Daily News Update with Rich Jones of WOKV : 7/30/12

[Tamara-B]

More widespread thunderstorms this week. Temps this afternoon are barely in the 90's with a mix of sun and clouds.  Rain and storms are expected each afternoon this week.

Today's interview lineup:

At 6:53 hear Jamie Dupree on how your tax rate will have the Washington politicians trying to score some last minute political points. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101467991/

At 8:23 hear Jamie Dupree explain how Friday's jobless report could be big for momentum now that we're under 100 days until the November election. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101468091/

Our Top Local Story:  Early voting is scheduled to begin Saturday, but with a lawsuit now filed looking to once again extend the window the Supervisor of Elections office is preparing for all possibilities.  Congresswoman Corrine Brown is leading a federal lawsuit to re-extend early voting to 15 days, including the Sunday before election day.  Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland says they have been planning for 8 days of early voting.  He may be forced to make a last minute change in plans if an injunction takes effect before voting begins.

Our Top National Story:  The final countdown is on.  The presidential election is now less than 100 days away.  President Obama has campaign stops this week in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Florida.  Mitt Romney has been spending time overseas, traveling today to Poland on his weeklong foreign trip.  Romney held a pair of fundraisers last week in London and has another scheduled today in Jerusalem.  Obama hasn't yet attended overseas fundraisers, but his campaign is holding them without him.

The suspected movie theater shooter is headed to court today--prosecutors are expected to file formal charges against James Holmes. Attorneys will argue today over a defense motion to find out who leaked information to the news media about the package he allegedly sent to his psychiatrist at the University of Colorado, Denver.  Holmes allegedly began stockpiling gear for his assault four months ago.

Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia weighs in on gun control, saying there are some limitations that can be imposed.  In a 2008 majority opinion, Scalia wrote the second amendment means what it says--that people have a right to bear arms.

Fire rips through a Mandarin house Sunday, causing about $100,000 in damage.  Firefighters arrived within six minutes.  It appears the fire was caused by a motorcycle that caught fire inside the garage.

Three men are shot outside a Jacksonville gentleman's club, and the security guard says he was acting in self-defense.  It started with a fight between bouncers and clubgoers at Wacko's Gentleman's Club early Sunday. The security guard says he shot at the pickup truck because the driver was trying to run him over.

A Jacksonville man faces life in prison after being convicted of sexual battery on a girl.  42-year-old Brian Long was found guilty of abusing the girl over the course of more than five years.  She was under 12 years old when the abuse started. Long, who retired from the U.S. Navy, will be sentenced September 10th.

Adding insult to injury -- a man whose hand was bitten off by an alligator is facing criminal charges in connection with that.  63-year-old Wallace Weatherholt is charged with feeding an alligator, which is a second-degree misdemeanor.  Weatherholt is an airboat captain who was giving an Indiana family a tour of the Everglades last month when he was attacked.

If you want to save some money at Jaguars games, you can bring your own food.  The team is allowing fans to bring outside food into EverBank Field.  The food must be be unwrapped and placed in a clear zip top gallon-sized plastic bag.  All food being brought into the stadium will be subject to inspection.

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