Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

CHILD VACCINATION RATES - The number of kindergarten students who are up to date on their routine vaccinations continue to decline, according to research from KFF (formerly the Kaiser Family Foundation). This comes as the nation braces for another uptick in COVID, flu and RSV all at once. KFF findings show the national measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination rate among kindergarteners during the 2021-2022 school year fell below the Healthy People 2030 target of 95%. This is the necessary level needed to prevent community transmission of measles. We break down how your state stacks up and what these trend mean for your child’s health in school.

Meghan reports that an additional arrest has been made in the Jared Bridegan murder investigation. His ex-wife Shanna Gardner-Fernandez has been arrested in Washington, and will be extradited to Florida. Fernandez-Bridegan is charged with murder and other charges related to Bridegan's death.

The Jacksonville Coffee Company has opened a new cafe in the Baymeadows/Deerwood area. Check them out for delicious cappuccinos, espressos, cold brews, teas, and good ol' fashioned coffee. They even sell espresso machines and coffee grinders, "empowering and inspiring the home barista in everyone!" Visit them at 8221 Southside Blvd. (Southside at Baymeadows Rd), and fuel up!

Kirstin looks at former President Trump's ratings in GOP voter polls, with good news and challenges related to his viability as a GOP candidate for the 2024 presidential race.

Jared reports on the Biden Administration taking a "victory lap" on the 1-year anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act. While critics note that consumer costs are still high, people are realizing the net gains in job growth, increased domestic manufacturing, and falling inflation rates.

Looking for things to do this weekend in the 904? All sorts of good stuff going on! Sip & Stroll happens tonight downtown. The Game & Party Con is all weekend at the DoubleTree by the Airport, if you're a board gamer/social gamer. Check out the Honey Bee festival at the Fairgrounds and get some delicious local honey. And have you been to the Thrasher Horne Center in Orange Park? Check it out for some great shows, including John Michael Montgomery this weekend. SNL's Pete Davidson has a show at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, and you can't go wrong with a Jacksonville staple like the MOSH Planetarium, or Family Movie Night with the Jumbo Shrimp -- they're playing the Super Mario Brothers Movie! All this and more is in our feature weekend spotlight story.

Alexus reports on a new survey for parents requesting feedback to help with hiring a new Duval County School Superintendent. Parents have the option to respond online or in-person at upcoming community forums.

A Florida statute says that students living within 2 miles of a school are not eligible for bus transportation. Meghan reports that last year this rule was not enforced, but this year it is causing concern for St. Johns County parents whose kids now have to walk through high traffic areas like International Golf Parkway.

ABORTION PILL ACCESS - Access to mifepristone, the most common form of abortion in the US, may become more restricted soon. A new federal appeals court ruling overturned part of a lower court ruling that would have revoked the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the drug. This decision also left in place other restrictions that would end the availability of the drug by mail, allow it to be used through only the seventh week of pregnancy rather than the 10th, and require that it be administered in the presence of a physician. Currently the drug is still available until the Supreme Court can weigh in. We have reaction from both sides of the issues and next steps.

Meghan reports on yesterday's I-95 shooting and crash that left a driver dead. JSO is investigating, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.