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 “Second phase of Riverfront Plaza could be completed next year”
An illustration shows the proposed beer garden and restaurant in Riverfront Plaza's second phase. Another restaurant is planned on the western end of Riverfront Plaza. | City of Jacksonville/Perkins & Will
May 14, 2026

Second phase of Riverfront Plaza could be completed next year

The next phase of Riverfront Plaza will include a beer garden, restaurant, landscaped pathways, a water feature and more.…

Featured image for “Inaugural Ironman competition will hit Jacksonville’s streets on Saturday”
Runners cross the finish line at a recent Ironman competition. | Ironman
May 14, 2026

Inaugural Ironman competition will hit Jacksonville’s streets on Saturday

More than 1,900 athletes will swim, bike and run all day Saturday across Jacksonville and St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “Shands Bridge will close this weekend, but Buckman will remain open”
The Shands Bridge, which will be closed from Friday to Sunday for maintenance. | Florida Department of Transportation
May 14, 2026

Shands Bridge will close this weekend, but Buckman will remain open

The Shands Bridge between Clay and St. Johns counties will close from Friday evening to Sunday morning.…

Featured image for “Riverfront Music Garden debuts along reimagined Northbank Riverwalk”
The new Riverfront Music Garden features walkways shaped like musical notes, plus a large clef-shaped central Riverwalk section. | City of Jacksonville
May 13, 2026

Riverfront Music Garden debuts along reimagined Northbank Riverwalk

The interactive music garden pays tribute to the many famous musicians who hail from Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville seeks feedback on creating business district along 103rd Street”
This view of 103rd Street shows heavy traffic at a stop light at Firestone Road. | Google Maps
May 12, 2026

Jacksonville seeks feedback on creating business district along 103rd Street

The business district could make small assessments for improving “the Wonderland Corridor.”…

Featured image for “Burn bans continue in Northeast Florida despite this week’s rain”
A Clay County Fire Rescue unit battles the Railroad Fire at the Clay/Putnam County line on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Clay County
May 12, 2026

Burn bans continue in Northeast Florida despite this week’s rain

St. Johns County has extended its burn ban for another week as wildfires remain a risk during the drought.…

Featured image for “Mayport-based USS Mason repels another Iranian attack in Strait of Hormuz”
The USS Mason, based at Naval Station Mayport, is patrolling the Strait of Hormuz with other U.S. Navy ships in Operation Freedom. | U.S. Central Command
May 8, 2026

Mayport-based USS Mason repels another Iranian attack in Strait of Hormuz

The USS Mason faced its second attack in a week but was not hit, U.S. Central Command says.…

Featured image for “Florida launches maternal health initiative From the Start in Jax”
The From the Start program aims to standardize care like early pregnancy detection to improve outcomes for low-income patients. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
May 7, 2026

Florida launches maternal health initiative From the Start in Jax

From the Start is aimed at improving outcomes for low-income moms-to-be and new moms.…

Featured image for “Got a new driver’s license? It could affect how you get a mail-in ballot.”
A mock-up of Florida driver's license shows the changes front and rear. | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
May 7, 2026

Got a new driver’s license? It could affect how you get a mail-in ballot.

If you recently got a new driver’s license, let the elections office know — or you may not get a…

Featured image for “Corrections officer rebuilds memorial to victims of Dollar General murders”
Jacksonville corrections officer Mary Malcolm tends to the memorial she and her family rebuilt that commemorates the three people gunned down in a racially motivated shooting at the Dollar General store on Kings Road. The first memorial was destroyed in late April of 2026. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 6, 2026

Corrections officer rebuilds memorial to victims of Dollar General murders

Mary Malcolm was moved to take action after someone destroyed the original memorial to victims of the racial killings.…

Featured image for “JTA studies Skyway options and postpones community meetings”
Skyway cars move into the LaVilla station of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 5, 2026

JTA studies Skyway options and postpones community meetings

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority says it will reschedule a second round of meetings.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why is Southside Boulevard roadwork taking so long?”
Construction continues at Deerwood Park and Southside Boulevard. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 4, 2026

#AskJAXTDY | Why is Southside Boulevard roadwork taking so long?

