Ernie Mastroianni, who was an investigative reporter and then news director at WJXT in the late 1960s and 1970s, and later become Duval County property appraiser, died Sunday afternoon at age 82.
Mastroianni established himself as an aggressive reporter and was a leader in covering the civil-rights movement. Between his time at the station and his election to property appraiser, where he instituted many reforms, he taught journalism to graduate students in the journalism school at Northwestern University in Chicago.
Mastroianni also anchored the news at WTLV for a few years.
Those who stayed in touch said he had been ill for some time.
Mastroianni is survived by his wife, Karen, and three sons, Frank, Anthony, and David. Per his wishes, there will not be a service and he will be cremated.