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 “Johnnie Mae Chappell honored 61 years after her murder”
Shelton Chappell, left; Jacqueline Williams and Alonzo Chappell are among the surviving children of Johnnie Mae Chappell. Racists murdered their mother March 23, 1964, nine days after Jacqueline turned 13. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
3 hours ago

Johnnie Mae Chappell honored 61 years after her murder

A memorial marker now stands where racists gunned down the 35-year-old Black woman on March 23, 1964.…

Featured image for “Panel allows demolition of historic Mandarin farmhouse”
The Henry Arpen farmhouse as it appears now in Mandarin. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

Panel allows demolition of historic Mandarin farmhouse

A City Council committee said the 145-year-old farmhouse is too deteriorated to save.…

Featured image for “Weekend options: World of Nations, Black history and more”
Big Bounce America is returning to Jacksonville. | Jodie Bark / Big Bounce America
1 day ago

Weekend options: World of Nations, Black history and more

This weekend includes a plethora of events, from international culture to bounce houses to food and wine.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why not put power lines under the river at Jaxport?”
Power lines are shown near cranes at Jaxport. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

#AskJAXTDY | Why not put power lines under the river at Jaxport?

Jaxport and JEA are raising power lines to accommodate bigger ships. Is that the best alternative?…

Featured image for “Land swap paving way for UF campus, riverfront tower wins DIA approval”
Part of the city land sawp deal considered by the Downtown Investment Authority would see this 1-acre site next to the Main Street bridge used by Gateway Jax for a 17-story mixed-use tower. | DIA
2 days ago

Land swap paving way for UF campus, riverfront tower wins DIA approval

Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority board on Wednesday approved a land swap deal to ensure the University of Florida can open…

Featured image for “Top Jax area federal prosecutor announces departure”
Roger Handberg, former U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida, at the Intercept Task Force news conference in April. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today.
3 days ago

Top Jax area federal prosecutor announces departure

U.S. Attorney Roger Handberg is leaving the top prosecutor’s post in Florida’s Middle District, which includes Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Preservationists fight to save 145-year-old Mandarin farmhouse”
The Henry C. Arpen farmhouse sits on Linjohn Road. The 19th century farmhouse is being recommended for local landmark designation. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
February 18, 2025

Preservationists fight to save 145-year-old Mandarin farmhouse

The Henry C. Arpen farmhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places, but the owner wants to demolish it.…

Featured image for “UNF poll finds support for Casey DeSantis as governor”
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis unveils the Florida Cancer Connect initiative at the Ackerman Cancer Center in Jacksonville on Aug. 3, 2022. | Raymon Troncoso, Jacksonville Today
February 18, 2025

UNF poll finds support for Casey DeSantis as governor

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis had a 30% favorable rating in a new poll from the University of North Florida.…

Featured image for “DeSantis seeks pay raises for state police and firefighters”
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a push for pay raises for state law enforcement and firefighters during a Friday speech in Ponte Vedra Beach. | Governor's Office
February 14, 2025

DeSantis seeks pay raises for state police and firefighters

Speaking in Ponte Vedra Beach, Gov. Ron Desantis said he will push for 20% to 25% pay raises.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville auto show opens with tariffs looming”
New Toyotas are arranged on protective plastic on Thursday in preparation for this weekend's 2025 annual Jacksonville International Auto Show in the Prime Osborn Convention Center. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
February 14, 2025

Jacksonville auto show opens with tariffs looming

Jacksonville’s annual auto show takes place this weekend at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.…

Featured image for “Buried beneath Lincolnville: a 240-year-old British fort”
City archaeologists work on the site of an 18th century British redoubt — or fort — in the Lincolnville part of the historic city. | St. Augustine Archaeology Program
February 12, 2025

Buried beneath Lincolnville: a 240-year-old British fort

St. Augustine archaeologists have uncovered a first of its kind on a Lincolnville lot – a small British redoubt, or…

Featured image for “FDLE officer shoots teen as he plays ‘Senior Assassin’”
This is the water gun that teens were using during a game of Senior Assassins. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office
February 12, 2025

FDLE officer shoots teen as he plays ‘Senior Assassin’

Teens play the game using water guns to “assassinate” one another. The FDLE officer thought the gun was real.…

