Interstate 95, Marissa Alexander, and Cherish Perrywinkle are in the headlines today.Welcome to WJCT First Read, your daily weekday morning round-up of stories from the First Coast, around Florida, and across the country. We'll also preview some of WJCT's upcoming news programming.
Heavy traffic after construction closes I-95 exits: Two ramps to Interstate 95 northbound in San Marco at Atlantic Blvd. and Philips Hwy. are closed this morning after overnight construction caused them to buckle. (News4Jax)
Marissa Alexander bond hearing set for Friday: A judge will decide whether Marissa Alexander will go back to jail to await her re-trial after prosecutors allege she violated the terms of her bond release at a hearing tomorrow. (WJCT)
Florida "warning shot" bill poised for consideration this year: An amendment to the state's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law that would grant immunity to those who show guns or fire warning shots in self-defense could pass this year. (The News Service of Florida via WJCT)
Court considers death penalty for Donald Smith in Cherish Perrywinkle killing: A judge will hear motions this morning in the case against convicted sex offender Donald Smith for the rape and murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle last year. (News4Jax)
Florida Highway Patrol steps up "move over" enforcement: State law officers will be watching for motorists who do not move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles. (First Coast News)
Today on First Coast Connect, with Marissa Alexander due in court tomorrow for a motion to revoke her bail over alleged abuses of the terms of her release, we'll look at the latest in the case with legal analysts Janet Johnson and Rod Sullivan.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Patrick Donges on Twitter at @patrickhdonges.
