Mikes on Mic

Welcome back to Mikes on Mic, your Jacksonville podcast for in-depth political discussions and insights. Today we dive into the post-election landscape with UNF Political Science professor, Dr. Michael Binder. We unpack the challenges faced by the Democratic Party in Florida, including their struggles to unify progressives and moderates, as well as their difficulties in mobilizing voters compared...

Welcome to another episode of "Mikes on Mic," the podcast where we talk politics, government, and all things Jacksonville!  Today, we've got stories, laughs, and career highlights from our hosts Mike Miller, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Hightower, along with our producer, Scott Westerman. Tolbert kicks off with a funny campaign story about a "BRATLEY FILE" and a dog race bet, wh...

With one of the most important elections of our lifetime coming up, Duval Supervisor of Elections, Jerry Holland joins Mike Tolbert, Mike Hightower and Mike Miller to discuss how Duval County voter data has changed since 2020, the increase in Non Party Affiliated voters and the massive task of tallying the numbers.  The group discusses the evolution of voting technology, changes to the process nec...

Welcome back to Mikes On Mic! Today, we're breaking down the complexities of the upcoming November 5th general election. Join us as we discuss: How cell phones and robocalls are changing voter outreach through polling mechanics. The key statewide and local elections that will impact governance. The rise of negative campaigning and its effect on voter turnout in the current political climate....

Welcome back to Mikes on Mic! Homelessness in Jacksonville is a growing problem and our city is a leader in services to the homeless community. But some on the City Council who hold the purse strings are reluctant to fully fund Mayor Deegan's initiatives. This week, we visited with the executive director of Jacksonville's award-winning Sulzbacher Center, Cindy Funkhouser, about her team,...

Welcome back to Mikes On Mic! Today we pivot from our planned discussion to focus on the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a catastrophic storm that has devastated parts of Florida and the southern United States.  We will be talking about community, resilience, and the power of human spirit in the face of disaster. We thank all the first responders and volunteers who put their lives on the...

Welcome back to Mikes on Mic! your go-to podcast for politics, government, and current events in Jacksonville. In today's episode, we have the honor of hosting Warren Jones, a longtime public servant and current school board member. Join us as we dive deep into pressing issues facing Duval County Schools, including upcoming school closures, financial struggles, and the potential relocation of...

Welcome back to Mikes On Mic! Today we are again featuring Nat Ford, the CEO of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA). With an extensive background of working in major markets like San Francisco, Atlanta, and New York City, Nat Ford shares his experience in managing various transit modes—from streetcars to autonomous vehicles. Join us as we explore Jacksonville's transformation in p...

Welcome back to Mikes on Mic! Today we dive into the pivotal debates surrounding Jacksonville’s 2024-25 Budget! Tensions arise as we explore partisan influences on salary adjustments, the contentious funding decisions for the Mayor's Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the fate of the $56 million park fund tied to the Jaguars deal. Discover how affordable housing and homelessness are pivot...

The Mikes On Mic crew is taking the week off in observance of the Labor Day holiday.  Enjoy this encore presentation of the podcast discussing Councilman Rory Diamond and the discussion about the governor’s new state slogan, “Welcome to the Free State of Florida” Tune in to the show in your favorite Podcasting Plaform. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mikes-on-mic/id1697258731...

Welcome to Mikes on Mic! On this week’s episode we delve into Jacksonville's politics focusing on the recent primary election and its implications for the upcoming general election. What might be the impact of the potential abortion and marijuana constitutional amendment proposals have on voter turnout?   We also discuss the surprising outcomes of school board races, the impact of Governor De...

Welcome back to Mikes on Mike!  Today, we discuss political tensions in Jacksonville. We'll have some interesting clips from Rory Diamond, Michael Corrigan, and Major Donna Deegan. First, we examine Council Member Rory Diamond's controversial actions. He's had notable clashes with the mayor over budget and policies. Next, we address Jacksonville's identity crisis. Should the ci...

Welcome to another engaging episode of Mikes on Mic! Today, we discuss some controversial and engaging local topics. Mark Woods, a respected columnist, shares his insights on these (including the new Florida signs) and the unexpected reactions they have sparked across the state. Today we also talk about: - The origins and impact of Florida’s new state welcome signs - The battle between state manda...

