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 “Exonerated prisoner dies after release in 1976 murder”
Clifford “Boonie” Williams, 81, died late Thursday, according to his daughter. | Anne Schindler, WJCT News 89.9
January 16, 2024

Exonerated prisoner dies after release in 1976 murder

Clifford “Boonie” Williams was released from prison after serving 43 years for a murder he didn’t commit.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville roof program shuts down applications”
January 16, 2024

Jacksonville roof program shuts down applications

The Home Roof Rehabilitation pilot program reached its maximum number oa applications within hours.…

Featured image for “St. Johns commission to discuss censure in private”
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph waves an American flag as she begins her comments during a meeting Nov. 21, 2023. | St. Johns County
January 12, 2024

St. Johns commission to discuss censure in private

The commission will consider a private law firm’s report regarding Commissioner Krista Joseph, who was censured for comments she made…

Featured image for “Corrections officer accused of domestic battery”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks at a news conference.
January 12, 2024

Corrections officer accused of domestic battery

Romeo Kei, a Jacksonville corrections officer, was arrested after a fight with a family member, Sheriff T.K. Waters said.…

Featured image for “Otis Mason: Beloved St. Johns County educator passes away”
Otis A. Mason | St. Augustine High School
January 11, 2024

Otis Mason: Beloved St. Johns County educator passes away

A St. Augustine native, Mason rose to become St. Johns County’s first Black superintendent of schools after decades as a…

Featured image for “Library lands $1 million grant for Black history collection”
This is part of the Jacksonville Main Library’s African American History Collection. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
January 10, 2024

Library lands $1 million grant for Black history collection

The grant from the Andrew Mellon Foundation is the largest private donation in the library’s history.…

Featured image for “Affordable rental homes called critical in West Augustine”
This space will become home to Villages of New Augustine, an affordable housing development in St. Johns County. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 8, 2024

Affordable rental homes called critical in West Augustine

A 92-unit apartment complex offering affordable rents will start construction Wednesday in West Augustine.…

Featured image for “Bookseller says it’s giving away books removed from Duval schools”
These are some of the 22,500 books that Firestorm Books says were removed from Duval schools. | Firestorm Books
January 5, 2024

Bookseller says it’s giving away books removed from Duval schools

Firestorm Books of Asheville, North Carolina, says it obtained more than 22,000 books that had been removed from Duval County…

Featured image for “Trash pickup reduced in Fernandina Beach”
WM will pick up trash once a week in Fernandina Beach. | Waste Management
January 5, 2024

Trash pickup reduced in Fernandina Beach

The city’s new contract with WM reduces pickup from twice a week to once beginning Monday.…

Featured image for “14 busted in undercover drug sting; 13 more sought”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters speaks at a news conference.
January 3, 2024

14 busted in undercover drug sting; 13 more sought

Operation Players Club also seized 26 guns as well as 118 pounds of methamphetamine, 12.5 kilos of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana…

Featured image for “Duval awarded $32 million to renourish beaches”
A sign warns of dune restoration at Little Talbot Island in 2016. | Blake Allen, WHCT News 89.9
January 2, 2024

Duval awarded $32 million to renourish beaches

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ grant will pay to renourish critically eroded beachfront in Atlantic, Neptune and Jacksonville beaches.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County PAL plans 37-acre sports complex for kids”
The first phase of the St. Johns County Police Athletic League's new athletic complex in Elkton will include three football fields, one encircled by a running track. | St. Johns PAL
December 29, 2023

St. Johns County PAL plans 37-acre sports complex for kids

The Police Athletic League ultimately plans to handle a variety of events including football, soccer, baseball, track and field, even…

Featured image for “It’s that time of year: The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is Friday”
December 28, 2023

It’s that time of year: The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl is Friday

The 79th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will kick off at noon Friday at EverBank Stadium, where the Clemson Tigers will…

Featured image for “Confederate monument removed, but debate persists”
The statue of a mother and child honoring "The Women of our Southland 1861-1865" hangs from a crane Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, after its removal from a monument in Springfield Park. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 27, 2023

Confederate monument removed, but debate persists

In an interview with Jacksonville Today, Mayor Donna Deegan said she hopes the monument’s removal is just one step in…

Featured image for “Harriet Beecher Stowe statue in the works for Mandarin park”
Artist Brenda Councill works on the hands of a clay sculpture of a farm boy, part of a life-size bronze statue she is doing of Harriet Beecher stowe for a Mandarin park. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 21, 2023

Harriet Beecher Stowe statue in the works for Mandarin park

The statue in Mandarin will be the first life-size likeness of the author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” You can watch…

Featured image for “Friendship Fountain looked finished on national TV. It isn’t.”
Workers manage sidewalk and walkway construction at Friendship Fountain on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 20, 2023

Friendship Fountain looked finished on national TV. It isn’t.

The city illuminated the fountain for Sunday Night Football, but two years of renovations won’t be finished until February.…

Featured image for “Busy holiday travel season could set a record”
Vehicles pack Interstate 295 heading toward Interstate 95 near Jacksonville International Airport. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 20, 2023

Busy holiday travel season could set a record

The number of Floridians who travel this holiday could increase from last year, which was already the busiest year on…

Featured image for “Florida Blue exec named as mayor’s new chief of staff”
Darnell Smith, as shown in 2022, serves as North Region president for Florida Blue. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 19, 2023

Florida Blue exec named as mayor’s new chief of staff

Darnell Smith will replace Pat McCollough, who left her position after less than six months on the job.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Is there a train schedule we can check to avoid crossings?”
A Florida East Coast Railway locomotive is shown in Jacksonville. | Florida East Coast Railway, Facebook
December 18, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Is there a train schedule we can check to avoid crossings?

A Jacksonville Today reader says Florida East Coast trains are a frustrating time-waster as they block crossings in San Marco.…

Featured image for “Mayor’s chief of staff leaves City Hall job”
Former City Chief of Staff Pat McCollough. | Pat McCollough Facebook
December 18, 2023

Mayor’s chief of staff leaves City Hall job

City officials did not say why Pat McCollough left her position. Information about a replacement could come soon.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville lawmaker files bill to extend Safe Haven law”
A triangular yellow sign marks this Jacksonville fire station as a safe haven for a mother to surrender her newborn baby anonymously. | Eric Prosswimmer, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
December 15, 2023

Jacksonville lawmaker files bill to extend Safe Haven law

Sen. Clay Yarborough would allow mothers to turn over a newborn up to 30 days after giving birth, an increase…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Is there a petition to remove St. Johns County’s elections supervisor?”
St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes, right, speaks to staff in 2022. | St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections
December 15, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Is there a petition to remove St. Johns County’s elections supervisor?

A Jacksonville Today reader says she was asked to sign a petition regarding Elections Supervisor Vicky Oakes.…

Featured image for “Ex-Jags employee pleads guilty and agrees to repay $22 million”
Amil Patel walks out of federal court on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. | News4Jax
December 15, 2023

Ex-Jags employee pleads guilty and agrees to repay $22 million

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ former financial manager pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and making illegal transactions, and agreed to…

Featured image for “Jacksonville honors its 25 fallen firefighters”
Jacksonville firefighters hold helmets bearing the names of the 25 men who have died in the line of duty since 1885. They were honored Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, during Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 13, 2023

Jacksonville honors its 25 fallen firefighters

The annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day remembered firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1885.…