Same-sex marriages in Hemming Park, four generations of homecoming queens and lottery winners 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 it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 61 degrees. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 45 degrees.
At the Beaches it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 59 degrees. Tonight should be partly cloudy, with a low around 48 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Judge rules that needy children in Florida were illegally deprived of healthcare
U.S. Circuit Judge Adalberto Jordan determined that Florida's Medicaid budget was artificially set low by legislators. This prevented many doctors and specialists from being able to participate in Medicaid, thus causing needy and disabled children to not receive adequate medical care. (The Miami Herald)
At least 50 couples are planning to marry Saturday in Hemming Park as same-sex marriage ban ends
Duval County Clerk of Court Ronnie Fussell decided to stop performing marriage ceremonies since the ban on same-sex marriage was ending. The voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage was struck down as unconstitutional by a federal judge Aug. 21. The stay on his ruling ends today. Saturday, dozens of same-sex couples are planning on marrying in nearby Hemming Park instead. (The Florida Times-Union)
Police and Fire Pension Fund board meeting to review reform proposal
The board that oversees the Police and Fire Pension Fund is going through the proposal recieved from the Jacksonville City Council line by line to discuss the changes intended to correct the $1.7 billion deficit. The board has until Jan. 15 to present a final proposal to the city council. (News4Jax)
Fourth generation homecoming queen crowned in Clay County
Mackenzie McRae became the fourth generation of women in her family to be crowned Clay County High School homecoming queen. Her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother won in 1987, 1966 and 1945 respectively. (The Florida Times-Union)
Jacksonville's candidates for mayor split on the possibility of trading with Cuba
The three mayoral candidates for Jacksonville are divided over visiting Cuba on a trade mission. City Councilman Bill Bishop (R) said he will go to Cuba "as soon as possible." Mayor Alvin Brown (D) said that Jacksonville should aggressively position itself to be a trade partner with Cuba if Congress ends the embargo. Lenny Curry (R) has no plans to visit Cuba, and opposes President Obama's actions with Cuba. (The Florida Times-Union)
Two lottery winners from the First Coast
A St. Augustine man won $1 million in the Mega Millions game on Dec. 19, and the winning ticket for last Saturday's Florida Lotto game worth $9 million was purchased in Jacksonville. (News4Jax)
First Coast Connect is back! Today on First Coast Connect, Dr. Mary Borg, Professor of Political Economy at UNF joins Melissa Ross to discuss the outlook for the economy in 2015, and Cole Pepper brings the First Coast Sports Wrap Up.
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.
