Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Crawford.
Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a journalist. As I was preparing to graduate from college, I sent resume tapes (remember VHS tapes?!) all over the country. I only landed one interview, and it was with a tv station in Montgomery, AL. I was hired as the morning reporter. Every day my alarm would go off at 2:30am! From there I worked at tv stations in Raleigh, Memphis, and Little Rock before landing at First Coast News in Jacksonville where I am now an evening news anchor and investigative reporter.
For more than two decades I’ve had the privilege of sharing the stories of so many incredible individuals and getting a front row seat at history unfolding through all the stories I’ve covered.
During the pandemic, I felt a nudge from God to start an online book club. I took a small step of faith and that ultimately led to starting a non-profit, Sisters in Christ International. I now lead an online weekly Bible study with women from around the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is always a series of ups and downs. Navigating a very demanding career while trying to balance being a wife and mother has not been easy, but we have found a way to make it work. I homeschooled my kids through elementary and most of middle school to have more time with them because I work until midnight. My husband and I have been married for more than two decades and our kids are now teenagers in high school. I’m realizing how quickly the time is passing and how vital it is to always put your family first. You blink and your kids are grown up!
As far as being a journalist, every story we tell carries a deep responsibility. Facts matter. Giving all sides of the story a chance to weigh in matters. Making sure our reporting is accurate, fair, and balanced is something I don’t take lightly. Trust is at the core of it all. Our audience is counting on us to tell the truth with integrity, and I work hard every day to earn and keep our community’s trust. Every decision we make shapes not only the story, but the trust people place in us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
For nearly 14 years I’ve had the honor of working at First Coast News, the ABC/NBC duopoly in Jacksonville. I anchor the 5, 5:30 and 11pm newscasts weekdays and recently we added a new 6:30pm newscast that I anchor on our streaming platform First Coast News+.
A typical workday for me starts in the afternoon with our editorial meeting where we pitch ideas and determine which stories we will be airing that night. I’m here to help reporters with their stories and look over their scripts. Then I head to our studio to anchor the newscasts live. I am part of our statewide investigative team. I work with a team at our sister station in Tampa on a range of in-depth investigative stories that air in both Jacksonville and Tampa. I’m passionate about solutions-oriented journalism, not only uncovering and exposing problems but getting resolutions. Along the way I’ve won 10 Emmy Awards, but the story will always matter more than the award.
I’m not just a journalist. I’m a wife, a mom, and a member of this community. I carry those roles with me into every story I tell. That means treating every person I interview with dignity, compassion, and respect no matter who they are, and approaching every story with unwavering integrity. And I don’t give up.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Jacksonville is hands down the best city! Every day when I drive over the Main Street Bridge into downtown, I’m reminded just how beautiful it is and what a privilege it is to live here. I still remember when I first moved here and saw palm trees everywhere it felt like I was on vacation. The beach is my happy place, and we are so blessed to be surrounded by so many beautiful beaches.
But the best part of Jacksonville? Honestly, it’s the people. Yes, the beaches are stunning. The river views, palm trees, and sunshine are hard to beat. But what truly makes this city special is its heart – the genuine, down-to-earth, welcoming people who call this home. It’s a place where community still matters, where people show up for each other, and where southern hospitality is on full display.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.HeatherCrawford.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercrawford321/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherFCN
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-crawford-2578a28/
- Twitter: https://x.com/HeatherFCNhttps://x.com/HeatherFCN
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeatherCrawford321
