Melissa Ross
@MelissainJax
Followers
23K
Following
49K
Media
998
Statuses
20K
Director, Strategic Initiatives & Press Liaison, @cityofjax @mayordeegan. Loves: family, coffee, politics, crosswords. Southpaw and scribbler.
DUVAL
Joined August 2008
“Just the beginning”: @MayorDeegan River City Readers challenge marks the first year of “opening doors to new worlds.” 📚
0
4
13
United States added to list of most dangerous countries for journalists for first time via @nbcnews.
241
5K
6K
At Chaffee and I-10 in Jacksonville. #AntiSemitism on another American overpass. This is horrifying.
1K
2K
6K
Dolly Parton Talks Climate Change, Compares Mistreating Earth to “Being Ugly to Your Mama”
89
1K
5K
So Reality Winner is free. Recall that she leaked documents proving the US had evidence Russia was hacking into Florida election systems in 2016. To date we still don't know the full extent of the Kremlin's efforts to penetrate a Florida-based voting software supplier.
80
766
2K
DeSantis heckled again, this time in Orlando.
Nobody can hear DeSantis over the banging of protesters outside who were removed from the lobby
79
486
2K
We are now looking at four consecutive Atlantic hurricane seasons with a Cat 5 storm:. 2016: Matthew .2017: Irma/Maria.2018: Michael.2019: Dorian. Climate change doesn’t increase the frequency of hurricanes, but it does make them stronger and more destructive. #HurricaneDorian.
88
654
2K
DeSantis opposed the infrastructure bill as did @marcorubio and @SenRickScott.
Governor DeSantis is awarding over $80 million for infrastructure projects in South Florida.
159
518
1K
Mayo Clinic calls for staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID
25
207
1K
It’s a good thing we all got an extra hour of sleep because the #2020Election is in exactly 365 days. Can you believe it? Catch your breath and then buckle in. #DaylightSavingTime.
34
117
839
“Regeneron has publicly stated its monoclonal antibody treatment is not effective against the Omicron variant. Nearly 13,000 doses of Regeneron were used in Florida over the past two weeks, more than any three other states combined.”
140
369
671
Jacksonville’s glass ceiling is shattered! Congratulations to our new Mayor @DonnaDeegan! #jaxpol #flapol
11
76
704
The @DuvalSchools says it will no longer conduct its Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The district has compiled data on youth activity since 2009. This week, the survey showed high numbers of Duval kids have contemplated suicide. The DOE has “strongly urged” them to stop the survey.
76
284
691
Just now on our show, @NikkiFried says critical race theory is "the new boogeyman" of the Republican Party and was done only to "put fear" into people's minds.
37
88
588
Thrilled to announce I’ll be joining Mayor-Elect @DonnaDeegan’s administration next month as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Press Liaison. Thanks to @WJCTJax for 14 incredible years- and to all the listeners too. Also: the show must go on- and it will! - with a new host.
163
47
703
Perhaps the people managing comms for all the Camp LeJeune lawsuits could be deployed to get the word out about the growing threats to our democracy. Because if there’s any group that’s annoyingly great at pounding a message literally every single place that exists, it’s them.
23
65
596
Florida set an all-time record for COVID deaths this week, even though a free lifesaving vaccine is widely available everywhere.
42
204
575
@lennycurry Mayor Curry- do you have a statement about the rash of hateful anti-Semitic messages that appear to have been coordinated to appear in high-profile spots around town over Florida-Georgia weekend? Thank you.
12
56
532
Biden: The TSA will double fines on travelers who refuse to wear masks. "If you break the rules, be prepared to pay. And show some respect.".
10
47
471
Newsrooms just received this statement from @NikkiFried referencing the Nazi banners on I-10 and calling on leaders to denounce #AntiSemitism:
22
165
515
Today could be viewed as an important milepost in the long fight against the pandemic.
