Firefighters, Uber and Lyft, and the Satanic Temple 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 an 80 percent chance of rain today. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. The high temperature today will be near 79 degrees. Low temperature tonight will be 55 degrees. 100 percent chance of rain. Some storms may produce heavy rain and gusty winds.
At the Beaches the high temperature will be 77 degrees. Skies will be mostly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low temperature tonight will be around 56 degrees. 100 percent chance of rain. Some storms may produce heavy rain and gusty winds. (National Weather Service)
Jacksonville firefighters targetted in drive-by shooting
Tuesday evening someone drove by and shot five or six times at Fire Station 28 on Hogan Road on the Southside. Fortunately no one was severely injured. One firefighter was grazed on the arm by a bullet. (News4Jax)
Tougher regulations considered by Jacksonville City Council for Uber and Lyft
The ride-sharing services are operating illegally according to City Hall, and the City Council is considering enforcing the law with stricter punishments. Drivers for the services currently receive a fine, which the companies pay. In 2015 Uber and Lyft drivers could have their cars impounded. (The Florida Times Union)
Bill would allow secret recordings to be used as evidence in sexual-abuse cases
Florida law prohibits recordings of conversations without the expressed permission of all parties involved, and prevents recordings taken secretly to be allowed as evidence in court. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, filed a bill that would allow recordings taken secretely to be used in cases that involved sexual-abuse claims. (WJCT)
Satanic Temple's holiday display goes up and then torn down in Capitol Rotunda
Last year the Satanic Temple was not allowed to place its holiday display in the Capitol Rotunda in Tallahassee, but after lawyers with Americans United for Separation of Church and State intervened the Satanic Temple was allowed to display it Monday. However, according to Capitol Police, a woman was taken into custody Tuesday after vandalizing the display that morning. (WJCT via WFSU)
Diversion program offers juvenile offenders a clean slate
950 young men and women from Jacksonville participated in the Juvenile Diversion Program last year which offers activities customized to the juvenile as an alternative to jail time. (WJCT)
First Coast Connect is on break for Christmas. Today at 9:00 a.m. you can hear the 1947 radio adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life, featuring the voices of Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed! Tune in to 89.9 FM and online at wjct.org/listen.
First Read will be taking a break for Christmas. We'll be back Monday, Dec. 29, 2014.
Don't miss the Deemable Tech radio special coming up this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. on 89.9 FM and online at wjct.org/listen.
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.
