Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:

• The Jacksonville Transportation Authority boosts ridership by enlisting employees to hop on board. 
• Locals respond to help those shut out by the government shutdown. 
• Duval County Schools Superintendent Chris Bernier pushes back on charter expansion. 

Guests:

• Emily Turner, Action News Jax anchor and investigative reporter.
• Nikesha Williams, author and producer of the Black & Published podcast.
• Mike Mendenhall, City Hall reporter and associate editor at Jacksonville Today.
• David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union.

And, from “dirt roads and citrus groves” to modern-day Mandarin. It’s an evolution the Mandarin Garden Club has both witnessed and helped shape. As the storied civic beautification club celebrates 80 years, we talk to some of the leaders and historians about the challenges the organization has faced and the many victories that have helped preserve the area’s charm — and iconic trees.

Guests:

• Marvine Thompson, president, Mandarin Garden Club.
• Sandra Varner, first vice president, Mandarin Garden Club.
• Jessie Hillard, circle leader, Mandarin Garden Club.