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Morning News Recap

Posted: 6:28 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Veterans Helping Veterans?  

Good morning. It's Wednesday, March 13th, 2013. It's going to be dry and breezy today, so the air temp of 70 will feel a bit cool at times. Thursday is a chilly day with temps only in the upper 50's. By Friday we're back in the 70's and even warmer for the weekend.

The Big Three things you need to know:

1.)  Internet Cafes Busted.   Multiple arrests in internet cafe investigation, including Jacksonville FOP President Nelson Cuba and Vice President Robbie Frietas. Several internet cafes were raided by police across NE Florida Tuesday as part of a multi-state and multi-agency investigation. Jerry Bass, the national commander of Allied Veterans of the World Inc., was arrested in Duval County as part of the 6-year investigation.  At 7:53 we heard Florida Senator John Thrasher say he will now push for a total ban on these sweepstakes locations instead of a moratorium. 

Allied Veterans has been under investigation for several years.  Reporter George Spencer with our Orlando partner WFTV told us what he has uncovered in months of investigating

2.) In God We Trust now part of the Clay County seal.  Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to add the language to the county seal. Commissioner Ronnie Robinson says he wanted it because of our nation's history as a Christian nation. Opponents argued religion and politics should be separate.

3.) Competing budget priorities.  Today we see the Senate Democrats roll out their budget outline for next year. It comes a day after House Republicans introduced an outline that balances the budget in 10 years. The word balance will be used in the Democrat plan to describe raising about $1 trillion in taxes. Jamie Dupree is investigating the competing budgets in his blog here.  At 8:23 hear Jamie explain how long the draft application may be for the upcoming coverage under Obamacare. 

The second grade teacher from Altantic Beach Elementary School behind a questionable coloring assignment is facing suspension without pay.  The Black History Month coloring assignment featured minstrel caricatures of African Americans, and a lynching. The Times Union reports Superintendent Nikolai Vitti is recommending Teresa Flores should be suspended without pay because of a lapse in judgement. The principal at Atlantic Beach Elementary is also facing a letter of reprimand.

The flag flap is over for a popular destination in Atlantic Beach.  The owners of Culhane's Irish Pub will be allowed to fly the Irish flag. They were in violation of an ordinance that prohibits the display of flags other than American. Co-owner Michelle Culhane says she's happy to see the city reverse course and they are proudly flying the flag in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Jacksonville's City Council gives the thumbs up to putting $11 million toward city development. We've been following this story since the Mayor first put out the proposal, which uses money from bonds that the city has refinanced. $9 million will go to downtown development, $2 million to citywide opportunities. Only Councilman Robin Lumb voted against it.

Still looking for the puff of white smoke. Deliberations roll into a second day in Vatican City as the Cardinals select a new pope.  Fox's Simon Owen told us black smoke Wednesday morning billowed from the Sistine Chapel Chimney.

 
 
 

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