Under President Biden's plan, we'll see vaccination required by many employers, health care institutions, and entertainment venues. The unvaccinated will have fewer places to work and fewer places to go.
28
67
427
Fed up COVID nurse on our show today:. "I had a patient argue with me while I'm pushing him to the ICU to be intubated that the vaccine wouldn't have made a difference, that he doesn't believe he has COVID, and that it's just all political nonsense to make Trump look bad.".
67
94
495
Duval follows Alachua County, defying @GovRonDeSantis and mandating masks for start of school. Duval included an “opt-out,” but still, a significant vote influenced by scores of angry and terrified parents.
The student code of conduct, including the mask policy as amended, passes 5-2 with Joyce and Hershey voting no. Mandate with opt-out is ON.
27
109
400
Why are you funding ghost candidates to manipulate elections?.
Why is the Miami Herald afraid to let its readers hear opposing voices? Read more @
6
76
404
Florida's new surgeon general has issued a rule that no longer requires schools to quarantine students after COVID-19 exposure in the classroom. This directive contradicts widely held protocols around reducing the spread of disease.
101
150
385
This morning, we speak with @NikkiFried. She's in town and stopping our studios for a talk about her campaign for governor. Join us at 9am! @WJCTNews.
33
45
372
If we were covering these events in another country, we would report it this way:. "Violent extremists supporting the ousted leader attempted a coup in the main government offices of XX's capital city, clashing with police forces guarding the ceremonial transfer of power.".
Supporters of the defeated president are trying to violently seize the legislature with his encouragement. Let’s be clear about it.
7
242
422
The Florida-Georgia weekend in Jacksonville is being overshadowed by Nazi banners above I-10 and more hate messages flashing on the actual stadium.
Horrible to see that someone projected an anti-Semitic message on to TIAA Bank Field at the end of the sold-out Georgia-Florida game. A relative sent this to me. It’s in reference to comments Ye (formerly Kanye West) made recently. This hate has to stop. Period.
31
194
375
“This is a dark day in Jacksonville’s history. There is no place for hate in this community.” Sheriff TK Waters, @MayorDeegan and other officials announce details of a mass shooting near the EWU campus. The shooter left a hate-filled manifesto, police say. @JSOPIO @CityofJax
41
166
395
President @JoeBiden has called @MayorDeegan tonight to express support in the wake of the racist mass shooting in Jacksonville. He also spoke today with Sheriff TK Waters. @CityofJax.
15
65
362
My closest friend from high school just died. It was a heart attack- not COVID. At any rate, my heart is broken. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Tell your nearest and dearest you love them. 💔.
69
13
338
Why did he oppose the infrastructure bill call it pork, then complain about Florida’s share? Why is federal funding from the previous administration ok but not this one? Why won’t the governor appear on @FloridaRoundup ? You liked it when we asked tough questions of @NikkiFried.
Melissa Ross is allegedly a journalist, but she didn’t read our press release or ask our office where the funds for these awards came from. It was NOT from the Biden infrastructure bill. Want to correct your misinformation @MelissainJax or show us why nobody trusts the fake news?.
57
59
320
However you feel about the election, this has been a very long time coming.
Kamala Devi Harris, a daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, is set to become the highest-ranking woman in the nation’s 244-year existence
6
22
279
New polling shows the race tightening between @NikkiFried and @CharlieCrist. This morning, we speak with @CNN analyst @Bakari_Sellers. He's co-hosting a town hall in Jacksonville this week with Fried. What are your questions for him? @WJCTNews.
58
58
315
As this story blows up, loyal listeners to 89.9FM will recall that @FrazierBen has been a guest on our Jax radio airwaves for many years. He is a seasoned activist, a former news anchor, and will be our first guest tomorrow at 9am. Join us. @WJCTNews #benfrazier.
17
65
297
Nobody in Chicago will ever call it anything but Lake Shore Drive.
