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 “#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.…

Featured image for “Agreement signed in Jax to boost Florida-Britain trade”
Britain's trade secretary, Kemi Badenoch, speaks at Jaxport's cruise terminal. | News4Jax
November 14, 2023

Agreement signed in Jax to boost Florida-Britain trade

The agreement expands trade opportunities in financial tech, aerospace, artificial intelligence and other businesses.…

Featured image for “Take one: Music therapy eases path for Wolfson patients”
The new audio/video editing system at Wolfson Children's Hospital shows Kaylei, then 13, recording her own song as she recovered from a bone marrow transplant. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 14, 2023

Take one: Music therapy eases path for Wolfson patients

A new recording studio at Wolfson Children’s Hospital allows young patients to record their own songs or just make music…

Featured image for “Law would punish officials who remove historical monuments”
Statues that decorated the monument to the Women of the Confederacy were removed from Springfield Park in Jacksonville and placed in storage in December.
November 13, 2023

Law would punish officials who remove historical monuments

State Rep. Dean Black of Jacksonville has filed a bill that would oust local officials from office if they take…

Featured image for “Jacksonville zoo welcomes rare Malayan tiger triplets”
Cinta, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Malayan tiger, nestles with her three new cubs in her nursery enclosure. | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
November 10, 2023

Jacksonville zoo welcomes rare Malayan tiger triplets

The new Malayan tiger triplets are bonding with their mom, Cinta, at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.…

Featured image for “FDOT intersection plan stirs reaction in St. Augustine”
Here is the State Road A1A/Avenida Menendez intersection, before and after FDOT's proposed redesign. The current design is on the left. | FDOT
November 10, 2023

FDOT intersection plan stirs reaction in St. Augustine

FDOT plans a complete redesign of the Avenida Menendez and King Street/Cathedral Place intersection. The goal is to improve traffic…

Featured image for “Mayor stresses help for reintegrating homeless vets”
Former homeless veteran Bill Adams is now an administrative aide in the mayor's office after help from the city's Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program. | News4Jax
November 9, 2023

Mayor stresses help for reintegrating homeless vets

As Veterans Day arrives, Mayor Donna Deegan spotlights the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program, which offers housing and employment services.…

Featured image for “Couple freed in police shooting after cops are charged”
Anthony Christopher Gantt is arrested Sept. 28, 2020, as shown in an image from police bodycam. | Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
November 8, 2023

Couple freed in police shooting after cops are charged

A couple accused of trying to kill a police officer will not be prosecuted because two other police officers can’t…

Featured image for “St. Johns County approves Ponte Vedra Inn and Lodge expansions, despite opposition”
November 7, 2023

St. Johns County approves Ponte Vedra Inn and Lodge expansions, despite opposition

The commission voted 4 to 1 to approve Gate’s request to rezone the two resorts to add buildings, parking and…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade this Saturday will travel Bay Street”
A scene from the 2018 Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade. | Bill Bortzfield WJCT News 89.9
November 7, 2023

Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade this Saturday will travel Bay Street

Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade kicks off at 11:01 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, on Gator Bowl Boulevard behind Daily’s Place,…

Featured image for “The Bolles School receives dual $5M gifts to complete innovation center”
An artist's rendering of the 47,000-square-foot, three-story “Frank R. Sanchez; Hope and Dana E. Fender Center for Innovation” at The Bolles school. | The Bolles School
November 6, 2023

The Bolles School receives dual $5M gifts to complete innovation center

The most expansive construction project at The Bolles School’s San Jose campus since the former hotel that forms its core…