Gay marriage, Gov. Rick Scott, Matt Shirk, and the largest cargo ship to ever dock at JaxPort 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 sunny, with a high near 63 degrees. Tonight skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 30 degrees. Overnight Freeze Watch.
At the Beaches it will be sunny during the day, with a high near 61 degrees. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 34 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Florida's same-sex marriage ban ends; Jacksonville gay couples wed. Hundreds of couples around the state married today, and many more received their marriage licenses for later ceremonies. Timm Purcell and Garlyn Purcell were the first same-sex couple legally married outside the courthouse in Jacksonville. (WJCT)
Newlywed same-sex couples unsure when spousal benefits will begin. Even as couples celebrate the end of Florida's ban on same-sex marriage, some couples are still waiting for equality to begin. Even though the state now recognizes marriages between same-sex couples, the state's benefits office does not know if or when benefits for same-sex couples will begin. (WJCT)
Governor Rick Scott sworn in for a second term. In a more subdued ceremony compared to his first inauguration, Republican Gov. Scott promised to continue to reduce the size of the state government and lower taxes. (News4Jax)
Three Jacksonville lawyers are calling on Matt Shirk to resign from office. The grand jury that investigated Public Defender Matt Shirk over allegations of misconduct recommended that he resign from office because his actions were unacceptable for someone in his position. Shirk told News4Jax that disagreed with their recommendation and would not resign. Jacksonville attorneys Hank Coxe, Bill Brinton and Bill Adams are now also calling for Shirk to resign. (News4Jax)
JaxPort receives largest container ship ever. The Competence, a 1,036 feet long cargo ship, docked at JaxPort Tuesday. The ship had to unload twice before coming to Jacksonville because the city's port is only 40 feet deep. (News4Jax)
Fire and Rescue station on Jacksonville's Northside received shooting threat. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department closed all doors at all stations Tuesday night, after receiving a threat that someone would "shoot up" Station 35 located on Main Street. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating the threat. (First Coast News)
Today on First Coast Connect, Tracey Eaton, Former Havana Bureau Chief for The Dallas Morning News joins Melissa Ross to discuss the changes that could come to Cuba as the U.S. begins diplomatic talks again after over 54 years of embargo.
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.
