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 “The lights keep changing on the Acosta Bridge. How does that happen?”
June 16, 2023

The lights keep changing on the Acosta Bridge. How does that happen?

JTA will light up the bridge in red, black and green on Monday for Juneteenth, one of multiple displays during…

Featured image for “Need help finding a parking spot in St. Augustine?”
June 15, 2023

Need help finding a parking spot in St. Augustine?

The city has launched the St. Augustine Parking Finder website to help people find spots in the historic downtown area.…

Featured image for “Historic Friendship Fountain may flow again soon”
June 15, 2023

Historic Friendship Fountain may flow again soon

Jacksonville’s historic Friendship Fountain could reopen in the fall after two years of renovation, with a playground and picnic facilities…

Featured image for “Your cellphone or e-cigarette could be a fire risk”
June 15, 2023

Your cellphone or e-cigarette could be a fire risk

Jacksonville fire officials warn about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries found in electric cars and personal devices.…

Featured image for “Melissa Ross on joining the mayor’s team: ‘It’s a new chapter … a new opportunity’”
June 14, 2023

Melissa Ross on joining the mayor’s team: ‘It’s a new chapter … a new opportunity’

WJCT radio host Melissa Ross is leaving First Coast Connect to serve as Donna Deegan’s director of strategic initiatives and…

Featured image for “Deegan announces executive team to lead City Hall”
June 14, 2023

Deegan announces executive team to lead City Hall

Jacksonville Mayor-elect Donna Deegan said her new executive team represents the culture of collaboration she wants to have as she…

Featured image for “Diving in: Atlantic Beach approves plan for splash pad”
June 13, 2023

Diving in: Atlantic Beach approves plan for splash pad

The Atlantic Beach City Commission this week approved its first splash pad at Donner Park. The attraction could be bubbling…

Featured image for “Steve Wozniak and Mike Krzyzewski are among Florida Forum speakers”
June 13, 2023

Steve Wozniak and Mike Krzyzewski are among Florida Forum speakers

Apple Computers co-founder Steve Wozniak and former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski are on the Florida Forum lineup for 2023-24.…

Featured image for “JEA is replacing all 420,000 water meters”
June 13, 2023

JEA is replacing all 420,000 water meters

The utility has begun a four-year transition to new water meter technology that will make it easier to monitor how…

Featured image for “Orange Park softball coach pleads guilty to recording girl in shower”
June 9, 2023

Orange Park softball coach pleads guilty to recording girl in shower

Andrew Lynn Overheul faces 15 to 60 years in prison for recording a 12-year-old player on his team, the U.S.…

Featured image for “JU law school gets multimillion-dollar gift honoring Randall C. Berg Jr.”
June 9, 2023

JU law school gets multimillion-dollar gift honoring Randall C. Berg Jr.

Berg’s legacy helped fund legal services for the poor in Florida and beyond. The endowment was presented by his brother,…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s bicentennial celebrated with special bronze bell”
Aaron Gibson-Evans, the Bicentennial Bell chairman, rings the bell for the first time on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, inside the Jacksonville Public Library. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 8, 2023

Jacksonville’s bicentennial celebrated with special bronze bell

A bronze bell to commemorate Jacksonville’s 200th birthday was unveiled at a historical society event at the city’s Main Library.…

Featured image for “Emmett Reed Community Center shut down for repairs”
June 7, 2023

Emmett Reed Community Center shut down for repairs

An electrical problem closed the center for two to four weeks, disrupting summer camp and an Juneteenth program.…

Featured image for “Mayor-elect Deegan announces teams to study Jacksonville issues”
Mayor-elect Donna Deegan. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 6, 2023

Mayor-elect Deegan announces teams to study Jacksonville issues

Jacksonville Mayor-elect Donna Deegan announced transition committees that will focus on seven topics ranging from infrastructure to arts.…

Featured image for “Neptune Beach bans smoking at parks and beaches”
June 6, 2023

Neptune Beach bans smoking at parks and beaches

Several other cities already had bans. Among them: Jacksonville Beach, Fernandina Beach, Atlantic Beach and St. Augustine.…

Featured image for “Long-awaited Riverfront Plaza delayed one month”
June 5, 2023

Long-awaited Riverfront Plaza delayed one month

The first phase of the park — on the site of the former Jacksonville Landing — was supposed to begin…

Featured image for “Female veterans recognized for service in war and peace”
June 5, 2023

Female veterans recognized for service in war and peace

Jacksonville joins Northeast Florida Women Veterans Inc. to celebrate Women Veterans Recognition Week.…

Featured image for “Restored Navy jet signals next step at Jacksonville’s POW/MIA Museum”
June 2, 2023

Restored Navy jet signals next step at Jacksonville’s POW/MIA Museum

Boeing volunteers restored the F/A-18A Hornet, which now graces the National POW/MIA Museum and memorializes Capt. Scott Speicher.…

Featured image for “Algae bloom warning issued for Clay County”
June 1, 2023

Algae bloom warning issued for Clay County

Health officials issued an alert after harmful blue-green algae and toxins were found in Doctors Lake.…

Featured image for “Construction coming soon for Bay Street people mover”
May 31, 2023

Construction coming soon for Bay Street people mover

The first phase of the autonomous, hands-free system — known as the Ultimate Urban Circulator — could be operating by…

Featured image for “Date set for 2023 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl”
May 31, 2023

Date set for 2023 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

The 79th annual game, pitting teams from the SEC and ACC, will start at noon Dec. 29 at TIAA Bank…

Featured image for “JU begins work on health learning site in St. Johns County”
May 30, 2023

JU begins work on health learning site in St. Johns County

Jacksonville University has broken ground for an educational facility at the Fountains at St. Johns, its first site in the…

Featured image for “Victor Galeone, ninth bishop of Diocese of Saint Augustine, dies at 88”
May 30, 2023

Victor Galeone, ninth bishop of Diocese of Saint Augustine, dies at 88

Galeone was bishop of the 17-county diocese from 2001 to 2011. He died early Sunday in Baltimore.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine sets up glass recycling sites”
The amount of contaminated recyclables in Jacksonville has dropped by 22%.
May 25, 2023

St. Augustine sets up glass recycling sites

The city’s solid waste division has set up special bins to collect glass at three sites.…