Dan Scanlan Reporter email
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 1980s 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.
Featured image for “Brutally cold forecast delays Jacksonville’s MLK parade”
Jacksonville City Council Member Tyrona Clark-Murray waves to the crowd at the 43rd Martin Luther King Jr. Grand Parade in Downtown Jacksonville on Jan. 15, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
3 days ago

Brutally cold forecast delays Jacksonville’s MLK parade

Organizers fear that wind chills in the 20s could be dangerous for MLK marchers.…

Featured image for “Atlantic Coast High student dies after being hit by car”
Atlantic Coast High School. | Facebook
3 days ago

Atlantic Coast High student dies after being hit by car

The student was crossing Old Kings Road South toward a school bus stop when she was hit.…

Featured image for “Pub’s iconic double-decker bus finds a new home”
The double-decker bus is loaded onto a transporter early Thursday afternoon. | Photo courtesy of Rick Ambrose
January 16, 2025

Pub’s iconic double-decker bus finds a new home

The future of a 72-year-old double decker bus that marked the now-closed Kings Head British pub for 32 years was…

Featured image for “City Council overrides mayor’s veto of pay hike for trash hauler; mayor vows not to pay”
Mayor Donna Deegan veteoed a bill that would have given more money to Meridian Waste.
January 14, 2025

City Council overrides mayor’s veto of pay hike for trash hauler; mayor vows not to pay

“If it needs to go to a legal action, then that’s what we will have to do,” said Deegan. “We…

Featured image for “Homeless advocate threatens to sue Jacksonville”
Two homeless men sleep in a doorway on Monroe Street. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
January 14, 2025

Homeless advocate threatens to sue Jacksonville

Attorney A. Wellington Bartow notified the city that he will sue over the city’s response to a new state homeless…

Featured image for “1991 Indy pace truck to be auctioned for Jax charity”
This 1991 Ford F150 PPG Indy 500 Pace Truck will be auctioned Thursday at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee to benefit Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. | Mecum Auctions
January 10, 2025

1991 Indy pace truck to be auctioned for Jax charity

The customized IndyCar pace truck could raise $50,000 to $75,000 for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville names fire headquarters for late chief”
The Jacksonville fire department headquarters has been named for former Chief Gary France Keys Sr. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
January 9, 2025

Jacksonville names fire headquarters for late chief

The headquarters honors former Chief Gary France Keys Sr., who served in the department for 29 years.…

Featured image for “Electrathon racers will zip around FSCJ on Saturday”
Electric race cars zip past a course worker on April 27, 2024, during an Electrathon race at Florida State College at Jacksonville. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
January 9, 2025

Electrathon racers will zip around FSCJ on Saturday

The Electrathan race series started in 1980 as a fun way to educate students about electric cars.…

Featured image for “12 abandoned rabbits rescued at Timucuan Preserve”
A rabbit curls up in a crate after rescue on New Year's Day. | Bebette’s Bunny Rescue
January 8, 2025

12 abandoned rabbits rescued at Timucuan Preserve

Bebette’s Bunny Rescue is caring for the domesticated rabbits after they were abandoned in the woods.…

Featured image for “Council members push back on ‘Holo-Donna’ at airport”
A holographic version of Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes travelers at Jacksonville International Airport — as the real Deegan watches on the left. The technology was unveiled Dec. 19, 2024. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
January 7, 2025

Council members push back on ‘Holo-Donna’ at airport

City Council members are questioning whether money was misued for a hologram-like image of Mayor Donna Deegan.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Will lights ever shine again on Fuller Warren Bridge?”
The columns supporting the Fuller Warren Bridge between Riverside and San Marco are no longer lighted. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
January 7, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Will lights ever shine again on Fuller Warren Bridge?

