Jacksonville, Fl — The daily flow of news is rapidly changing, offering little opportunity to slow down and really explore a story or issue.

WOKV is committed to providing depth and detail to local issues and, once a month, we bring in Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan for an expansive conversation on pressing issues.

We encourage you to listen to Jacksonville’s Morning News at 9:00 am for the interview as we explore several topics including:

ICE operations in Jacksonville, and the relationship with local authorities.
State DOGE report findings.
The weekend DUI arrest of Parks and Recreation Director Daryl Joseph
The one-year anniversary of the Mayor’s Book Club, which sends a free book each month to every four-year-old in the city.

In the first part, she recaps the 2026 Donna Marathon, and a number of local political/social issues - community engagement in recent town halls, infrastructure needs, the Duval DOGE report (and hyper-partisan scrutiny), city personnel, and more. In the 2nd half, Mayor Deegan discusses the Duval Readers initiative and the program’s success, Jacksonville’s relationship with ICE (operationally managed through JSO), and what’s coming up in the next series of Town Halls.

▶ Listen to Jacksonville’s Morning News Interviews

Download the 104.5 WOKV app

Iran’s president instructed his foreign minister to “pursue fair and equitable negotiations” with the US, as tensions remain high after last month’s protest crackdown. Elsewhere, Russia/Ukraine peace talks continue. Jonathan Savage has this update:

Jimmy Failla joins JMN for the weekly edition of Headlines & Punchlines (they’re interchangeable these days) - and shares his thoughts on “nationalized elections,” Trump’s latest journalist aspersion, and how maybe people are putting too much emphasis on what’s SAID versus what’s DONE...and why we’re living a reality like the Doors’ “Roadhouse Blues,” so wake up this morning and have yourself a beer, if that’s your thing. Hear more with Jimmy Failla on FOX ACROSS AMERICA weeknights at 6pm!

The partial government shutdown is over, but DHS funding was only extended for a couple of weeks while their “annual” bill faces additional negotiations. Meanwhile, the Epstein Files return to the spotlight after the latest DOJ documents release, and as the Clintons have agreed to testify before a Congressional hearing. Ryan Schmelz has this update:

Rich Jones

Rich Jones is the Host of Jacksonville’s Morning News. Rich joined WOKV in October 2006. Rich is involved in many community organizations and causes. Rich and his wife, Noelle, have three children: Avery, Harper and Austen.