RadioShack, the Liberty Street collapse and an extreme cold front heading to the First Coast 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 clear, with a high near 62 degrees. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low near 46 degrees.
At the Beaches skies will be clear, with a high near 58 degrees. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 50 degrees. (National Weather Service)
Nine RadioShack stores closing on the First Coast. The retailer filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy last Thursday, and RadioShack subsequently announced the closing of 2,400 stores nationwide. (The Florida Times-Union)
Lawsuits, complications and frustration fly as city and homeowners try to work out solution for Liberty Street collapse. The city of Jacksonville is suing the crane owner that it claims caused the damage to Liberty Street, and the Riverwalk Townhomes Community Association threatened to sue the city. Meanwhile, JEA may have to use a helicopter to replace the four-ton transformer impacted by the collapse. (WJCT)
House where Somer Thompson was murdered to be used for fire training and burned down. The house that was formerly owned by the man who killed Somer Thompson is going to be burned down at the conclusion of training exercises for first responders. (The Florida Times-Union)
Deep freeze in Jacksonville likely this weekend. Arctic air is being pushed all the way into south Florida by a storm front in the Northeast. Low temperatures are expected to drop below freezing Friday morning and again every day through Monday. (WJCT)
Civil rights activist in Waycross arrested for posting two police officers' pictures and home addresses on Facebook. Bobby Worthy, the president of the Justice League United, was charged with stalking the police officers.
Today on First Coast Connect, Teresa Younger, CEO and president of the Ms. Foundation for Women, joins Melissa Ross to talk about advancing the rights of girls and young women. Then, Dennis Bushnell, chief scientist at NASA Langley Research Center discusses unconventional solutions to climate change and sea level rise. And finally, Donna Deegan and Dr. Edith Perez, discuss breast cancer awareness and the eighth annual 26.2 with Donna Marathon.
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.
