Michelle Corum Reporter email
Michelle Corum is a reporter who previously served as Morning Edition host at WJCT News 89.9 for a dozen years. She’s worked in public radio in Kansas and Michigan, had her stories heard on NPR, and garnered newscast recognition by Florida AP Broadcasters. She also oversees WJCT's Radio Reading Service for the blind. Michelle brings corporate communication experience from metro D.C. and holds a master's degree from Central Michigan University and a bachelor's degree from Troy University.
Featured image for “Jacksonville leads state in commercial sex ads”
Bryon Rossi of Epik Project works to disrupt the demand for commercial sexual exploitation. Lisa Chaloux is a trafficking survivor who designed signs for Jacksonville's anti-trafficking campaign. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

Jacksonville leads state in commercial sex ads

Local leaders are beginning a campaign against human trafficking, starting in the Sports and Entertainment District.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville strives for zero traffic deaths by 2035”
A section of Park Street in Brooklyn was recently reconstructed to be safer for pedestrians and cyclists. | News4Jax
July 24, 2025

Jacksonville strives for zero traffic deaths by 2035

The city introduced a “Vision Zero Action Plan” on Thursday to eliminate deaths and cut serious injuries in half.…

Featured image for “Jax officials promote swim safety to save young lives”
Children swim at Blue Cypress pool in Jacksonville during a water safety event Wednesday, July 23, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
July 23, 2025

Jax officials promote swim safety to save young lives

Olympian Ryan Murphy joined Jacksonville officials to publicize the city’s summer swim programs.…

Featured image for “Sewage sludge in river basin could cost $1B for cleanup”
Sewage sludge leads to algae blooms down river in North and Central Florida.
July 10, 2025

Sewage sludge in river basin could cost $1B for cleanup

The Public Trust for Conservation released a study saying the effects could last for decades.…

Featured image for “Museum exhibit recalls when war hit home at the Beaches”
A new museum exhibit captures wartime at the Beaches. | Beaches Museum collection
July 10, 2025

Museum exhibit recalls when war hit home at the Beaches

The exhibit at the Beaches Museum captures how wars have changed the landscape of the First Coast.…

Featured image for “Zoo sends 24,000 endangered tadpoles to Puerto Rico”
These tadpoles will develop into Puerto Rican crested toads, which are critically endangered. | Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens
July 9, 2025

Zoo sends 24,000 endangered tadpoles to Puerto Rico

The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is helping the Puerto Rican crested toad rebound from the brink of extinction.…

Featured image for “Carnival Cruise Line embarks on putting teens to work”
The Carnival Elation loads up its thousands of passengers for a four-night sail out of Jacksonville on July 3, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
July 9, 2025

Carnival Cruise Line embarks on putting teens to work

For the first time, the cruise line is using teenage interns to help guide passengers in Jacksonville’s cruise terminal.…

Featured image for “Duval Schools improves to overall ‘A’ grade in state’s latest education scorecard”
Oceanway principal Delayna Simpson speaks July 7, 2025 at a news conference where statewide grade results were announced by Gov. Ron Desantis. | Office of Gov. Ron Desantis
July 7, 2025

Duval Schools improves to overall ‘A’ grade in state’s latest education scorecard

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Florida school’s annual performance for the most recent academic year Monday during a news conference at…

Featured image for “Sewer main break caves in part of Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville”
A crew works to repair a road cave-in on Bay Street on Monday morning, July 7, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
July 7, 2025

Sewer main break caves in part of Bay Street in Downtown Jacksonville

Repairs on Bay Street could last through the week.…

Featured image for “Brentwood residents seek to stop medical examiner’s office”
Protesters join Metro Gardens Association President Lydia Bell, right, on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Jacksonville. The group is seeking an injunction to stop a medical examiner's office from opening in their Brentwood community. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
June 27, 2025

Brentwood residents seek to stop medical examiner’s office

The Metro Gardens Neighborhood Association says the office threatens their health, safety and dignity.…

Featured image for “Give blood, get a free A1c test this summer”
A grand opening for the Lifesouth Community Blood center on Baymeadows Way is held in July 2018 in Jacksonville. Photo courtesy of Lifesouth
June 24, 2025

Give blood, get a free A1c test this summer

The nonprofit community blood center LifeSouth is offering free A1c test this summer to entice more people to give blood.…

Featured image for “Dream Finders CEO in talks to buy Tampa Bay Rays”
Hurricane Milton shredded the roof of Tropicana Field on Oct. 10, 2024. |
June 18, 2025

