Al Letson named interim host of ‘First Coast Connect’

He takes over the daily hourlong WJCT Public Media radio show starting July 5.


  • By Max Marbut
  • | 6:23 p.m. June 28, 2023
  • | 5 Free Articles Remaining!
Al Letson was named the interim host of "First Coast Connect" on WJCT Public Media.
Al Letson was named the interim host of "First Coast Connect" on WJCT Public Media.
Photo by Tiffany Manning
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WJCT Public Media announced June 28 the appointment of Al Letson as the interim host of “First Coast Connect,” starting July 5.

The show’s host since 2009, Melissa Ross, stepped down from her role June 14 to join Mayor-elect Donna Deegan’s administration.

“It’s great to have Al back on the team here at WJCT Public Media. Al is more than qualified on every count. He’s an engaging storyteller and makes every conversation an invitation for listeners to connect with each other and their community in meaningful ways,” David McGowan, WJCT CEO, said in a news release.

The release says the announcement marks a homecoming for Letson, who grew up in Northeast Florida and remains a familiar name and voice on WJCT News 89.9.

“It’s an honor to talk to the community I know and love every morning. Storytelling is what I do, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to be a part of Northeast Florida’s story every weekday morning,” Letson said in the release.

As the host of “Reveal,” public radio’s first hourlong investigative journalism show, Letson’s reporting is heard on more than 500 public radio stations every week, including WJCT News 89.9, where it airs Saturday at 3 p.m.

Longtime listeners will recall Letson’s work on “State of the Re:Union,” which was syndicated nationally by WJCT Public Media from 2013 through 2015. The release said the show told America’s story from the ground up, traveling the country to tell stories of, by and for many of the individuals and communities that are regularly forgotten by mainstream media.

As a journalist, Letson has received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including three Peabody Awards and four national Edward R. Murrow Awards, the release said.

Letson’s work spans from radio broadcasting to spoken word, and from screenwriting to graphic novels. His playwriting credits include “The Centre Cannot Hold,” “Summer In Sanctuary,” “Chalk,” “Julius X” and “Griot.” 

He has worked in TV writers rooms for AMC, Apple TV, and Hulu.

He also has sold and developed shows with AMC, FX, STARZ and EONE.

“First Coast Connect’’ airs live at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday on WJCT News 89.9. The show re-broadcasts at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., and episode recaps are shared daily at news.wjct.org/firstcoastconnect.

The show can be streamed online on the WJCT Public Media app, wjct.org, Alexa and most major audio streaming platforms, including iHeartRadio and TuneIn. 

It also is available as a podcast on platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.


 

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