Daily News Update with Rich Jones of WOKV : 7/25/2012

[Tamara-B]

Most of us will stay dry today and it's gradually getting hotter.  Temps this afternoon are expected in the mid-90's and it's sunny.  Thursday and Friday turn hot and we'll see increased storm chances.

Today's interview lineup
At 6:53 hear Washington bureau chief Jamie Dupree on who is handing out money like it's going out of style. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101463161/

At 8:23 hear Jamie Dupree explain why the Treasury Secretary will be in the hot seat today. http://www.wokv.com/Player/101463321/

At 8:53 hear Florida Senate candidate Mike Weinstein explain why he's disappointed in recent ads by outside groups supporting him and his opponent Aaron Bean.

Our Top Local Story:  Your taxes are not going up.  Jacksonville City Council votes to allow the property tax rate to fall despite the plea by the Sheriff to allow the rollback rate and avoid what he calls disastrous cuts.  Sheriff Rutherford is now changing his game plan, asking council for the full $8.8 million in his department's savings.  He says that would allow him to keep nearly 100 officers on the street.  Rutherford says the Mayor unilaterally cut more than $6 million from his budget  without notice.

Councilman Matt Schellenberg says the Mayor's budget is hogwash.  He says the council auditor has already found nearly $40 million in projected revenue that's not entirely reliable.  The Mayor's office disagrees with Schellenberg, saying it will work with the council to answer all of its budget questions.

The reigning teacher of the year at Jacksonville's Windy Hill Elementary on the southside is facing child sex charges.  Christopher Bacca was arrested on three counts of sexual battery on a victim younger than 12.  Police say the 26 year-old showered with the boy, who also told police he performed sexual acts on him. The Duval School District is going to fire him.

A judge will now decide whether Duval County Clerk of the Court Jim Fuller is able to run for re-election in less than three weeks.  City Council last night voted for the emergency review because of the potential taxpayer impact of a special election if  Fuller wins, but is later ruled ineligible.  A ruling by the Florida Supreme Court earlier this year imposes term limits on constitutional officers.  Fuller claims the ruling only affects Broward County.  But the city's general counsel says it affects all counties in Florida.

Up to four people are wanted in connection with the shooting death of a man outside the Moncrief Village Apartments in Northwest Jacksonville.  A man was shot last night during an argument outside the apartments.  He died at the hospital. Police have not identified the victim or the people they're searching for.

On the eve of Jaguars training camp, we're getting word that season ticket sales are up.  The excitement stemming from a new owner and a new coach, as well as a series of game day enhancements for fans at EverBank Field.
Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon pleads guilty to driving under the influence in Oklahoma.  Blackmon avoids jail time if he performs 50 hours of community service and pays a $500 fine.  Blackmon was pulled over in June and cops say his blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit.  Blackmon still does not have a contract with the Jaguars. 

The upcoming Navy-Marine Corps basketball game will give us a preview of Mayport's future fleet.  The game between Florida and Georgetown will be played on the USS Bataan November 9th.

A former Air Force Airman is sentenced to ten years in prison for trying to engage a child in sexual activity.  21-year-old Brandon Hardy of Valdosta carried on a series of online conversations with someone he thought was a 12-year-old child.  That child turned out to be an undercover officer Florida Attorney General's Child Predator Cybercrime Unit. After he gets out of prison, Hardy will spend 15 years on supervised release.

Our Top National Story:  A politically symbolic vote over the taxes you pay. Senators plan to vote today on a $250 billion Democratic plan to extend expiring tax cuts next year for all but the highest earners.  Democrats need 60 votes to advance the proposal, which they don't have.  If nothing is done, $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts for 2013 would be triggered, the so-called fiscal cliff, which analysts say would jar the weak economy.

Several Democrats are calling for a ban on high-capacity ammunition clips after the movie theater massacre in Colorado.  But House and Senate leaders of both parties say they have no plans to touch the issue this election year.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner say there should be no push for tighter gun control right now.  They say the shooting should not be politicized.

We're seeing a surge in gun sales since Friday's movie theater shooting.  In three days, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has approved background checks for nearly 2,900 people wanting to buy a firearm.  That's 25% more than the average Friday-to-Sunday period this year.

Protesters clashed with riot police as city councilmembers in Anaheim, California voted Tuesday night to ask the U.S. attorney's office to investigate recent officer-involved shootings, including one of an unarmed man.  Demonstrators grew violent, tossing rocks and bottles at police when they were shut out of the council meeting because there was no more room.

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

[TheCat]

Interesting...

Councilman Matt Schellenberg says the Mayor's budget is hogwash.  He says the council auditor has already found nearly $40 million in projected revenue that's not entirely reliable. 

Of course. sigh.

The reigning teacher of the year at Jacksonville's Windy Hill Elementary on the southside is facing child sex charges.

Police are actually investigating a murder that took place in the moncrief area.

Up to four people are wanted in connection with the shooting death of a man outside the Moncrief Village Apartments in Northwest Jacksonville....Police have not identified the victim or the people they're searching for.

That makes the most sense. Run for a political position that most people pay even less attention to. City council getting jealous? [/i]

A judge will now decide whether Duval County Clerk of the Court Jim Fuller is able to run for re-election in less than three weeks.

This tactic never seems to become ineffective. Good work police.

21-year-old Brandon Hardy of Valdosta carried on a series of online conversations with someone he thought was a 12-year-old child.

If I was a thinking man I'd make the assumption that gun groups put a call out to their supporters to purchase guns. That's one conspiracy theory. And, yes, can we wait one month before we get into gun legislation.

We're seeing a surge in gun sales since Friday's movie theater shooting.  In three days, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has approved background checks for nearly 2,900 people wanting to buy a firearm.  That's 25% more than the average Friday-to-Sunday period this year.