Lake Shore Drive could be renamed Du Sable Drive today — over the objection of Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
20
52
362
So Jacksonville has its first female mayor, and change is afoot in #Duval. More in the morning as we speak with Mayor-Elect @donnadeegan at 9am. @wjctnews #jaxpol #flapol.
11
32
323
It’s sad that people don’t know history. Right here in Jacksonville, I-95 construction destroyed vibrant Black neighborhoods like Sugar Hill and LaVilla. Our partners @TheJaxsonMag have done some great journalism on this over the years.
19
72
310
Rallies and school walkouts are happening this week in protest of the measure critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This morning we speak with @JaxEquality and @PFLAGJAX. Join us. @WJCTNews.
14
41
249
Sen. @KamalaHarris just touched down in Jax, on way to UNF to give remarks on first day of early voting in Florida.
20
37
269
“I will do everything I can to unify this community and to make sure that those same folks who feel victimized and marginalized over and over again do not find that to be the case in the city of Jacksonville.” @MayorDeegan speaking to @katiephangshow.
18
69
315
Mail collection box outside the @usps office at Main and 6th in @HistoricSpring. Tweet us if you see a mailbox locked or covered up in your neighborhood. @WJCTNews
29
218
241
This morning, we speak with @NateMonroeTU. His reporting shows Gov. DeSantis paved the way for Florida Power & Light to raise electricity rates in the state by $5 billion dollars. It’s the largest rate hike the state has ever approved. Join us at 9am. @WJCTNews.
23
115
250
Showing our PRIDE! Joined @MayorDeegan and my colleagues @heatherschatz and @parvezahmed for the @jaxrcpride Parade. In another historic first, Mayor Deegan is the first mayor to ever serve as Grand Marshal of this event. #pride #rivercitypride #lgbtq #duval 🌈
12
38
296
The vax does NOT harm fertility, yet millions of women are skipping the shot because they incorrectly believe it does. This morning we bust vaccine myths as we speak with Dr. Kathryn Villano, Maternal and Fetal Medicine Specialist @BaptistHealthJx. Join us. @WJCTNews.
23
97
259
"The fake electoral certificates were assembled by Trump supporters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin who sought to replace valid electors from their state with bogus slates of pro-Trump electors.". The question is, who coordinated?.
We obtained the fake "electoral certificates" submitted to Congress by Trump supporters in seven states as part of the failed attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. See the files here: .
27
94
234
“We have to do everything that we can to bring unity. No more division. No more hate. We cannot tolerate hate against our Black community.” @MayorDeegan speaks at a packed vigil honoring the victims of the mass shooting in Jacksonville. @CityofJax
10
57
287
Still crazy after all these years . June 9, 2002 ~ June 9, 2022 . #anniversary #20thanniversary
47
1
276
The DONNA Foundation says @CityofJax has okayed the 5K for Mother’s Day weekend. City blinks.
20
43
282
It’s important to understand the absolute fury mothers across this country feel and have been feeling for quite some time.
Here at the anti-NRA protest in Houston, I just witnessed North Texas based right wing provocateur who goes by the name Chet Goldstein get ejected by the crowd for trying to disrupt the event
19
44
230
12
27
276
Duval is a top “welcoming” community for Afghan refugees.
9
33
259
Saying party politics shouldn't play a role in local governance, @matt_carlucci has endorsed @DonnaDeegan in the mayoral runoff. Carlucci, a Republican and former mayoral candidate himself, has endorsed Dems before and says Deegan will bring "much-needed change." #jaxpol #flapol
11
52
261
They always say there’s only one bad day when you love a dog. Today, that day came. Ozzie was a good boy. He loved our family and brought much joy. It’s so hard to say goodbye. If you ever consider adopting an Australian shepherd mix, do it. They are the best dogs ever. 🐕
72
4
262
Donna Deegan tops Daniel Davis for Jacksonville mayor - Jacksonville Today
11
21
245
Please answer my questions and let me know when your boss can appear on the program.
