Rep. Adkins, Wal-Mart and the Hart Bridge protesters 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
Today in Jacksonville we should have mostly sunny skies, with a high near 65 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 44 degrees.
At the Beaches it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 63 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with the low around 51 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Nonprofits showcase services offered to homeless at Hemming Park
During national Feed the Homeless Day, Jacksonville-based organizations that serve the homeless population set up tables in Hemming Park downtown to share what they do with the public. (WJCT)
Rep. Adkins wants Gov. Scott to investigate the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund
The Republican lawmaker from Fernandina Beach wants the Department of Law Enforcement and the Chief Inspector General to find out if there was any impropriety in how the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund has been managed. (WJCT)
Wal-Mart and and Gate stores planned for Collins Road near I-295
Construction on the Wal-Mart Supercenter is expected to begin in spring 2015. The store is scheduled to open the following spring 2016. Gate Petroleum plans on building a gas and convenience store on the property adjacent to the future Wal-Mart location, but a construction date has not been set. (The Financial News & Daily Record)
Worker in YMCA after-school program allegedly duct taped child's mouth shut
Clay County mother, Jacque Moreno, says her son's mouth was covered with duct tape by a teacher because he was talking too much. (First Coast News)
Hart Bridge protesters allege police misconduct
Some of the activists that blocked the Hart Bridge during rush-hour traffic last week claim there were incidents of police brutality during their subsequent arrests. However, Jacksonville Sheriff's officers confiscated their cell phones and cameras, which may contain evidence of the incidents. The devices have not been returned to the protesters. (Folio Weekly)
First same-sex divorce granted in Florida
Circuit Judge Dale Cohen of Broward County dissolved the marriage based on his prior ruling in August that the state's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional. The couple had joined in a civil union in Vermont in 2002, but had been unable to get divorced since their relationship ended five years ago. (News4Jax)
Today on First Coast Connect, Author and UNF Professor Matt Corrigan joins Melissa Ross to discuss Jeb Bush's announcement that he is considering running for president of the United States. Then, The Specktator, Kerry Speckman gives us the round up of all the local events happening this weekend.
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.
