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 “Jacksonville creates dashboards to share data on permitting, animals and more”
Wanyonyi Kendrick, chief information officer for the city of Jacksonville, describes the features of the city's new Transparency Dashboards. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 5, 2024

Jacksonville creates dashboards to share data on permitting, animals and more

The Mayor’s Transparency Dashboards show a variety of information about animal control, public works, permitting and the city’s children’s reading…

Featured image for “JU law school obtains provisional accreditation”
The Jacksonville University College of Law is moving into the historic former Atlantic Bank Building at 121 W. Forsyth St.
March 4, 2024

JU law school obtains provisional accreditation

Accreditation from the American Bar Association makes students eligible to take the bar exam.…

Featured image for “Historic Ferrari and curvaceous Delahaye win at The Amelia”
A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO race car, left, owned by David MacNeil won Best of Show-Concours de Sport. Dana Mecum's 1947 Delahaye 135MS Narval Cabriolet earned Best of Show-Concours d'Elegance. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
March 4, 2024

Historic Ferrari and curvaceous Delahaye win at The Amelia

Thousands of people braved the threat of rain for the 29th iteration of The Amelia concours d’elegance.…

Featured image for “Naval aviator takes the reins at NAS Jacksonville”
Capt. Gregory deWindt speaks after his appointment as commanding officer of Naval Air Station Jacksonville on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. | Master at Arms Scottie Coombs, U.S. Navy
February 29, 2024

Naval aviator takes the reins at NAS Jacksonville

Executive Officer Capt. Greg deWindt took over command of the sprawling base on Roosevelt Boulevard after a ceremony Thursday. He…

Featured image for “Thousands will hit the roads Saturday for Gate River Run”
Runners cruise past the finish line at the Gate River Run. | Gate River Run
February 29, 2024

Thousands will hit the roads Saturday for Gate River Run

Some 16,000 runners will cruise through Downtown, the Southside and Arlington in one of the best-known 15K races in the…

Featured image for “The Amelia draws thousands for classic cars and racing stars”
Some of the thousands of fans who flocked to The Amelia concours d'Elegance check out a row of rare Denzel sports cars built in Austria. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
February 28, 2024

The Amelia draws thousands for classic cars and racing stars

The region’s largest automobile event hits Amelia Island this weekend for the 29th time as The Amelia rumbles in with…

Featured image for “Mayport ferry operator files for bankruptcy; service unaffected”
The St. Johns River Ferry. | JTA
February 28, 2024

Mayport ferry operator files for bankruptcy; service unaffected

The JTA, which owns the ferry service, says there will be no affect on people who use the ferry or…

Featured image for “After more shootings, ICARE pushes for solutions”
The Rev. James Bodie speaks to 100-plus people at the ICARE meeting Monday night in Arlington. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
February 27, 2024

After more shootings, ICARE pushes for solutions

ICARE, a community group made up of church members, is pushing Sheriff T.K. Waters to implement a Safe Communities program…

Featured image for “Family sues Camden sheriff and sergeant over son’s death”
Leonard Cure's mother, Mary Cure, speaks during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 27. | News4Jax
February 27, 2024

Family sues Camden sheriff and sergeant over son’s death

The family of Leonard Cure sued after Sgt. Buck Aldridge shot and killed him during a traffic stop in Kingsland,…

Featured image for “‘Magical’ youth baseball complex opens on Southside”
The Bragan Baseball Complex at Fort Family Regional Park has three new artificial turf baseball fields, clubhouse with concession stand and shaded bleachers. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
February 23, 2024

‘Magical’ youth baseball complex opens on Southside

The Bragan Baseball Complex includes three fields to help children from underserved communities learn baseball.…

Featured image for “‘Pull the crews out.’ Dramatic video captures 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
February 22, 2024

‘Pull the crews out.’ Dramatic video captures Rise Doro fire

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department released a video showing the fire growing out of control at the Rise Doro…

Featured image for “Whitey’s Fish Camp for sale after 60 years”
Whitey's Fish Camp, with restaurant, bar, marina and RV park. | Stephen Dirksen/Whitey's Fish Camp Facebook
February 22, 2024

Whitey’s Fish Camp for sale after 60 years

The owners say they just want to retire. They hope the buyer will keep everything just as it is.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why are trucks making Jacksonville Beach’s 3rd Street into a truck stop?”
An empty truck parked on 3rd Street in Jacksonville Beach. | Google Maps
February 21, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Why are trucks making Jacksonville Beach’s 3rd Street into a truck stop?

