It has been 70 years and one month today since Victory in Europe Day when World War II officially ended in Europe, but the ripples of the atrocities committed by the the Nazi regime are still reaching all the way to the First Coast. Here in Jacksonville, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens has found itself to be in ownership of three pieces of artwork that were stolen by the Nazis.
The Florida Legislation struggles to find common ground on the state budget, while Gov. Rick Scott promises that UF Health Jax will stay open. And a judge decides the Jacksonville City Council can vote on a pension agreement, despite a watchdog group’s protests that the negotiations were in violation of state law.
Welcome to WJCT First Read, your daily weekday morning round-up of stories from the First Coast, around Florida, and across the country.
Here are 7 stories you don’t want to miss.
Cummer Museum Feeling Effect Of WWII Nazi Art Theft
Over the last couple years, the Cummer Museum has been approached three times by families claiming a piece displayed in the gallery for decades belonged to them and was stolen by the Nazis.
Differences Persist On Day Two Of Florida Budget Negotiations
Legislators are trying to wrap up work by the scheduled end of the special session on June 20, or 10 days before the state must have a spending plan in place to avoid a government shutdown.
Senator Nelson Addresses Misuse Of Visa Program
Florida Senator Bill Nelson has asked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to look into the possibility an immigration visa program has gone awry.
Judge Clears Way For Jacksonville City Council Pension Vote Tuesday
A local watchdog group had asked Duval Circuit Judge Thomas Beverly to block an upcoming City Council vote on a new Police and Fire Pension reform bill, but the group’s motion was denied.
Rick Scott Says He Won’t Let UF Health Jax Close
“I’ll continue to work with the House and the Senate to make sure the right thing happens. And I’ll make sure that we keep all critical services running,” said Gov. Rick Scott.
Expert Says Gender Gap Exists in Medical Research
Dr. Marjorie Jenkins says research shows women react to some medications differently, and they experience about 80 percent more side effects than men do.
At DARPA Challenge, Robots (Slowly) Move Toward Better Disaster Recovery
Before the games began, a DARPA representative said something pretty funny: He expected most or all of the robots to fall down at some point. And he was right.
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.
