During previous trials, the drug was shown to block the liver&rsquo;s production of angiotensinogen, which in turn reduces levels of a hormone known to increase blood pressure. Researchers say the goal of the multiyear trial is to identify whether lowering one&rsquo;s blood pressure through this new injection reduces the likelihood of stroke, heart attack and cardiovascular death.
Guest: Dr. Mitchell Rothstein, principal investigator, ENCORE Research Group
Digital literacy
Ever wonder what Jacksonville newspaper headlines or cartoons looked like back in the day? The Jacksonville Library&rsquo;s newly expanded digital database includes local newspaper collections, from The Florida Times-Union and the Jacksonville Journal to the Beaches Leader. The archive includes newspaper pages, photographs, graphics and ads from papers dating back as far as 1883. We sit down with two special collections librarians to hear how online archives are bridging a historical gap, and connecting a new generation to traditional news sources.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>
Claire Manos, special collections librarian, Jacksonville Public Library
</li>
<li>
Tatyanna Brash, special collections librarian, Jacksonville Public Library
</li>
</ul>
Obstacle course
A local songwriting competition invites songwriters to perform original songs inspired by a select theme &mdash; in this case, obstacles. The Songwriter Competition is hosted by local musician and songwriter Joyce Whorton at The Inkwell Art Bar in Fernandina Beach, described as an &ldquo;intimate listening room setting.&rdquo; Participants are judged on the quality and creativity of their lyrics, melody and structure. The event also highlights the Art Bar&rsquo;s weekly Open Mic Nights, which gives local musicians a welcoming space to perform. The event is at 6-10 p.m. Monday, July 20. Participants can register <a href="https://904tix.com/events/songwriter-competition-hosted-by-joyce-whorton-7-20-2026">here</a>.
Guest: Joyce Whorton, local musician and songwriter

Stay connected to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida with WJCT News Now — your free, daily news podcast from WJCT Public Media. Every morning, anchor Steven Ponson breaks down the headlines you need to start your day informed. Then go deeper with highlights from First Coast Connect — the show where local newsmakers, civic leaders, artists, and community voices come together to talk through what's happening in your backyard.

 Subscribe free and make WJCT News Now part of your daily routine.

Stay connected to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida with WJCT News Now &mdash; your free, daily news podcast from WJCT Public Media. Every morning, anchor Steven Ponson breaks down the headlines you need to start your day informed. Then go deeper with highlights from First Coast Connect &mdash; the show where local newsmakers, civic leaders, artists, and community voices come together to talk through what's happening in your backyard.
&nbsp;Subscribe free and make WJCT News Now part of your daily routine.