Florida Governor Rick Scott talked to guardsmen at a Jacksonville National Guard base Wednesday about how he’s working to protect them in the wake of last week’s Chattanooga shooting. Three former Westside High School employees are under investigation for allegedly having sex with students.
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 might have missed.
Gov. Scott Secures Florida National Guard Recruiting Centers In Response To Chattanooga Shooting
Scott has moved the state’s six recruiting centers to their closest National Guard Armory. He says he’s working with Adjutant General of Florida Michael Calhoun to make the centers safer.
Audubon Society’s Input Rejected From Jacksonville Power Plant Case
A hearing next week to decide if Florida Power and Light can buy and shut down a Jacksonville coal-fired power plant, is proceeding without the Florida Audubon Society. A state regulator rejected the environmentalists’ attempt to join the case on the side of the power company.
St. Johns River Dredging Forum Stirs Up Old Arguments
St. Johns River deepening was the topic of a public forum Tuesday night in Neptune Beach. Jacksonville has long debated whether a portion of the St. Johns River should be deepened from 40 feet to 47 feet. Deeper waterways would allow larger ships to pick up and drop off cargo.
Three Westside High Employees Allegedly Had Sex With Students
According to school board reports, Westside High School Dean Ernest Timmons, part-time football coach Clarence Thomas, and a teacher, Kenneth Anderson were first investigated in April for allegedly having sexual relationships with underage female students.
Downtown Investment Authority Holding Forum On Jacksonville Landing
The forum, or charrette as it’s called, will be the second time the Downtown Investment Authority will ask the public to weigh in on what should be done to redevelop the Landing.
AARP To Hold Free Vietnam War Documentary Screening
AARP Florida plans to hold a free screening of a documentary about the Vietnam War this Saturday at WJCT. AARP’s Summer Movie Classics presents “Last Days In Vietnam,” which looks at the final days of the war and the stories of those who escaped.
How The Big New Education Law Could Cut Testing Time
Both houses of Congress have now passed versions of the bill that would update the largest federal education law, known as No Child Left Behind, for the first time since 2001. The Senate version of the bill contains several amendments aimed at addressing one of the hottest issues in education: standardized testing.
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