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 programming.
Following 15 homicides in the city last month, police in Jacksonville continue to investigate the death of 13-year-old Jazmine Shelton, killed after dozens of bullets ripped through her trailer home. (Florida Times-Union)
Police are also investigating a shooting death at a St. Marys apartment complex. (Florida Times-Union)
Members of a group of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will meet with Florida U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson later this week to discuss the backlog of veteran applications for mental health services through the VA. The meeting comes on the heels of President Barack Obama's remarks on Saturday at the Disabled American Veterans National Convention, in which he said his administration has made progress on the backlog. (News4Jax, WUSF)
Sen. Rubio will be at the Jacksonville Rotary Club today on the first stop of a speaking tour focused on defunding the 2010 Affordable Care Act healthcare law, known to many as Obamacare. WJCT's Kevin Meerschaert will be covering the event later today. (Tampa Bay Times)
Meet Richard Candia, the lobbyist turned F.B.I. informant in the center of the federal corruption case against Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi and Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño. (Miami Herald)
A 60-foot-wide sinkhole damaged buildings at a resort just outside of Walt Disney World early this morning. (CNN)
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is calling for reform of mandatory minimum sentencing laws for certain low-level, non-violent drug offenses. (CBS News)
The Jacksonville Jaguars dropped their first pre-season game to the Miami Dolphins on Friday night 27-3. Our sports commentator Cole Pepper will be on First Coast Connect later this morning with analysis and a look ahead at the 2013 Jags.
WJCT was in the headlines this weekend. The Florida Times-Union ran a story on how the station is using the latest technology to bring improved service to public broadcasting across Florida and the country.
Remember, all the latest local news and programming notes can be found online at WJCT's Facebook page and on Twitter @WJCTJax.
