Randy Roguski Senior News Editor

Randy comes to Jacksonville from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where as metro editor, he led investigative coverage of the Parkland school shooting that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service. He has spent more than 40 years in reporting and editing positions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Florida. 

Featured image for “Breeze Airways adds service from Jax to San Diego”
January 9, 2024

Breeze Airways adds service from Jax to San Diego

Flights from Jacksonville International Airport to San Diego will travel Wednesdays and Saturdays starting May 1.…

Featured image for “First Coast schools close as severe storms approach”
January 8, 2024

First Coast schools close as severe storms approach

Baker, Clay, Duval and Nassau schools all plan to close. St. Johns County schools will dismiss an hour early.…

Featured image for “Gemma Fish + Oyster opens Friday in San Marco”
Gemma Fish + Oyster is the second restaurant for husband and wife Mike and Brittany Cooney. | Gemma Fish + Oyster
December 19, 2023

Gemma Fish + Oyster opens Friday in San Marco

The restaurant at the East San Marco shopping center will include a 12-foot raw bar and a rooftop bar with…

Featured image for “Phoenix Arts & Innovation District begins construction”
Lead image: The Phoenix Arts & Innovation District comprises 10 properties across 8.3 acres in the North Springfield neighborhood. It will begin with two properties at 2320 and 2336 N. Liberty St. | Jacksonville Daily Record
December 11, 2023

Phoenix Arts & Innovation District begins construction

The development, known as PHX JAX, will combine artist studios, gathering spaces, retail and restaurants in North Springfield.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville man imprisoned for COVID relief fraud”
December 5, 2023

Jacksonville man imprisoned for COVID relief fraud

Kenneth Steven Landers fradulently obtained $910,000 in COVID relief funds and used it for personal gain, including a Rolex watch…

Featured image for “Former Jags star Fred Taylor joins soccer ownership group”
Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor acknowledges the crowd as he is inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars on Sept. 30, 2012. | Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
November 30, 2023

Former Jags star Fred Taylor joins soccer ownership group

Taylor, the Jaguars’ career rushing leader, joins fellow University of Florida alumnus Tim Tebow as an owner for JAXUSL.…

Featured image for “UNF poll finds support for legal pot and abortion rights”
An estimated 2,000 people attended an abortion rights rally in front of the Duval County Courthouse on May 4, 2022. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 30, 2023

UNF poll finds support for legal pot and abortion rights

Florida voters largely support proposed constitutional amendments to legalize recreational marijuana and to protect abortion rights, the poll shows.…

Featured image for “Homes are more costly than ever in Northeast Florida”
A sign points to an open house in Fleming Island. | Randy Roguski, Jacksonville Today
November 10, 2023

Homes are more costly than ever in Northeast Florida

Fewer homes are selling; they’re sitting on the market longer; and prices remain high, according to the Northeast Florida Association…

Featured image for “Nonprofit developer buys affordable housing in Arlington”
Ability Housing has bought Riverton Tower Senior Center in Arlington. | Ability Housing
October 27, 2023

Nonprofit developer buys affordable housing in Arlington

Ability Housing bought Riverton Tower Senior Center for $500,000. The building includes 120 units of affordable rental housing for people…

Featured image for “Jax drivers face one of the worst commutes in US”
Northbound motorists approach Downtown Jacksonville on Interstate 95. | Bill Bortzfield, Jacksonville Today
October 26, 2023

Jax drivers face one of the worst commutes in US

A study by Forbes Home found that Jacksonville has the third-worst commute in the country — behind only Nashville and…

Featured image for “Rent increases are back to normal, but prices are still high”
Rental increases are slowing in Jacksonville. | Ben Brown, Jacksonville Today)
September 27, 2023

Rent increases are back to normal, but prices are still high

The average rent in Jacksonville increased just over 1% in the past year, one of the smallest increases in Florida.…

Featured image for “This was the hottest August ever in Florida”
September 25, 2023

This was the hottest August ever in Florida

The heat is expected to persist through October, and 2023 is likely to be the hottest year globally since tracking…

Featured image for “Powerful Hurricane Lee likely to form this week”
Hurricane Lee could form in the Atlantic by the end of the week. | National Hurricane Center
September 5, 2023

Powerful Hurricane Lee likely to form this week

Most forecast models show the storm curving north next week without reaching Florida, but it’s too early to say for…

Featured image for “Hurricane Idalia cuts a path through North Florida”
The St. Johns River splashes over the sea wall on River Road in San Marco on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
August 30, 2023

Hurricane Idalia cuts a path through North Florida

Hurricane Idalia made landfall about 7:45 a.m Wednesday near Keaton Beach. Tropical storm winds were expected to hit Jacksonville later…

Featured image for “Idalia’s winds expected to hit Jax early Wednesday”
August 29, 2023

Idalia’s winds expected to hit Jax early Wednesday

The National Hurricane Center predicts 1 to 4 inches of rainfall on the First Coast and a storm surge of…

Featured image for “Three dead in racial shooting at Dollar General in Jacksonville”
Police seal off the area after a shooting Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, at a Dollar General Store in Jacksonville. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
August 26, 2023

Three dead in racial shooting at Dollar General in Jacksonville

Sheriff T.K. Waters said the gunman killed three Black individuals and then turned the gun on himself.…

Featured image for “Homes are less affordable than ever in Northeast Florida”
This home is for sale on Moss Creek Drive in Fleming Island. | Randy Roguski, WJCT News 89.9
August 14, 2023

Homes are less affordable than ever in Northeast Florida

Higher interest rates have cooled the torrid real estate market on the First Coast. The region’s “affordability index” was the…

Featured image for “3 Jax bars and restaurants call it quits”
Janie Pearl “JP” Canova stands outside the Wall Street Deli & Lounge, where she has worked since 1995. | Dan Macdonald, Jacksonville Daily Record
August 9, 2023

3 Jax bars and restaurants call it quits

Say goodbye to Jazzy’s Restaurant and Lounge in Riverside, Wall Street Deli & Lounge in Five Points and Tabula Rasa…

Featured image for “Record Mega Millions ticket sold at Neptune Beach Publix”
August 9, 2023

Record Mega Millions ticket sold at Neptune Beach Publix

The $1.58 billion drawing was the largest in Mega Millions history. The winner has 180 days to come forward.…

Featured image for “Duval and Clay Schools cancel AP Psychology class”
Schools are exploring alternatives for AP Psychology. | Pixabay, via WMFE
August 7, 2023

Duval and Clay Schools cancel AP Psychology class

Schools fear the class would violate a new state policy prohibiting instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity.…

Featured image for “Extreme heat pushes gasoline prices higher”
Gas pumps
August 7, 2023

Extreme heat pushes gasoline prices higher

Gasoline prices in Florida have hit their highest level in a year, partly because extreme heat keeps refineries from operating…

Featured image for “Four Seasons confirms hotel planned for Jacksonville”
July 25, 2023

Four Seasons confirms hotel planned for Jacksonville

The company said it is working on a riverfront development with Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan. An opening is planned…

Featured image for “Players Grille coming to Home2 Suites in Brooklyn”
July 13, 2023

Players Grille coming to Home2 Suites in Brooklyn

The hotel, a project of Corner Lot and Kelco Management and Development, is expected to open in early 2024.…

Featured image for “EverBank name may return to Jaguars’ stadium”
June 23, 2023

EverBank name may return to Jaguars’ stadium

TIAA Bank is seeking to rename TIAA Bank Field as EverBank Stadium beginning Sept. 10.…