Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

PEDESTRIAN DEATHS DECREASE - According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, pedestrian deaths decreased 5.4% last year, but are still up 14.1% overall compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Candice Cole is live in Washington with more on these troubling stats and what states are doing to keep pedestrians safe.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as WOKV's Samantha Manning looks at some expected topics for tomorrow night's debate, whose votes might be swayed, and how former President Trump is already making headlines with verbal jabs before the debate has even started.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as all eyes are looking ahead to tomorrow night's debate between President Biden and GOP challenger Donald Trump. Besides debate preparation, though, President Biden issuing blanket pardons to all veterans convicted and/or discharged over issues related to their homosexuality, and establishing a portal to request reinstating veteran benefits where applicable.

PARDONING VETERANS - President Biden announces pardons for veterans convicted under military law prohibiting consensual gay sex. Today President Biden said he will use clemency authority to pardon the former service members who were convicted of crimes because of their sexual orientations. The presidential proclamation allows LGBTQ+ service members convicted of crimes to apply for a certificate of...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues as President Biden and former President Trump continue to prepare for Thursday's debate, while waiting for key decisions from the Supreme Court. Among the decision pending is the matter of whether former President Trump is immune from prosecution for alleged crimes committed during his presidency. SCOTUS is expected to release decisions Wednesday through Friday t...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, while President Biden and former President Trump prepare for Thursday night's debate, criminal court prosecutions are sure to be a topic raised against both family brands. Eyes are on the Supreme Court as well, as their judicial term wraps and final decisions are issued, including a decision on Trump's proclaimed "Presidential immunity to prosecution."

HOUSING COST - With the presidential debate days away, political polls show the economy remains a top concern for voters. A recent report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies shows nearly one in four households that own a home are now stretched thin. Research shows the cost burdens are even worse for renters. The report shows both homeowners and renters have been impacted by...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Donald Trump teases that he's picked a Vice President candidate, and he says that person will be in the audience at Thursday night's debate. WOKV's Samantha Manning looks at the short list of potential candidates, and probable talking points for the debate.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Jared looks at the pending SCOTUS decision on Trump's self-proclaimed "immunity" from prosecution for actions made during his presidency. The decision is expected this week, which coincides with the first presidential debate on Thursday. WOKV will carry the debate starting at 9pm Thursday evening.

ROE V WADE ANNIVERSARY - Monday marks two years since the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion. The anniversary comes during the ongoing battles in the Supreme Court, including the Idaho state abortion ban which could see an opinion come down as soon as this week. This upcoming decision from the high court could be the most significant rulin...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as the Trump campaign rakes in more fundraising dollars than the Biden campaign for the 2nd month in a row. WOKV's Kirstin Garriss looks at where some of those dollars are coming from, and looks ahead to next week's debate.

Meteorologist Corey Simma joins JMN to take a look at this weekend's forecast, when & where we will see some rain, and how what's going on in the tropics is impacting our beaches.

The Wildlife Wanderer, and now NFL Mascot Hall of Fame inductee Curtis Dvorak joins JMN, to share some of the events and activities happening with your local zoo & gardens. How about some Yoga with Giraffes? Maybe a little Wine & Pigments? And of course the Illuminights events are going on. So many ways to use your Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens Membership, so if you don't have one ... why not?!?

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as the first of two presidential election debates looms over next week, and among the certain topics to be addressed is how the US might best support allies like Israel and Ukraine in their ongoing military campaigns.

This week's First Responder of the Week is SJCSO Deputy Taylor Parker, in recognition of going "above and beyond" in a recent investigation.

Ben Becker is back with this week's restaurant report!

June 21 is United Way's "Day of Action," your opportunity to get involved in service to your local community. Coretta Hill, Chief Operating Officer for United Way of Northeast Florida, joins JMN to discuss United Way's "National Day of Action" activities in Jacksonville. Volunteers can gather at Daily Manna Community Garden, 426 Smith Street, to participate in a variety of local service efforts st...

DEPRESSION AND PREMATURE BIRTH - A new study shows expecting moms who are treated for prenatal depression can lead to more full-term births of newborns. Candice Cole joins us live from Washington with more on the link between prenatal depression and premature births and what doctors are doing to help mom and baby have better health outcomes.

Logan reports on the search for a missing St. Augustine boater, after a boat hit a pylon near the 312 bridge last night.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Biden and former President Trump prepare for next week's debate on CNN. WOKV's Kirstin Garriss looks at how they are preparing, and whether RFK Jr. might be a participant in next week's, or September's, debates.

DCSB Chairman Darryl Willie joins JMN to discuss the latest Duval County Schools workshop addressing future plans for consolidations, property closures, etc. Tonight's meeting is at Terry Parker High School, starting at 5:30pm.

Jake looks at the Community Benefits Agreement, and the political grumblings about the City of Jacksonville's commitment to investing $150 million into local interests. The City Council is expected to break up that funding allocation today, with an expected vote to approve keeping some +/- $50 million for downtown parks to stay in the current agreement, while +/- $100 million for Eastside developm...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as the latest FOX poll shows President Biden and former President Trump in a tight race, with the growth trend favoring Biden - reflecting perceived economic improvement. This leads into next week's debate, targeted toward undecided voters, but the debate is unlikely to feature would-be-spoiler RFK Jr.

Summer officially starts this weekend, so why not get out and enjoy some summer fun? You can laugh it up with comedy shows at Eclipse Riverside or The Comedy Zone! Looking for something a little more low-key? The Jacksonville Farmer's Market is always a great way to shop local and treat yourself right. If you're feeling good, then look good and show off your cosplay skills at Bold Matsuri Anime, C...

Logan follows the upcoming funding approval votes for the "Stadium of the Future," as 8 members of City Council are expressing support for the latest financial allocation changes. The latest allocations keep funding for downtown parks, but break off Eastside development funding into a separate allocation requiring separate approval.