As the Florida Legislature tries to hammer out a state budget, calls for more business incentives have created a roadblock. A 20-year-old woman beat the world record for continuous pogo stick jumping in Hemming Park, and a private organization launches a solar sail in space.
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 8 stories you might have missed.
Superintendents Say Fewer Florida Students Will Repeat Third Grade Next Year
Florida has switched to a new statewide test this year, the Florida Standards Assessments, and educators aren't sure they can trust the results.
Country Music Superstars Roll Into Downtown Jacksonville This Weekend
On Saturday and Sunday, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band along with seven other artists and bands will take the stage at EverBank Field.
Florida House’s Medicaid Expansion Rejection Affects First Coast Uninsured
Underinsured Floridians are concerned about health care coverage after the Florida House voted down Medicaid expansion for the state. The House argued expansion would be too costly for the state.
First Coast Residents Encouraged To Be Prepared Even With Quieter Hurricane Season Predicted
Jacksonville Emergency Preparedness Director Steven Woodward says it only takes one direct hit to destroy a house or a neighborhood.
New Pogo World Record Set In Hemming Park
On Friday, Casie Merza, a 20-year-old woman from Tampa, got on her pogo stick in Hemming Park at 6 a.m. and bounced 75,005 times in a row, beating the previous record by more than 4,000 bounces.
Florida Budget Talks Stumble Over Business Incentives
Gov. Rick Scott's call for more money to attract businesses to Florida put an unexpected halt Monday to budget talks on transportation, tourism and economic-development issues.
The test could be a first step to cheaper exploration of the solar system, according to Bill Nye, the CEO of the nonprofit Planetary Society, which launched the satellite.
Apple Announces Music Streaming Service
Apple has announced the launch of Apple Music, an app that adds a subscription streaming service and a social media component to iTunes, the largest music retailer in the world.
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