dave mcdaniel (2023)
WESH-TV ORLANDO
reporter

WATCH: The Legacy of Dave McDaniel

Dave McDaniel has done EVERY job a newsroom has to offer.

He started his broadcast career in radio, in 1979. In 1988, he joined WESH-TV and has been a force in the newsroom ever since.

Since then, he has covered every hurricane that’s come close to Florida, counting more than 100 storms under his raincoat.

From the Vampire Murders to George Zimmerman; Shuttle Columbia to Pulse, Dave has been on the scene of every major story in Central Florida – and can tell you an inside story about each news event.

“He’s the hardest working man in news,” Photojournalist Gordon Portell said. “Forty years later, that hasn’t changed.”

Portell recalls fondly a story from January 1985: “I was at my first television job at KCRG TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. As I sat in the quiet newsroom on a Saturday morning, my third day, in storms a huge man rumbling down the hall and across the newsroom like a madman. The reporter across from me yells "Hello Dave." "Who is that?" I ask. "That's Dave" she says "the moose, the news moose". "He's the assignment editor, anchor, other reporter and the producer" she says.”

After moving from Iowa to Orlando in 1988, Dave has been an advocate for his community. Hosting Christmas parades, and Veterans’ Day breakfast and other events in need of a leader.

Go to Sanford and everyone knows “the news guy”.

WESH 2 Anchor Jim Payne describes Dave McDaniel as “…one awesome journalist, a tireless worker, and definitely one of the guys you want on your team.”

“Dave knows everyone. And everyone knows Dave. That’s because Dave worked his beats just about every day in person. When big stories broke, Dave knew exactly who to call and was usually on the phone before we would ask. He could generate vital information quickly and accurately because he laid a firm foundation of trust with newsmakers. Didn’t matter whether the story reflected positively or negatively on them, they know they can trust Dave,” Payne said. “Dave has won all kinds of awards over the years. Just try to get him to talk about them. He’d rather talk about the story he covered that day, the motorcycle ride he and his wife went on over the weekend, the latest NASCAR race, or where we should be meeting up for a cold drink. Dave is Old School, Midwest, Handshake, Easy Smile, a man of his word. He is clearly worthy of this honor and recognition.”

joan murray (2023)
wfor-TV miami
reporter

WATCH: The Legacy of Joan Murray

Joan Murray is a force to be reckoned with in the broadcasting industry, especially in South Florida. She’s an Emmy award-winning journalist with a sharp focus on covering national breaking news events across West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami over the last 30 years.

However, her career started long before that in upstate Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia native made her mark in the broadcasting industry right away, winning the Associated Press and National Press Club awards for her feature and consumer reporting. Murray also reported in Raleigh, North Carolina before making her milestone move to South Florida. She started reporting for WPBF in 1995 and spent many years on the morning shift, making the long drive from Broward to Palm Beach County every day before dawn. However, it was her next career move to Miami that has become the most pivotal point of her career.

Murray joined CBS Miami (WFOR) in August 2001 shortly before the 9/11 attacks. She was among the first to report the South Florida connection to the terrorists. Most recently, Murray covered the Parkland sentencing trial to determine the fate of the confessed school shooter who killed 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. She was one of only five journalists selected to tour the 1200 building on campus where the massacre happened. Murray was permitted to walk the hallways and classrooms where the shooter gunned down the victims - a crime scene that remained untouched since the mass shooting took place four years prior.

Murray’s relentless dedication to excellence in the journalism industry extends far beyond her daily reports at CBS Miami. She’s quick to spark heartfelt conversations with other reporters and photographers in the field. Her charm and charisma is the foundation that creates strong and lasting connections with others within a matter of minutes. Murray is a passionate mentor to many and goes out of her way to encourage budding journalists to join her station.

