Dan Scanlan
Dan Scanlan is a veteran journalist with almost 40 years as a radio, television and print reporter in the Jacksonville area, as well as years of broadcast work in the Northeast. An avid automobile enthusiast who has written about classic cars and events for national magazines, Dan began his broadcast career at radio stations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. He moved to Jacksonville in the early 1980’s to be news director at a local station, then shifted to WJXT-TV as overnight and morning news anchor and reporter. That led to three years at the NBC station in Jacksonville as police reporter and morning news anchor, followed by time as a public relations and advertising director involved in a number of political campaigns. After a stint managing a hotel comedy club, Dan began a 34-year career as police and current events reporter at The Florida Times-Union before joining the WJCT News team.
Featured image for “UNF explains arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters”
Jacksonville police officers lead away some of the 16 people arrested Thursday, May 2, 2024, during a pro-Palestine protest at the University of North Florida. | News4Jax
2 days ago

UNF explains arrests of pro-Palestinian protesters

Sixteen pro-Palestine supporters were arrested late Thursday after ignoring school demands to leave before a 10 p.m. deadline.…

Featured image for “Fried crustaceans will lure thousands to Fernandina”
Thousands of people are expected at this weekend's Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. | Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival
May 2, 2024

Fried crustaceans will lure thousands to Fernandina

Some 150,000 people are expected to attend the 59th annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival this weekend in Fernandina…

Featured image for “State Road 16 to close for work in St. Augustine”
This is the crossing where Florida East Coast Railway will make safety improvements. | Google
May 2, 2024

State Road 16 to close for work in St. Augustine

The road will be closed Saturday through Tuesday between Lewis Speedway and Ponce De Leon Boulevard.…

Featured image for “Students, sculpture and fun come together at the Cummer”
Josue Galeano, 5, from Spring Park Elementary School, does imprint art on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at The Cummer Museum with help from volunteer Alisha Wood. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 30, 2024

Students, sculpture and fun come together at the Cummer

The Arts for All camp provides exceptional hands-on art experiences for students with differing abilities.…

Featured image for “EV racers from Florida zip around FSCJ course”
Three EV race cars zip past a course worker Saturday, April 27, 2024, during a race at Florida State College at Jacksonville. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 29, 2024

EV racers from Florida zip around FSCJ course

With electric cars becoming more popular, automotive technology students race for fun and knowledge in the Electrathon of Florida.…

Featured image for “Plant Vogtle Unit 4 goes online, providing power to JEA”
Georgia Power's Plant Vogtle Unit 4. | Georgia Power
April 29, 2024

Plant Vogtle Unit 4 goes online, providing power to JEA

JEA says about 13% of its customers’ power is now supplied from Plant Vogtle’s Units 3 and 4 in Waynesboro,…

Featured image for “Worker safety stressed as nine who died are honored”
Audience members bow their heads in prayer Friday, April 26, 2024, as nine workers who died on the job last year in North Florida are remembered. Their names are displayed on cards on the empty row of chairs at the Northeast Florida Safety Council's Workers’ Memorial ceremony. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 26, 2024

Worker safety stressed as nine who died are honored

The Northeast Florida Safety Council says worker deaths are preventable with proper training and practices.…

Featured image for “JEA shines a light for people considering solar power”
These solar panels on David Byers' home in Springfield face the east and the morning sun. A matching set is installed on the western roof for the afternoon sunlight. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 26, 2024

JEA shines a light for people considering solar power

JEA has a new program, the Solar Concierge, that helps customers who want to add solar panels to their rooftops.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville man sentenced for hate crimes on Black women”
The U.S. Justice Department building in Washington, D.C, | Alex Brandon, AP
April 25, 2024

Jacksonville man sentenced for hate crimes on Black women

Frederick Pierallini III pleaded guilty to accosting two Black women with a shotgun in separate hate crimes.…

Featured image for “Jaxport gets federal grant to reduce truck emissions”
Trucks line up at Jaxport. | Jaxport
April 25, 2024

Jaxport gets federal grant to reduce truck emissions

The Talleyrand Marine Terminal is one of two port facilities in Florida that will share more than $8 million to…

Featured image for “Windows smashed at 10 San Marco businesses”
An image from a security camera shows someone inside the Firehouse Subs restaurant in San Marco. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
April 24, 2024

Windows smashed at 10 San Marco businesses

The smash-and-grab incidents caused about $29,000 in damage plus some stolen merchandise, police said.…

