Jacksonville's Morning News Interviews

Action Sports Jax's Brent Martineau looks at the Jags as they move into the 2nd half of the season. With turnovers, injuries, and a recurring lack of follow-through, can the Jags salvage the rest of this season? If so, what are their keys to success? They will be tested this weekend when they host the Chargers! Watch the game Sunday at 1pm on CBS47!

Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh looks at this weekend's forecast -- and it will be a great weekend to be outside at the Jacksonville Fair, at St. Augustine's Nights of Lights, or to enjoy the Jags vs. Chargers downtown!

Every weekend we spotlight a few key events happening in the area. This week's top picks -- While the Jacksonville Greater Agricultural Fair is wrapping up downtown, Nights of Lights starts in St. Augustine this weekend! The Jacksonville Symphony performs this weekend, including a special one-show-only Sunday afternoon matinee "America in Concert: 250 Years of Music & Majesty," as we close out Veteran's Week. Tonight, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Fluffy is back in town! Get your laughs with Gabriel Iglesias on his 1976 Tour! The Jags host the Chargers at The Bank Sunday afternoon, and its Gator Basketball in the Vystar Arena Sunday evening! More events are listed in our Weekend Spotlight story!

Ryan has the latest updates from DC, where the government has been funded through Jan 30, but the next shutdown clock is already running. 3 of the 12 annual appropriation bills are reportedly ready to go, but can Congress pass the other 9 when they've only got 11 weeks (plus multiple holiday breaks) to get it done? Meanwhile fallout from the shutdown continues as payroll, SNAP benefits, and other financial issues, as well as federal offices and services, are slowly grinding back into routine.

Our local business spotlight focuses on The Selfie Showroom on Jacksonville's northside. Visit THESELFIESHOWROOM.COM or @theselfieshowroom for more information, and to see the kinds of photo fun you can have there!

It's package delivery season, and Clark has a tip for how to keep the porch pirates from stealing your deliveries. Divert your packages – arrange to pick up your deliveries FROM a delivery company facility (FedEx/UPS/USPS), or from a delivery locker (Amazon).

Action News Jax's Ben Becker shares how some people have "super" taste buds, giving them enhanced food flavor experiences. For these "super tasters," what tastes good tastes REALLY, REALLY good, but some times the extra sensitivity is just too much. Are you a "super taster"? Find out tonight at 545pm on Action News JAX on CBS47 and FOX30!

Susan King, CEO of Feeding NE Florida, joins JMN to share details of a City Council emergency funding allocation of $200,000 to address food insecurity crises in the area.

The House passed the Senate-approved temporary funding resolution to fund federal government operations through January, ending the 43-day government shutdown without extending the health care subsidies that Democrats were holding out for. President Trump signed the resolution into effect last night, so it's beack to work for federal employees, SNAP services are funded again, and delayed paychecks should be caught up soon. But what does this mean come January? Will the 2026 fiscal year appropriations bills be approved by then, or are we back to watching a shutdown clock?

The US Treasury Department is phasing out the penny, ending production of the coin. Eben Brown reports on the justifications cited behind the decision, although pennies remain legal currency and may still be in use for a while.

Clark looks at how you can save on your streaming services bill. The trick? Use FAST services – Free Ad Supported Television. If you prefer premium services, use the ad-supported tier, you'll still save a lot versus ad-free rates!

Courtney Lewis (Music Director) and Tony Nickle (Vice President & Artistic Administrator) join JMN, discussing the holiday season musical lineup. Events include Handel's "Messiah," "The First Coast Nutcracker," featuring Tchaikovsky's famous score, and more. And Courtney and Benjamin Fridkis exchange holiday musical selection insights.

Ryan has the latest on the government shutdown, and the possibility that it could be resolved by a House vote later today. Achieving a House quorum may be an issue, though, as many Representatives face shutdown-related air travel challenges. And even if the vote passes, it's only good for funding through January, but at least people missing paychecks lately will get paid.

Steven B. Libman, President and CEO of the Jacksonville Symphony, joins JMN with details of the holiday themed programs they're performing soon -- starting with this weekend's "Holiday Brass" performance Saturday, and "America In Concert: 250 Years of Music" Sunday afternoon. More holiday themed programming, including the always-popular "Holiday Pops" series, the "Movie & Music" shows of The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more are on deck as the Symphony leans in to the holiday season.

You laugh with him weeknights at 6pm, and we laugh with him Wednesday mornings on JMN. Jimmy Failla joins in with his thoughts on the holiday season (and the CORRECT time to start celebrating it!), government re-opening, the Deep State vs. the Deep Dish, and his glory days playing trumpet in the school band. Maybe we can get him to jam with the Symphony Orchestra?

Clark has a warning about Senior Assisted Living Facility billing. If you have an aging relative in such a facility, bill collectors may try and convince you that YOU are responsible for their bills. Don't fall for it!

Mayor Donna Deegan joins Rich Jones before the Veterans Day Parade, sharing her thoughts of appreciation for Jacksonville's veterans community.

