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 “Hoop! (There it is): Jacksonville 95ers bring back pro basketball”
Jacksonville 95ers principal Kevin Waters gives a team jersey to Alex Alston, the city's chief of sports and entertainment. The jersey bears Mayor Donna Deegan's name. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 12, 2023

Hoop! (There it is): Jacksonville 95ers bring back pro basketball

The city’s newest professional sports franchise — the Jacksonville 95ers basketball team — will have its first home game March…

Featured image for “Sweet creations abound at Gingerbread Extravaganza”
Christmas trees frame the inside the historic sanctuary of Old St. Andrews Church for the 21st annual Gingerbread Extravaganza. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 7, 2023

Sweet creations abound at Gingerbread Extravaganza

It’s sugar and spice and everything nice at the 21st annual Gingerbread Extravaganza at Old St. Andrews Church.…

Featured image for “Jax airport moves military lounge in time for the holidays”
Veterans and active duty members gather in the new military lounge at Jacksonville International Airport on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 7, 2023

Jax airport moves military lounge in time for the holidays

The lounge moved from a dark corner of the baggage claim area to the heavily traveled main concourse entrance.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County commissioner censured for comments”
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph waves an American flag as she begins her comments during a meeting Nov. 21, 2023. | St. Johns County
December 6, 2023

St. Johns County commissioner censured for comments

County Commissioner Krista Joseph criticized public officials and promoted the next election. Collegues called her comments uncivil and overtly political.…

Featured image for “Holiday events could snarl traffic in Clay County”
Floats and decorated cars line up for last year's Middleburg Christmas Parade. | Middleburg Christmas Parade
December 6, 2023

Holiday events could snarl traffic in Clay County

Clay County is preparing for multiple Christmas events on Saturday. The Sheriff’s Office is warning of “heavy, heavy traffic.”…

Featured image for “Family sues over fatal shooting by Camden sergeant”
Leonard Cure places his hands on the back of his truck as Sgt. Buck Aldridge prepares to fire his Taser during a traffic stop Oct. 16, 2023, in Camden County, Georgia. | Camden County Sheriff's Office
December 5, 2023

Family sues over fatal shooting by Camden sergeant

Attorney Ben Crump filed the suit in the death of Leonard Allen Cure, who was released from a wrongful prison…

Featured image for “Hearing delayed in murder of Cherish Perrywinkle”
Convicted killer Donald Smith appears in court. | News4Jax
December 4, 2023

Hearing delayed in murder of Cherish Perrywinkle

A court hearing for Donald Smith has been postponed until January after one of his attorneys resigned over the weekend.…

Featured image for “Fire department reorganized to increase diversity”
Mayor Donna Deegan, left, listens as Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Powers speaks during a news conference Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 30, 2023

Fire department reorganized to increase diversity

The staff of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will be reorganized to make it more diverse and better trained,…

Featured image for “First Coast counties unite in fight against climate threats”
A truck plows through floodwaters in St. Augustine.
November 29, 2023

First Coast counties unite in fight against climate threats

Seven counties are participating in the Resilient First Coast Collaborative, a attempt to jointly battle the effects of climate change.…

Featured image for “UNF lab develops solar power, hydrogen fuel cells and more”
UNF graduate student Dylan Jones works on his electrolysis system, which turns water into hydrogen gas to power fuel cells. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 28, 2023

UNF lab develops solar power, hydrogen fuel cells and more

The JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab, financed by the utility, could create greener ways to generate electricity — and could lead…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why is there a major bottleneck on I-295 on the Southside?”
Barrels line the Town Center Parkway exit off I-295, part of a project by the Florida Department of Transportation. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 28, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Why is there a major bottleneck on I-295 on the Southside?

