JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- Two of your long-time favorites on the First Coast are starting a new journey this week.
Reporter Roger Weeder and meteorologist Steve Smith are set to enter a new phase of their career as they hang up their microphones and head toward retirement.
Weeder has been at FCN since 1985. During his multi-decade stint, he has covered important education and government stories, as well as breaking news in our community.
“It’s been a great 30 plus years,” Weeder said. “I have enjoyed meeting so many fine people on the First Coast. Those are memories I will cherish forever.”
He began his career at KLFY in Lafayette, Louisiana after completing his Master’s Degree in Communications at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
“Roger never leaves an editorial meeting without what he calls a ‘cut line’. It’s basically the first line in his story and he’ll say it in his best reporter voice before walking out of the room,” News Director Meagan Harris said. “We’ll miss those cut lines, his sense of humor and dedication.”
President and General Manager Rob Mennie agrees that Weeder will be missed at FCN and the community will miss his reporting.
“Great newsrooms need great reporters. They are the heart of the news gathering process. Roger is one of those great reporters. He is fair, honest and a tireless worker. The Jacksonville community will miss his expertise,” Mennie said.
Smith has been with FCN since 1987, with most of his tenure spent on Good Morning Jacksonville.
“Steve has a personality perfectly suited to our morning show,” Mennie said. “His remarkable energy, work ethic and wit will be greatly missed.”
Despite being up super early for several years, Smith has loved his time on GMJ.
“It’s been a labor of love and thoroughly enjoyable,” Smith said. “But now it’s time to write a new chapter in my life.”
Entering this new phase of his life, Smith should have a lot more time to watch his University of Alabama Crimson Tide. He especially enjoys analyzing and watching the games with the local Alabama fan club.
Smith is known for his outgoing personality and his ability to talk to anyone and everyone at the station.
“Steve has the unique ability to make everyone feel like family,” Harris said. “His dedication to this station and the community is evident in his involvement over the past three decades. For us, Steve is family and we’re excited to see what retirement holds for him.”
Steve began his career as a news reporter and weather anchor at WKRG-TV in Mobile, Alabama. He has also held news anchor and reporter positions at WDBB-TV in Birmingham, Alabama and WAKA-TV in Montgomery, Alabama.
Both Weeder and Smith will finish their FCN careers on Wednesday, April 20.