Behind the JEA Sale: Mike Hightower, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Miller's Insights Welcome back to Mikes on Mic! Today we are again talking about the attempted sale of JEA, Jacksonville's public utility service and the four-year prison sentence handed down on former JEA CEO Aaron Zahn. We'll be talking about Steve Busey's year-long investigation that reviewed over 600,000 documents,...

Welcome back to Mikes On Mic. Today break down the transformative $1.9 billion budget for Jacksonville presented by Mayor Donna Deegan.  Explore how investments in infrastructure, police, and fire services are set to bring long-term returns, and learn about the aggressive push to secure federal funding for key projects like the Emerald Trail and the out east project.  We'll discuss crucial to...

First, there's the upcoming debate in the city council over the Mayor’s $1.9 billion budget proposal.  Next, we're looking at the fight over the state ballot initiatives legalizing recreational marijuana and abortion rights.  We’ll talk about these topics and others with our guest columnist AG Gancarski.  Tune in for a closer look at the forces shaping Jacksonville and Florida politics a...

Welcome back to Mikes On Mic.  We're dissecting the erosion of home rule and ethics laws, the concerning right-wing influence, and the limitations being placed on local ethics commissions.  We explore the chilling effect of requiring personal knowledge of ethics violations and the elimination of anonymous complaints, which hinder whistleblowers.  Tune in for a critical discussion on the futur...

The Mikes celebrate the one year anniversary of Mikes on Mic with a look back at highlights from the past 51 episodes, including Sheriff Nat Glover, Michael Krause of Politico on the power and influence of political consultant Susie Wiles, memories of the early Jacksonville Jazz Festivals and UNF pollster Dr. Michael Bender on the changing political climate in Jacksonville.  The program originates...

Welcome back to Mikes on Mic. As we approach our one-year anniversary, today's episode features a special guest, Darnell Smith, the accomplished Chief of Staff for Mayor Deegan. Darnell shares insider perspectives on his transition from Florida Blue to city government, his role in the historic $1.4 billion stadium renovation deal, and the complex dynamics of working with a predominantly Repub...

As we wrap up our 3-part series on the proposed stadium renovation and Community Benefit Agreement, our guest is Mark Lamping, president of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mr. Lamping discusses the transformative vision behind the Jaguars Stadium renovation project. With enthusiasm and strategic foresight, Lamping outlined how this ambitious initiative will not only redefine the game-day experience but...

Join us in today's episode. We will explore the latest polling results. They show positive job approval ratings for key city officials and unexpected public support for downtown development. Dr. Michael Binder sheds light on critical issues like public safety, crime in Duval County, and the high-stakes decisions surrounding the stadium redevelopment project and the Community Benefits Agreemen...

This is the first of three episodes focusing on the proposal to renovate the stadium. In this first episode, our guest, Times Union reporter David Bauerlein, joins us to dissect the ongoing discussions about the proposed stadium deal and Community Benefits Agreement with the Jaguars. We talk about the importance of transparency and engagement with the public, the significance of the Community Bene...

Welcome back to another episode of Mikes on Mic! Today we're tackling some hot-button topics, starting with the proposed $1.4 billion Jaguars stadium deal. We'll also discuss Jacksonville's public school renovations, the concerns over transparency and the allocation of the half-penny sales tax, and the challenges facing our new superintendent. Plus, we'll examine the city'...

Our dear friend Michael Corrigan shared valuable insights into the fascinating world of Jacksonville's tourism, its natural beauty, and the efforts to promote this vibrant city! Michael, a former city council member and president, and a long-time observer of Jacksonville's political landscape, discussed the various aspects of Jacksonville's tourist appeal.  From the ease of getting...

Discover the impact of moving the festival to Metropolitan Park, the passion and influence of key community figures in Washington and Tallahassee, and the unforgettable moments from a memorable 8-hour live telecast. We'll discuss the festival's origins as an effort to revitalize Mayport, share anecdotes about early challenges like permit issues, and reflect on legendary performances by a...