Dan Scanlan Reporter email
Dan Scanlan is a veteran journalist with 40 years as a radio, television and print reporter in the Jacksonville area, as well as years of broadcast work in the Northeast. 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 staff of WJCT News 89.9.
Featured image for “Mayport’s ferry is out of service for up to 3 months”
May 8, 2025

Mayport’s ferry is out of service for up to 3 months

The ferry’s boarding ramp needs repair after the ferry hit it Sunday night. The reason is still under investigation.…

Featured image for “Veterans get a supportive home in Green Cove Springs”
Clay County's first permanent supportive housing for veterans has opened in this classic home in Green Cove Springs. | Operation Lifeline Inc.
May 8, 2025

Veterans get a supportive home in Green Cove Springs

Clay County’s first supportive housing residence for veterans opened Thursday in a classic home on Spring Street.…

Featured image for “Charter school teacher accused of abusing students”
IDEA River Bluff School in Arlington. | Google
May 8, 2025

Charter school teacher accused of abusing students

A kindergarten teacher at IDEA River Bluff School in Arlington faces five counts of child abuse.…

Featured image for “Now you can record a person’s scent in case they wander”
The new K9 at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is a year-old bloodhound named Pepper. | ElderSource
May 7, 2025

Now you can record a person’s scent in case they wander

A bloodhound at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will use the scent to track the missing person.…

Featured image for “Students with disabilities connect with art at the Cummer”
May 6, 2025

Students with disabilities connect with art at the Cummer

For 30 years, the museum has opened its doors for a unique hands-on program for exceptional education students.…

Featured image for “Former Mayor Alvin Brown is out as NTSB vice chair”
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, vice chairman of the NTSB.
May 6, 2025

Former Mayor Alvin Brown is out as NTSB vice chair

Brown was the latest of several Democrats that President Donald Trump has fired from federal agencies.…

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach now under rabies alert after coyote attacks”
A coyote near Los Angeles in June 2022. | Damian Dovarganes, AP
May 5, 2025

Atlantic Beach now under rabies alert after coyote attacks

A rabid coyote is suspected of attacking four people last week. Atlantic Beach police shot it.…

Featured image for “MOSH to close until new museum opens on Northbank”
The new Museum of Science & History will reflect what designers consider "one of Northeast Florida’s most powerful natural assets," namely the St. Johns River. | MOSH
May 2, 2025

MOSH to close until new museum opens on Northbank

MOSH plans to continue community outreach while it prepares for a larger museum on the Northbank.…

Featured image for “C&S Wholesale will lay off 490 and close Baldwin warehouse”
The C&S Wholesale Services warehouse and office in Baldwin. | Google
May 2, 2025

C&S Wholesale will lay off 490 and close Baldwin warehouse

All employees, including 132 drivers, will lose their jobs over two weeks beginning July 4.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Can FDOT make construction zone safer on I-95 near Emerson?”
Interstate 95 northbound is being widened between Atlantic Boulevard and Emerson Street. | Florida Department of Transportation
May 1, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Can FDOT make construction zone safer on I-95 near Emerson?

A Jacksonville Today reader says a merge area in a construction zone needs better markings.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville gets help to expand economic opportunities”
April 29, 2025

Jacksonville gets help to expand economic opportunities

The city is one of 20 selected for the Southern Cities Economic Initiative, which aims to boost residents’ economic mobility.…

Featured image for “Thieves swipe football gear from Terry Parker High”
Thieves broke into the athletic field house and softball rooms at Terry Parker High School. | Cyd Hoskinson
April 29, 2025

Thieves swipe football gear from Terry Parker High

Thieves stole helmets, cleats, flat-screen TVs and more from Terry Parker High School’s football field house.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why can’t we use public streets at RiversEdge?”
A drawing of the RiversEdge project under construction on the city's Southbank. It shows part of its planned riverwalk and nature trails. | RiversEdge/Toll Brothers
April 28, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Why can’t we use public streets at RiversEdge?

