Rep. Charles McBurney, Nippers Beach Grille, and the World Cup 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 Rep. seek tougher penalties for repeat fatal crashes in response to Jax incidents: Florida State Rep. Charles McBurney says he plans to file legislation to increase penalties for the perpetrators of multiple fatal traffic accidents in response to a Jacksonville man who received a fine and a six month license suspension after his second fatal crash in four years. (WJCT)
Fatal shooting at Nippers Beach Grille: Jacksonville Beach Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the parking lot of a popular Beach Blvd. restaurant Thursday night. (News4Jax)
Former VA doctor critical of North Florida facilities: An area physician says the management at local Veterans Administration hospitals is wasteful and breeds mediocrity. (Florida Times-Union)
Jax pharmacies and clinics offer free HIV testing today: Today is National HIV Testing Day, and dozens of clinics, drug stores and mobile units on the First Coast will offer free testing. (WJCT)
Jax stops work to watch World Cup: Many downtown Jacksonville employees took an "extended lunch" yesterday to watch the U.S. men's national soccer team's 1-0 loss to Germany. The team will still advance to the knockout round of the World Cup. (Jacksonville Business Journal)
Florida Supreme Court overturns death sentence on DNA evidence: The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday overturned both the conviction and death sentence of a convicted strangler saying new DNA evidence “completely discredits” the state's case. (AP via Miami Herald)
Gators undrafted by NBA: Providence High graduate and University of Florida basketball standout Patric Young and all of his fellow UF team seniors went undrafted in last night's NBA Draft. (Sports Talk Florida)
Today on First Coast Connect, we welcome our local media roundtable for our regular Friday week in review, including our ONLY IN FLORIDA segment. We'll also welcome stand-up and Daily Show correspondent Al Madrigal.
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.
