Daily News Update with Rich Jones of WOKV : 7/23/2012

[Tamara-B]

Typical late July weather as we start a new week. Sunny to start, stormy to end each day this week. Temps are in the low to mid 90's each day, and storm chances this week are about 30%. The tropics are quiet.

Today's interview lineup:

At 6:53 hear Jamie Dupree explain why there is little to no chance of Congress taking up gun control following the Colorado movie theater shooting. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101460101/

At 7:23 hear Fox News reporter Jeff Monosso on the emotional vigil for victims of the deadly theater shooting.  http://www.wokv.com/Player/101460171/

At 8:23 hear Jamie Dupree on the billion dollar a month problem that keeps getting kicked down the road. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101460371/

Our Top National Story:  The suspect in the Colorado movie theater shooting has his first court appearance later this morning. Investigators say James Holmes refuses to talk with authorities.  The 24 year-old reportedly spent months stockpiling thousands of bullets and ballistic gear without raising any red flags with cops.

President Obama says he flew to Colorado to visit family members of those killed and those wounded in the movie theater massacre not as president but as a father and a husband.   His visit Sunday included a stop at the University of Colorado Hospital, where 10 survivors are still being treated.

Twelve people are killed in a pickup truck crash in South Texas. And police say some of the 23 people in the truck were children. The truck left the highway and crashed into trees.  Some of the survivors have life-threatening injuries.

Police investigating the possible abduction of two Iowa girls have reason to believe they're still alive.  The FBI says its interviewing persons of interest in the investigation.

Iraqi police say gunmen have killed 13 soldiers on an army base in the country's northeast, bringing the nationwide death toll to 82 in the single bloodiest day so far this year.  The gunmen arrived at dawn today in three vehicles and began shooting at soldiers. No others were wounded.  The police spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Our Top Local Story:  Ready to deal with a greater workload.  The proposed budget cuts in Jacksonville could change the way traffic crashes are handled.  Sheriff John Rutherford says JSO will no longer be responding to crashes on state roads, a courtesy they had provided to give quicker response times.  Florida Highway Patrol says it can handle the challenge.

Some eye-popping stats on foreclosure filings for the first half of 2012.  St. Johns County saw a 74% increase in the number of foreclosures compared to the same period last year.  According to the St. Augustine Record, St. Johns County has the third highest foreclosure rate in Florida.   We find Duval and Clay Counties not far behind on that list with foreclosure filings of more than 70%  over last year.  One possible reason for the surge, pending foreclosures that had been frozen are just now being processed.

The Duval County Health Department is keeping an eye on an increase in whooping cough cases.  So far, there are 16 cases this year, compared to an average of 12.  Health officials say vaccination is the best defense, although protection from vaccinations wear off over time.

The third time wasn't the charm for a gas station robber.  He was arrested after deputies say he robbed a trio of gas stations. Deputies in Flagler County say in at least two of the robberies, the man went to the counter to buy a drink and showed a knife and demanded cash.

http://www.wokv.com/videos/online/advertising/morning-news-video-blog/ldQ/