Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

Rich and Logan discuss closing the pedestrian bridge crossing St. Johns Parkway near Liberty Pines Academy. This closure follows a car collision with the bridge earlier this week. While inspectors are checking to see if the wreck damaged the bridge's structural security, the closure cuts off a safe path to get kids to and from the nearby school.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues as the Biden Administration has another program for forgiving certain student loan debts, and he follows the US role in obstructing a United Nations negotiated cease fire in Gaza.

Your chance to bid and win the Kaye's Kicks custom shoes is coming up, as Mark and company follow the example of Trump's Sneakercon fundraiser. Besides the shoes, you've got seasonal allergies, Nikki Haley's "state of the race" follow-up, and anything else you want to talk about on today's edition of "Whatever You Want Wednesday" on the Mark Kaye Show noon to 3pm!

COST OF LABOR - Bringing a child into the world is a major milestone that can also be extremely expensive. A new Bankrate report shows it can cost more than $27,500 to have a baby, depending on the hospital and where you live. Nicole D'Antonio spoke with a financial advisor to understand how much parents spend before leaving the hospital. She joins us live in Washington with how expectant parents...

Logan reports that the pedestrian bridge over St. Johns Parkway is closed to foot traffic, as inspectors assess the bridge's structural safety after yesterday's fatal car wreck into the bridge support structure.

Alexus reports on the trial for Aaron Zahn and Ryan Wannamecher for charges related to their scheme to sell the Jacksonville Electric Authority. Two juries have been set (1 for each defendant), and over 80 witnesses are scheduled to testify, with the notable absence of former mayor Lenny Curry on that list.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as the South Carolina primary looms this weekend. Trump and Haley both have campaign stops leading up to Saturday's primary. Despite her allegations that more than 50% of voters don't want either Trump OR Biden for President, South Carolina polls show Trump with a 2-to-1 crushing lead., meaning "the math isn't math-ing." Haley is scheduled to make a "State of th...

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as the White House looks at possible sanctions against Russia following the death of Putin antagonist Alexie Navalny last weekend. Additionally, President Biden is using the bully pulpit to apply pressure on Congress to pass foreign aid funding for Ukraine et.al., while Congress is on hiatus until February 28. And finally, the South Carolina Republican primary i...

Alexus reports on a Neptune Beach proposal to introduce school zone safety cameras with an automated speed enforcement system. The new camera systems would issue ticketed fines in the event of speed violations in the safety zones, and it's meeting with mixed responses. The proposal will get a "first read" at a NB Council meeting tonight.

CLEAN DRINKING WATER - Today the White House will announce nearly 6 billion dollars to upgrade America's water infrastructure and provide clean, safe drinking water. The new allocations will go to projects in all 50 states, bringing the total awarded to states for water infrastructure projects to $22 billion. Over two million people in America live without running water, tens of millions more lack...

Alexus reports on a Duval County Public Schools workshop today, to discuss school safety, graduation rates, and more. Action News Jax will follow the meeting and share details discussed.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues as Congressional GOP legislators are pushing to have President Biden take a cognitive/competency test, after statements from the Robert Hur report related to his classified documents possession investigation. Bluster aside, Congress lacks the authority to force an exam. Meanwhile, the White House promoted a microchip production grant, offering a big boost to tech...

Teens Mental Health - A recent CDC report addresses the growing mental health crisis among teens in the US and what can be done to address it. The report found almost 60% of high school girls reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless in 2021, the highest level reported in the last decade. The data also pointed to some progress, including a decrease in the number of high school students who rep...

Alexus reports on a child's death on Allison St. in the Woodstock neighborhood. At this time the cause is undetermined. JSO is investigating.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as a ruling is expected in former President Trump's trial for business fraud in New York. Trump's criminal trial over 2016 "hush money" allegations starts in March. Trump still faces election-related charges in DC and Georgia too; all these court dates will impact Trump's time available for campaigning during the election season.

YOU DECIDE 2024 coverage continues, as President Biden goes to East Palestine, OH today, a year+ after the toxic chemicals spilled in a train derailment there. Biden says he waited until he would be out of the way, and plans to meet with emergency management folks and area residents to discuss how the federal response protocols succeeded and failed. Critics say it's too little, too late, and point...

Logan reports on a tragic westside house fire last night that resulted in an 8-year-old boy's death.

Ben Becker has this week's area restaurant report.

Alexus updates the latest in the trial for the murder of Jared Bridegan. This morning, two of the co-conspirators involved, Bridegan's ex-wife Shanna Gardner and her current husband Mario Fernandez Saldana, are scheduled to appear in court.

KOSA UPDATE - There is growing momentum on Capitol Hill for legislation to protect kids online. With more than 60 senate cosponsors, both Republicans and Democrats, the Kids Online Safety Act now has enough supporters to pass the Senate. This is a major milestone for the legislation which was first introduced in 2022. It comes nearly 2 weeks after parents faced the CEOs of some of the top social m...

Logan reports on a tragic house fire on Jacksonville's westside that took the life of an 8-year-old boy.

In this week's Around Jax segment, Chandler profiles SWEET PEACHES COFFEE in Baymeadows. Visit them on Instagram at @sweetpeachescoffee to learn more!

WOKV recognizes Corrections Officer Ethan Holden in this week's First Responder Friday feature. Congratulations Officer Holden!

Alexus updates the latest in the Jared Bridegan murder trial, as accused conspirators Shanna Gardner and Mario Fernandez-Saldana are scheduled to appear before a judge again today. Today marks the 2-year anniversary of Bridegan's murder.

This week's FLBL segment features BETTER EXTERIOR SOLUTIONS. Visit them online at BETTEREXTERIORS.COM to learn more.