After 13 years on the morning news, First Coast News anchor Katie Jeffries plans to leave

Yahoo

08-05-2025

Another familiar face is leaving First Coast News.
Just three weeks before longtime meteorologist Tim Deegan is set to retire from Jacksonville's NBC and ABC affiliate after a 42-year run, morning news anchor Katie Jeffries announced Thursday that she would be leaving the station this month as well.
"… It is time you all know. My time at First Coast News is coming to a close,' Jeffries wrote in a social media post. 'For 16 years, I have had the privilege of telling people's stories as a journalist. Thirteen of those years have been spent here on the First Coast and I am so grateful for all the support and kindness you all have shown me over the years.'
Jeffries joined First Coast News in 2012 as a morning reporter for the station's 'Good Morning Jacksonville.' A year later, she took over the show's traffic anchor duties and noon news anchor role, according to her online biography.
For the last six years, Jeffries has served as co-anchor of 'Good Morning Jacksonville,' most recently with Keitha Nelson and Lewis Turner.
'When I came in as a morning reporter on Good Morning Jacksonville so many years ago, I did not intend to stay in Jacksonville for more than a couple years. It was meant to be a short stint before the next market,' Jeffries wrote in the social post. 'But you all won me over. I loved the people, the city, the stories and I found myself not wanting to leave.'
After 13 years on-air in Jacksonville, Jeffries said that she plans to step away from news to pursue a new opportunity.
'It is time for a new chapter with new adventures,' she wrote.
Her last day on air will be Thursday, May 15, she said.
Two weeks after Jeffries signs off, Deegan — currently the longest-tenured on-air personality at First Coast News — will say goodbye to viewers and sign off one last time.
Deegan shocked viewers when he revealed on Nov. 1 his plans to retire on May 30.
'For generations, Tim has been a trusted voice for First Coast families, known for his precision in forecasting major storms as well as daily weather,' said First Coast News president and general manager Tim Thomas at the time. 'I'm grateful for Tim's many years of dedicated service to our station. His expertise and experience will be invaluable in helping to select the next Chief Meteorologist, ensuring First Coast News continues delivering the most accurate forecasts."
On April 14, First Coast News announced that Turner, a meteorologist and 'Good Morning Jacksonville' co-anchor, would take over the chief meteorologist role from Deegan.
'It's an honor to follow in Tim's footsteps,' Turner said at the time. 'He's not just a legend in this newsroom — he's a friend and mentor. I'm excited to continue serving our community with the same integrity, accuracy, and heart that he exemplified.'
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: First Coast News anchor Katie Jeffries leaving Jacksonville TV station