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First Read: Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Andrew Jackson statue in Downtown Jacksonville has been vandalized more than once in the last week, the FBI is looking for extortion victims of a Northeast Florida man that targeted young girls from all over the world, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office reports eight guns were stolen out of six unlocked cars on the Southside over the holiday weekend.

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.

Duval Shifting Literacy Focus To Younger Kids; School Board To Take More Public Comment

At its Tuesday night meeting, the Duval County School Board approved a grant to pay teachers who help with literacy and decided to allow hearing public comments at more of its meetings.

Downtown Jacksonville's Andrew Jackson Statue Vandalized Twice In One Week

Someone tagged the base of the statue Sunday with the phrase “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice 4 D” before it was scrubbed off. Earlier in the week someone also put a fake Native American head on the statue.

After Recent Gun Thefts, Police Urge To Lock Up Cars, 'Double Check'

Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda says eight guns were stolen from six unlocked, parked vehicles in a single patrol zone.

UNF Golf Complex Could Face Competition With TopGolf Facility

The public university facility could soon have competition from a private golf complex just east of the St. Johns Town Center. TopGolf offers a climate-controlled, computerized golf course simulator and restaurants.

FBI Searching For Victims of Northeast Florida Man’s 'Sextortion'

FBI Special Agent Michelle Klimt says only 109 victims have been identified. “We’re hoping, with the assistance of the public, we can find all the victims in order to help with the healing process,” she said.

Jacksonville Skyway Staying Open Late This Week

Jacksonville Transportation Authority spokeswoman Leigh-Ann Rassler says the trains will run from 6 a.m. until midnight Tuesday through Friday this week.

More Mammograms May Not Always Mean Fewer Cancer Deaths

Mammograms find more small cancers, but don't lower a woman's risk of dying of breast cancer, a study finds.

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.

Ray Hollister can be reached at rhollister@wjct.org, 904-358-6341 or on Twitter at @rayhollister.