First Coast Connect: 'Glimmer of hope' 09/23/2026

First Coast Connect: 'Glimmer of hope' 09/23/2026 https://news.wjct.org/show/first-coas... A teacher suing over her removal from the classroom won a courtroom victory after an administrative law judge said her social media posts did not warrant sanction from the state. Artist and educator Hope McMath was removed as a teacher of AP art history at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts last September, days after posting critical memes about right wing influencer Charlie Kirk. The school district has since ended its investigation with a minor reprimand for McMath's use of "profanity,” but refused to return her to the classroom. State education officials have since pursued her teacher's license, but the recent court ruling says the state should abandon the effort. Separately, McMath is suing the Duval County school district in federal court, saying it violated her First Amendment rights. Guests: Hope McMath, artist, activist, former AP art history teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts John Phillips, attorney Bad landlords A new tool to help Jacksonville renters avoid problematic landlords lets them research a property’s code enforcement violations and eviction notices online. Last week, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid unveiled the Jacksonville Stable Housing Coalition website, a searchable database to put a property’s full rental history in one place and improve transparency. We ask the head of the nonprofit law firm about Jacksonville’s “eviction capital of Florida” status and how a recent state law motivated him to establish the registry. Guest: Jim Kowalski, president and CEO, Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Quad squad A Jacksonville-based roller derby league celebrates two decades in the fast lane. Since the sport’s inception in Chicago in 1935, the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association has grown to more than 400 leagues across the world, creating a volunteer-driven global network that thrives on diversity. The Jacksonville Roller Derby continues the tradition. From fundraising and outreach to its commitment to inclusion, the league’s grassroots mission extends beyond the track. We talk to a derby skater and coach about the league’s history, its community roots and athletes like Olympic gold medalist Erin Jackson who have helped put North Florida roller derby on the national stage. The Jacksonville Roller Derby’s 20th anniversary double header will be Saturday at Skate Station Funworks of Mandarin. Guest: Melissa Ludington (known as Deviant), Jacksonville Roller Derby competitor and coach Topics and guests subject to change.