Dan Scanlan
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 1980’s 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 before joining the WJCT News team.
Featured image for “North Florida Land Trust receives $510,000 grant”
July 18, 2023

North Florida Land Trust receives $510,000 grant

The grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund will be used for a new membership program and maintenance of…

Featured image for “More travelers packing guns at Jacksonville’s airport”
July 18, 2023

More travelers packing guns at Jacksonville’s airport

TSA agents seized 36 guns at Jacksonville International Airport in the first six months of 2023, two more than during…

Featured image for “Here’s what they’re doing inside the Florida Theatre”
July 17, 2023

Here’s what they’re doing inside the Florida Theatre

The 1920s-era theater — the last remaining movie palace in Downtown Jacksonville — is closed for four months for an…

Featured image for “Changes coming at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office”
July 17, 2023

Changes coming at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff T.K. Waters plans a town hall meeting Wednesday to discuss patrol changes and answer questions from the public.…

Featured image for “3 Jacksonville pools reopen; 2 more to come”
Children from Durkeeville neighborhood waded into the waters at the Emmett Reed Swimming Pool opened for the first time this summer on Friday, July 14, 2023. The pool was closed throughout 2022 and for the first half of this summer due to maintenance issues. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today.
July 14, 2023

3 Jacksonville pools reopen; 2 more to come

Jacksonville officials say 19 of the city’s 34 municipal pools are now open, with two more to come shortly.…

Featured image for “Florida heat can be deadly for children left in cars”
July 14, 2023

Florida heat can be deadly for children left in cars

A Jacksonville man was arrested this week after a toddler was pulled alive from a parked car. More than 1,050…

Featured image for “Here’s why you may not get a ballot to vote by mail”
July 13, 2023

Here’s why you may not get a ballot to vote by mail

A change in state law means vote-by-mail ballot requests are good for only one general election cycle. Your request for…

Featured image for “Nassau County mother, 17, jailed in baby’s fentanyl death”
July 12, 2023

Nassau County mother, 17, jailed in baby’s fentanyl death

The 9-month-old child was found dead June 26 in a home in Callahan. Sheriff Bill Leeper said the mother thought…

Featured image for “Dirt is dug as Phase I of Jacksonville’s new Downtown park finally begins”
July 11, 2023

Dirt is dug as Phase I of Jacksonville’s new Downtown park finally begins

Some Downtown streets are closed for at least the rest of the year during the transformation of the lawn in the…

Featured image for “Downtown Jacksonville construction means multiple road closures this week and beyond”
July 10, 2023

Downtown Jacksonville construction means multiple road closures this week and beyond

Drivers through Downtown Jacksonville face three new road and building renovation projects. The biggest will detour traffic for months.…

Featured image for “More Jacksonville city pools will open soon”
July 7, 2023

More Jacksonville city pools will open soon

About half of Jacksonville’s 34 municipal pools have been closed due to maintenance issues and lifeguard shortages.…

Featured image for “Deegan appointee made improper election donations, but he says he’s fixing it”
July 6, 2023

Deegan appointee made improper election donations, but he says he’s fixing it

Former City Council member Garrett Dennis used his own campaign funds to help two local candidates, which is not allowed…

Featured image for “Riverfront Plaza construction set to begin — again”
July 6, 2023

Riverfront Plaza construction set to begin — again

Construction is scheduled to start next week after a month’s delay to allow events like the July Fourth fireworks show.…

Featured image for “Detour ahead: East Bay Street will be closed next week”
July 5, 2023

Detour ahead: East Bay Street will be closed next week

East Bay Street will be closed for three days between North Liberty Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard so the…

Featured image for “Community activist Ben Frazier will be laid to rest Saturday”
July 5, 2023

Community activist Ben Frazier will be laid to rest Saturday

Frazier’s visitations and funeral are scheduled for The Bethel Church, the city’s oldest Baptist church.…

Featured image for “Meet Banks — the new baby jaguar at the Jacksonville zoo”
June 30, 2023

Meet Banks — the new baby jaguar at the Jacksonville zoo

Banks’ name was selected in a public naming contest that raised $21,494 to care for the zoo’s jaguars.…

Featured image for “Mayor-elect Deegan announces more top staff at City Hall”
June 30, 2023

Mayor-elect Deegan announces more top staff at City Hall

Former City Council members, businesspeople and others will fill positions in the administration of mayor-elect Donna Deegan.…

Featured image for “Hear the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus in its new home”
June 30, 2023

Hear the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus in its new home

As the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus prepares for a summer concert series in England, it will have its first rehearsal open…

Featured image for “St. Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad suddenly resigns”
June 29, 2023

St. Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad suddenly resigns

Conrad gave no reason in a resignation letter Thursday. He resigned a day before the county commission planned to discuss…

Featured image for “New fire station will boost response on Westside”
June 28, 2023

New fire station will boost response on Westside

Fire Station 75 on Firestone Road houses a new Critical Care rescue unit and will help multiple overloaded stations.…

Featured image for “Community activist Ben Frazier: ‘His legacy lives on’”
Candles surrounded images of the late Ben Frazier at a vigil Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at James Weldon Johnson Park. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 27, 2023

Community activist Ben Frazier: ‘His legacy lives on’

More than 150 people gathered Tuesday for a candlelight vigil to remember the founder of the Northside Coalition, who died…

Featured image for “Homeless survey underway in Northeast Florida”
June 27, 2023

Homeless survey underway in Northeast Florida

More than 100 volunteers are striving this week to count the number of homeless people in Duval, Clay and Nassau…

Featured image for “New chief takes over at St. Johns County Fire Rescue”
June 26, 2023

New chief takes over at St. Johns County Fire Rescue

The department also has a new logo — created by a staff member — to mark its 25th anniversary.…

Featured image for “Volunteers sought for service projects in Jacksonville preserves”
June 26, 2023

Volunteers sought for service projects in Jacksonville preserves

The Timucuan Parks Foundation and JaxParks have targeted five sites for park beautification between late June and early August.…