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 “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.…

Featured image for “American Airlines schedules nonstop service from Jacksonville to Phoenix”
June 26, 2023

American Airlines schedules nonstop service from Jacksonville to Phoenix

The daily flight will begin Nov. 5, linking two cities with Mayo Clinic campuses.…

Featured image for “Sheriff’s Office unveils website to enlist public in crime fighting”
June 22, 2023

Sheriff’s Office unveils website to enlist public in crime fighting

The Unsolved Crimes website includes images of suspects in crimes. People can submit tips to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office if…

Featured image for “New art exhibit planned at Clay County Courthouse”
June 22, 2023

New art exhibit planned at Clay County Courthouse

The eighth “Art in the Courthouse” display will feature the First Coast Plein Air Painters. The gallery is on the…

Featured image for “This baby Jaguar was just born at the zoo. He needs a name.”
June 22, 2023

This baby Jaguar was just born at the zoo. He needs a name.

The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is holding a naming contest, and the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation is matching up to $10,000…

Featured image for “VyStar Foundation donates building for Three Grains of Rice Mission”
June 22, 2023

VyStar Foundation donates building for Three Grains of Rice Mission

The former credit union branch on Edison Avenue will become the nonprofit’s headquarters. Three Grains of Rice helps people with…

Featured image for “Why are workers climbing around on the Hart Bridge?”
June 22, 2023

Why are workers climbing around on the Hart Bridge?

The Hart Bridge in Downtown Jacksonville is undergoing a regular maintenance inspection. It should take about two weeks.…