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 “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
1 day ago

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
2 days ago

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.…

Featured image for “Final design of Metro Park will be unveiled today”
Metropolitan Park as it looks now, from where the stage used to be. The cranes are being used to build the Four Seasons Hotel in the background. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 16, 2024

Final design of Metro Park will be unveiled today

The public will be able to comment on the park design during a meeting Wednesday.…

Featured image for “Local first responder takes Christmas to Colombian orphans”
Max Morel-Sepulveda, left, works with children during a recent charity trip to Colombia. | Reaching the Unreached
December 15, 2024

Local first responder takes Christmas to Colombian orphans

Max Morel-Sepulveda will take food, clothes and more to orphans in Colombia.…

Featured image for “Memorial Park celebrates 100 years — and one historic photo”
The sculpture call "Life" stands at Memorial Park in Riverside, commemorating Floridians killed in World War I. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 12, 2024

Memorial Park celebrates 100 years — and one historic photo

A photo from 1924 will be re-created Saturday during a centennial celebration for Memorial Park in Riverside.…

Featured image for “UF picks Prime Osborn area for new high-tech graduate campus”
An illustration shows the planned UF campus near Prime Osborn Convention Center.
December 12, 2024

UF picks Prime Osborn area for new high-tech graduate campus

University of Florida trustees will vote Friday on a new campus that would include the Florida Semiconductor Institute.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville filmmaker premieres story of serial killer”
Actress Madison Wolfe is shown in a still from "The Man in the White Van." The van is seen in the background. | The Man in the White Van
December 11, 2024

Jacksonville filmmaker premieres story of serial killer

The movie tells the story of Billy Mansfield Jr., who killed five women between 1975 and 1980 and dumped a…

Featured image for “Sweet treats on display at Gingerbread Extravaganza”
Arlen Fontaine's "Gingerbread Village" is one of 24 pastry and icing creations at the 22nd annual Gingerbread Extravaganza. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 10, 2024

Sweet treats on display at Gingerbread Extravaganza

The Gingerbread Extravaganza includes 25 cookie and candy creations on display through Dec. 28 at Old St. Andrews Church.…

Featured image for “Arrest made in 39-year-old Camden County murders”
Harold Swain and his wife, Thelma, were killed at Rising Daughter Baptist Church in Waverly. | Google
December 10, 2024

Arrest made in 39-year-old Camden County murders

A Camden County church deacon and his wife were shot to death during a Bible study class. The wrong man…

Featured image for “After string of fires, mayor and chief take safety to the street”
Jacksonville firefighters gather in front of a home Knoll Drive North where two residents and two firefighters were injured in a fire. Firefighters joined the mayor and fire chief to give smoke detectors and safety information to neighbors on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 9, 2024

After string of fires, mayor and chief take safety to the street

Firefighters passed out free smoke detectors and fire safety information after multiple fires in Jacksonville over five days.…

Featured image for “It’ll be Ole Miss and Duke in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl”
December 9, 2024

It’ll be Ole Miss and Duke in the Taxslayer Gator Bowl

This will be the first time these teams have met and Duke’s first appearance in the Gator Bowl.…

Featured image for “Jumbo Shrimp’s stadium now called VyStar Ballpark”
The Jumbo Shrimp's ballpark, soon to be named VyStar Ballpark.
December 5, 2024

Jumbo Shrimp’s stadium now called VyStar Ballpark

The ballpark’s new name is a result of VyStar’s merger with 121 Financial Credit Union.…

Featured image for “Fallen firefighters honored, as one name is added to memorial”
Melanie O'Shea, widow of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Engineer Heath O'Shea, accepts a photo of him on Firefighter Memorial Day ceremonies at Station 1 on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 4, 2024

Fallen firefighters honored, as one name is added to memorial

Fire Engineer Heath O’Shea was among 26 firefighters remembered during Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day.…

Featured image for “Women’s pro soccer arrives in Jacksonville”
Sporting Jax President and CEO Steve Livingstone shows one of the billboards that will promote Jacksonville's first professional women's sports team. | News4Jax
December 3, 2024

Women’s pro soccer arrives in Jacksonville

Jacksonville’s first professional women’s sports team — the Sporting Jax soccer club — will kick off in August 2025.…

Featured image for “More families are struggling for food this Thanksgiving”
An estimated 500 families accepted a frozen turkey and all the fixings from about 100 volunteers at the 34th annual Mandarin Food Bank on Monday, Nov. 25. 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 25, 2024

More families are struggling for food this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving food giveaways on the First Coast are seeking longer lines than ever.…

Featured image for “Record holiday travel expected at Jacksonville’s airport”
November 22, 2024

Record holiday travel expected at Jacksonville’s airport

Travelers at Jacksonville International Airport can expect parking changes as a new garage is built.…

Featured image for “Clay County plans expanded animal shelter”
This dog is available for adoption through Clay County Animal Services. | Clay County
November 22, 2024

Clay County plans expanded animal shelter

The $21.5 million animal shelter will be built near Fleming Island. The current shelter in Green Cove Springs has outgrown…

Featured image for “UF Health begins expansion of trauma center”
An illustration shows the entrance of the new Leon L. Haley Jr. Trauma and Emergency Center at UF Health Jacksonville. | UF Health Jacksonville
November 21, 2024

UF Health begins expansion of trauma center

The Leon L. Haley Jr. Emergency and Trauma Center is named for the late CEO of UF Health.…

Featured image for “Congressman seeks shutdown of Baker County ICE center”
The Baker County Sheriff's Office and Jail facility. | Google
November 19, 2024

Congressman seeks shutdown of Baker County ICE center

Rep. Maxwell Frost says the ICE facility houses people in conditions “that no human should live in.”…

Featured image for “Audit finds no misspending during Deegan’s UK trip”
Mayor Donna Deegan is shown during an interview with Times Radio in England during her trip. | Times Radio
November 19, 2024

Audit finds no misspending during Deegan’s UK trip

After complaints from a City Council member, the Jacksonville Council Auditor’s Office reviewed the trip and found no violations.…

Featured image for “Coffee and croissants now on the menu at JTA hub in LaVilla”
Customers grab coffee, bakery goods and sandwiches Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in JTA's Regional Transportation Center at LaVIlla. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 18, 2024

Coffee and croissants now on the menu at JTA hub in LaVilla

Cinotti’s Bakery & Sandwich Shop and Grounds of Grace have opened in JTA’s Regional Transportation Center.…