A Jacksonville Today reader says she doesn’t see any progress at Southside and Deerwood Park boulevards.…

Featured image for “Suicide prevention program seeks $300K to continue in Northeast Florida”
A billboard alerts people to Talkable Communities' suicide prevention training in a six-county area. | Talkable Communities
April 30, 2026

Suicide prevention program seeks $300K to continue in Northeast Florida

Talkable Communities says it has lost state funding after training 12,000 people in suicide prevention.…

Featured image for “A drone show and crustacean creations – it’s time for Shrimp Fest”
Crowds check out arts and crafts on Centre Street as part of a recent Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach. | Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival 
April 29, 2026

A drone show and crustacean creations – it’s time for Shrimp Fest

The 61st annual shrimp festival comes to Fernandina Beach this weekend — with a few changes.…

Featured image for “Construction starts on Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School”
The original Hogan–Spring Glen Elementary School on Beach Boulevard. | Duval County Public Schools
April 28, 2026

Construction starts on Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School

The new school, part of Duval County’s school consolidation plan, is scheduled to open in August 2027.…

Featured image for “Former youth pastor charged with sexual battery on teen”
April 28, 2026

Former youth pastor charged with sexual battery on teen

The girl said Joshua Allen Trent abused her for about five years beginning when she was 15.…

Featured image for “Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire”
Hilliard Volunteer Fire Department firefighter James Crews. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office
April 24, 2026

Volunteer firefighter dies while fighting Hilliard wildfire

Firefighter James Crews died after a medical emergency while battling a Hilliard wildfire, officials said.…

Featured image for “Former preschool teacher gets 10 years for enticing child”
April 23, 2026

Former preschool teacher gets 10 years for enticing child

The former Nocatee teacher was accused of communicating with an FBI agent who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Beach hosts annual Opening of the Beaches”
Volunteer lifeguards take part in a recent Opening of the Beaches parade in Jacksonville Beach. | City of Jacksonville Beach
April 23, 2026

Jacksonville Beach hosts annual Opening of the Beaches

Opening of the Beaches represents the unofficial start of the summer season in Jacksonville Beach.…

Featured image for “Southeast Toyota shows off huge new JAXPORT site”
New Toyotas wait for inspection and installation of options at the new Southeast Toyota Distributors facility at JAXPORT's Blount Island Marine Terminal. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 22, 2026

Southeast Toyota shows off huge new JAXPORT site

The facility enables Southeast Toyota to process hundreds more vehicles per day to ship to dealers.…

Featured image for “Smoke blankets area as Railroad wildfire grows”
A Clay County Fire Rescue unit battles the Railroad Fire at the Clay/Putnam County line on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Clay County
April 22, 2026

Smoke blankets area as Railroad wildfire grows

The wildfire grew slightly overnight, but firefighting efforts on the ground and air are helping to contain it.…

Featured image for “Wildfire risks could grow over next 10 weeks, officials warn”
A 4,100-acre wildfire burns around the Clay–Putnam County line on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. | Clay County Fire Rescue
April 21, 2026

Wildfire risks could grow over next 10 weeks, officials warn

The danger of wildfires will persist as long as the drought continues, and little rain is forecast, fire officials say.…

Featured image for “Wildfires scorch Northeast Florida as drought continues”
A 500-acre blaze near Connor-Nelson Road in West Hilliard lights up the sky early Sunday, April 19, 2026. | Florida Forest Service
April 20, 2026

Wildfires scorch Northeast Florida as drought continues

A wildfire in Clay County grew to over 2,000 acres, and a 1,000-acre fire was burning in adjacent Putnam County.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville teacher charged with child sexual material”
The Clay County Sheriff's Office arrested a Jacksonville teacher on charges of transmitting child sexual material. | File photo
April 17, 2026

Jacksonville teacher charged with child sexual material

Johnny Robinson III, a math teacher at Temple Christian Academy, faces 50 counts. He has been fired.…