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 “Autonomous-vehicle plant could add $300M to economy”
The Holon people mover is fully electric and autonomous, with room for 15 people. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
21 hours ago

Autonomous-vehicle plant could add $300M to economy

The Holon autonomous-vehicle plant is expected to create 800 jobs, according to an analysis by the University of North Florida.…

Featured image for “Derrick Gaffney, former NFL pro from Jax, dies at 69”
Former New York Jets wide receiver Derrick Gaffney
2 days ago

Derrick Gaffney, former NFL pro from Jax, dies at 69

Gaffney, a New York Jets receiver, was the brother of former Jacksonville City Council members Don and Reggie Gaffney Sr.…

Featured image for “Glory is returning to historic Ambassador Hotel”
The historic Ambassador Hotel is at 420 North Julia St. | Google
2 days ago

Glory is returning to historic Ambassador Hotel

The 100-year-old Ambassador will be renovated as part of the Gateway Jax project.…

Featured image for “Demolition begins on collapsed warehouse in Springfield”
Construction equipment from the ELEV8 company tear apart a warehouse that partially collapsed Monday night. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
3 days ago

Demolition begins on collapsed warehouse in Springfield

Developers of the Phoenix Arts and Innovation District owned the building that collapsed.…

Featured image for “Could legislation revive bioethanol plant in Fernandina?”
Rayonier's current plant on Gum Street in Fernandina Beach. | News4Jax
3 days ago

Could legislation revive bioethanol plant in Fernandina?

A bill in the Florida Legislature could allow Rayonier Advanced Materials to open a bioethanol plant despite opposition.…

Featured image for “Speed cameras may be coming around Palatka schools”
A school speed zone is shown at a Neptune Beach elementary school. | News4JAX
March 17, 2025

Speed cameras may be coming around Palatka schools

Drivers would be subject to $100 fines if cameras catch them driving too fast in school zones.…

Featured image for “Losco Regional Park to be renamed after Dick Kravitz, councilman who made it possible”
Two of the sports fields at the Losco Regional Park on Hood Road South, now renamed in honor of former City Council member Dick Kravitz. | Google
March 14, 2025

Losco Regional Park to be renamed after Dick Kravitz, councilman who made it possible

A 21-year-old regional park in the heart of Mandarin will soon be renamed in honor of the former Jacksonville City…

Featured image for “‘Rough couple of days’: Jacksonville police involved in 3 shootings in 3 days”
Bodycam video showed an officer-involved shooting in February, when Officer Benjamin McEwan shot Michael Youmans after a chase ended on Gossett Street. | JSO
March 12, 2025

‘Rough couple of days’: Jacksonville police involved in 3 shootings in 3 days

Jacksonville police are investigating three officer-involved shootings that occurred back to back over three days.…

Featured image for “4 arrested in January shooting death of 7-year-old Breon Allen”
Breon Allen Jr., 7, shot to death in late January outside a Commonwealth Avenue home. | JSO
March 12, 2025

4 arrested in January shooting death of 7-year-old Breon Allen

Four gang members or associates are behind bars in the murder of a 7-year-old Westside boy, who was walking with…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Zoo mourns death of oldest southern white rhino in human care”
Archie, the oldest southern white rhinoceros in human care, has died at age 55 at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
March 12, 2025

Jacksonville Zoo mourns death of oldest southern white rhino in human care

The oldest southern white rhino in human care, Archie, has passed away at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.…

Featured image for “Trash hauling agreement would avoid lawsuit, mayor says”
A Meridian Waste garbage truck. | Meridian Waste
March 11, 2025

Trash hauling agreement would avoid lawsuit, mayor says

City Hall and Meridian Waste have reached a tentative agreement on its garbage hauling contract for Arlington after months of…

Featured image for “JSO lieutenant fires at truck after ‘contact’ on I-95”
Southbound traffic on I-95 near Atlantic Boulevard was snarled for hours on Monday night after a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office lieutenant fired at a commercial truck after some kind of contact, police said. | News4Jax
March 11, 2025

JSO lieutenant fires at truck after ‘contact’ on I-95

The investigation continues into what led up to a Jacksonville police lieutenant firing multiple shots into a truck after reported…

