The state's new online test system, a fire on the Buckman Bridge, and the economic value of the St. Johns River are all 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.
Today's Weather
In Jacksonville look out for areas of dense fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 degrees. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight expect areas of fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 62 degrees. Southeast wind around 9 mph.
At the Beaches expect areas of dense fog before 10 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 69 degrees. East wind 5 to 9 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Tonight there should be areas of fog after 1 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60 degrees. South wind around 9 mph. (National Weather Service)
Headlines
UNF researchers lead a team of economist and ecologists from five other institutions to determine the economic value of the St. Johns River. (WJCT)
An SUV burst into flames after being involved in a rear-end collision with a tractor-trailer on the Buckman Bridge. All four passengers, two of which were children, perished in the fire. (WJCT via News4Jax)
As the Florida legislative session is set to begin tomorrow, lawmakers must face handling daunting pension reform problems. (WJCT)
As St. Augustine celebrates its 450th birthday it is quick to defend its title as the oldest city in America. (WJCT)
A toddler was found walking onto a busy highway in Palatka after going out of an open gate on the playground at his day care. (News4Jax)
The second execution of a woman in Georgia's history was delayed because of cloudy drugs. Kelly Gissendaner's execution by lethal injection was planned to occur at 7 p.m. Monday, but the drugs used in the execution did not look normal to the Execution Team, and was postponed as a result. (News4Jax)
Students across Florida were unable to take the new standardized test that replaced the FCAT test, due to the testing servers overloading. (The Florida Times-Union)
Today on First Coast Connect: Groundwork Jacksonville, iStart Jax 2015 Startup Weekend and the 27th Annual Great American Jazz Series at UNF.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Ray Hollister on Twitter @RayHollister.
