Mikes on Mic

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...

Today we are exploring the intriguing world of Susie Wiles, the mastermind behind the success of key Republican campaigns. From her instrumental role in Ron DeSantis's 2018 victory to her critical contributions to Donald Trump's 2020 efforts, uncover how Wiles navigates the complex web of politics with finesse. Journalist Michael Kruse shares exclusive insights from his extensive researc...

Welcome back to the show! Today we dive into the vibrant legacy of Senator Bob Graham with insights from close confidant, Chris Hand. Explore the profound influence of one of Florida's most respected leaders, known for his dedication to the Everglades, educational initiatives, and remarkable bipartisan leadership. Discover Graham's unique 'workday' approach that shaped his poli...

Join us for a discussion on the future of education in Duval County on this week’s episode of Mikes on Mic.  Join us as we explore the pressing issues of school mergers, the superintendent search, and the shifting political landscape impacting educational leadership.  Discover what these changes could mean for local students and how community involvement is key to navigating these challenging time...

Amidst the resignation of CEO Jay Stowe, we examine the internal shake-ups, Jay Stowe's legacy, and the appointment of interim CEO Vickie Cavey. Discover the pressing issues and concerns surrounding the controversial Laura Street Trio project, city spending, and daily infrastructure needs. What does this mean for JEA’s future and the city's relationship with developers like Steve Atkins?...

 From the uncharted waters of marijuana legislation to the contentious challenges of abortion laws, we dissect the state of play in Florida's ever-evolving political arena. Discover Dr. Michael Binder's predictions for Rick Scott's reelection prospects and the future of marijuana legalization with a 60% approval threshold. We'll also explore the impact of Supreme Court decision...

Today we uncover the challenges and benefits behind securing a massive $147 million federal grant for Jacksonville's transformative Emerald Trail project. Learn about the strategic planning and advocacy that led JTA to success in the competitive grant world, amassing around $200 million over the past decade. We'll dive into how JTA is navigating the integration of cutting-edge autonomous...

Mikes on Mic - Shirk Disbarred - JEA Fraud - Redistricting with Andrew Pantazi Tributary Reporter Andrew Pantazi joins the Mikes to discuss the history of the Public Defender’s office and how Matt Shirk came to be disbarred.  The group also discusses the fallout from the JEA Fraud investigation and the backstory on efforts to create voting districts reflective of our diverse community.  Stay tuned...