UNF Professor Matt Corrigan, Jeb Bush and U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle 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 today will be partly sunny, with a high near 78 degrees. 20 percent chance of rain. Tonight there will be isolated showers. Skies will be mostly cloudy, 20 percent chance of rain and the low temperature will be around 64 degrees.
At the Beaches there will be areas of dense fog before 10 a.m. The rest of the day will be partly sunny, with a high near 71 degrees and a 10 percent chance of rain. Tonight will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 63 degrees and a 20 percent chance of precipitation. (National Weather Service)
Federal Judge orders response from state regarding same-sex marriage
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ordered the state to respond with its official position on how Florida clerks of court should handle the application of his ruling that the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The stay on Hinkle's ruling ends Jan. 5. (WJCT)
Jaguars finish out the season with another loss
The the 23-17 loss against the Texans left the Jaguars 3-13 for the season. (News4Jax)
Bush in the lead against Republican presidential contenders in recent poll
A poll conducted by CNN/ORC found that almost a quarter of Republicans would vote for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush if he ran for president. His closest competitor in the poll was New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who was 10 points behind Bush. (News4Jax via CNN)
State parks hosting free guided hikes on New Year's Day
In an effort to encourage Florida residents to get outside and exercise, free guided hikes are being offered at many parks around the state of Florida on Jan. 1. (WJCT)
Road closures for New Years events
Parades, marathons, and college football games are causing some streets downtown to be closed. (News4Jax)
Matthew Corrigan becoming sought-after expert on Jeb Bush
UNF professor and author of the book “Conservative Hurricane: How Jeb Bush Remade Florida,” Matthew Corrigan has become a frequently requested guest for national media outlets now that Gov. Jeb Bush has announced that he is considering a presidential run. (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.
