This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - WJCT’s community-powered evolution
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When WJCT Public Media faced state and federal funding cuts, the organization didn’t just survive—it thrived. In this revealing conversation on This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition , President & CEO David McGowan discusses how more than 1,000 donors contributed over $1 million to support independent local media, making WJCT 100% community-funded.
Discover how WJCT is expanding its impact through:
Digital innovation with Jacksonville Today reaching 50,000 subscribers
Early childhood education programs growing to 12 sites
New independent film series featuring 25 upcoming screenings
Record audience engagement in local news
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McGowan shares insights on building sustainable community support and how local ownership enables WJCT to respond directly to community needs.
This episode offers valuable lessons for media organizations navigating changing funding landscapes while staying true to their public service mission.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Kent Justice headshot
Kent Justice co-anchors these newscasts on News4JAX: 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Weeknights. He also reports on government and politics, hosting "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.
Block party ends in chaos, police shooting after driver plows through crowd, injuring people: police ▶ 1:11
Block party ends in chaos, police shooting after driver plows through crowd, injuring people: police
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Medical Mission at Home event helps patients get care they need for free
Georgia church shifts from supporting firefighters to helping homeowners recover from Brantley fire ▶ 0:38
Georgia church shifts from supporting firefighters to helping homeowners recover from Brantley fire
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St. Johns County superintendent nears end of first year in role. How would you rate him?
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‘Nothing short of a miracle’: Some Brantley County homes spared as wildfire damage comes into focus
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Jury finds 4 men guilty in killing of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio
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Back in business: St. Johns County food truck park reopens after commission vote
Wild hogs destroy yards in Seven Pines neighborhood ▶ 0:42
Wild hogs destroy yards in Seven Pines neighborhood
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims ▶ 0:54
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims ▶ 1:25
News4JAX hosts donation drive at Channel 4 to support Brantley County wildfire victims
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Man seriously injured in Butler Beach road rage shooting describes harrowing encounter
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Jacksonville faces unhealthy air quality from wildfire more than 100 miles west
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What we learned about Councilwoman Tyrona Clark-Murray's removal from DCPS classroom duties
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Brantley County launches ‘one-stop’ website for residents as crews move to recovery efforts
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Jacksonville couple works to get discounted mobile homes to Brantley County wildfire victims
FSU, Georgia football cancel 2027, 2028 home-and-home series ▶ 0:59
FSU, Georgia football cancel 2027, 2028 home-and-home series
It's time for a bath! Scrub a dub dub, it's time to wash the tub. New crop of greens coming soon! ▶ 3:50
It's time for a bath! Scrub a dub dub, it's time to wash the tub. New crop of greens coming soon!
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Moms are shrimply the best! ⚾🌸
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What choices are you making as cost of living rises?
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Voices of the 904 Ep. 5 - Behind his lens for Cr8Jax lies the reflection of community & connection
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Donation Drive: News4JAX hosts Positively JAX collection for wildfire victims
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Clay County Schools job fair draws hundreds of applicants for 200 open positions
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Hours-long standoff with armed man barricaded in a truck behind Walmart ends in police shooting
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1A State Track bringing home hardware 🏅
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