MOCA Jacksonville, Scholar Preparatory Academy and the Police and Fire Pension Fund are all 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.
Today's Weather
There will be dense fog in some areas around Jacksonville until 9 a.m. After 9 a.m. expect partly sunny skies with a 20% chance of isolated showers. Highs will be in the mid to low 70s; low tonight around 58. Winds will be coming out of the east at 5 to 15 mph. (National Weather Service)
Nude photograph continues to be the center of controversy
Although City Council President Clay Yarborough initially demanded that the City of Jacksonville pull all funding for Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, he indicated that he might be willing to accept a more reasonable compromise over a nude photograph that he found offensive in the atrium of MOCA Jacksonville. Meanwhile, attendance at MOCA Jacksonville has quadrupled since the scuffle over the nude began. (WJCT, The Florida Times-Union)
Scholar Preparatory Academy given more time to appeal termination
Despite continuing to fail to meet contractually required minimum student enrollment levels after being given a 90-day termination notice, Scholar Preparatory Academy has filed an amended petition since the termination notice did not take into account student achievement. (WJCT)
Sales taxes are still due, even on Cyber Monday deals
Many shoppers are not aware that if an online retailer does not collect sales tax, shoppers are required to fill out a form and send the taxes into the state voluntarily. (News4Jax)
Green Cove Springs residents targeted for jury duty scam
Scam artists are calling residents of Green Cove Springs claiming to be law enforcement and demanding payment of a fine to avoid arrest for missing jury duty. (The Florida Times-Union)
Retired firefighters, police officers and their widows may not receive Christmas bonus this year
Trustees of the Police and Fire Pension Fund decided within weeks of Christmas to not give out bonuses this year to retired police, firefighters and their widows. The decision will save $2 million. Two of the five-member board voted for the bonuses, two voted against it. The fifth member, Former Sheriff Nat Glover was not in attendance and will make the final deciding vote in a special meeting Wednesday. (Action News Jax)
Renter put in the middle of fight between landlord and home owners association
An Orange Park woman has been trying to manage simultaneous rent demands from both her landlord and her neighborhood homeowner's association due to delinquent HOA fees. Recent changes to the law not only guide her to direct her rent to the HOA until the delinquent fees are paid, but also protect her from any eviction action by her landlord. But her landlord is still demanding payment. (First Coast News)
Today on First Coast Connect, Melissa Ross discusses the City Council President Clay Yarborough's objection to the nude image at MOCA Jacksonville with Rod Sullivan, a First Amendment expert at Florida Coastal School of Law. After that, The Arc Jacksonville joins Melissa to announce the Arc Village, Florida's first affordable apartment-style rental homes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Then, Stage Aurora stops by to discuss God's Trombones starring Former Miss America Ericka Dunlap.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Ray Hollister on Twitter @RayHollister.
