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.