Wednesday, Nov. 19: Telehealth Inquiry + Hate Symbols + JEA Expansion
Wednesday, Nov. 19
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Telehealth Inquiry: Council subpanel probes Telescope Health contract as officials deny misconduct.
Jacksonville’s city-funded telehealth program with Telescope Health is under review by a City Council subcommittee investigating possible misuse of taxpayer funds. Councilmember Rory Diamond raised concerns of potential illegal conduct, while Telescope and Mayor Donna Deegan’s office defend the program, which serves uninsured residents. An Inspector General confirmed the contract process was valid. The subcommittee meets again Tuesday.
JEA Expansion: Utility adds 100 MW to FPL deal amid rising demand.
JEA will expand its power purchase agreement with Florida Power & Light, adding 100 megawatts at a cost of $260.3 million. The deal, approved unanimously, runs from 2027 through 2041 to meet rising electricity demand. Despite the added cost, no immediate rate hikes are expected.
Hate Symbols: Opinion column spotlights five-week delay removing swastikas on Union County road.
A Union County commuter reported swastikas spray-painted on construction cones that remained for five weeks, leaving Black and Jewish residents feeling unsafe. Highlighted in a recent opinion piece, the incident calls for greater public accountability and action when hate symbols appear in public spaces.
FSCJ Gift: Michael Ward, Jennifer Glock donate $1M for workforce scholarships.
Former CSX CEO Michael Ward and his wife, Jennifer Glock, donated $1 million to Florida State College at Jacksonville to fund scholarships in high-demand fields like healthcare, logistics, cybersecurity, and hospitality. Preference will go to students nearing graduation. Ward called the gift an investment in Jacksonville’s workforce.
First Coast Connect: Episode covers AG race, new MOCA exhibit, Freed to Run.
On WJCT’s First Coast Connect, host Melissa Ross covers Jacksonville topics: attorney general candidate Jose Javier Rodriguez discusses his campaign and Florida utility issues; sculptor Whitney Oldenburg previews her environmental exhibit left behind; and attorney Mike Freed with JALA CEO Jim Kowalski promote the Freed to Run fundraiser for senior housing legal aid.
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