Duval Schools's graduation rate, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the NFL Network's Rich Eisen 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
It looks it will be a mild winter day in Jacksonville. Skies will be partly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees. Tonight it should be mostly cloudy, with a low around 53 degrees.
At the Beaches conditions will be the same as Jacksonville, except the low tonight will be around 56 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Duval Schools' graduation rate is up; statewide school grades are down
According to data released by the Florida Department of Education, 74 percent of high school students in Duval County received their diploma this year, bringing up Duval Schools' graduation rate up two percentage points from last year. However, the number of schools that earned an A or B grade dropped by 12 percent across the state. (WJCT)
Mayor Brown recommends JaxPort become trade hub with Cuba if embargo lifted
While not taking a position on President Obama's announcement that he was working to normalize relations with Cuba, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown said that if the embargo with the isolated island nation was lifted, Jacksonville should agressively work to become a trade hub for Cuba. (The Florida Times-Union)
Amateur promotional video for Jacksonville receiving negative comments
City Councilman Jim Love produced a music video showcasing a theme song for Jacksonville that highlights the city's neighborhoods and attractions. The video, which contains a swaying chorus of singers in matching "I ? Living 'in Jacksonville' Florida" t-shirts, is getting negative response from viewers. (The Florida Times-Union)
Lynyrd Skynyrd to video Jacksonville shows for TV special
The band that formed in Jacksonville during the '60s will be performing its first two albums live during two separate performances at the Florida Theatre. The recordings of the Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts will be used for a television special and released as DVDs. (The Florida Times-Union)
Rich Eisen's mom said he had go to the Jaguars v. Titans game
The Thursday Night Football game featuring the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans was one of the worst matchups this season as both teams went into the game 2-12. NFL Network's Rich Eisen was not happy about having to fly to Jacksonville to work the game. In a promotional video for the game, Eisen's mother called him to remind him "It's your job. You have to go." (First Coast News)
Today on First Coast Connect, Media Roundtable Week in Review discusses the biggest stories of the year, and Ian Mairs previews the Swamp Radio Holiday Show.
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.
