Great Oak at Episcopal, kayaks at Exchange Club Island and the Fair District amendment 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
In Jacksonville there's a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Today will be cloudy with a high near 76 degrees. Tonight should be cloudy with a 60 percent chance of rain and a low around 69 degrees
At the Beaches today there's a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Skies will cloudy with a high near 73 degrees. Tonight will be cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain and a low around 67 degrees (National Weather Service)
25 years ago today Jacksonville was shut down by a snow storm
Less than 2 inches of snow usually isn't enough to shut down most major cities, but when the First Coast faced its first real snow fall in over a century there were fender-benders everywhere and the bridges were shut down. (The Florida Times-Union)
Great Oak at Episcopal taken down
A contractor was hired to remove the 300 to 400 year old oak tree after it became infected with a fungus that made the tree structurally unstable. (The Florida Times-Union)
Jacksonville residents find new recycle bins at their doors
The City of Jacksonville began rolling out the new recycle carts last week. The tall grey and yellow bins carry much more than the old blue bins, and can be picked up by an automated collection system. (WJCT)
Florida Legislature claims Fair District amendment violates the U.S. Constitution.
Lawyers for state lawmakers claim that because the amendment banning political gerrymandering was approved by voters, it violates the U.S. Constitution. (WJCT)
Florida Department of Education announces standardized testing review committee
The Florida DOE is now accepting applications for the committee that will review the state's standardized testing. (WJCT via WFSU)
Park for kayakers planned for Exchange Club Island
The project supported by Mayor Alvin Brown will give the the island located under the Matthews Bridge a floating dock and picnic areas with shelters. (The Florida Times-Union)
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.
