Decades before Jacksonville pulled off a monumental upset when it was awarded the 30th franchise in the NFL, 50,000 football-starved fans were buzzing about the possibility of the then-Baltimore Colts moving to town.

News4JAX brings you live up-to-the-minute results of the General Election, with live reports and analysis. Hosted by Kent Justice and Joy Purdy.

The extensive career of News4JAX’s lead anchor Tom Wills has come to a close but that’s not without the city of Jacksonville recognizing his impact in the community over the past 49 years at The Local Station.

WJXT anchor Tom Wills is retiring Friday after 49 years with the station. We reached out to some notable sports figures in Jacksonville and had them give Wills their best.

Tom Wills retires from WJXT on May 31, 2024 after 49 years. He writes his final article for News4JAX.com

Tom Wills is retiring and his last newscast is the 6:00pm news on Friday, May 31.

Tom Wills, who is retiring Friday after 49 years in Jacksonville, saw the city go from football dreamer to a pro football town during his time here.

Tom Wills was the only Jacksonville reporter to have walked amongst the wreckage of the plane in the woods, and he shared the tragic story of Lynyrd Skynyrd with thousands of mourning hometown fans and beyond.

It might seem like the end of an era for some. But as longtime New4JAX lead anchor Tom Wills embarks on his new life-calling of retirement, it’s a new beginning — guided by God.

We’re honoring three newsmen who have made a difference in our community for decades.

As Tom gets ready to retire after 49 years of dedicated service at the anchor desk, News4JAX gathered the invaluable lessons that he has taught some of our staff members over the years.

For nearly five decades, you’ve allowed News4JAX anchor Tom Wills to come into your homes -- and these days straight to your phones -- to deliver the news. He'll do it for the last time on Friday before he enters a well-deserved retirement.

Tom Wills shares the most memorable news stories he's covered as the longtime lead anchor for WJXT - Channel 4.

News4JAX asked community members to share memories and messages ahead of his retirement.

The News4JAX team is honoring anchor and newsman Tom Wills during the last week of May, 2024 leading up to his retirement.

The 1970s saw Channel 4 continue its long tradition of aggressive investigative journalism.

Longtime lead anchor Tom Wills is retiring from News4JAX. His last day will be May 31.

As 2023 comes to an end, longtime News4JAX anchor Tom Wills, News4JAX Chief Meteorologist Richard Nunn, the crew from River City Live, and the entire newsroom want to leave you with a few final messages.

Not many people can say they’ve impacted generations of people living in and around Jacksonville, but George Winterling could.

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.

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."

Lead anchor Mary Baer and Chief Meteorologist John Gaughan will retire together at the end of May after 30 incredible years at WJXT-Channel 4. They sat down with lead anchor Tom Wills to talk about their time together at The Local Station, some stories you've never heard about and what the future holds for both of them.

Isaac “Hesley” Bostic Jr., a longtime WJXT-TV director, recently passed away at his home in Jacksonville. He was 69.

News4JAX had a team of reporters on the scene throughout various counties in Florida and Georgia covering the candidates hoping to win their races. Anchor’s Kent Justice, Mary Baer, and Tom Wills also sat down at a roundtable with other political experts to give insight on the midterm election.

The News4JAX Team shares their favorite place to grab french fries.

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.

“I want to talk to you people for just a minute,” he began. “Not as Tom the newsman.”

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – 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. “The pharmacy said in about three weeks I will have about 95% protection from becoming seriously ill with COVID,” Tom said. “I’m 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.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – 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.There’s 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 you’re 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:

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – 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.”During News4Jax at 6, Tom said the process “could not have been easier.” He’ll 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. “I urge you to do it for yourself and for those who care about you.”Moderna says the first shot offers 51% protection after two weeks, while the second dose offers 94% protection from the coronavirus.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax political analyst Rick Mullaney of Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, Florida Sen. Audrey Gibson, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford and News4Jax anchor Tom Wills join this edition of “This Week in Jacksonville” 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.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4Jax anchor Tom Wills is the guest host of this edition of “This Week In Jacksonville.”State 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 Association’s Amy Barnett explains how the organization is making schools safer.

You’re in luck — those were just a few of the questions that came up Tuesday during Lena’s Ask Me Anything for News4JAX Insiders. SIGN UP: Become a News4JAX Insider todayBut don’t worry if you missed out on this morning’s chat. After compiling all of your questions and Lena’s answers, we’ve 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.

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.

Back in the day, Channel 4′s 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.

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.

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...

VIDEO: Tom Wills can be seen in front of the cameras every night for the news, but on his 40 year anniversary he shows us a little of his life off screen.