Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

Pop superstars AJ McLean, of Backstreet Boys, performs with Joey Fatone, of N*Sync, this weekend at the Florida Theatre. WOKV's Chase Bunker had a chance to chat one-on-one with McLean about this team-up of former rivals.

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID - This week Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona sent a letter to state governors urging them to prepare for the consequences of the FAFSA delays, including pushing back state financial aid application deadlines and budgeting for state grant aid increases. This comes as college decision day is nearly a month away. Nicole D'Antonio joins us live in Washington with the updates...

Alexus updates the story on Josue Garriga, a former officer in JSO now facing a number of charges related to behaviors and activities with a Clay County minor.

Logan reports on the proposed consolidation of two Duval County schools, R.L. Brown and R.V. Daniels. Both report under-capacity enrollment, and are only 4 miles apart. If consolidated, students would move to R.L. Brown in the new school year, starting in August.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Biden attended a star-studded fundraiser in NYC, setting a new record for the most-ever haul for a single political event. Former President Trump is also in NYC, attending the wake of a fallen NYPD officer.

A three-judge federal panel Wednesday rejected a 2022 constitutional challenge to a congressional redistricting plan endorsed by Gov. DeSantis. Andrew Pantazi from The Tributary joins JMN with a deep dive on the recent judicial review, and the long history surrounding district map adjustments and allegations of gerrymandering in North Florida, and what to expect after this judicial decision.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Reagan's question "Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?" is being dusted off and asked again as people sound off about the economy, foreign policy, national security, character, and leadership in polls that spin doctors could say don't flatter either presidential candidate.

Lots of fun stuff happening in the Jax area this weekend, starting with a tribute to the music of Neil Diamond at the Florida Theatre tonight. Tomorrow, downtown rocks with music tributes to The Ramones & Blondie for CBGB's Night at Underbelly. And the block party Friday afternoon leads into the first pitch at 121 Ballpark for a new season of Jumbo Shrimp baseball! This weekend has Art in the Park...

BREAKING: Logan reports on a house fire in Durkeeville on 16th Street near Jones Street.

HEALTH JUNK FEES - New this morning, the White House is taking new steps to try to crack down on junk fees in health care. Those are the extra often hidden fees you pay for goods and services. Today, the administration is announcing a new rule to try to reduce scam insurance plans that don’t really insurance at all and often leave people with hefty medical bills. We break down how this may impact...

Alexus reports on the Clay County arrest of Josue’ Garriga III, accused of meeting up with a 17-year-old girl for illegal sexual contact. Garriga, formerly of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, was involved in previous controversies including the 2019 fatal shooting of Jamee Johnson, and the 2022 violent arrest of Le’Keian Woods.

Gov. DeSantis signed legislation to end the "squatter scam" yesterday. The law goes into effect July 1, and allows law enforcement to immediately arrest squatters. The legislation was inspired in part by Jacksonville resident Patti Peeples, and her experiences with difficulties in expelling squatters from her property in 2023.

Kirstin reports on the latest from the Baltimore bridge collapse, where recovery efforts are underway for 6 missing construction workers. Meanwhile, investigators are compiling data on the events leading up to the bridge impact, while logistics planners are working to reroute shipping cargo and mitigate damage to supply chains.

After yesterday's tragedy involving a cargo ship striking, and ultimately taking down, the Francis Scott Key Bridge near the Baltimore harbor, the question was raised "Could that happen here?" Locally, the Dames Point Bridge is the only Jacksonville bridge that large vessels pass underneath. Lake Ray, President of the First Coast Manufacturers Association, with a background in maritime engineering...

Ryan reports on the latest from the Baltimore harbor bridge collapse yesterday, where recovery efforts continue for six missing construction workers who were doing bridge maintenance at the time of the cargo ship impact yesterday. President Biden has pledged federal funding assistance to replace the bridge, though it will likely be years before the investigation, cleanup, and repair/replacement wo...

Mike Buresh checks in from the National Hurricane Conference, and shares details about storm tracking, what the "cone" really means on maps, and shares some information about what we can expect for the upcoming storm season. Can you believe it's almost that time again? As always the First Alert Storm Center will keep you informed to help keep you safe!

Logan updates the earlier morning JSO investigation on N. Main Street, stemming from an alleged assault in the area that resulted in all lanes being closed down between Cedar Bay Rd. and Baisden Rd. JSO impounded a vehicle, and the area has since cleared and lanes are open now.

BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE - Today, the search continues for the six missing workers after Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed in Baltimore yesterday morning. Authorities say believe those individuals are presumed dead. Both the President and Transportation Secretary have pledged federal support to help Baltimore rebuilt the bridge and reopen the busy port. Kirstin Garriss is LIVE from Baltimore, MD...

Logan reports on a heavy police presence on N. Main Street, with all north & south bound lanes currently closed between Cedar Bay Road and Baisden Road, near the northside Anheuser Busch brewery.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as the US Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding another dimension of women's health care access, specifically access and use of mifepristone, a commonly used chemical in abortion procedures. It is currently available in pill form without a prescription, and it is that availability and allegations of "medical risk" that will be argued in a petition to ban t...

*BREAKING* Griff Jenkins is live on scene of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, with the latest on search and recovery efforts. Reports indicate that there were multiple vehicles on the bridge at the time of the collapse, as well as some construction workers conducting maintenance. So far, two people have been rescued from the water, as search efforts continue. There has been no u...

Alexus reports on a proposed rate hike for JEA services.

ABORTION PILL ACCESS: Two years after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe V Wade, today reproductive rights are back in the spotlight. Today the justices will hear a case that could threaten access to Mifepristone, an abortion pill used in more than 60% of all U.S. abortions during the early weeks of pregnancy. Nicole D'Antonio joins us live from the Supreme Court with reaction.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as former President Donald Trump is set to appear in a Manhattan court Monday for a hearing in his delayed “hush money” case — on the same day he faces a $454 million fraud bond deadline. Samantha Manning joins us in Washington.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Congress gives last-minute approval to a $1.2 trillion funding bill, which should fund the remainder of the fiscal year 2024 budget. The next fiscal year starts in October. House Republicans were not all on-board with this budget, though, as polarizing GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene motioned to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, in the latest of many recent controve...