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 “Families share their pain as Jax observes Crime Victims’ Rights Week”
April 24, 2023

Families share their pain as Jax observes Crime Victims’ Rights Week

City officials and other community leaders kicked off the local observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week on Monday, April…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why did Jacksonville police kill a man who threatened a police K9 with a knife?”
April 24, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Why did Jacksonville police kill a man who threatened a police K9 with a knife?

A reader asks: Why did the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office use deadly force on a man who raised a knife at…

Featured image for “Clay County wants to spruce up Wells Road”
April 24, 2023

Clay County wants to spruce up Wells Road

A town meeting focused on beautification, safety and other enhancements is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday at the…

Featured image for “MAY VOTER GUIDE | Duval Property Appraiser ”
April 21, 2023

MAY VOTER GUIDE | Duval Property Appraiser 

Jason Fischer and Joyce Morgan are vying for property appraiser, which leads the office that establishes values.…

Featured image for “1,600-acre wildfire burns in Nassau County”
April 21, 2023

1,600-acre wildfire burns in Nassau County

Smoke in the Bryceville area has made driving more difficult, the Florida Highway Patrol warned.…

Featured image for “Special Olympics torch winds through Jacksonville”
April 20, 2023

Special Olympics torch winds through Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office kicked off its 1-mile Law Enforcement Torch Run on Thursday in front of the Police Memorial…

Featured image for “Sandlot Jax takes over Metro Park with music, obstacle courses and more”
April 20, 2023

Sandlot Jax takes over Metro Park with music, obstacle courses and more

Sandlot JAX is billed as a one-of-a-kind fitness and music festival open to people of all ages and abilities.…

Featured image for “VyStar Credit Union merging with 121 Financial”
April 20, 2023

VyStar Credit Union merging with 121 Financial

All employees of 121 Financial will be offered jobs with Vystar, the announcement says.…

Featured image for “Construction begins on new Southside Estates Elementary School”
April 19, 2023

Construction begins on new Southside Estates Elementary School

The new Southside Estates Elementary School will consolidate with nearby Windy Hill Elementary School in 2024.…

Featured image for “Another Jacksonville police officer shot”
April 19, 2023

Another Jacksonville police officer shot

Police shot and killed a gunman after he shot an officer in the face outside Baptist Medical Center South —…

Featured image for “Two chances next week to hear from election candidates”
April 18, 2023

Two chances next week to hear from election candidates

A forum with City Council and mayoral candidates is planned Monday at WJCT Studios. Then the mayoral candidates will debate…

Featured image for “MotoSurf competition powers into Keystone Heights”
April 18, 2023

MotoSurf competition powers into Keystone Heights

Motorized surfboard and skateboard competitions will return to Keystone Heights from Thursday to Sunday.…

Featured image for “Clay County’s Art in the Courthouse features the fair’s fine works”
April 18, 2023

Clay County’s Art in the Courthouse features the fair’s fine works

Winners from the recent Clay County Agricultural Fair are on display in the Art in the Courthouse gallery in Green…

Featured image for “New Beaches traffic devices could help you cross the street”
April 17, 2023

New Beaches traffic devices could help you cross the street

New devices called “pedestrian hybrid beacons” will stop traffic only when pedestrians need to cross.…

Featured image for “Cold case spotlights 9-year-old slaying”
April 17, 2023

Cold case spotlights 9-year-old slaying

As part of its new monthly Cold Case Spotlight, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is seeking help solving the death of…

Featured image for “Lifeguard standoff settled in Jacksonville Beach”
April 13, 2023

Lifeguard standoff settled in Jacksonville Beach

The city of Jacksonville Beach and its Volunteer Life Saving Corps have reached an agreement to cooperatively work the beaches.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine may name park after city’s first harbormaster”
April 13, 2023

St. Augustine may name park after city’s first harbormaster

The city is seeking public comments about naming the greenspace at the base of the Bridge of Lions. “Sam’s Park”…

Featured image for “New middle school under construction on Jacksonville’s Westside”
April 13, 2023

New middle school under construction on Jacksonville’s Westside

Chaffee Trail Middle School will be Duval County’s first middle school constructed with the half-penny sales tax approved by voters…

Featured image for “SWAT officer shoots man threatening police dog with knife”
April 12, 2023

SWAT officer shoots man threatening police dog with knife

The shooting occurred after a morning-long standoff in a Southside neighborhood, as the man tried to get away.…

Featured image for “Operation Crown Down dismantles Westside gang”
April 11, 2023

Operation Crown Down dismantles Westside gang

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested 19 people after a six-month investigation into the Insane Gangster Disciples.…

Featured image for “Baptist emergency room planned for St. Augustine Outlets land”
April 10, 2023

Baptist emergency room planned for St. Augustine Outlets land

Construction has begun on a new Baptist and Wolfson emergency room and imaging center east of Interstate 95.…

Featured image for “City grants permit to DONNA Foundation’s Mother’s Day 5K after request to move it”
April 7, 2023

City grants permit to DONNA Foundation’s Mother’s Day 5K after request to move it

The approval comes after the city initially asked the foundation to move the race so it wasn’t as close to…

Featured image for “Elections supervisors work to boost voting”
April 6, 2023

Elections supervisors work to boost voting

Only 1 in 4 people voted in Jacksonville’s election last month. Elections supervisors across Northeast Florida are pushing for higher…

Featured image for “Guns ‘N Hoses: Cops and firefighters battle on ice and in the ring”
April 6, 2023

Guns ‘N Hoses: Cops and firefighters battle on ice and in the ring

The annual Guns ‘N Hoses boxing and hockey events pit Jacksonville police and firefighters to raise money for charity.…