The Republican primaries, a historic hotel in LaVilla and a shallow grave discovered on the Southside 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 skies will be sunny, with high near 60 degrees. Tonight it should be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low temperature around 38 degrees.
At the Beaches it will be sunny, with a high near 59 degrees. Tonight skies will be mostly clear, with a low around 41 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Republican primaries begin today for Florida House of Representatives and Senate races. Three spots in the state legislature are up for grabs. (WJCT)
More red lights coming to Roosevelt Boulevard. The continuous green lights on Roosevelt Boulevard in the Ortega neighborhood at Long Bow Road and Ortega Forest Drive will be replaced with red lights. The permanent green arrows have been found to cause accidents. (WJCT)
Historic hotel in LaVilla to be converted into housing for veterans. The former hotel on North Broad and West Beaver streets will become the Clara White Mission's Beaver Street Veterans Villas. (The Florida Times-Union)
Shallow grave discovered behind business park in the Windy Hill neighborhood on the Southside. The body, which JSO Sgt. Dan Janson said is believed to be a man, was found in a small area between the back of the building and a line of trees. Police suspect foul play. (News4Jax)
Marissa Alexander is expected to be released today. Supporters that helped raise almost $60,000 for Alexander's defense costs and house arrest costs are preparing to show her support as Alexander is released from jail this morning. (News4Jax)
Thousands of flights to the Northeast canceled. Hundreds of people are stranded in Jacksonville as dozens of flights out of Jacksonville International Airport continue to be canceled because of the heavy snow fall in the North. (First Coast News)
Today on First Coast Connect, Florida Coastal School of Law professor Rod Sullivan joins Melissa Ross to discuss the bill before the Florida Legislature allowing students to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.
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.
