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 “Just when you thought COVID was over: Cases are on the rise”
July 28, 2023

Just when you thought COVID was over: Cases are on the rise

The number of COVID-19 cases in Duval County has risen by 32% in the past month, according to data from…

Featured image for “Obelisk rises over JU entrance as a tribute to Arlington and Jax”
July 28, 2023

Obelisk rises over JU entrance as a tribute to Arlington and Jax

The 31-foot-tall piece of art decorates a new traffic circle in front of Jacksonville University, reflecting the history and nature…

Featured image for “Some Jacksonville pools remain in disrepair even if they’re open”
July 27, 2023

Some Jacksonville pools remain in disrepair even if they’re open

One mother from Arlington is frustrated by the conditions and canceled swim lessons. “It’s disgusting, and I am just really…

Featured image for “Sheriff T.K. Waters explains shift in jail’s health care”
July 25, 2023

Sheriff T.K. Waters explains shift in jail’s health care

The Duval County jail will cut ties with Armor Correctional Health after a former inmate died. The new provider, NaphCare,…

Featured image for “UF picks Cathedral District for ‘JaxLab CityLab’ architecture program”
July 25, 2023

UF picks Cathedral District for ‘JaxLab CityLab’ architecture program

A University of Florida graduate program will occupy the third floor of St. Johns Episcopal Cathedral ‘s administrative building.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County residents can get grants to elevate their homes”
July 25, 2023

St. Johns County residents can get grants to elevate their homes

Five community meetings are set for residents who want to learn more about FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.…

Featured image for “Late activist Ben Frazier in line for City Council honor”
The late Ben Frazier in a protest in front of City Hall. |Jacksonville Today
July 24, 2023

Late activist Ben Frazier in line for City Council honor

Six City Council members have introduced a resolution honoring the civil rights leader a month after he died.…

Featured image for “Babysitter arrested after infant dies in 133-degree car in Baker County”
July 20, 2023

Babysitter arrested after infant dies in 133-degree car in Baker County

A babysitter in Macclenny was charged with aggravated manslaughter Wednesday after a 10-month-old girl was left in a car for…

Featured image for “Banks the baby jaguar introduced at Jacksonville zoo”
July 20, 2023

Banks the baby jaguar introduced at Jacksonville zoo

The 4-month-old Banks made his public premiere Thursday with mother Babette at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.…

Featured image for “Sheriff unveils changes as protesters challenge budget”
July 20, 2023

Sheriff unveils changes as protesters challenge budget

Sheriff’s T.K. Waters hosted his first town hall meeting to announce changes in patrol districts, which he said will improve…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY: Can I recycle my pizza boxes? ”
July 20, 2023

#AskJAXTDY: Can I recycle my pizza boxes? 

This Q&A tackles what can and can’t be recycled in Jacksonville, including those pesky pizza boxes with grease spots.…

Featured image for “Huge JAXUSL soccer complex proposed for St. Johns County”
July 19, 2023

Huge JAXUSL soccer complex proposed for St. Johns County

The county will pursue a possible partnership with JAXUSL, a group seeking to bring a professional United Soccer League franchise…

Featured image for “St. Augustine seeks answers on homelessness”
July 19, 2023

St. Augustine seeks answers on homelessness

City officials are developing a strategic plan to deal with homelessness, and five meetings are scheduled to get the public’s…

Featured image for “Interim administrator appointed in St. Johns County”
July 19, 2023

Interim administrator appointed in St. Johns County

Three weeks after Hunter Conrad abruptly resigned, the County Commission appointed Deputy County Administrator Joy Andrews as his temporary replacement.…

Featured image for “North Florida Land Trust receives $510,000 grant”
July 18, 2023

North Florida Land Trust receives $510,000 grant

The grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund will be used for a new membership program and maintenance of…

Featured image for “More travelers packing guns at Jacksonville’s airport”
July 18, 2023

More travelers packing guns at Jacksonville’s airport

TSA agents seized 36 guns at Jacksonville International Airport in the first six months of 2023, two more than during…

Featured image for “Here’s what they’re doing inside the Florida Theatre”
July 17, 2023

Here’s what they’re doing inside the Florida Theatre

The 1920s-era theater — the last remaining movie palace in Downtown Jacksonville — is closed for four months for an…

Featured image for “Changes coming at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office”
July 17, 2023

Changes coming at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

Sheriff T.K. Waters plans a town hall meeting Wednesday to discuss patrol changes and answer questions from the public.…

Featured image for “3 Jacksonville pools reopen; 2 more to come”
Children from Durkeeville neighborhood waded into the waters at the Emmett Reed Swimming Pool opened for the first time this summer on Friday, July 14, 2023. The pool was closed throughout 2022 and for the first half of this summer due to maintenance issues. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today.
July 14, 2023

3 Jacksonville pools reopen; 2 more to come

Jacksonville officials say 19 of the city’s 34 municipal pools are now open, with two more to come shortly.…

Featured image for “Florida heat can be deadly for children left in cars”
July 14, 2023

Florida heat can be deadly for children left in cars

A Jacksonville man was arrested this week after a toddler was pulled alive from a parked car. More than 1,050…

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.…