City Council approves a bill to reform the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund. Orange Park Medical Center is reportedly one of the worst price-gouging hospitals in the country. Rick Scott visits Jacksonville to tout growth of a company in the construction industry.
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 6 stories you don’t want to miss.
Jacksonville City Council Passes Pension Reform Bill
The Police and Fire pension Fund has racked up more than a billion dollars in unfunded debt, and the new deal lays out a framework for how to pay it down.
Orange Park Medical Center Among Worst Price-Gouging Hospitals In The Nation
According to a Washington Post report, Orange Park Medical Center is number 7 on the list of the top 50 U.S. hospitals that are charging uninsured patients more than 10 times the cost of treating them.
Children Can Receive Free Lunch This Summer ‘No Application Involved’
“There’s no application involved,” said Jacksonville Children’s Commission Spokeswoman Lavetta McCoy. “As long as it’s during the meal service times, they can stop in to receive a free meal.”
Viral Video Continues Conversation About Race and Police Brutality in Jacksonville
Discussions about race and police brutality continue in Jacksonville after a video of a police officer confronting a group of unarmed teenagers surfaces online. The video shows Eric Casebolt, a police officer from McKinney, Texas, subduing a 14-year-old girl to the ground at pool party.
Scott Celebrates Jacksonville Company’s Expansion, Growth
Florida Governor Rick Scott stopped by Apex Technology in Jacksonville on Tuesday to recognize the construction company for helping to grow the state’s economy.
'Low' Expectations Advised On Florida Water, Land Projects
The House and Senate remain split on funding for land acquisition with money from last year's voter-approved Water and Land Conservation ballot initiative, known as Amendment 1.
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