Rick Scott, the Baker Act, and the Jacksonville Jaguars 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.
State agencies face off with Gov. in budget battle: As Governor Rick Scott pushes a $500 tax cut and decreasing state budgets, state agencies are asking for nearly $1 billion in additional funding. (Tampa Bay Times)
Fireworks ban being reconsidered by state pols: Legislation filed in both houses of the Florida State Legislature would lift the state's ban on fireworks. (Florida Times-Union)
Experts concerned with Baker Act overuse: Use of the Baker Act for involuntary commitment to psychatric facilities has increased nearly 80 percent over the past decade, causing some experts to call for a reexamination of the policy (Gainesville Sun)
Campus suicide victim was long time secretary: Phyllis Jean Frank, 80, reportedly shot herself in the head in a parking lot at the Florida State College at Jacksonville's north campus where she had been a sceretary for more than 30 years. (First Coast News)
PBS Frontline looks at police shooting in St. Augustine: A new episode of the PBS documentary series Frontline scheduled to air this week will look at the questions surrounding a St. Augustine murder investigation. The story is a partnership with the New York Times. (New York Times, PBS)
Jags bring record to 2-9 with win over Texans: The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Houson Texans in Houston yesterday 13-6, their second win of the season. (ESPN)
Today on First Coast Connect, to dredge or not to dredge with JAXPORT CEO Brian Taylor and David Jaffee, UNF professor and author of The Ports Project, a research project looking at the various aspects of our port economy and the expansion of the JAXPORT enterprise.
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.
