Sen. John McCain, Gov. Mitt Romney and the Wyndham Riverwalk 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 partly sunny, with a high near 69 degrees. Tonight, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58 degrees.
At the Beaches it will be partly sunny, with a high near 64 degrees. Tonight, mostly cloudy, with a low around 58 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Mitt Romney to give commencement speech at Jacksonville University. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is set to speak at the Jacksonville University graduation ceremony this April. The 2012 presidential hopeful will also receive an honorary degree from JU. (WJCT)
An arrest has been made in the gas station car theft that involved the abduction of a 10-year-old boy. James Miller, a 28-year-old man who was arrested yesterday for an unrelated burglary matched the witnesses' description and was wearing the same clothing that he was wearing during the earlier incident. (News4Jax)
Sen. John McCain proposing an amendment to change a maritime law that could impact 10,000 jobs on the First Coast. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920, or the Jones Act, makes it so that only U.S. built, owned and operated ships can conduct business within the United States and between U.S. ports. Opponents say removing the restriction will negatively affect the American industry and have an adverse affect on national security. McCain, who is trying to attach the amendment to the bill that will allow construction to begin on the Keystone XL pipeline, says that removing the restriction will reduce shipping costs. (The Florida Times-Union)
Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk under contract. A buyer is under contract to purchase the 10 acre property on the Southbank Riverwalk. The hotel, which has been owned by the bank since it was foreclosed on, is valued at $7 million. (Jacksonville Business Journal)
Florida Health Department warns don't eat fish from Moncrief Creek. Arsenic and other contaminants may be in the water caused by runoff from the abandoned wood-treatment plant at West 16th and Fairfax Streets. (The Florida Times-Union)
Today on First Coast Connect, Intuition Ale Works Owner Ben Davis joins Melissa to discuss the lawsuit that could prevent craft breweries from being able to have tasting rooms. Actor, director Daniel Baldwin previews his film "The Wisdom to Know the Difference" which will be screened later this week at the St. Augustine Film Festival.
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.
