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.
Cell providers ready for Mumford crowd: Wireless phone companies say they will be able to handle increased phone and data traffic this weekend in St. Augustine as crowds file in for the Gentlemen of the Road music festival.
Brunswick baby shooter sentenced to life: Convicted 18-year-old killer De'Marquise Elkins was sentenced to life in prison with no parole plus 105 years in the shooting of 13-month-old Antonio Santiago.
Jax files river cleaning plan with state regulators: Jacksonville has submitted an action plan to the state Department of Environmental Protection detailing how the city will clean algae and pollution from the St. John's River. (Florida Times-Union)
Sheriff's office recalls assault rifles: Following two misfire incidents, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is pulling AR-15 assault rifles manufactured by Olympic Arms out of duty at a cost of about $50,000. (News4Jax)
Business, tech professionals 'converge' on Jacksonville: The "Converge Florida" conference, which combines workshops on information design with those on business management, is going on through today. (Jacksonville Business Journal)
Feds critical of Florida's stance on health reform law: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is criticizing Governor Rick Scott's decision to ban federally appointed health care 'navigators' from local health departments as the Affordable Care Act goes into effect next month. (Reuters)
Thirteen-foot alligator captured near Jax: A 13-foot 7-inch alligator was captured along the Northern Reaches of Lake George in Putnam County on Wednesday. (Florida Today)
Today on First Coast Connect, we being with our Friday media roundtable, and wrap up the week with a live performance from singer songwriter Meredith Rae.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax.
