US Assure, Hidden Hills Country Club and the Cecil Spaceport 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 there is a 100 percent chance of precipitation, with possible thunderstorms this afternoon. The high temperature near 67 degrees. Tonight there will likely be showers, mainly before 3 a.m. Skies will be cloudy, with a low around 44 degrees. Chance of precipitation will be 70 percent.
At the Beaches there will likely be showers all day, with thunderstorms possible between noon and 4 p.m. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. The high temperature will be near 66 degrees. Tonight, expect showers and a possible thunderstorm before 3 a.m. The low temperature will be around 43 degrees, and the chance of precipitation is 80 percent. (National Weather Service)
Belk at the Regency Square Mall closes. A spokeswoman for the department store says it will open a new store at the intersection of Atlantic and Kernan Boulevard in the next few weeks. (The Florida Times-Union)
US Assure becomes naming partner for Touchdown Clubs at EverBank Field. Starting next season the clubs will be called the US Assure Clubs at EverBank Field. (WJCT)
Residents at Hidden Hills Country Club threatened with new mandatory membership fee to club. The forced membership fee is an attempt to keep the land as a golf course, but residents are not happy about the monthly $96 fee. (First Coast News)
Cecil Spaceport on target for launch in 2016. The airport on the westside has completed some of the upgrades required to prepare itself to offer satellite launching services through the company Generation Orbit in 2016. (WJCT)
Florida Senate panel approves bill allowing concealed weapons on campus. The senate bill was approved by the Criminal Justice Committee along party lines. The bill must still be approved by other committees before it goes to the floor for a vote. (The Florida Times-Union)
Today on First Coast Connect, Michael Brickman, national policy director at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and Deborah Gianoulis, president and CEO of the Schultz Center join Melissa Ross to discuss the controversy surrounding Common Core. Then, Jeff Sheffield, executive director of North Florida TPO and Anddrikk Frazier, regional director of business development for Trillium CNG announce the opening of the region's first compressed natural gas station. Finally Lisa Whelchel (from The Facts of Life) and Clancy Cauble preview the Alhambra Theatre's production of "Butterflies are Free."
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.