Every now and then, Murray gets a break from the news grind and enjoys spending quality time with her family. That's when she's exploring the world outside of South Florida, traveling internationally with her husband and son.

amanda dukes (2023)
WESH-TV ORLANDO
reporter

WATCH: The Legacy of Amanda Dukes

Amanda Dukes, known for most of her career as Amanda Ober, has been at WESH 2 for 25 years.

Hired as a co-host for the lifestyle show Discover Orlando, Amanda dazzled the City Beautiful with her warmth and ability to hold her own in any situation...including an interview she never knew would become famous: poolside with Dawn Brancheau and Tillikum at Sea World long before Black Fish. While Discover Orlando didn't last...Amanda's career here was just getting started.

Most notably, Amanda covered the Casey Anthony trial, the wildfires that engulfed Florida in 1998, and the countless deadly hurricanes that battered our coastlines and flooded our communities. She routinely traversed the state, covering politics, including the controversial Presidential election of 2000 when it came down to our votes here in Florida.

“For decades, Amanda Dukes has been the calming, reassuring voice on which WESH 2 viewers have depended. Her carefully chosen words, her confidence and knowledge have helped guide Central Florida through some of the community’s darkest days, and brightest hours,” WESH 2 Anchor Michelle Imperator said. “I’ve worked with Amanda for nearly 10 years. In that time, I’ve watched and admired her as she covered every story with ease. Amanda has literally weathered countless hurricanes, traveling coast to coast showing viewers the conditions battering our communities. Amanda has educated voters through difficult election cycles, covered major criminal trials, a worldwide pandemic and her personal favorite, news that just makes you feel good.

“In a business dominated by heavy headlines, Amanda truly is an uplifting presence, not just on air, but in our newsroom. If you were to ask anyone who has met Amanda Dukes, they would likely describe her as a woman of unwavering faith,” Imperator said.

Colleagues say Amanda has left a lasting legacy, not only in the WESH newsroom, but well beyond.

“She has dependably served viewers daily in the Central Florida community for 25 years. Whether on the campaign trail holding politicians accountable, digging into investigative stories, or covering live breaking news, Amanda does it best,” WESH 2 Anchor Meredith McDonough said.

Amanda is a devoted wife, grandmother, and lover of life! When she’s not chasing news stories, she’s in our community helping others! She has severed as a board member for The Christian Service Center, Samaritan Village, J4 Leaders, and Summit Church. She volunteers her time to host countless events for various organizations like Grace Medical Home, House of Hope Orlando, Inside Out Jail Ministries Samaritan Village, Lifework Leadership and Lighthouse of Central Florida.

adrian maucier (2023)
acv network - america te ve miami
director, editing/post production

WATCH: The Legacy of Adrian Mauceri

Adrian Mauceri is one of the most dedicated professionals found in any newsroom in Florida.

Director of Editing and Post Production for America CV Networks – America TeVe, Adrian has earned plenty of recognition in his 30+ year career.

Adrian has worked on a variety of projects, many of which have earned awards from Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists, Suncoast Emmys, and others.

Since his beginnings in his native Argentina, Adrian fell in love with the industry at the age of 17.

Early in his career, Adrian work for more than a decade editing novellas for worldwide markets. He also worked for 8 years in the world of sports, including various projects for ESPN Argentina. In his early years, he was eager to work and learn, and became involved in projects with a variety of groups, including RAI, Telefe, Ronda Studios, and other news and mini-series projects.

In May 2000, with the dream of continuing his career in the United States, Adrian moved to Miami.

Recruited by America TeVe, Adrian was eager to showcase his skills, now leading many production aspects as a director overseeing post production and editing operations.

Adrian helps oversees more than 16 productions and 5 live daily news programs.

With a tremendous workload and constant pressure, his passion for editing has never wavered.

Colleagues call Adrian an ultimate professional, always willing to go the extra mile.

CLAIRE METZ (2022)
WESH-TV ORLANDO
reporter

WATCH: The Legacy of Claire Metz

As of 2022, Claire Metz is WESH 2’s longest-serving on-air employees.

