Marissa Alexander, Jacksonville Jaguars, medical marijuana, and Ashley Nicole Chiasson 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.
Alexander retrial delayed: A judge has pushed back Marissa Alexander's retrial to December in order to consider the implications of the "Warning Shot Bill" passed by state lawmakers. (News4Jax)
EverBank Field upgrades target high-end spectators: New poolside and party cabanas, on-field seating and other premium seating options at Everbank Field are part of the Jacksonville Jaguars' strategy to bring in more revenue without raising ticket prices across the board. (WJCT)
City lawmakers reject water taxi authorization: The Jacksonville City Council rejected a request Tuesday night by Mayor Alvin Brown’s office for emergency approval of the purchase of two water taxis which have already been bought by the city. (Florida Times-Union)
Middle school instruction focus of Duval school workshop: According to an external audit, Duval County Public Schools have the framework for effective instruction, but lack the practice and the support, particularly in its highest need schools. (WJCT)
Clay County Sheriff's Office cops to second wrongful arrest: Clay County detectives failed to complete a thorough investigation into the identity of a suspect before falsely arresting a woman with the same name, the second time in less than a year. (First Coast News)
Local officials still unsure of port project funding: As President Barack Obama signed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act yesterday, local officials are still unsure how they will fund the local portion of the included projects, including dredging the St. Johns River. (Jacksonville Business Journal)
Adelson contributes to anti-pot group: Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is donating $2.5 million to Drug Free Florida, a group looking to stop the constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana. (Broward Palm Beach NewTimes)
Central Florida cleaning up after powerful storms: Residents in Orange and Volusia counties can expect more storms following damage caused by strong thunderstorms on Tuesday. (News 13)
Hurricane Cristina forms off Mexico: The third named storm and the second hurricane of the 2014 Eastern Pacific hurricane season is continuing to form off the west coast of Mexico. (The Weather Channel)
South Florida wildfire grows, smoke dissipates: Officials say a wildfire in the Everglades is "not anywhere near out" despite the redirection of smoke out of metro areas by shifting winds. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel)
Scott asks for sensitivity by All Aboard Florida: Gov. Rick Scott sent a letter sent to All Aboard Florida President Michael Reininger on Monday asking that the company "be sensitive" to resident's concerns and for the extension of a public comment period from 75 days to 90. (Orlando Sentinel)
Today on First Coast Connect, Brad Thoburn, vice president of long range planning and system development at the Jacksonville Transportation Authority on the future of commuter rail in Jacksonville and across Florida. Karen Feagins will guest host.
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.