A Jacksonville Today reader asks why people can’t use the public roads in the new SouthBank development.…

Featured image for “House passes ‘Pam Rock Act’ regulating dangerous dogs”
Pam Rock’s brother, Tom Rock, encouraged lawmakers on the Senate's Fiscal Policy Committee to vote for the bill on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. | Florida Senate.
April 25, 2025

House passes ‘Pam Rock Act’ regulating dangerous dogs

The bill honors Putnam County postal employee Pam Rock, who was killed by dogs while delivering mail in 2022.…

Featured image for “After 15 years in business, Intuition Ale Works is for sale”
Intuition Ale Works is at at Bay Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard. | Intuition Ale Works
April 25, 2025

After 15 years in business, Intuition Ale Works is for sale

Founder Ben Davis says the business is strong but he has taken it as far as he can.…

Featured image for “Mandarin farmhouse can’t be saved, but parts may survive”
The Henry C. Arpen farmhouse sits on Linjohn Road. The 19th century farmhouse is being recommended for local landmark designation. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 23, 2025

Mandarin farmhouse can’t be saved, but parts may survive

Windows and possibly doors and floors might be retrieved from the 145-year-old farmhouse before it is razed.…

Featured image for “Historic Scout Hut campaigns for desperately needed repairs”
The 84-year-old Scout Hut is on the Community Presbyterian Church campus in Atlantic Beach. | Google
April 23, 2025

Historic Scout Hut campaigns for desperately needed repairs

Local leaders are raising money to restore the Scout Hut, which has hosted scout meetings for 87 years.…

Featured image for “Orange County commits $11M to lure Jaguars for 1 year”
Camping World Stadium might host the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2027. | campingworldstadium.com
April 23, 2025

Orange County commits $11M to lure Jaguars for 1 year

County commissioners hope to attract the Jaguars (and other events) while EverBank Stadium is under renovation.…

Featured image for “Hurricane season is near; Jax Ready Fest will get you ready”
JEA crews set up poles for demonstrations at this weekend’s Jax Ready Fest at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. | JEA
April 23, 2025

Hurricane season is near; Jax Ready Fest will get you ready

Jax Ready Fest offers demonstrations, hands-on learning and interactive exhibits to prepare for any emergency.…

Featured image for “JU students protest cuts as financial details emerge”
Jacksonville University's Rip Current Athletic Band held a concert Tuesday, April 22, 2025, outside the campus to protest the closure of the school's music and theater programs. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 22, 2025

JU students protest cuts as financial details emerge

Protests have continued since JU announced it will eliminate music and theater programs and cut 40 faculty jobs.…

Featured image for “Sea turtle season is coming. Here’s how you can help.”
A sea turtle hatchling near its nest. | Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol
April 21, 2025

Sea turtle season is coming. Here’s how you can help.

Coastal officials are asking the public to follow simple rules as sea turtle nesting season begins May 1.…

Featured image for “Autonomous vehicles move closer as control center opens”
JTA CEO Nat Ford looks at the command center of the new Autonomous Innovation Center during a grand opening Thursday, April 17, 2025. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 17, 2025

Autonomous vehicles move closer as control center opens

JTA opened a command center for autonomous vehicles that will soon shuttle people around Downtown.…

Featured image for “Art blooms at 57th Mandarin Art Festival”
Displays of paintings, blown glass, jewelry and other items will be set up under old oak trees at the 57th annual Mandarin Art Festival. | Mandarin Art Festival
April 17, 2025

Art blooms at 57th Mandarin Art Festival

Organizers expect 6,000 to 10,000 people at the art festival on Easter Weekend.…

Featured image for “UNF police could carry out ICE enforcement on campus”
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers wait to detain a person, Jan. 27, 2025, in Silver Spring, Md. |AP Photo/Alex Brandon
April 16, 2025

UNF police could carry out ICE enforcement on campus

The university joins other local law enforcement agencies that have agreed to help ICE crack down on illegal immigration.…