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 “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…

Featured image for “City’s new home online: Jacksonville.gov”
This is the city of Jacksonville's new website, at jacksonville.gov. | City of Jacksonville
November 6, 2023

City’s new home online: Jacksonville.gov

The city of Jacksonville has a new website and a new URL: jacksonville.gov.…

Featured image for “CSX employees pack clothing and toys in Jacksonville for Santa Train through Appalachia”
Dozens of Jacksonville-based CSX staff stuff backpacks full of winter clothing and toys at the Prime Osborn Convention Center, for needy children in Appalachia, all to be handed out during the company's 81st Santa Train. | Dan Scanlan WJCT News 89.9
November 3, 2023

CSX employees pack clothing and toys in Jacksonville for Santa Train through Appalachia

CSX employees stuffed thousands of backpacks with winter clothing and toys for the company’s annual Santa Train through Appalachia.…

Featured image for “City sues two apartment complexes as ‘nuisances’”
Garbage is piled high around a dumpster at the Northwoods apartment complex in this image in the city's legal action against the complex. | City of Jacksonville
November 2, 2023

City sues two apartment complexes as ‘nuisances’

The city claims lack of maintenance and trash removal are endangering public health at Northwoods Apartments and Colonial Forest Apartments.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville aims to spread health care across the city”
Mayor Donna Deegan announces Get Covered Jax at a news conference Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. | News4Jax
November 2, 2023

Jacksonville aims to spread health care across the city

A new program called “Get Covered Jax” will help uninsured people find coverage at little or no cost.…

Featured image for “Duval teachers union appoints new leaders after resignations”
The Duval teachers union building. | News4Jax
November 1, 2023

Duval teachers union appoints new leaders after resignations

The selection of a new president and vice president comes after the FBI visited the Duval Teachers Union office in…

Featured image for “Glowing dragons and pandas will brighten ZOOLights”
This long, curving dragon lantern is part of the Colors of the Wild display at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
November 1, 2023

Glowing dragons and pandas will brighten ZOOLights

The holiday-themed attraction at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens will include more than 70 scenes of custom-made silk Chinese lanterns.…

Featured image for “St. Johns River Ferry expands its hours”
The St. Johns River Ferry sets off across the river. | Jacksonville Transportation Authority
November 1, 2023

St. Johns River Ferry expands its hours

The popular ferry will run two hours longer during the week and one hour longer on weekends.…

Featured image for “Duval teachers union leader retires abruptly”
Duval Teachers United President Teresa Brady speaks with School Board members in 2017. | Duval County Public Schools
October 31, 2023

Duval teachers union leader retires abruptly

Teresa Brady served as president of Duval Teachers United for more than 20 years. A replacement is scheduled to be…

Featured image for “Kids get free admission in November at 17 Jax attractions”
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.
October 31, 2023

Kids get free admission in November at 17 Jax attractions

Children who participate in the Visit Jacksonville promotion also can win a prize if they visit 10 or more attractions…

Featured image for “Local GOP rallies for Israel as Palestine faithful shout back”
Supporters of Israel rally at Jacksonville City Hall on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
October 30, 2023

Local GOP rallies for Israel as Palestine faithful shout back

People on both sides of Israel’s war with Hamas faced off during protests Monday outside Jacksonville City Hall.…

Featured image for “Florida Theatre raises the curtain after restoration”
Florida Theatre President Numa Saisselin commemorates the reopening of the Florida Theatre after renovations. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
October 30, 2023

Florida Theatre raises the curtain after restoration

Jacksonville’s historic Florida Theatre reopens after four months of restoration returned the theater’s original splendor.…

Featured image for “Ex-Englewood coach accused of sexual activity with minor”
Guns and ammunition were found in a student's car at Englewood High School. | Duval County Public Schools
October 27, 2023

Ex-Englewood coach accused of sexual activity with minor

Paul Lawrence Quincy McPherson, former Englewood High School boys basketball coach, has been reassigned to duties with no student contact.…

Featured image for “Downtown Jax is finally starting to grow”
Jacksonville City Council President Ron Salem is creating a special committee to investigate Downtown development. | Bill Bortzfield, Jacksonville Today
October 26, 2023

Downtown Jax is finally starting to grow

Although problems remain, a new report paints a rosy picture of new homes, hotels and businesses in Downtown Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “City salutes military service with Celebration of Valor”
Suzie Loving, right, chief administrative officer of the Five Star Veterans Center, is greeted at a Celebration of Valor event Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
October 25, 2023

City salutes military service with Celebration of Valor

The 2023 Celebration of Valor includes two months of events honoring military members past and present.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville cop accused of driving drunk in cruiser”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.
October 24, 2023

Jacksonville cop accused of driving drunk in cruiser

Officer Justin Francis Marino was suspended without pay and faces possible termination, Sheriff T.K. Waters said.…

Featured image for “Parking rates rising at St. Augustine’s downtown garage”
October 24, 2023

Parking rates rising at St. Augustine’s downtown garage

The fee to park in St. Augustine’s downtown garage will increase to $20 per vehicle as of Nov. 6. It’s…

Featured image for “Alta Drive widening project done on growing Northside”
The newly widened Alta Drive at the Faye Road intersection. | JTA
October 24, 2023

Alta Drive widening project done on growing Northside

The JTA officially opened its latest MobilityWorks project — the widening of a busy stretch of Alta Drive.…

Featured image for “New fire station boosts response in North Jacksonville”
City officials open a new fire station on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, on the Northside of Jacksonville. | Eric Prosswimmer, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
October 23, 2023

New fire station boosts response in North Jacksonville

A new fire station at Harts Road and Dunn Avenue in Jacksonville is expected to cut response times by half.…

Featured image for “What to know about the Blue Angels’ show this weekend”
October 20, 2023

What to know about the Blue Angels’ show this weekend

The Sea and Sky Air Show is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Jacksonville Beach. Here…