Melissa Ross
Melissa Ross joined WJCT in 2009 with 20 years of experience in broadcasting, including stints in Cincinnati, Chicago, Orlando and Jacksonville. During her career as a television and radio news anchor and reporter, Melissa has won four regional Emmys for news and feature reporting.
In addition to hosting First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross, she also co-hosts the weekly Florida Roundup, which airs Fridays on NPR stations across the state.
Her many accolades include a fellowship with the Metcalf Institute Science Immersion Workshop, where she learned hands on about the science of climate change.
As executive producer of The 904: Shadow on the Sunshine State, Melissa and WJCT received an Emmy in the documentary category at the 2011 Suncoast Emmy Awards. The 904 examined Jacksonville’s status as Florida’s murder capital.
WJCT’s First Coast Connect With Melissa Ross has received multiple national awards from Public Radio News Directors Inc. for best call-in program.
Prior to joining WJCT, Melissa spent three years in the corporate communications field at Jacksonville’s Dalton Agency. During her stint at Dalton, she was cast in the HBO film "Recount" playing — what else? — a reporter!
Married with two children, Melissa is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and Communications.
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On this week's Florida Roundup, we have reaction after parents, students and physicians called for the FHSAA to remove the questions, and a look at Florida's special legislative session. -
Florida could soon allow people to carry concealed guns without permits or training. Also, Gov. DeSantis has proposed changes to Florida’s university system that could shake up diversity, equity and inclusion programs. -
On this week's Florida Roundup, we discussed former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro in Orlando, DeSantis taking New College of Florida in a new direction and a rough road ahead for Democrats. -
On this week's Florida Roundup, we discuss voter intimidation at early voting sites, Florida becoming more red, and the process of electing judges. -
On this week's Florida Roundup, we discuss the Florida governor's race, the impact changes in how books are scrutinized in school libraries, and a look at the upcoming Falcon Heavy rocket launch -
Among the topics on this week's Florida Roundup were reaction to the arrests seen on body camera footage of convicted felons who were accused of voter fraud. -
Topics on this week's Florida Roundup include a look at Nikolas Cruz's life sentence, protests over the University of Florida selecting Ben Sasse as its next president, and a look at the Senate race between Marco Rubio and Val Demings. -
On this week's Florida Roundup, we looked at Hurricane Ian's continuing devastation, and what can be done to build more resilient communities. -
Hurricane Ian roars through Florida, devastating the southwest and flooding other parts of the stateThis week: A look at Ian’s impact as we check in with cities across the state; a former FEMA official brings us up to date on the emergency response effort; will Florida be able to handle all of the insurance claims; and how much is climate change to blame for the stronger and more intense storms the state is facing? -
The Parental Rights in Education law and the Stop WOKE Act have caused some confusion among teachers and school districts as they try to work out what can and can’t be said to avoid lawsuits.
