Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

The Wildlife Wanderer Curtis Dvorak joins JMN with a special guests Emily and her friendly Animal Ambassador, Maui the Skink! See images from the visit online, and check out the "Conservation On Draft" event coming up this weekend! Get your annual pass to the Zoo!

MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE - Today the Biden administration is placing new requirements on health plans to improve mental healthcare for Americans with private health insurance. In a statement, President Biden said mental healthcare is out of reach for many Americans. The new rules would ensure mental health coverage will be covered at the same level as other healthcare. Nicole D’Antonio is live in Wa...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Samantha looks at a busy day for former President Trump - not on the campaign trail, but back in a NY courtroom! Trump has a hearing today regarding the E. Jean Carroll civil case, and still faces an upcoming sentencing hearing regarding his federal "hush money" case convictions.

First Alert Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh joins us to break down the football forecasts all weekend long - from your high school Friday Night Lights players, to Saturday at the Swamp, and the Jags season kickoff in Miami. If you don't like the weather, give it 5 minutes and it will change! All weekend long!

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Biden held fast to his position that he would NOT pardon his son Hunter, after Hunter Biden submitted a "surprise" (?) guilty plea to tax charges, circumventing need for a trial. Meanwhile, preparations continue as Vice President Harris and former President Trump meet for the first (and only?) Presidential debate. WOKV will provide live coverage beg...

Cookiebird is an ice cream bar in St. Augustine. Owners Mike and Kate Alfieri showcase a variety of tasty ice cream treats, including flavored coffee milkshakes! Check them out online at COOKIEBIRD.CO, or stop by for a fun and tasty treat at their shop off San Marco Ave.

Easy 102.9's Toni Foxx has the details about some tasty nom's in Amelia Island!

WOKV salutes first responders Officer Isolina Langston and Officer Bryan Pressnalle of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office for their heroic efforts in saving the life of a 7-month-old!

Chandler Morgan has your update for what's new and what's happening this weekend.

FLIGHT REWARDS - Frequent flyer miles and credit card awards are a big bonus when booking a flight. However, are they saving you any money? The USDOT launched an inquiry into the rewards programs at the four largest U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and United. The Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is now asking each airline to submit reports with detailed infor...

UNF swimming star Morgan Ray and teammates won silver medals in the 4x50m Mixed Relay at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris! Morgan's father, WOKV's own Matt Ray, joins JMN to recap his son's triumph and experiences from the 2024 games!

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Rich presents election related stories including: preparations for next Tuesday's Presidential Debate in Pennsylvania; a small business tax break proposal; allegations of Russian disinformation efforts to influence the election; and a prominent Republican's surprising endorsement.

WSB Radio's Austin Ellers has the latest information regarding yesterday's shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, GA (between Atlanta and Athens). 4 people were killed on site, and an additional 9 people were taken to area hospitals after a 14-year-old shooter opened fire in the school shortly after 10am. The shooter, who had previously been investigated, surrendered to law enforcement short...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Jared looks at the Presidential Debate prep both candidates are doing before Tuesday night's first (and only?) VP Harris/former President Trump debate. After the Biden/Trump debate, team Trump is feeling strong, and he is preparing with help from Tulsi Gabbard, who had an extremely effective debate performance against Harris in the 2020 election cycle.

We gather the JMN crew to look at some events you might enjoy this weekend. Are you a fan of ice sports? Get out to the Community First Igloo this weekend for CURLING & COCKTAILS! If you're an animal lover, check out CAT VIDEO FEST 2024 Saturday afternoon at the Regal Cinema Avenues, and support a local cat rescue! And if you love music, CANDLELIGHT at Friday Musicale brings you the hits of Queen...

ELECTRIC BILLS NEW THIS MORNING The White House is announcing $7.3 billion dollars will go towards clean, reliable electricity for rural America. The money will support farmers, small businesses and rural communities in 23 states including, Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The project will be funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Nicole D’Antonio is live in Washington with today’s announcement.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Rich rounds up election-related headlines, including: a proposed small business tax deduction increase; how candidates measure up in new poll results; why Georgia voting certification processes are already being challenged two months before the election; and which states start early voting soon.

David Rey, CEO of Goodwill Industries of North Florida, joins JMN to share details on the Grand (Re-)Opening of The Corner at Debs, bringing affordable groceries and additional community services to Jacksonville's historic Out East. The area has been a food desert for years, with no convenient grocery services in the area.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Ryan reports on two new Senate bills threatening to cut pay and/or benefits for federal employees working remotely, ending remote work accommodations enacted during the pandemic.

LEARNING RECOVERY - Schools continue to deal with the long-term effects of remote learning. Nearly a third of US K-12 students this school year are behind grade level, according to a recent survey from the School Pulse Panel. Nicole D’Antonio is live in Washington breaking down the report and what school districts across the country are doing to address learning recovery this school year.

Last night the Duval County school board unanimously approved changes to an ethics policy addressing how employees will be held accountable after several DA teachers were kicked out of the classroom.

As Jacksonville celebrates "904 Day" tomorrow, one of the great events is "Signing Day" hosted by the Sporting JAX soccer club. Madison Holesko joins JMN to share details on the free event, September 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Sporting JAX office at the Above Athletic Center (14797 Philips Highway) near Nocatee Parkway. Bring your family out, enjoy some activities and light food/beverage servi...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, with only 2 months until election day, WOKV's Samantha Manning looks at the strategic goals for both campaigns, and how VP Harris and former President Trump are preparing for next week's debate.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, looking at the ceasefire delays between Israel and Hamas and criticism from President Biden that Israel's Prime Minister isn't doing enough to stop hostilities and recover hostages. Domestically VP Harris and former President Trump divide their time between campaign stops and preparations for next week's primetime debate in Pennsylvania.

FINANCIAL REGRET - Preparing for retirement is critical, but a recent Bankrate report found two in five Americans regret not saving enough. Many Americans say they don't have enough funds set aside for retirement or emergencies. Researchers blame inflation as the number reason people aren't able to save. Nicole D’Antonio is live in Washington breaking down the potential impact this could have on y...