WOKV's Erick Erickson joins JMN with thoughts on the possible government shutdown resolution. What does this mean for solidarity among the Senate Democrats? Will enough House Reps get back to Washington in time for a quorum and vote to approve the funding measure? And where do Democrats go from here, on their issue of health care funding? Hear more about this and other issues live on the Erick Erickson Show, noon to 3pm today!

Congressman Aaron Bean (R-4th) joins Rich Jones at the Veterans Day Breakfast, with a message of appreciation to veterans and an update on the government shutdown resolution scenario. The House is expected to vote on a funding measure to "re-open" the government possibly as soon as tomorrow afternoon.

Florida State Representative Dean Black (Rep-14) joins JMN live from the Military Appreciation and Veterams Day Breakfast, in advance of this morning's Veterans Day Parade. He discusses how significant veteran service and appreciation is, both in his own family tradition and in the Jacksonville community.

City Council President Kevin Carrico joins JMN from the Military Appreciation and Veterans Day Breakfast. Besides the community appreciation of veteran service, his own family has a tradition of service, so the day is doubly important to him.

Ryan reports on the latest shutdown developments. The Senate has passed a resolution to fund the government through January, and catch up all delayed employee/personnel payments. The House still has the approve the measure, with their earliest vote likely to be Wednesday afternoon.

Nick Howland, Executive Director of The Fire Watch, discusses the organization's role in the prevention of veteran suicides. This month, they reached the milestone of training over 10,000 Watch Standers on intervention procedures, providing mental health and crisis support services.

Chris Budihas (Ret), host of First Coast Military Life, joins Rich Jones at the Center for Performing Arts for the COJ MIlitary Appreciation and Veterans Day Breakfast. Budihas discusses the nature of military service, and the role of service personnel in the Jacksonville community.

Rich Jones is live at the Center for Performing Arts, as the City of Jacksonville hosts a Military Appreciation and Veterans Day Breakfast event. COJ Director of Military Affairs Harrison Conyers joins Rich to discuss today's Veterans Day Parade, and stories from Jacksonville's veteran community. (Edtitor's note: there are digital audio issues mid-interview)

The Supreme Court rejects a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015. Former Kentucky court law clerk Kim Davis's appeal against the decision was turned away, preserving the previously decided legalization and upholding Davis's having to pay previously-ordered damages from a case heard in lower courts.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio heads to Canada to take part in a big G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Jonathan looks at the G7 agenda and expected discussion points, including maritime security, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and trade matters for rare minerals.

Clark has a warning about Veteran's Day SCAMS. If you get a notice that says you were overpaid and need to send a refund – don't pay it. Check with the VA!

Brent looks at the rise and catastrophic fall of the Jags vs. the Houston Texans yesterday. What do the Jags need to fix? CAN they fix it? What can the fans expect from the rest of the season, starting with the Chargers coming to town next weekend?

Every neighborhood has them, and they can cause expensive damage - like bent rims, busted axles, and more. Action News Jax's Chandler Morgan looks at the state of potholes on Jacksonville roads, what neighborhoods and roads have the worst potholes, how you can reports them, and why it takes so long to get them fixed. See the full feature report tonight at 5:45pm on Action News Jax on CBS47 and FOX30!

As we move into Day 41 of the government "shutdown," the US Senate looks like they've reached terms for a resolution to "re-open" the government with temporary funding through January. A formal vote is still required, along with the re-approval of the House before an agreement resolution can be approved by President Trump.

Chase Robinson from First Coast Crime Stoppers joins JMN, with guest Perrin Todd, to discuss how community outreach and tips helped to solve an animal cruelty case regarding an injured Great Dane nicknamed "Miracle" after his roadside discovery. It was later learned that the dog's name was Oak; sadly, Oak has passed as a result of his injuries. This is the first incident of First Coast Crime Stoppers resolving an animal cruelty case, which is a 3rd degree felony. If you have a tip for any crime, you can share it anonymously by calling 866-845-TIPS (8477). Tips may result in cash rewards.

The COP 30 Global Climate Change Conference begins in Brazil today. The US is not participating, which raises concerns about how effective any conference resolutions could be without American involvement. In other world news, there is a leadership shakeup at the BBC following an editing scandal with a President Trump interview.

Clark has a holiday shopping tip. This year, batteries are probably NOT included. But you can save a bundle on batteries if you know where to shop.

Jud Heussler joins JMN for the last time this morning during the first day of the Hope Comes Home radiothon.

Jud joins Jacksonville's Morning News in hour three of the radiothon put on by EASY 102.9.

Toni Foxx with EASY 102.9 joins us while she's at the Hope Comes Home event in support of Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville. Today marks the first day of a three day radiothon in support of the organization.

FOX's Eben Brown joins Rich and Kristine to discuss United State Representative and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision not to run for another year.

The first hour of a three day radiothon to support Ronald McDonald House Jacksonville has come and gone. Jud Heussler of EASY 102.9 leads the planning for the radiothon.

Josh Knotts, Extreme Illusions & Escapes, talks with Rich Jones about his second year at the Jacksonville Fair and how he's adding even more thrills to his show.

Andre Bullock, Dre's Place BBQ talks with Rich Jones about his 22-year run as a food vendor at the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair.

Rich Jones speaks with Andy Deggeller, operator of rides at the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, talks about safety and fun!