A Jacksonville Today reader remembers when the Fuller Warren Bridge used to light up the Downtown skyline.…

Featured image for “Cause ‘undetermined’ in massive Rise Doro fire”
A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department drone shows the Rise Doro fire at its height. after the roof had burned out and floors collapsed inside. | Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
January 6, 2025

Cause ‘undetermined’ in massive Rise Doro fire

A year after the Rise Doro fire, a state investigation could not identify a definitive cause.…

Featured image for “Higher garbage fees proposed in Jacksonville”
Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci is proposing to raise garbage fees while protecting low-income residents against fee increases.
January 2, 2025

Higher garbage fees proposed in Jacksonville

City Council member Matt Carlucci is proposing to raise garbage fees while protecting low-income residents against fee increases.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville ends 2024 with record low homicides”
Police collect evidence Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in the slaying of a man on Division Street. | News4Jax
January 2, 2025

Jacksonville ends 2024 with record low homicides

Murders, manslaughters and justifiable homicides fell by more than half last year, records show.…

Featured image for “Baby right whales sighted with mothers off Ponte Vedra”
The adult right whale Caterpillar surfaces next to its mother’s head in this aerial image taken on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, off Ponte Vedra Beach. | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
January 2, 2025

Baby right whales sighted with mothers off Ponte Vedra

Two endangered North Atlantic right whales — and their calves — were spotted earlier this week offshore from the Guana…

Featured image for “When is garbage pickup this week?”
Mayor Donna Deegan veteoed a bill that would have given more money to Meridian Waste.
December 31, 2024

When is garbage pickup this week?

The New Year’s holiday will delay garbage collection in Clay and St. Johns counties.…

Featured image for “Veteran corrections officer accused of domestic battery”
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Director Joe Cowan announcing Monday's arrest of a corrections officer. | News4Jax
December 30, 2024

Veteran corrections officer accused of domestic battery

A Jacksonville corrections officer was arrested after an argument with a family member, the Sheriff’s Office says.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | When will Rise Doro apartments rise again after fire?”
More than 100 firefighters battle a fire Jan. 29, 2024, at the Rise Doro apartments. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 26, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | When will Rise Doro apartments rise again after fire?

The developer of the Rise Doro apartment building says reconsruction is “imminent.”…

Featured image for “Former Mayor Alvin Brown named vice chair of NTSB”
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, vice chairman of the NTSB.
December 24, 2024

Former Mayor Alvin Brown named vice chair of NTSB

Brown was Jacksonville’s first Black mayor from 2011 to 2015. President Joe Biden picked him for the NTSB role Friday. …

Featured image for “Former Putnam teacher jailed over nude student photos”
Former Putnam County teacher Gus Devereaux is shown after his arrest Friday morning. | Putnam County Sheriff's Office
December 20, 2024

Former Putnam teacher jailed over nude student photos

Police said Gus Devereaux was arrested after photos of a former student were found on his laptop computer.…

Featured image for “Babysitter gets 17 years for infant’s death in hot car”
Macclenny babysitter Rhonda Jewell testifies during her trial this month. | News4Jax
December 19, 2024

Babysitter gets 17 years for infant’s death in hot car

Baker County babysitter Rhonda Jewell said she forgot she left the 10-month-old girl in her car until five hours later.…

Featured image for “Metropolitan Park design unveiled; here’s what it includes”
People look at the final Metropolitan Park proposal during a town hall meeting Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 18, 2024

Metropolitan Park design unveiled; here’s what it includes

Metropolitan Park would retain most of its trees and create new space for events and recreation on the river.…

Featured image for “Jury recommends life sentence for husband in murder plot”
Jerry Burns sits with his defense attorney during this week's sentencing phase in a Duval County courtroom. | News4Jax
December 17, 2024

Jury recommends life sentence for husband in murder plot

Jerry Burns was convicted of plotting the slaying of his wife, who was stabbed 39 times.…

Featured image for “Six accused of illegal gambling ring in Jacksonville”
Gambling machines. | Nik on Unsplash
December 17, 2024

Six accused of illegal gambling ring in Jacksonville

The gambling suspects include Robin Rukab Azzam, a former City Council candidate and longtime city employee.…