Melissa, please correct your Tweet where you falsely attributed the CDBG awards announced by @GovRonDeSantis yesterday to Biden’s infrastructure bill. Just because you do journalism once, doesn’t give you a license to lie the rest of the time.
43
23
227
Now: @MayorDeegan is on her way to Washington to attend @POTUS White House announcement today on a new national office on gun violence prevention. She will also work to bring home more federal grant dollars for the @CityofJax.
21
35
268
“24.4% of all Florida hospital patients are classified as COVID-19 patients — compared with 8.7% nationally. As for ICU beds, 43.8% of those are taken up by COVID-19 patients in Florida. Nationally, that number is 19.4%.”
28
144
238
“As the sheriff said, this was a hate-filled crime. We must do everything we can to dissuade this type of hate.”
38
72
269
The @January6thCmte needs to tell us which members of Congress had the coup PowerPoint on Jan. 4.
Read this: "The powerpoint was presented on 4 January to a number of Republican senators and members of Congress, the source said.". Meadows was in possession of a PowerPoint that echoed Eastman memo. (The origin story of the PP is a key reporting target.).
9
47
209
No offense, but we are not the @JAXChamber. The story isn’t the beaches and historic neighborhoods. It’s the institutional racism, the political tipping point happening in Duval, and the youngest city in Florida seeing its 9/11 generation rise up.
I’ve been seeing so many negative headlines about Jacksonville, all from the local media. Look. the RNC is coming, you can’t change that. Why not show the country what an amazing city Jax is? Your stories are painting the country’s view of the the city.
23
41
231
Pretty sure Ben had less than a thousand followers as of 9am this morning.
22
14
208
Join us at 9am as we speak with @FrazierBen. Then, @chrishandjax and @claire_goforth on J6 and the looming threats to democracy. @WJCTNews #BenFrazier #J6 #January6.
The fight for civil rights continues in Jacksonville, Florida! This is not just a moment; this is a movement.✊🏽Immense gratitude for the support today. Stop playing politics with the pandemic. @GovRonDeSantis put censorship & cancel culture on full display. #GoodTrouble resumes
11
62
203
“We’ve been losing too many of our best and brightest to other cities in the Southeast. My hope is young people will come back home to Jacksonville when we deliver positive change for this community.” . A packed house today @MeninakJax to hear @MayorDeegan. @CityofJax #jaxpol
10
19
208
In another national media hit, @DonnaDeegan talks about the loss of home rule in Florida and why voters in #Duval told her they think the state’s mayors need to retain at least some local control. #jaxpol #flapol
10
45
236
All deaths arising from the pandemic are heartbreaking. But the deaths of kids are especially horrific. This did not have to happen.
JUST IN | A 12-year-old Duval County girl was among 13 additional COVID-19 deaths in Northeast Florida and 107 statewide in Saturday's daily report of the Florida Department of Health on the coronavirus pandemic.
13
68
209
Permitgate. City Hall tried to mess with Deegan's Mother's Day 5K for breast cancer survivors, pissing off women, and well, most eveyrone.
4
13
227
“We have a gun violence problem. We also have a problem with racism. And every step we take is either a step towards unity, or a step in the other direction.” @MayorDeegan on @CNN in the wake of the racist mass shooting in Jacksonville. @CityofJax
20
58
228
CM @RandyDeFoor_D14 has crossed party lines to endorse @DonnaDeegan, another high profile Republican to do so.
7
49
207
FBI official says Russia wants to see U.S. ‘tear ourselves apart’ | PBS NewsHour
31
112
168
“Vaccinated Americans are getting fed up with being put at risk and potentially forced into further restrictive measures by the politically hostile and belligerently unvaccinated.”
25
39
170
Maybe put out the daily numbers yourself?.
The number of cases @CDCgov released for Florida today is incorrect. They combined MULTIPLE days into one. We anticipate CDC will correct the record.
