Florida, strange but true

First Coast Connect

From alligators used as weapons to Jacksonville’s formerly defining stench, author Craig Pittman continues to pull fascinating threads from the warp and woof of the Sunshine State. The award-winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author explains how he mines Florida for a seemingly endless supply of strange but true tales. We talk to him ahead of his appearance Friday at Happy Medium Books Cafe.

Guest:

• Craig Pittman, author of Welcome to Florida: True Tales from America's Most Interesting State.
  

Then, a solar panel recycling company is building a $90 million factory on the First Coast. Why? We ask a company executive about the first-of-its-kind facility, why they chose Green Cove Springs as the launching pad and what the market really is for recycling “end-of-life” solar panels. Hint: Hurricane season plays a role.

Guests:

• Nathan Arbitman, chief commercial officer, OnePlanet Solar Recycling.

And, a Downtown block party fuses boho vibes with blood curdling horror as Nightmare on Bay Street returns to Jacksonville's entertainment district Oct. 24. This year's theme is “Peace, Love & Nightmares,” and the event features multiple scare zones, a silent disco, local vendors and after-parties across Elbow district venues. We talk to the event’s producer and haunt director about their plans to transform Downtown into a walking, waking nightmare.

Guests:

• Kenyana Holden, creator of Nightmare on Bay Street.
• Jerron Oxford, haunt director, Nightmare on Bay Street.