Featured image for “REVIEW | 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce”
The 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 10, 2025

REVIEW | 2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce

Alfa Romeo’s Italian “jewel” Giulia Veloce is an almost practical sports sedan with enough power, great handling and a bit…

Featured image for “Stroke treatment ambulance could come to Jacksonville under UF Health-JFRD partnership”
March 10, 2025

Stroke treatment ambulance could come to Jacksonville under UF Health-JFRD partnership

A mobile stroke treatment unit is being planned for Jacksonville as part of a collaborative effort by the city and…

Featured image for “Italian curves and British racer lead awards at 30th Amelia Concours”
Winners raise glasses of champagne after receiving top awards at Saturday's The Amelia concours - Alejandro Tonda-Keller's Best of Show/Concours d’Elegance-winning 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 (left), and Chris MacAllister's Best of Show/Concours de Sport winner - a 1967 Lotus 49 Formula 1 race car. | Dan Scanlan,Jacksonville Today
March 8, 2025

Italian curves and British racer lead awards at 30th Amelia Concours

Thousand turned out for The Amelia Concours d’Elegance, held a day early due to rain on Sunday.…

Featured image for “Update: Amelia concours d’elegance moved to Saturday”
Thousands of people annually attend The Amelia concours d'elegance outside the Ritz-Carlton, viewing 250-plus classic, speciality and race cars like this 1970's Alfa Romeo Montreal. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 7, 2025

Update: Amelia concours d’elegance moved to Saturday

The Amelia concours d’elegance, Florida’s largest classic car event, celebrates its 30th anniversary this weekend.…

Featured image for “Sloths get a new home at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens”
Chata, a 29-year-old female Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, hangs upside down at the Jacksonville Zoo. | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
March 5, 2025

Sloths get a new home at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

The zoo will introduce sloths Baby Ruth and Chata to the public when the new Sloth Crossing opens Saturday.…

Featured image for “REVIEW | 2025 Nissan Murano Platinum AWD”
The 2025 Nissan Murano Platinum AWD. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 5, 2025

REVIEW | 2025 Nissan Murano Platinum AWD

New body, interior and tech match its new attitude – comfortable, roomy, stable, fairly efficient and quick – but it…

Featured image for “JTA tests self-driving vans along Bay Street”
One of JTA's new autonomous electric vans is tested along East Bay Street. An attendant is on board just in case anything goes wrong. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
March 5, 2025

JTA tests self-driving vans along Bay Street

The tests are a step toward creating a fleet of autonomous vehicles that will serve Downtown Jacksonville and nearby areas.…

Featured image for “Former Mayport sailor accused of trying to buy Navy ID cards”
March 3, 2025

Former Mayport sailor accused of trying to buy Navy ID cards

The Navy reservist bought two ID cards for $3,500, federal officials said. He was charged with bribery.…

Featured image for “Rutherford rejects calls for town hall meetings”
Rep. John Rutherford, R-Jacksonville, is in his fifth term as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
March 3, 2025

Rutherford rejects calls for town hall meetings

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford said town hall meetings are not productive. He offered to meet with anyone at his office.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY: Why can’t I report a dog bite directly to Animal Control?”
Jacksonville's Animal Care and Protective Services office on Forest Street. | Google
February 28, 2025

#AskJAXTDY: Why can’t I report a dog bite directly to Animal Control?

A Jacksonville Today reader says she couldn’t get answers from Animal Control after a dog bit her.…

Featured image for “Distressed pilot lands with help from St. Johns police helicopter”
Infrared camera images from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office show the private plane after landing. | St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Facebook
February 27, 2025

Distressed pilot lands with help from St. Johns police helicopter

A Sheriff’s Office helicopter lit up a landing strip in the dark so a private pilot could land.…

Featured image for “Camden County cop won’t be charged in fatal shooting”
Leonard Cure places his hands on the back of his truck as Sgt. Buck Aldridge prepares to fire his Taser during a traffic stop Oct. 16, 2023, in Camden County, Georgia. | Camden County Sheriff's Office
February 25, 2025

Camden County cop won’t be charged in fatal shooting

A Georgia prosecutor says Sgt. Buck Aldridge was justified when he shot Leonard Cure during a traffic stop.…