Featured image for “Adams and Forsyth will soon become 2-way streets again”
Adams Street, along with Forsyth Street, will soon become a two-way street. | Google
February 11, 2025

Adams and Forsyth will soon become 2-way streets again

Resurfacing could begin as early as this week as the one-way streets revert to two-way traffic.…

Featured image for “Downtown’s resurrection is on the horizon, city says”
Construction crews continue building Phase 1 of Riverfront Plaza. The foundations for a cafe with rooftop garden and other parts are underway. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
February 10, 2025

Downtown’s resurrection is on the horizon, city says

Riverfront Plaza will open late this year, one of several projects coming together on the Downtown waterfront, city officials say.…

Featured image for “Inductions are next week for Florida Artists Hall of Fame”
Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at TIAA Bank Field. | Bill Bortzfield, Jacksonville Today
February 10, 2025

Inductions are next week for Florida Artists Hall of Fame

Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and St. Augustine artist Roger Bansemer will be inducted into the Artists Hall of Fame.…

Featured image for “Couple sues after Sea-Doo pontoon flips on toddler”
Vianca Grullon in a life preserver. | Provided by attorney Judd Rosen
February 6, 2025

Couple sues after Sea-Doo pontoon flips on toddler

Fifteen-month-old Vianca Grullon was trapped under the Sea-Doo Switch after it flipped on Black Creek.…

Featured image for “Jags hire new offensive coordinator from Vikings”
Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Grant Udinski as its new Offensive Coordinator. | Jacksonville Jaguars
February 6, 2025

Jags hire new offensive coordinator from Vikings

The Jaguars’ new offensive coordinator is Grant Udinski, who was assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach in Minnesota.…

Featured image for “Pediatric center coming to palliative care facility”
An artist rendition of the Dorion Family Pediatric Center at the Mandarin campus of Community Hospice and Palliative Care. | Community Hospice & Palliative Care
February 5, 2025

Pediatric center coming to palliative care facility

Community Hospice & Palliative Care has begun construction of the Dorion Family Pediatric Center in Mandarin.…

Featured image for “Main Street program sparks historic Eastside corridor”
A crowd fills A. Philip Randolph Boulevard during a Melanin Market in 2023. | LIFT JAX
February 5, 2025

Main Street program sparks historic Eastside corridor

Florida Avenue Main Street aims to transform A. Philip Randolph Boulevard into a bustling business district.…

Featured image for “USS Orleck’s new interactive displays re-create life at sea”
A mannequin in a crewmember's jacket seems to point to a handmade model of the USS Orleck in a former berthing area of the veteran Navy destroyer. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
February 4, 2025

USS Orleck’s new interactive displays re-create life at sea

An extensive display of artifacts and information about Jacksonville’s museum ship will be unveiled Saturday.…

Featured image for “Tony Boselli hired as Jaguars’ executive vice president”
Former Jacksonville Jaguars lineman Tony Boselli is honored with Jaguars owner Shad Khan during halftime of a game Oct. 9, 2022. | Phelan M. Ebenhack, AP
February 3, 2025

Tony Boselli hired as Jaguars’ executive vice president

The Hall of Famer had been involved in the Jaguars’ search for a new head coach.…

Featured image for “Cameras will soon catch speeders in 3 Neptune Beach school zones”
Speed zone cameras are coming soon to three school zones in Neptune Beach, police said. | News4Jax
February 2, 2025

Cameras will soon catch speeders in 3 Neptune Beach school zones

Neptune Beach will soon install speed zone cameras near three schools.…

Featured image for “New MOSH exhibit MindWorks gets inside your head”
MOSH curator Ryan Enger talks about the museum's new MindWorks exhibit, on the second floor through May. | Dan Scanlan, Florida Today
January 30, 2025

New MOSH exhibit MindWorks gets inside your head

The latest MOSH exhibit – MindWorks – brings ideas like decision-making, memory and emotion to life through interactive displays.…

Featured image for “Baptist Health unveils details of new ER tower”
A drawing shows Baptist Health's planned new, four-story emergency tower on Prudential Drive. | Baptist Jacksonville, Hoefer Welker
January 28, 2025

Baptist Health unveils details of new ER tower

The addition on Baptist’s main campus will include two distinctive emergency rooms for adults and children.…