From filling huge shoes, to leaving a lasting legacy: Mary and John are ready for the next chapter
We are celebrating Mary and John, who have spent the last three decades on your TV. 30 years of telling your stories, sharing what's going on in your neighborhood and more. Now it's time for us to hear their stories.
Channel 4 news anchor Tom Wills shares his special memories of Mary Baer and John Gaughan
I'd like to share with you a couple of my John and Mary memories. I want to start with some of the very first comments that former news anchor Deborah Gianoulis and I made about Mary 30 years ago--and we stand by them today. "Mary Baer has fit into our newsroom from the first day she got here. It seems like she's been here all along."
Watch Here: News4JAX 2022 Election Special
News4JAX had a team of reporters on the scene throughout various counties in Florida and Georgia covering the candidates hoping to win their races. Anchorโs Kent Justice, Mary Baer, and Tom Wills also sat down at a roundtable with other political experts to give insight on the midterm election.
Jacksonvilleโs historic role in the founding of Southern rock
Their names are world-famous: Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet. Not as well known, however, is that those bands are among several who together pioneered a new kind of music nearly 60 years ago in Jacksonville. As the city celebrates its bicentennial, Southern rock endures and still thrives today.
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โSo fortunateโ: Tom Wills gets second COVID-19 vaccine
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. โ Tom Wills received his second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at a Publix in St. Johns County on Friday. Moments after getting the shot, Tom took a video explaining how fortunate he was feeling. โThe pharmacy said in about three weeks I will have about 95% protection from becoming seriously ill with COVID,โ Tom said. โIโm feeling so fortunate to be eligible to have the vaccine. RELATED | Tom Wills gets COVID-19 vaccine, encourages others to do the sameThe veteran WJXT anchor is encouraging others not only get the vaccine to protect themselves, but their loved ones too.
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How to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at Publix
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. โ New appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine at Publix locations in St. Johns County were booked quickly Wednesday morning. Appointments opened at 6 a.m. and were gone by 7:10 a.m.Thereโs another chance to book an appointment on Friday at 6 a.m.To book a time slot, you must visit the online reservation system and check availability in your state. If youโre selected while waiting, the page will refresh with further instructions on how to book an appointment. News4Jax anchor Tom Wills recently received his first dose of the vaccine with Publix. The only people eligible for a vaccine in the state of Florida are:
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Tom Wills gets COVID-19 vaccine, encourages others to do the same
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. โ On Friday morning, Tom Wills took a trip over to a Publix in St. Johns County, where he received his first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Moments after getting the shot, Tom went on Facebook, urging others who are eligible to do the same. So go get this shot.โDuring News4Jax at 6, Tom said the process โcould not have been easier.โ Heโll return to the same Publix for the second dose in 28 days. RELATED: COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Northeast FloridaThe veteran WJXT anchor is encouraging others not only get the vaccine to protect themselves, but their loved ones too. โI urge you to do it for yourself and for those who care about you.โModerna says the first shot offers 51% protection after two weeks, while the second dose offers 94% protection from the coronavirus.
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Invasion of halls of Congress; impeachment talks; former adviser to President Trump on Capitol breach
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville Universityโs Public Policy Institute, Florida Sen. Audrey Gibson, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and News4Jax anchor Tom Wills join this edition of โThis Week in Jacksonvilleโ as they discuss the invasion of the halls of Congress, objections to Electoral College votes and whether impeachment should be attempted. In addition, former advisor to President Donald Trump, Omarosa Manigault Newman, provides her perspective on the breach of the U.S. Capitol.
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State Sen. Aaron Bean; City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson; Safe schools challenge
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ News4Jax anchor Tom Wills is the guest host of this edition of โThis Week In Jacksonville.โState Sen. Aaron Bean discusses his new role as Florida Senate president pro tempore. Jacksonville City Councilwoman Brenda Priestly Jackson provides insight on Lot J, the Jaguars and the JEA investigation. And the American Civility Associationโs Amy Barnett explains how the organization is making schools safer.
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RECAP: Lena Pringleโs Ask Me Anything chat
Youโre in luck โ those were just a few of the questions that came up Tuesday during Lenaโs Ask Me Anything for News4JAX Insiders. SIGN UP: Become a News4JAX Insider todayBut donโt worry if you missed out on this morningโs chat. After compiling all of your questions and Lenaโs answers, weโve posted a recap below:Question: What was your inspiration for getting into journalism? Lena: So typically I am up around 2:45 a.m., I take my pup out, get ready, and head to work. Lena: I have learned the true value of self-love and how to effectively deal with mental health issues like depression.
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Insider: News4JAX staff adapts to the coronavirus pandemic
News4JAX is documenting how crews deliver the news while staying safe during the coronavirus pandemic. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Forty-five years thats how long Tom Wills has anchored the news at WJXT-TV. And look at how possible it is.[SIGN UP: Become a News4JAX Insider]Wills was the first News4JAX journalist to switch to working from home after the coronavirus pandemic led to safer-at-home orders in Florida. The best part is being with your family family first.As the old adage goes, the show must go on. For Robbins, Wills, Campbell and company, each day they go on air and deliver the news to their community is an opportunity to serve their neighbors.
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WJXT anchorsโ vintage holiday greetings
Back in the day, Channel 4โฒs contracted with Jerry Smith Film & Television Co. to produce elaborate annual holiday greetings featuring our news team. Click above to watch Home for the Holidays, Snow Dreams and Christmas with Family -- dating from the mid-80s. Jerry shot miles of film for those few seconds. The budget may be smaller but our greetings are just as sincere. And thanks to our friends and former colleagues Deborah Gianoulis, George Winterling and Sam Kouvaris for some great memories.
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When they were young: Christmas photos of Channel 4โฒs anchors
Tom Wills (in center wearing bow tie and vest) pictured with parents and extended family at Christmas in the early 1950s. News4Jax collected some photos from our anchors and reporters to see how they celebrated Christmas when they were young.
Legendary local meteorologist George Winterling writes memoir
The ever-popular and longtime local meteorologist George Winterling released a memoir in late February. Chasing The Wind, Memories of a Pioneer TV Meteorologist is sweetly dedicated to Winterling's wife, Virginia. The book details George's childhood, his five decades as a pioneer meteorologist at WJXT- including predicting Hurricane Dora to the active 2004 hurricane season. All...