April 5 is the 2nd annual Smoothie King Crown Cup Pickleball Tournament at Argyle Forrest Park! MaliVai Washington joins JMN to share details of the event, raising funds for the Mal Washington Youth Foundation. Visit MalWashington.com to register, donate, or learn more about his youth foundation.

Jonatan reports on the latest developments in the Russia/Ukraine War, as European military leadership organizes "a Coalition of the Willing" to review concerns and resolution options, particularly as it pertains to management of the largest nuclear power resource in Europe - currently under control of the Russian military. President Trump has inserted himself into the conversation, offering to have the US "manage" the power plant, but European leadership does not see that as a viable solution.

Curtis Dvorak, the Wildlife Wanderer from the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens, joins JMN to talk about their recent recognition by USA Today as one of the Top 10 zoos in the country!

Ryan reports on the latest in Russia/Ukraine War ceasefire negotiations -- Russia's President Putin and US President Trump agreed to terms of a temporary Russia/Ukraine cease fire and prisoner exchange, where the terms were very much pro-Russia and did not obligate Putin to recognize Ukraine's independence. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy was excluded from yesterday's call, and his previously proposed cease fire terms were not part of the Putin/Trump discussion. Immediately after the Putin/Trump call, Russia conducted a bomb strike on Ukraine.

Another Truth Social posting from Presidnt Trump is generating controversy, alleging that former President Biden's preemptive pardons issued at the end of his term are illegitimate because they were signed with an "autopen" and that he (Trump) was overturning the pardons. Besides the absurdity of the accusation, use of an autopen (a mechanical device used for bulk document signings) is common and permissible for legislative paperwork, many Presidents including Trump himself have frequently used them, and of course there's the Constitutional issue that Presidential pardons are absolute and irrevocable.

Ryan reports on the Senate approving a funding resolution to stave off a government shutdown last weekend. This keeps the government funded through September, when the next fiscal year appropriations are due. The approval comes at the cost of confidence in Democrat leadership, as Sen. Chuck Schumer and 9 other Democrats sided with Republicans to pass the GOP funding measure, despite objections of the majority of their party colleagues. Now that funding is temporarily resolved, Ryan looks ahead to what we can expect from Congress in the near future.

Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh has your Weekend Forecast - when weather might impact The Players, and what you can expect for next week!

Tyler Oldenburg, Tournament Chairman, joins JMN to discuss the importance of volunteers in making the Payers a success. Some 1500-2000 volunteers service the event annually, and most of them are returning volunteers -- Tyler volunteered for 12 years himself! Visit ThePlayers.com for more information on how you can volunteer for next year's event.

MaliVai Washington joins JMN to share how collaboration with The Players, and being designated as a Charity of the Day, expands their reach and influence to tremendous exposure opportunities. Organizations like the Mal Wasington Youth Foundation, First Tee, and other youth-oriented sports programs teach life skills, discipline, responsibility, problem solving, and more, and grants from organizations like the Players increase the resources of those programs to help more children. Learn more at MalWashington.com, and sign up for the upcoming Smoothie King Crown Cup Pickleball Tournament!

Ryan looks at the possible government shutdown at midnight, if a funding bill is not approved in the Senate. Democrat leader Chuck Schumer has offered support for the GOP funding resolution, preferring to avoid a shutdown, but his offered support is not going over well with other Democrats in Congress.