Action News Jax Team Gives St. Johns experience to rely on

When it comes to covering hurricanes, the Action News Jax team has decades of experience to rely on.  But when it comes to covering a global pandemic, they have about three months and counting.  COVID-19 has impacted everyone’s lives, including how local TV stations report on this ever changing, dangerous virus.  The challenge a news station encounters is how to get us the valuable information we need, without putting their people in harms way.  “Our number one priority is the safety of our people.  We have a journalistic duty to our viewers to report how the virus is impacting our communities, and that never waivers.  But we won’t put our staffs in danger of exposure,” said Bob Longo, Vice President and General Manager of WFOX/WJAX.  No one knows yet how long this pandemic will last, or if more global viruses will be on the rise in the future.  But for now, Action News Jax is learning as they go in an effort to keep all of us informed and our families safe.  Below are some behind-the-scenes personal notes from three Action News Jax anchors.     

​Tenikka Hughes
​Action News Jax Anchor

​Despite these unprecedented times, I’ve tried to approach my work at Action News Jax with the same consistency, perspective and understanding that I hope viewers have come to expect from me over the years.  I know some people may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, frustrated or even afraid right now.  I hope our coverage not only empowers people through the information we’re providing, but also offers them a sense of stability and hope. 

As a team, we are working to help people who are out of work get benefits to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table.  We are reporting on the non-stop efforts of doctors and scientists to figure out and fight this virus.  We are directing people to critical mental health and financial resources.  We’re putting out information about job openings and letting you know about businesses that are still open to serve you .

At the end of the day, I’m not just documenting this historic time as a journalist; I’m living it with you and committed to doing my part to ensure we come out stronger on the other side. ​

John Bachman 
​Action News Jax Anchor

When this is all over, Action News Jax will examine this pandemic and how it happened, what we learned and where we need to improve. Until then, we push forward doing the best we can. What I choose to focus on at home with my kids, is how our community rallies around each other. Like after a hurricane, or September 11th, the stories that move me are of the heroes who step forward to lead through the chaos. There are the healthcare professionals and the first responders. There are also the neighbors who organize a birthday parade-like they did for my 12 year old when her party was canceled.  This pandemic has caused a lot of pain, no doubt, but like other disasters it has also brought out the best in us.  Telling those stories gives me a front row seat to witness greatness in my neighbors.

​Lorena Inclan
Action News Jax Anchor &
St Johns County Reporter

I’ve covered everything from hurricanes to a royal visit in St. Johns County, but I never imagined I would add a pandemic to that list. At a time like this, there’s nowhere else I would rather be than at work helping to inform our community. On one particular recent day, I met with leaders at the Emergency Operations Center to review their plan to respond to citizens’ needs during the COVID19 outbreak. The EOC is the central command whenever there’s a county wide emergency such as a hurricane or in this case a pandemic. We also spoke with the school district about a nationwide back order on internet hotspots that affected 1,850 St. Johns County students who are learning online.

I’ve spent much of my professional life covering St. Johns County after moving to Northeast Florida in 2012.  I hope to continue serving our viewers for many years to come.