One charged after Jacksonville International Airport evacuated due to suspicious packages, the Mathews Bridge could be open in two weeks, and the government shutdown are in headlines this morning.
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One charged after JIA evacuated, reopened following device taken off site: Jacksonville International Airort was evacuated for several hours last night after the discovery of multiple suspicious packages. Officials said one "device" was taken off site to be rendered safe. Officials say one man has been charged with falsely reporting an explosive and delivering a hoax bomb. (WJCT, News4Jax)
Mathews Bridge repairs to take as few as two weeks: Emergency repairs on the damaged Mathews Bridge begin today. Officials hope to have the bridge partially reopened for he Florida-Georgia game.
Federal shutdown hits Jax facilities, Florida delegation at odds on responsibility: Naval operations in Jacksonville, including the hospital, are among the local facilities and programs most heavily affected by the government shutdown. Meanwhile the state's delegation is mostly split on party lines on who is responsible for the shutdown and getting the government working again. (Florida Times-Union, Orlando Sentinel)
Sales good for Florida Blue as insurance exchanges open: Yesterday was a busy day for Jacksonville-based insurance company Florida Blue as sales ticked up following the opening of the state's federally administrated health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act. (Jacksonville Business Journal)
Gore executed in Starke: Convicted murderer Marshall Lee Gore was executed by lethal injection last night for the 1988 killing of Robyn Gayle Novick. (Sun-Sentinel)
Obama official could run against Bondi: Recently resigned Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services George Sheldon has reportedly been laying the groundwork for a campaign against Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. (Mother Jones)
Crist adopting Democratic posture in advance of gubernatorial run: Former governor and Republican Charlie Crist is preparing to run as a Democrat next year against Gov. Rick Scott by adopting rhetoric and positions held by his new party. (Bloomberg)
WJCT's Karen Feagins (@karenfeagins) is on the scene this morning at Jacksonville International Airport for updates on the evacuation of the airport last night and the discovery of a "device" by law enforcement officials.
Today on First Coast Connect, the latest on the incident at Jacksonville International Airport. Also, we want to know if you're being affected by the federal government shutdown.
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.