Dream Finders CEO in talks to buy Tampa Bay Rays

Patrick Zalupski is part of the potential buyers group, along with Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby.…

Featured image for “JU students and volunteers scan the sand for turtle nests”
Student Emily Hoeflich, left, and Lucas Meers, director of JU’s Sea Turtle Program, gather near a newly found loggerhead turtle nest Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Mickler’s Landing public beach in Ponte Vedra. The nests are marked off with orange tape and “Do not disturb” signs. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
June 18, 2025

JU students and volunteers scan the sand for turtle nests

Jacksonville University is launching a Sea Turtle Program in conjunction the turtle patrol program in St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “Brooke’s Law, named for former Mayor Curry’s daughter, among laws DeSantis signs”
Brooke Curry | Gov. Ron Desantis via Facebook
June 10, 2025

Brooke’s Law, named for former Mayor Curry’s daughter, among laws DeSantis signs

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four bills into law at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement regional operations center in Jacksonville.  …

Featured image for “Sulzbacher secures funds to build homeless ‘workforce housing’ for men”
Rendering of Sulzbacher Enterprise Village to be completed by the end of 2026. | Sulzbacher
June 5, 2025

Sulzbacher secures funds to build homeless ‘workforce housing’ for men

Jacksonville-based homelessness services nonprofit Sulzbacher has secured the financing to start construction on phase I of its $37 million Enterprise…

Featured image for “St. Augustine will remove nine derelict boats”
A state conservation officer investigates a derelict boat. | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
May 30, 2025

St. Augustine will remove nine derelict boats

Beginning Monday, the vessels will be removed from Salt Run and the Matanzas River.…

Featured image for “MOSH opens its archives before crossing the river”
MOSH's last exhibit at its current Southbank site will run through Aug. 31. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
May 23, 2025

MOSH opens its archives before crossing the river

MOSH is exhibiting part of its 40,000-piece collection before moving to a new, larger building on the Northbank.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s park system rises in national ranking”
The Florida C. Dwight Memorial Playground in LaVilla has been renovated to include new jungle gyms and play equipment. It is part of the LaVilla Link, the first segment of the Emerald Trail project. The 30-mile walk and pathway project will connect 14 neighborhoods and 21 parks. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
May 21, 2025

Jacksonville’s park system rises in national ranking

The U.S. Trust for Public Land ranked Jacksonville’s parks 64th of the 100 biggest cities in the country.…

Featured image for “Complaints of obnoxious odors persist on Westside”
Smoke billows from the International Flavors & Fragrances plant on Lane Avenue, on Jacksonville's west side, on Thursday, May 15, 2025. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
May 16, 2025

Complaints of obnoxious odors persist on Westside

Residents brought their complaints to a meeting regarding the permit for International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.…

Featured image for “Shrimp demand is growing, and tariffs could help local industry”
Shrimp are shown at Safe Harbor Seafood restaurant in Mayport on Tuesday,May 6, 2025. Michelle Corum/Jacksonville Today
May 8, 2025

Shrimp demand is growing, and tariffs could help local industry

Experts discussed the trends this week during a meeting in Mayport, part of a shrimping industry market study.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville opens first of 4 entrepreneur centers”
An entrance at the Entrepreneurship & Workforce Development Center in Brentwood. | Wes Lester, city of Jacksonville
May 7, 2025

Jacksonville opens first of 4 entrepreneur centers

The city bought the building in Brentwood after neighbors protested plans for a liquor store there.…

Featured image for “Jax Beach bans smoking and vaping on the beach”
A cigarette butt is shown on Jacksonville Beach after a smoking ban was enacted. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
May 6, 2025

Jax Beach bans smoking and vaping on the beach

Jacksonville Beach joined Atlantic and Neptune beaches in prohibiting smoking on the sand.…

Featured image for “Coyote found dead in Atlantic Beach; city remains cautious”
A coyote in the brush. | City of Atlantic Beach
May 1, 2025

Coyote found dead in Atlantic Beach; city remains cautious

The city is investigating four reported attacks on residents Tuesday and Wednesday.…

Featured image for “Making way for manatees in the St. Johns River”
A mating pod of manatees in the mainstream of the St. Johns River near Mandarin Point. | Gerard Pinto, Jacksonville University Marine Science Research Institute
April 25, 2025

Making way for manatees in the St. Johns River

A committee is studying how to protect manatees while supporting recreational and commercial uses of the river.…