8
25
197
Local teacher Brian Covey @jagsfanbrian fired after DeSantis calls video of empty school bookshelves 'fake'
26
81
207
The order from Florida’s new surgeon general no longer requiring quarantine for Covid-exposed school kids is being met with shock and dismay from doctors and scientists. We speak with @JeffreyGoldhag1 and @KerestesScience this morning. Join us. @WJCTNews.
34
42
184
Likeability. Deegan is a fifth generation Jax native, spent decades on TV, is a great public speaker, and is well-liked and charismatic. Davis has deep roots in Duval too, but his negative campaigning simply turned a lot of voters off.
3
17
216
Galatians 6: 7-9:. “For whatsoever a man soweth, that also he shall reap.”.
There is nothing patriotic about what is occurring on Capitol Hill. This is 3rd world style anti-American anarchy.
12
25
189
Stop at Highlands Branch of JAX Public Library as Sen. @KamalaHarris greets early voters and pool. #earlyvotingFlorida
5
37
196
Restricting abortion to 15 weeks. The so-called “don’t say gay” bill. Making school board elections partisan. A new poll from @UNFPORL finds the majority of Florida voters disapprove of these bills. (They also want legal weed.) We speak with @mbpolisci at 9, join us! @WJCTNews.
24
48
179
Jacksonville mother loses 2 unvaxxed sons to COVID-19 in 12 hours
44
109
190
"Whoever incites, assists, or engages in any rebellion or insurrection against the authority of the United States or the laws thereof, or gives aid or comfort thereto, shall be fined or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and shall be incapable of holding any office.".
13
59
189
At Jax City Hall, @FrazierBen is arrested after speaking during public comment on monument removal. Photo: @DanScanlan8 @WJCTNews
61
119
210
Friends in other states have asked me “Why Jacksonville?” Best I can tell, it’s a combination of our relatively low vax rate combined with urban density, poverty with all its comorbidities, and too many residents who believe vaccine misinformation.
18
53
192
6
29
185
The Duval parent and teacher activist groups, along with the vocal leadership of pediatric leaders like @mhrathore, scored a major victory tonight, successfully convincing the school board members any blowback from @GovRonDeSantis could be faced, and making the medical argument.
14
25
178
Florida doctors rally against the confirmation of Dr. Joseph Ladapo as the state surgeon general. Join us at 9am. @WJCTNews.
We cannot afford to have the public health leader of our state forgo inexpensive mitigation strategies in favor of extremely costly treatment options. If he had training in epidemiology, infectious disease or immunology he would be better suited to make these decisions. 5/.
14
58
174
Nazis marching on I-4 in Orlando. Sign is misspelled and reads “Let’s Go Branon.”
63
33
186
The May runoff is now set between @DonnaDeegan and @DanielDavisFL. A classic faceoff: R vs D, Westside vs the Beaches - he’s a little bit country, she’s a little bit rock n’ roll. Davis will have millions to spend. Will national Dems ante up for Deegan? #jaxpol #flapol
26
33
200
His impact on this city was immeasurable. He will be missed by so many.
Ben Frazier, the founder of the @northsidecoj, an activist, journalist, father, friend and perennial agitator of the powerful in search for equity and justice has died. A city source shared the news that Frazier passed this evening. He turned 73 on Friday. @JAXTDY | @FrazierBen
11
21
210
If Florida Democrats are smart, they will spend the next two years doing nothing but voter registration. The difference between the two states is stark when you look at the outcomes.
Wow, this stat. In 2016, 22 percent of Georgia’s eligible voters were not registered. This year, that figure stood at 2 percent.
13
23
162
90% of success is showing up: Deegan simply outworked her opponent. Davis hit the stump hard, but not as hard as she did. He also struggled in public forums and was a no-show at many of them. Voters noticed.
2
10
207
Thanks to everyone who played a part in creating this show. It’s been nothing but fun. My heart is full. And now, the adventure continues!.
18
10
209