A reader wonders why so many semis park along 3rd Street in Jacksonville Beach. Police and a former trucker respond.…

Featured image for “Apartment complex sued after 2-year-old dies in pond”
Musiq Jordan-Dye, 2, died in a retention pond. Her family is suing the apartment complex for negligence.
February 21, 2024

Apartment complex sued after 2-year-old dies in pond

The family of Musiq Jordan-Dye is suing the Paradise Island complex off Southside Boulevard, claiming management should have fenced off…

Featured image for “Opposition grows to climate bill from Palatka lawmaker”
Flooding at the Castillo de San Marco's parking lot in St. Augustine.
February 21, 2024

Opposition grows to climate bill from Palatka lawmaker

A bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Bobby Payne of Palatka would eliminate references to climate change in state statutes.…

Featured image for “Billie Jean King Cup is coming to Amelia Island”
Canada's Leylah Fernandez returns the ball to the Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova during their semifinal singles match at the Billie Jean King Cup finals at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, Spain, Saturday, on Nov. 11, 2023.
February 20, 2024

Billie Jean King Cup is coming to Amelia Island

Top female tennis players from the Ukraine and Romania will play in Northeast Florida because of the war in Ukraine.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville University honors former Sheriff Nat Glover”
Nat Glover is a former Sheriff of Duval County
February 16, 2024

Jacksonville University honors former Sheriff Nat Glover

Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute will name its Master in Public Policy Minority Fellowship Program in honor of former Sheriff…

Featured image for “Investigation into stepbrothers’ murders revived after 12 years”
These are Project: Cold Case posters for step-brothers John Franklin Ragin Jr. , left, and Eric Dwayne Stubbs. They were found dead in a home in 2011. | Project Cold Case
February 15, 2024

Investigation into stepbrothers’ murders revived after 12 years

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is trying to solve the murders of John Franklin Ragin Jr. and Eric Dwayne Stubbs in…

Featured image for “Pro basketball will return to Jax on Sunday”
The Jacksonville 95ers will play at Jacksonville University's Swisher Gym.
February 14, 2024

Pro basketball will return to Jax on Sunday

The Jacksonville 95ers, the city’s new pro basketball team, will play its first exhibition game Sunday afternoon at Jacksonville University’s…

Featured image for “Nonprofit merger helps fill need for menstrual products”
Menstrual products were part of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day food bank event. | Feeding Northeast Florida
February 13, 2024

Nonprofit merger helps fill need for menstrual products

Feeding Northeast Florida has merged with longtime partner Renewing Dignity, which works to eliminate “period poverty.”…

Featured image for “Jacksonville International Auto Show rumbles into town”
Dozens of new cars, trucks and other vehicles will be shown at this weekend's 38th annual Jacksonville International Auto Show. | Jacksonville Automobile Dealers Association
February 13, 2024

Jacksonville International Auto Show rumbles into town

The 38th annual Jacksonville International Auto Show will take place Friday through Sunday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | What are road crews doing along Arlington Expressway?”
The Arlington Expressway service road east of Arlington Road, is closed for FDOT road and bridge repair. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
February 13, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | What are road crews doing along Arlington Expressway?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders why a service road along the Arlington Expressway has been closed.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Zoo’s geriatric giraffe has died”
Spock, a 22-year-old giraffe at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, has died. | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
February 13, 2024

Jacksonville Zoo’s geriatric giraffe has died

Spock was one of two animals to die at the zoo this week of age-related issues. The other was a…

Featured image for “Utility lineworkers will test their skills at Metro Park”
JEA crews install dozens of power poles Monday, Feb. 12, 2024, in Metropolitan Park in advance of this weekend's Florida Lineman Competition | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
February 12, 2024

Utility lineworkers will test their skills at Metro Park

The public is invited to set up lawn chairs and munch on food truck fare as lineworkers demonstrate their skill…