Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

So much happening in Jacksonville this weekend! There's comedy at the Florida Theatre, the Icemen and the Jumbo Shrimp are playing home games, music goes to the dogs as Kanine Social presents WOOFSTOCK! It's Record Day this weekend, UNF has the Vinyl-thon, and maybe you've heard of Elton John, or Styx, or The Who? They're all playing in town this weekend too. And it all starts with Jax River Jams featuring country star Carly Pearce tonight.

Jared reports on the "air scare" that saw the Capitol Bldg. evacuated last night (it was an air stunt for a baseball game). He also looks at the latest Ukrainian aid package, which President Biden will discuss later this morning.

USA Today's John Kennedy joins JMN to discuss the latest Florida government events. New districting maps oust Rep. Al Lawson by dividing his district, and changing the local landscape to a Republican majority in 20 of 28 districts. Also in DeSantis's special legislative session, the Reedy Creek Development District (aka Disney World) - loses its independent government status.

Blair looks at the latest Ukraine aid package proposal, including heavy artillery and ammunition, and at a new Biden approval poll. President Biden will address the nation later this morning.

Jared reports that the Justice Department won't appeal a federal judge's decision to rescind mask mandates when travelling... UNLESS the CDC presents evidence that the pandemic condition has worsened again. This follows the White House's practice of deferring pandemic management guidance to the CDC.

Gretchen Kernbach reports on the 2nd dive student death in 2 months. Both were students at CDA Technical Institute. JSO has been called to investigate different incidents involving the school over 300 times in the last 10 years. See more of Gretchen's story in the Local News section of WOKV.com or tonight on Action News Jax.

Rich previews Shopability Saturday, coming up March 6! Sponsored by Connectable, the event showcases 150 companies in the Jacksonville area that give employment opportunities to persons with Autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental differences (IDD's).

BREAKING: Meghan has a live update about the Magnolia Gardens house fire this morning. The fire marshal is investigating the cause, and damage can be seen to bedroom and roof areas. Two of the three people home when the fire started this morning are in the hospital, one of them in critical condition. More information will be shared as the story develops.

Blair follows the latest developments in the travel mask mandate story. A federal judge lifted the mandate earlier this week, while the CDC had set a deadline of May 3rd. The White House is currently not seeking to appeal the ruling, leaving it for future consideration. The CDC's concern was to study the latest variant of Covid-19 before making a decision, but the judge's ruling forced their hand.

BREAKING: 2 people are hospitalized (1 critical) after a house fire on Breve Drive in the Magnolia Gardens neighborhood. The fire was reported by a neighbor, starting some time around 4am. The fire marshal has been requested.