The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, All Aboard Florida, and Action News Jacksonville are in the headlines today.Welcome to WJCT First Read, your daily weekday morning round-up of stories from the First Coast, around Florida, and across the country. We'll also preview some of WJCT's upcoming news programming.
Scott to sue VA, seek hospital inspections: Gov. Rick Scott says he plans to sue the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs because it will not let state hospital officials inspect federal medical care facilities in Florida. (AP via WJCT)
FDOE investigating Duval special education allegations: A local school is under investigation by the Florida Department of Education following a complaint that special education teachers were asked to do work unrelated to their job description. (WJCT)
City lawmakers ask for more civil citations: The Jacksonville City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday proposed by Public Defender Matt Shirk for law enforcement to increase the use of civil citations. (News4Jax)
Five Action News anchors fired: Five of joint FOX and CBS local affiliate Action News Jacksonville's lead anchors have been notified that they will be let go before the end of the year. (WJCT)
Irish conductor to lead Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra: Soon to be 30-year-old Courtney Lewis, originally of Belfast, Ireland, was named the new conductor and music director of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday. (WJCT)
Miami rail station designs unveiled, Brevard official critical of rail study: Privately funded state rail service All Aboard Florida has unveiled designs for a planned hub station in Miami. Meanwhile, Brevard County Commissioner Andy Anderson told a railroad official that a study on the impact of All Aboard Florida service on the county was "the worst" and accused it's authors of "smoking crack." (Local 10, Click Orlando)
Bill Young's widow to run for his seat: Beverly Young, the widow of late Florida Rep. Bill Young, will run against David Jolly next year as a Democrat. (Politico)
Brown says no problems at Florida VA: Florida Rep. Corrine Brown told a congressional hearing that she has heard no complaints from Florida veterans about VA services. (Tampa Bay Times)
Florida court overturns conviction of connected F.B.I agent: A Florida appeals court on Wednesday vacated the murder conviction of a former F.B.I. agent who acted as handler and protector of notorious Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. (The New York Times)
Tampa Bay Bucs owner Glazer dies: Malcolm Glazer, the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has died at the age of 85. (WTSP)
FWC releases new lionfish app: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unveiled a new app to "Report Florida Lionfish" during a live Twitter chat Wednesday. (CBS Miami)
Today on First Coast Connect, Jacksonville City Council President Bill Gulliford will discuss the recent vote to extend the city's gas tax for another 20 years.
You can get all the latest headlines online at WJCTNews.org, on our Facebook page, and on Twitter @WJCTJax. You can follow Patrick Donges on Twitter at @patrickhdonges.
