Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

Logan reports that jury selection will begin for the sentencing of Patrick McDowell, who confessed to killing Nassau Co. Deputy Joshua Moyers in 2021 traffic stop. Jurors will determine whether McDowell will face a death sentence or life imprisonment.

DCSB Chairman Darryl Willie joins JMN to share details on a variety of current topics the Duval County School Board is addressing, including the recent vote to NOT consolidate R.L. Brown and R.V.D Daniels schools until next year, the latest on the new superintendent search, upcoming graduations, and more.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, President Biden and former President Trump both picked up wins in another round of primaries this week. A new Wall Street Journal poll shows that if the general election was held today, Trump has a slight edge (+/- 4%) in several swing states. Samantha Manning looks at what states appear to be leaning toward Trump, and at what we can expect from both candidates...

Tasha Hyder, Clay County Fair Executive Director, joins JMN to share some of this year's featured events and attractions, including concerts, exhibits, and of course all the great fair food!

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Biden had strong words of criticism before a call with Prime Minister Netanyahu, following Israeli attacks on World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers.

Jake Gordon from Downtown Vision joins JMN to share details about this year's Jax River Jams concert series, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union. Every Thursday night is a free show at Ford on Bay downtown, starting with Rodney Atkins tonight, with future shows featuring Bishop Briggs, Earthgang, and Andy Grammar.

There's family fun everywhere this weekend! Jax River Jams kicks off tonight at Ford on Bay for the first of several free shows through April! Grab the family and hit up Metropolitan Park for the Florida Seafood & Caribbean Festival! At the beaches, If you like jazz, check out Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox at the Florida Theatre. If blues is your groove, Springing The Blues has some heavy hit...

RURAL HEALTHCARE - There’s a new federal push to increase training opportunities for medical students in rural areas. It’s a bipartisan effort known as the Community TEAMS Act. This proposal would create a nationwide grant program to provide more hands-on experience in rural communities and encourage medical students to serve in those regions after graduation. This all comes as more rural hospital...

Logan reports on a history of violent and criminal incidents at or near the Huron Sophia Apartments on Sophia Street, including a shooting yesterday that sent several people to the hospital.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Biden and Trump both claimed overwhelming victories in yesterday's primaries, but Jared explains that some people still got to demonstration their "protest votes." Meanwhile, ongoing violence in Gaza impacting some aid workers and resources continues to add pressure to President Biden to ensure a cease-fire.

Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox performs Friday night at the Florida Theatre. WOKV's Chase Bunker spoke with vocalist Tatum Langley about their process of song selection, adaptation to jazz styles, and how the performances take on a life of their own in front of live audiences. Hear the complete interview in the ON DEMAND library!

Logan reports on a new "affordable" housing development in St. Johns County. But is it really "affordable"?

Alexus reports on the proposed merger of Duval County schools R.L. Brown and R.V. Daniel. In a meeting yesterday, the Duval County School Board opted to delay the merger until the 2025 school year.

FUNFLATION SURVEY - The price of a good time is higher than ever before and now some Americans are willing to charge it their growing credit card debt. Some analysts are now calling it “funflation” as the costs for concerts, restaurants and flights remain high after the pandemic. A new Bankrate survey out this morning shows that more than a third of adults are willing to go into debt to for a leas...

Logan reports on a so-called "affordable housing" development in SJC, intended for essential workers' budgets. Less than half of the units in the new development will be available for those making up to 120% of the county median income, though. Per the SJC Chamber of Commerce, only 3% of ALL the housing in the county actually falls within the intended budget.

SPOTLIGHT - Dr. Mullaney breaks down the significance of the Florida Supreme Court ruling that privacy laws do not protect abortion rights, overturning a decades-long precedent. A legislative measure to overturn new Florida abortion restrictions is on the Florida ballot for this year's election. Another ballot measure to allow recreational marijuana use is also scheduled to be on the ballot, and b...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as Jared explains why some states continue to hold primaries despite all but certainty as to who the presidential candidates will be. Meanwhile, those candidates (President Biden and former President Trump) continue to shore up support among their bases, promoting their agendas toward hot-button issues like abortion rights, border control, and more.

SPOTLIGHT - Dr. Binder looks at controversial ballot issues, as voting for abortion access terms and for recreational marijuana use will be on this year's election ballot.

BALTIMORE BRIDGE ECONOMY - It’s been a full week since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed and shut down the port of Baltimore indefinitely. This closure is already impacting national trade and soon it may affect your wallet directly too. That’s because this is the top domestic port for cars and a major hub for wood, furniture, sugar and the list goes on! We break down growing economic impact o...

Alexus reports on a Duval County Schools vote tonight on the issue of consolidating R.L. Brown and R.V. Daniel students into a single school.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump will compete in four presidential primaries tomorrow. It's a contest that's now less about winning delegates and more about carrying the states in November. Samantha Manning tells us what we can expect tomorrow, with particular attention focused on key issues in the Wisconsin primary.

Alexus updates the story of a deadly shooting in the Duclay neighborhood off Townsend Road in Jacksonville's west side, where a family dispute escalated into a fatal shooting, leaving the shooter's father and younger brother dead, and his mother wounded.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Biden is headed to Baltimore to address the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy and its impact on trade and commerce infrastructure. Meanwhile, additional primaries are still underway to shore up primary party bases, while the major candidates are essentially uncontested at this point.

TAX PREPARER SCAMS - The deadline to file your taxes is in two weeks and scammers are trying new ways to get your return. We’re talking about “ghosting” tax preparers. The IRS warns these dishonest scammers try to make to a quick buck by promising you big refund but they’re aren’t qualified to file your taxes. Then after you pay them for services, you often don’t hear from these fake tax preparers...

Alexus reports on a Jax Beach City Council first reading of a proposed moratorium on permits for special events, intended to prevent large public gatherings in response to the multiple shooting events on St. Patrick's Day weekend.