Operation Déjà vu, the National Transportation Safety Board, and cancer research 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.
JSO drug bust nabs 10 traffickers, 11 kilos: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday it has broken up a major cocaine trafficking ring resulting in the arrests of 10 people and the seizure of 11 kilograms of powdered cocaine with an estimated street value in excess of $770,000. (WJCT)
Plane found in Brunswick marsh could be crash: Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board have yet to confirm whether a small plane found in a Brunswick marsh is the same plane that vanished from radar Monday night. (News4Jax)
Scott announces cancer funding proposal: Governor Rick Scott was at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute in Jacksonville on Tuesday touting a proposal to allocate $80 million for cancer treatment and research. (WJCT)
Community meeting on open school enrollment proposal: Parents discussed and debated Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s plan to allow open enrollment for neighborhood schools at a community meeting at Raines High School on Tuesday night. (Florida Times-Union)
Parents of Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis testify at human rights hearing: Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, and Ron Davis, the father of Jordan Davis testified before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights at a hearing on how "Stand Your Ground" laws impact minorities. (WJCT)
Mysterious Melbourne airport project could get millions: A state legislative panel approved a request from Gov. Rick Scott to spend $21 million on "Project Magellan," a nondescript aerospace project at Melbourne International Airport. (Tampa Bay Times)
New study to look at Florida springs: Two University of Florida institutes and the St. Johns River Water Management District will undertake a three-year $3 million study of the impact of nitrates on Florida's springs. (Ocala Star-Banner)
UCF economist says state economy is looking up: University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith says Florida's economy in 2014 is leading the nation in job growth and the overall recovery. (South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida state attorney clears FBI agent in killing of Ibragim Todashev: Orange-Osceola State Attorney Jeffrey L. Ashton said the FBI agent responsible for the 2013 killing of Ibragim Todashev, a friend of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, following questioning was justified. (MassLive)
Letters released in Windermere police shooting, teen suicide case: Police have released notes written by the two teenagers implicated in the killing of Windermere Police Department Officer Robert German believed to have been written just before they committed suicide. (CBS News)
Benches emptied, players ejected during UF v. USF baseball in Jax: Florida State University outfielder DJ Stewart and University of Florida first baseman Zack Powers were both ejected following a bench clearing fracas during Tuesday night's game at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. UF won the game, 4-1. (Tallahassee Democrat)
UF Gators basketball coach Donovan signs three-year contract extension: Florida coach Billy Donovan signed a three-year contract extension last month that raised his average salary to $3.7 million over six years. (ESPN)
Today on First Coast Connect, Reverend Mark Griffin of Wayman Ministries on the calls of local pastors to State Attorney Angela Corey asking for Marissa Alexander to be given a plea deal..
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.
