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.
Lawmakers hear from public on sex offender law reforms: State lawmakers heard from members of the public, including the mother of child murder and sexual assault victim Cherish Perrywinkle, at a hearing in Jacksonville on reforming state laws on sex offenders.
Jax City Council to wrap budget today: Today is the deadline for city lawmakers to nail down the annual budget in order to get tax data to the city auditor in time.
Dems call for Shirk resignation: Duval County Democratic Party Chairman Neil Henrichsen is calling for Jacksonville Public Defender Matt Shirk's "immediate resignation" after admissions he drank alcohol in his city office.
Body found in creek likely homicide: Police suspect foul play after a body was found floating in Julington Creek on Wednesday morning. (Florida Times-Union)
Apartment complex evacuated after body found, bomb scare: The Huron-Sophia complex was evacuated for investigation into a potential explosive device Wednesday night following a shooting death. There was no device found. (News4Jax)
University of Florida approve new dorms: The UF board of trustees unanimously approved a $25 million plan for a new 255-bed dorm complex in Gainesville's southwest quadrant. (Gainesville Sun)
Syria sticky issue for Rubio: Florida's junior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio was among the seven members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who voted against authorizing force in Syria yesterday, and the issue may dog his presidential aspirations. (Christian Science Monitor)
Florida, Texas lead nation in uninsured residents: Just fewer than 25 percent of Florida residents do not have health insurance, based on new census data. (New York Times)
Today on First Coast Connect, Jacksonville residents with ties to Syria will join Melissa to share their thoughts and feelings on the war there and the potential for a U.S. military strike on the country.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax.
