Michael Dunn, sex trafficking, and Obamacare are in the headlines today.Welcome to WJCT First Read, your daily weekday morning round-up of stories from the First Coast, around Florida, and and across the country. We'll also preview some of WJCT's upcoming news programming.
Dunn trial to resume deliberations: Jurors in the Michael Dunn murder trial will reconvene at 9 a.m. after 12 hours of deliberation with no verdict during which they have asked four questions. (WJCT)
WJCT's Rhema Thompson (@RhemaThompson) will be reporting from court today and we'll bring you the verdict as soon as it is delivered on WJCTNews.org.
Sex trafficker pimped girls at Florida "party rooms": A Central Florida man faces a possible life sentence after pleading guilty last week to sex-trafficking charges for forcing girls and women to sell themselves for sex in "VIP" rooms at parties, including in Florida. (Orlando Sentinel)
Obamacare enrollment surges in Florida: Nearly 300,000 Floridians have signed up for Affordable Care Act plans, an 88 percent increase in a month, reflecting an enrollment surge that coincides with the end of Obamacare's website woes. (Bradenton Herald)
Florida only state with no snow: The Sunshine State is the only state that is completely snow-free, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (USA Today)
Study links Florida film industry to tourism revenue: A new report from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and paid for by the Motion Picture Association of America says movies and television shows filmed in Florida could put more than $20 back into state coffers for every dollar they’re given in state tax credits. (Miami Herald)
Bizarre Marion County school board rant video goes viral: Video of a five-minute statement by Marion County School Board Vice-Chairwoman Angie Boynton claiming she had broken secret codes after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and that the life of her and her adult daughter has been in danger since has been making the rounds online. (Ocala Star Banner)
Hearing next week on Beiber arrest video: A hearing has been scheduled on a motion by Justin Bieber’s lawyers to prevent news organizations from obtaining unreleased video of the pop singer after his arrest last month in South Florida. (AP)
Today on First Coast Connect, we'll start the show with our weekly local media roundtable.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Patrick Donges on Twitter at @patrickhdonges.