She started her WESH career in 1981, in production. Blessed with the gift of gab, it didn’t take long for News-types to see Claire’s potential. She made her on-air debut in Orlando for another station (WCPX, now WKMG), but it took less than a year for Claire to come home to WESH 2.

Working first as a reporter, Claire covered every story the 1980’s had to offer: brush fires, Shuttle launches, and of course, Central Florida’s nude beaches. They were big news back then.

Claire was eventually named anchor of WESH’s Sunrise program and would go on to wake up Central Florida for many years to come. In between anchoring, Claire would cover one of the biggest stories of her career: The capture, prosecution, and death of serial killer Aileen Wuornos.

During the trial, Wuornos would blow Claire kisses and call out to her.

Claire interviewed Wuornos on death row and was present for her execution in 2002.

As strange as it is to have the approving eye of a serial killer, it goes to show you that everyone loves Claire. In 2005, Claire turned off the 2 a.m. alarm clock and became WESH’s Volusia County Bureau Chief. Some call her the Mayor, some call her the Queen.

She is recognized in every corner of Volusia County and far beyond as well.

“In my nearly four decades in news, I’ve never known a more dedicated journalist, or one who cares more about the people in her community,” WESH Photojournalist Hutch Breneman, a longtime Metz colleague said. “Who else makes beat calls, requests reports and files stories while they’re on vacation? Who else gets a call from a source, and runs out to breaking news with her iPhone in the middle of the night, in her pajamas? Then again, who else covers a hurricane in high heels?”

MIKE VASILINDA (2022)
CAPITOL NEWS SERVICE (STATEWIDE)
POLITICAL reporter

WATCH: The Legacy of Mike Vasilinda

For nearly 50 years, Mike Vasilinda has been THE voice when it comes to covering Florida politics.

The start of the 2022 legislative session, which is the 124th session since Florida became a state in 1845, marks the 49th legislative session Mike has covered, which is 39.51% of all regular sessions since statehood. The high percentage is due to the fact that prior to 1968, the Florida legislature only met every other year.

He's covered 10 governors and every major event that’s happened in Florida in the past half century.

From the Ted Bundy case, to the Challenger explosion, major hurricanes, 2000 election, Parkland school shootings, and so much more.

Mike Vasilinda received a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Television Journalism in 2005 for his enterprising coverage of the controversial “Felons List” during the 2004 election cycle.

Mike Vasilinda began his career covering Florida Politics while still a student at Florida State University. In January 1974, he founded what is today Florida Public Radio’s Capitol Report, a thirty minute weekly wrap up of legislative news. Soon thereafter, Ray Wise hired Mike to do freelance radio reporting.

Mike is the longest continuously-serving member of the Capitol Press Corps, although Bill Cottrell was here in 1969, left, and returned.

In 1975, Capitol News Service was founded. Back then news was shot on 16mm film and had to be shipped to Tampa, Miami, and Orlando on a noon flight to allow for processing in time for the evening news. Jacksonville’s film was shipped via a Greyhound Bus.

Mike purchased video equipment in 1978 and switched from receiving 20 dollars for each story that was used to receiving a monthly retainer. Satellite delivery arrived in 1982. 1983 Mike purchased a Sony BetaCam, the 3rd such unit in Florida. The camera remained the industry workhorse into the 21st century. Today, Capitol News shoots all digital P2 High-Definition cameras, Sony HDV, and the Sony F900 Cinealta. Today, Capitol News Service provides high-definition live shots via the LTN network and can field multiple crews and provides daily coverage to clients via a secure FTP site.

PARIS JANOS (2022)
wJHG-tv PANAMA CITY beach
anchor | reporter

WATCH: The Legacy of Paris Janos

Paris Janos retired from WJHG NBC 7 in 2021 after 43 years.

