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 “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.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville pushes for zero traffic deaths by 2035”
These flags were displayed Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at James Weldon Johnson Park as the city honored people killed in traffic. The flags represent the 508 people killed in traffic accidents in the past three years in Jacksonville. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 15, 2024

Jacksonville pushes for zero traffic deaths by 2035

A total of 508 people have died in traffic crashes in Jacksonville in the past three years. The city honored…

Featured image for “Shade is growing at Jacksonville’s bus stops”
Azari Johnson, left, checks out the new shade tree planted Thursday, Nov. 24, 1014, at a bus stop on Commonwealth Avenue. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 14, 2024

Shade is growing at Jacksonville’s bus stops

A pilot program will plant shade trees at six bus stops as part of the city’s resiliency plan.…

Featured image for “New JWB program helps renters become homebuyers”
Alex Sifakis, president of JWB Real Estate Capital, announces a new program to help renters buy homes. Mayor Donna Deegan stands behind him on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 13, 2024

New JWB program helps renters become homebuyers

JWB Real Estate Capital says 5,800 renters could earn equity toward a home purchase through its new HomeStep program.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville seeks more beds to comply with homeless law”
Two people camp out in March in the grass off Newnan and East Bay streets. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
November 12, 2024

Jacksonville seeks more beds to comply with homeless law

Jacksonville is seeking to add bed space at homeless shelters for people who are no longer allowed to sleep on…

Featured image for “Former Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio resigns Wisconsin job after arrest”
Jack Del Rio, seen here when he was the Washington Commanders' defensive coordinator on Nov. 5, 2023, at a game in Foxborough, Mass. | AP Photo/Charles Krupa
November 11, 2024

Former Jaguars Coach Jack Del Rio resigns Wisconsin job after arrest

Former Jacksonville Jaguars’ Coach Jack Del Rio resigned his new job at the University of Wisconsin following his Friday arrest…

Featured image for “JSO: Officer shot teen who pulled out gun during foot chase”
Police cordon off the site of an officer shooting that occurred outside a McDuff Avenue South fast food restaurant on Monday, Nov. 11. | News4Jax
November 11, 2024

JSO: Officer shot teen who pulled out gun during foot chase

JSO’s seventh officer-involved shooting of 2024 left an 18-year-old hospitalized.…

Featured image for “New public art adorns bus stops, community center on Soutel Drive”
A new light display can be seen on the Legends Center on Soutel Drive. | Cultural Council of Greater Jax
November 8, 2024

New public art adorns bus stops, community center on Soutel Drive

Public art, some of it high-tech, illuminates and brightens parts of Jacksonville’s Northwest community this week.…

Featured image for “Harriet Beecher Stowe – bronze and life-size – returns to Mandarin”
The hands of one of the Harriet Beecher Stowe installation's children poke through their protective wrap on Friday. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 8, 2024

Harriet Beecher Stowe – bronze and life-size – returns to Mandarin

Famed 19th century abolitionist/author’s lifesize bronze likeness will be unveiled Sunday.…

Featured image for “Clay Sheriff Michelle Cook lists her priorities for 2nd term”
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook. | Clay County Sheriff's Office
November 6, 2024

Clay Sheriff Michelle Cook lists her priorities for 2nd term

Sheriff Michelle Cook won a second term with almost 80% of the vote in Tuesday’s election.…

Featured image for “Incumbent congressmen win reelection in Northeast Florida”
U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
November 5, 2024

Incumbent congressmen win reelection in Northeast Florida

Three Republican incumbents from Northeast Florida will return to the U.S. House of Representatives.…

Featured image for “Beaten man sues police over arrest that went viral”
Civil rights attorney Harry Daniels announces a lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. With him are Le’Keian Woods and his mother, Natassia Woods. | News4Jax
October 31, 2024

Beaten man sues police over arrest that went viral

Le’Keian Woods was severely beaten after running from officers who suspected a drug deal. They said he resisted arrest.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville cop charged with false imprisonment”
Chief Mike Kee speaks Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, about the arrest of a Jacksonville police officer. | News4Jax
October 31, 2024

Jacksonville cop charged with false imprisonment

Officer John C. Burgos was arrested early Thursday on charges of false imprisonment and battery.…

Featured image for “2 developments get underway in Jacksonville’s urban core”
The first phase of Springfield's Emerald Station officially opened Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, on North Liberty Street. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
October 30, 2024

2 developments get underway in Jacksonville’s urban core

The Emerald Station and Gateway Jax developments will transform neglected parts of the city with meeting spaces, offices and residences.…

Featured image for “Teen accused of machete threat at Beaches polling site”
October 30, 2024

Teen accused of machete threat at Beaches polling site

Police said an 18-year-old man threatened Harris-Walz supporters with a machete at a voting site in Neptune Beach.…

Featured image for “Florida-Georgia game could reveal its future soon”
EverBank Stadium is always filled for the Florida-Georgia football game. | Georgia-Florida Football Game Facebook
October 29, 2024

Florida-Georgia game could reveal its future soon

The historic football game will take over EverBank Stadium on Saturday, but the future is in question after next year.…

Featured image for “Police kill man threatening family with butter knife”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, right, and Director Mark Romano discuss the shooting Monday night, Oct. 28, 2024, in the Durkeeville area. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
October 29, 2024

Police kill man threatening family with butter knife

Officers said the man pulled a knife and appeared to make stabbing motions.…

Featured image for “Amendment 3 marijuana issue fires up people on both sides”
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis speaks against Amendment 3 on Thursday at Jacksonville's FOP lodge. Joining her are Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, right, and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. | News4Jax
October 25, 2024

Amendment 3 marijuana issue fires up people on both sides

Ron and Casey DeSantis are agressively fighting Amendment 3. Critics say they shouldn’t use tax money to fight the marijuana…