Daily News Update with Rich Jones of WOKV : 7/24/2012

[Tamara-B]

A bit warmer today with temps around 93 today and partly sunny skies. We're tracking afternoon storms again. Warmer for the rest of the week and we're watching an increased chance of widespread rain and storms.

Today's interview lineup:

At 6:40 hear Sheriff John Rutherford explain why the average homeowner would not see $30 in savings if his tax plan gets through city council. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101461511/

At 6:53 hear Jamie Dupree explain who is calling for common sense gun reforms. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101461541/

At 8:23 hear Jamie Dupree on the possible showdown over the Bush-era tax cuts this week, and what the action means to your money. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101461701/

Our Top Local Story: Anti-public safety budget. That eye-catching statement delievered by Fraternal Order of Police President Nelson Cuba, who is blaming Mayor Brown for putting public safety at risk with his budget proposal. Sheriff John Rutherford makes his pitch before city council today to restore more than $6 million to this year's budget. Both Rutherford and Cuba are calling for a rollback property tax rate, which they argue is not a tax increase.

Jacksonville police are looking for information in the death of a man whose body was found between two downtown buildings yesterday morning. Police are calling it an apparent homicide and that the man may have been a transient. If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers.

The body of a man found floating face down in the water near the San Sebastian Bridge in St. Augustine is identified as that of 62-year-old Steven Hanratty. Police in St. Johns County say he's a transient. An officer spotted his body moving north in the river from the tide.

Six men who the Alachua County Sheriff's Office says wanted to have sex with children are arrested. This in an online sex sting, in which investigators posed as teens to lure sexual predators to Gainesville. Cops say they may make more arrests from additional chats.

Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann are expected to headline a rally ahead of the Republican National Convention. Two dozen tea party groups are trying to organize the rally the day before the convention. Supporters of Ron Paul are also planning a free public rally at the University of South Florida before the convention.

Florida Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry says he does not believe the allegations against Lieutenant Governor Jennifer Carroll. A former aide has accused her of having an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer, saying she caught her in a compromising position. Carroll and Curry were at the St. Johns County Republican Party's Lincoln Reagan day dinner at World Golf Village.

A showdown vote could take place as early as tomorrow on a Democratic plan to extend tax rates only for some taxpayers. The House Republican plan to extend all the current tax rates is due for a vote next week.

Before his first practice at training camp, Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon heads to court on his recent drunk driving arrest. Police in Oklahoma arrested Blackmon during a traffic stop June 3rd after a breath test allegedly showed his blood-alcohol content to be three times the legal limit. Blackmon has pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence. Blackmon has apologized and says he'll abstain from alcohol use for now.

Our Top National Story: After getting their first glimpse of the man accused of killing a dozen people in the Colorado movie theater, families of the victims return home to begin burying their loved ones. James Holmes was sporting bright orange-red hair and sat virtually motionless. The Prosecutor says her office is considering pursuing the death penalty, but that she'll first consult with the victims' families. Holmes' family members issued a statement Monday saying that their hearts go out to the victims and their families.

At least three people are accused of making threats after Friday's movie theater shooting. In Maine, police pulled over a man who said he was on his way to shoot a former employer one day after watching "The Dark Knight Rises.'' In Arizona, cops say a confrontation with a drunk man during a Friday showing caused 50 people to flee the theater. A man in Southern California was accused of causing panic when the movie didn't start. Witnesses say the man alluded to the shooting and asked whether anyone had a gun.

A public hearing today in New York on Mayor Michael Bloomberg's proposed ban on large sugary drinks served at city eateries. Bloomberg says sugary drink consumption is a key driver of the obesity epidemic, and an estimated 58-hundred New Yorkers will die this year because they're obese or overweight.

http://www.wokv.com/videos/online/advertising/morning-news-video-blog/ldQ/