A Jacksonville Today reader says orange barrels in the area are creating a traffic hazard.…

Featured image for “Man, 70, hit six times walking on First Coast Expressway”
The Florida Highway Patrol says six vehicles hit a man who was walking on the First Coast Expresswayr. | FHP
November 27, 2023

Man, 70, hit six times walking on First Coast Expressway

Investigators say the man was walking in the right lane of the state highway at 6 a.m. when five vehicles…

Featured image for “Mayport destroyer responds to tanker attack off Yemen”
The U.S.S. Mason is based at Mayport Naval Station. | USS Mason, Facebook
November 27, 2023

Mayport destroyer responds to tanker attack off Yemen

The USS Mason seized five armed rebels late Sunday off the coast of Yemen after a tanker linked to Israel…

Featured image for “Here’s what local lawmakers want to pass in 2024 session”
Members of the Florida House of Representatives meet in 2022. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
November 27, 2023

Here’s what local lawmakers want to pass in 2024 session

Northeast Florida lawmakers have filed at least 35 bills for review in the 2024 legislative session, ranging from child safety…

Featured image for “JU law school will move to permanent home Downtown”
The Jacksonville University College of Law will move to the 121 Atlantic Place Building. | Monty Zickuhr, Jacksonville Daily Record
November 22, 2023

JU law school will move to permanent home Downtown

Jacksonville University’s new law school has signed a lease for the former Atlantic Bank Building at Hogan and Forsyth streets.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Do lawn watering rules include backyard gardens and soaker hoses?”
The St. Johns River Water Management District lays out rules for watering landscaping.
November 22, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Do lawn watering rules include backyard gardens and soaker hoses?

A reader says she confused about the “landscape irrigation” rules of the St. Johns River Water Management District.…

Featured image for “You’ll have lots of company if you travel over the holiday”
A woman moves through one of the nine TSA checkpoints at Jacksonville International Airport l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
November 21, 2023

You’ll have lots of company if you travel over the holiday

Here’s what to expect on the roads and in the airport during a weekend of possibly record-heavy travel.…

Featured image for “Corrections officer charged with DUI manslaughter”
Sheriff T.K. Waters. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 21, 2023

Corrections officer charged with DUI manslaughter

Corrections Officer Cashius Barry Edwards hit another vehicle and killed the driver, Sheriff T.K. Waters said.…

Featured image for “Sex offender convicted of hacking Jaguars’ Jumbotron”
The Jacksonville Jaguars' Jumbotron was hacked during three games in the 2018 season. | U.S. Attorney's Office
November 21, 2023

Sex offender convicted of hacking Jaguars’ Jumbotron

The mother of a boy abused years ago by Samuel Arthur Thompson says his imminent prison term finally gives her…

Featured image for “400-plus families seek holiday help at Mandarin Food Bank”
Volunteers from the Mandarin Rotary Club and elsewhere load up a Thanksgiving meal to one of about 400 families who came for its 33rd annual holiday food program. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 20, 2023

400-plus families seek holiday help at Mandarin Food Bank

Food bank leaders said the amount of need this year has been exceptional — but so has the generosity.…

Featured image for “Fallen Soldier’s Monument unveiled at VyStar arena”
The new Fallen Soldier’s Monument was unveiled Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 17, 2023

Fallen Soldier’s Monument unveiled at VyStar arena

Florida Fallen Heroes responded after VyStar asked for help honoring soldiers killed on battlefields or in war zones.…

Featured image for “City building renamed for late Sen. Joe Carlucci”
The former Florida Department of Law Enforcement building at 711 N. Liberty St. | Google
November 16, 2023

City building renamed for late Sen. Joe Carlucci

City Council members approved a bill sponsored by Joe Carlucci’s grandson, a current council member also named Joe Carlucci.…

Featured image for “Defense wants prosecutors removed in Bridegan murder”
Jared Bridegan | Jacksonville Beach Police Department
November 16, 2023

Defense wants prosecutors removed in Bridegan murder

Defense attorneys say prosecutors violated attorney-client privilege for two people accused of plotting Jared Bridegan’s slaying.…

Featured image for “ICARE calls for new ways to halt shootings”
The Rev. Adam Gray speaks Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, about why the Jacksonville Sheriff's office should adopt the Group Violence Intervention program. | News4Jax
November 14, 2023

ICARE calls for new ways to halt shootings

The organization encouraged the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to adopt an anti-violence program that has proven effective in other cities.…