Featured image for “Roger Bansemer and Lynyrd Skynyrd join Florida Artists Hall of Fame”
Roger and Sarah Bansemer of St. Augustine work on a shot for their public television program "Painting and Travel with Roger and Sarah Bansemer." They are near the Portland Light historic lighthouse in Maine. | Roger Bansemer
April 24, 2024

Roger Bansemer and Lynyrd Skynyrd join Florida Artists Hall of Fame

Bansemer is renowned for his public television series “Painting and Travel with Roger and Sarah Bansemer.” Skynyrd is known as…

Featured image for “Newfangled roundabout planned in Murray Hill”
The Florida Department of Transportation is proposing a bean-shaped roundabout that crosses a railroad track in two spots and eliminates multiple traffic signals. | FDOT
April 24, 2024

Newfangled roundabout planned in Murray Hill

The Florida Department of Transportation plans an unusual bean-shaped roundabout with train tracks running through the middle of it.…

Featured image for “Torch Run raises $3,300 for Special Olympics”
More than 100 law enforcement officers carry the Special Olympics “Flame of Hope” through Jacksonville on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Chief Jonathan Barrier leads the way with the flame. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 23, 2024

Torch Run raises $3,300 for Special Olympics

The annual law enforcement run raised money for Special Olympics athletes who will compete at the state Summer Games in…

Featured image for “Battling hate crime: City leaders aim to triple penalties”
City Council member Rahman Johnson speaks about new anti-hate legislation with co-sponsor Reggie Gaffney Jr., left, on Monday, April 22, 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
April 23, 2024

Battling hate crime: City leaders aim to triple penalties

New legislation in Jacksonville could triple fines and jail time for people who commit hate crimes.…

Featured image for “Mom’s emotional plea opens Victims’ Rights Week”
Rose DeVoe speaks at Monday's Victims’ Rights Week kickoff at City Hall, remembering the unsolved murder of her son, Gabriel John DeVoe, in 2022. | News4Jax
April 22, 2024

Mom’s emotional plea opens Victims’ Rights Week

Rose DeVoe spoke about her son’s slaying as Jacksonville kicked off events for Crime Victims’ Rights Week.…

Featured image for “Ex-cop in sex case now faces federal charge”
Josue Garriga III. | News4Jax
April 19, 2024

Ex-cop in sex case now faces federal charge

Josue Garriga III, a former officer at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, is accused of using a cellphone to coerce a…

Featured image for “Photography couple earns Miss Aggie award in Mandarin”
Photographers Olis and Jo Garber are the, 2024 Miss Aggie Day award winners. | Mandarin Museum
April 19, 2024

Photography couple earns Miss Aggie award in Mandarin

The award, named after one-time Postmistress Agnes Grace Jones, will honor photographers Olis and Jo Garber for their contributions to…

Featured image for “Public offers suggestions to ‘reimagine’ Metro Park”
Metropolitan Park is seen looking east, where a stage once sat. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 18, 2024

Public offers suggestions to ‘reimagine’ Metro Park

The city is seeking suggestions on how to develop the riverfront park into a “part of the everyday experience.”…

Featured image for “Classic motorcycle show rolls to new site at car museum”
Classic British motorcycles were part of a recent Riding Into History motorcycle concours 'd'elegance. | Dohms Creative, Riding Into History
April 18, 2024

Classic motorcycle show rolls to new site at car museum

The 24th annual Riding Into History Motorcycle Concours is set for Saturday at the Classic Car Museum of St Augustine.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Riverfront Plaza design questions”
The plan for Riverfront Plaza, including a cafe with rooftop playground and a planned waterfront restaurant. | Downtown Investment Authority
April 17, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Riverfront Plaza design questions

We answer: Where will people park at Riverfront Plaza? & Will the park will be built on a concrete platform?…

Featured image for “DeSantis returns to Jax to sign limits on textbook challenges”
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a wide-ranging education bill Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Jacksonville Classical Academy. | News4Jax
April 16, 2024

DeSantis returns to Jax to sign limits on textbook challenges

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that will limit challenges to schoolbooks and ease the process for charter schools to…

Featured image for “Putnam jail director on leave after complaint”
Maj. Scott Surrency, director of the Putnam County jail, has been placed on leave.
April 11, 2024

Putnam jail director on leave after complaint

Maj. Scott Surrency was put on leave Tuesday during an internal investigation and audit.…

Featured image for “Tornado damages homes in St. Johns County”
High wind damaged this home in the Samara Lake subdivision. | News4Jax
April 11, 2024

Tornado damages homes in St. Johns County

An apparent tornado damaged fences, windows and playground equipment Thursday morning near World Golf Village.…