In that time, he’s done a bit of everything. He started his career at WJHG as the art director, back when weather graphics were painted. His personality was so big, he ended up in front of the camera and for most of his time at the station, he was the morning show’s live reporter. Everyone in the community knows Paris. He’s been helping people wake up in the mornings for decades. As the morning reporter, he could be seen swimming with dolphins, riding in the beach mosquito helicopter, or covering breaking news.

Paris represents everything a journalist should strive to be. During his 43 years at WJGH, Paris built many relationships with people in the community. While known for his bubbly and funny personality during live shots, Paris was a trusted journalist. People trust Paris.

When he covered breaking news, he did it in a way that informed the public without sensationalizing a situation and causing panic. Behind the scenes, in the newsroom, he was always making people laugh. He was able to teach young reporters how to be confident. Outside of work, he owned a martial arts studio. Each year he would hold a self-defense class for reporters so they would know what to do if they were ever in a bad situation.

Paris is also very active in the community, volunteering with different organizations, raising money, and hosting events.

tania rogers (2021)
wptv-tv west palm beach
anchor | reporter

Before joining WPTV in 1994, Tania Rogers spent a portion of her broadcasting career in radio at WRMB.
She has been an eyewitness to the changing landscape of Palm Beach County over the course of several decades. She joined WPTV in West Palm Beach in 1994.
Her commitment to community as a reporter and anchor is unmatched in the market.

Tania co-anchors NewsChannel 5's weekend newscasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. along with the 10 p.m. broadcast on WFLX.
In addition to her weekend duties, Tania also reports during the week with a purpose-driven passion to cover what she calls "people stories".
Of times, Tania will be in the field solo - managing the shooting, writing, and editing duties as a multimedia journalist under tight deadlines.

Even though her list of responsibilities may be long, she will never hesitate to help other journalists at the station. Especially those who are new to WPTV.

Furthermore, if there's a need to fill-in on the anchor desk during the week, she will always make it happen. Even if she spent the first part of her day as an 'MMJ'.

Tania's list of volunteer work is extensive and includes a list of countless organizations including The Children's Place and Hospice of Palm Beach County and the Urban League of Palm Beach County.

According to Tania, what surprises people the most about her is when they learn her parents are Hispanic. As a young girl, she spent two years living in Panama and speaks Spanish fluently. Being bilingual is another way for Tania to connect with even more communities in our fast-growing region. Over the last year, she's also been spotted anchoring WPTV's 'En Espanol' newscast!

When she's not at work, she's at home spending time with her two daughters, husband, and family dog. Tania is also a very active member of her church, especially during the holidays as the chairperson of the Annual Women's Christmas Dessert party, which brings women from across Palm Beach County together.

art myers (2021)
wctv-tv tallahassee
anchor

To know Art Myers is to love him. He's adored by the community and our newsroom. I'm in constant amazement that, after more than 40-years in the news business, he never comes across jaded. Seriously, the man always has a smile and a joke for you and for working in a newsroom, is one of the calmest people under pressure.

Also, he's done the morning show for 37-YEARS! I anchored the morning show for about seven at my last station and can't imagine spending almost four decades getting up at 2 a.m. But he loves it. His longest co-anchor of 15 years, Anna Johnson, says it best, "I love Art, our staff loves Art, management loves Art, but more importantly, our viewers love Art. Viewers do not like change, especially early in the morning. So, they always knew Art would be there to give them the latest news information going on in our community. It takes a special person to each day, put a smile on your face early in the morning and make the viewers feel like he is talking just to them. That is Art Myers. Art loves God, his wife, his WCTV family and his community."

