Mayor Alvin Brown, the KKK and Ashleigh Lollie 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.
Mayor Brown to announce budget proposal: Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown will give his annual budget presentation this morning beginning at 9 a.m. His proposal is expected to include more money for police and libraries. (News4Jax, Florida Times-Union)
California investment group purchases Jax tower: Hertz Investment Group of Santa Monica, California completed the acquisition of Bank of America Tower in downtown Jacksonville for a purchase price of $88 million. (Motor E Magazine)
Florida police officers out after FBI investigation into Klan involvement: Two Fruitland Park police officers are off the force following an FBI and Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation that concluded they were members of a local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. (WFTV)
Tampa theater shooter released on bail: The 71-year-old former police captain charged in a fatal shooting at a Tampa area movie theater in January has been released on $150,000 bail and must remain at home and surrender firearms pending trial. (Fox News)
Panhandle woman crowned Miss Florida: Ashleigh Lollie, 23, of Grand Ridge in Jackson County was crowned Miss Florida USA on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale. (Orlando Sentinel)
Today on First Coast Connect, Deirdre Macnab, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida, on last week's court decision to strike down the state's congressional districts over gerrymandering.
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.
