A Jacksonville couple has donated $75,000 to the Friends of Hemming Park nonprofit, with plans to use the money to keep people coming downtown. U.S. Navy officials are investigating a Jacksonville-based company after it says the vendor made unauthorized repairs to parts for three nuclear submarines. Changes to a proposed map of Florida's 27 congressional districts emerged a day before key hearings in the House and Senate about how to comply with a court order finding the current map violates the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" requirements.
It’s Friday, August 14, 2015. 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 Couple Gives Large Donation To Hemming Park, Challenges Others To Step Up
Local philanthropists Steve and Anne Pajcic gave $75,000 to the nonprofit as a “challenge” to other Jacksonville donors and corporations to step up. Steve Pajcic says he can only feel good about Jacksonville if he feels good about Hemming Park.
Jacksonville Company Under Navy Investigation For Alleged Unauthorized Submarine Repairs
Jacksonville-based company NuFlo is under investigation for making unauthorized repairs to pipes that funnel steam in the submarines’ propulsion systems.
Tiphne Hollis Foundation Still Working For Justice After Five Years
Shanda Whitaker-Ward and members of the Tiphne Hollis Foundation are planning to pass out fliers at Eastside Park on Saturday. She says hers and many other Jacksonville families are struggling to understand why violence still plagues the community.
Amendments To Redistricting Plan Revealed
At least three amendments were filed to the proposed map Wednesday --- two of them in the House and one in the Senate --- as lawmakers prepared for meetings Thursday of the House Select Committee on Redistricting and the Senate Reapportionment Committee.
The Last State To Ban Adoptions By Same-Sex Couples
The state of Mississippi is the last one in the U.S. to ban adoptions by gay couples. But that could be changing soon. Four same-sex couples have filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, saying they want the same rights and protections for their children as heterosexual couples.
Sesame Street's New ABCs: On PBS And Now HBO
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the beloved children's show, announced a new deal with HBO Thursday that will bring the next five seasons of Sesame Street to the premium cable channel and its streaming services.
One Year in Ferguson: How It Sounded. How It Looked. How It Felt.
This Sunday marked one year since the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. St. Louis Public Radio has compiled select sounds and images of the past year, highlighting moments in history and sharing voices of newsmakers and neighbors alike. We invite you to take some time, reflect and put on your headphones to experience One Year in Ferguson: How it Sounded. How it Looked. How it Felt.
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