VAM scores, crowded buses and artificial reefs 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.
Today's Weather
In Jacksonville skies will be sunny today, with a high temperature near 69 degrees. Tonight should be mostly clear, with a low in the mid 40s.
At the Beaches it should be sunny, with highs in the mid 60s. Expect tonight to be mostly clear with a low around 50. (National Weather Service)
Bus riders complain about overcrowding
In the two weeks following Jacksonville Transportation Authority's unveiling of its revamped routes and schedules bus ridership has increased by 20 percent. (First Coast News)
Candidates for Jacksonville's District 13 seat face residency challenge
A new complication has arisen in the special election that began due to a checkbox. Neither of the Democratic candidates reside full time in the district that they are running to represent in the Florida House of Representatives. (The Florida Times-Union)
Crew working to build artificial reefs in the St. Johns River
The Coastal Conservation Association is dropping 1,300 tons of broken concrete into the river to provide a habitat for marine life to thrive. (WJCT)
A dozen sailors suspected of involvement in submarine shower videos
One sailor is being investigated for producing the videos, and 11 sailors are suspected of watching the videos. (First Coast News)
10-year-old son of Tom and Carol Rykalsky sends letter to Shad Khan
Ryan Rykalsky sent a letter to the Jaguars owner asking Khan to let his parents continue to run Edgewood Bakery. (The Florida Times-Union)
Low gas prices helping city stay under budget
The city has saved about $540,000 on fuel since October due to the lower prices. JEA is $110,000 under budget for the fiscal year. (The Florida Times-Union)
St. Johns County ranked ranks second in the state for VAM scores; Duval County ranks 55th
The Value Added Modeling scores for almost 80,000 teachers were released last week. Baker County had some of the highest individual teachers' scores in the state. (WJCT)
Today on First Coast Connect, Operation Save Our Sons Director Rev. John Guns and City Councilman Warren Jones join the show to talk about the recent shootings in Northwest Jacksonville. Then, we have a sneak preview of this year's Beaches 12th Annual Chanukah Celebration. Finally Cole Pepper will break down the Jaguars' loss this weekend against the Ravens in First Coast Sports Wrap Up.
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.