Art Myers is so deserving of the FABJ Legacy Award because he IS the bedrock of WCTV's legacy. Art has announced to the newsroom he's retiring in December of 2021. We are so happy for his next chapter, and so he can sleep in!
However, we also know that leaves giant shoes that can never truly be filled. To me, that's what a legacy is all about. When someone truly becomes engrained in the fabric of your station. He has a servants heart and doesn't seek out the spotlight. That's why I would love for you to consider him for this award and help us, at WCTV, give him the send-off he deserves for his contributions to us and the Big Bend/South Georgia community.

lorenzo ‘tee’ taylor (2021)
wkmg-tv orlando
photojournalist

Lorenzo "Tee" Taylor was hired at WKMG News 6 in 1970, becoming the first Black photojournalist at the station. After finishing his time in the Air Force, it was by sheer chance that the opportunity in the broadcast industry presented itself. Taylor said he was watching TV when a public service announcement aired letting minority men and women know about available jobs. He took down the number and applied the next day. Throughout his 50 year career with WKMG, Taylor received advice from Walter Cronkite covered 12 Super Bowls, visited Tokyo for the opening of the Disney park there, covered NBA games in 28 cities, traveled to Paris and Switzerland, covered countless space launches, including during the Apollo era and a number of natural disasters including hurricanes and tornadoes.

Immediately following his retirement from WKMG in 2021, Orange County's Mayor Jerry Demings declared February 23, 2021 'Tee Taylor Day' highlighting his impact on his community and to thank him for his 50 years of service and dedication, getting results for the Central Florida community.

SHARON SIEGEL-COHEN (2021)
WJXT-TV JACKSONVILLE
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

IN MEMORIAM

“If you’re reading this, then I finally lost my battle with ALS. I like to have the last word, so here are my final thoughts…”

Sharon Siegel-Cohen, an award-winning Executive Producer, spent 33 years crafting stories in her hometown of Jacksonville.

A beloved mentor to colleagues at WJXT-TV, and her community.

Sharon passed away April 9, 2020 from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. She was 62.

After years of working in newsrooms in Tampa, Atlanta, and Jacksonville, it was Sharon’s diagnosis that became her most important assignment. After her diagnosis in July 2018, Sharon became an advocate to raise awareness about the disease and the need for a cure. She received the Courage Award from Augie’s Quest, a nonprofit dedicated to helping find a treatment and cure for ALS.

Sharon wrote her own obituary, where she wrote “…Despite this cruel disease, I often felt like the luckiest woman on Earth.”

Sharon’s dedication and lasting impact will always be remembered.

RONALD EBBEN (2018)
WFSU-FM TALLAHASSEE
MORNING EDITION HOST

Ronald J. Ebben has more than 60 years of experience in broadcast news. He currently serves as the Morning Edition host for WFSU news in Tallahassee.

Ronald's first assignment in 1960 was the Kennedy Nixon election in Peoria, Illinois. In his first News Director position in Fort Worth, Texas, he carried President John F. Kennedy's speech in downtown Fort Worth before JFK was assassinated in Dallas. 

From 1968 to 1990 Ronald served as News Director for Tampa Bay stations and hosted the "Live with the Governor" statewide call-in show with Gov. Bob Martinez. In 1990, he became News Director of a statewide network with 26 affiliates. From 1991 to 2000 Ronald served as News Director at WTNT and Program Director for WNLS. He has since worked with WFSU News for 18 years.

tom wills (2018)
wjxt-tv jacksonville
anchor

Tom Wills has dedicated 42 years to Jacksonville viewers with WJXT-TV. Tom began his broadcasting career in 1964 at WAMU AM and FM on the American University campus.

He joined WTOP radio and television in 1969 as a reporter and radio news anchor. He covered Washington stories including the Martin Luther King assassination riots, Bobby Kennedy's funeral, the Supreme Court hearing on the Pentagon Papers case, the Watergate break-in, and the resignation of President Nixon. 

Tom joined WJXT-TV in 1975 as the 11 p.m. anchor. In 1980 he took over the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. shows, becoming the second main anchor in the station's history. He covered the 1977 plane crash involving members of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band, and the 1987 missile attack on the Mayport based USS Stark. Through the decades he has been at the helm during countless breaking news events, elections and hurricanes. Tom has received two Florida Emmys and shared in two Columbia Dupont awards for documentary reporting. In 2017, he was named the Anchor of the Year in the Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Awards.