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 “Friendship Fountain looked finished on national TV. It isn’t.”
Workers manage sidewalk and walkway construction at Friendship Fountain on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 20, 2023

Friendship Fountain looked finished on national TV. It isn’t.

The city illuminated the fountain for Sunday Night Football, but two years of renovations won’t be finished until February.…

Featured image for “Busy holiday travel season could set a record”
Traffic heads toward Interstate 95 near Jacksonville International Airport. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 20, 2023

Busy holiday travel season could set a record

The number of Floridians who travel this holiday could increase from last year, which was already the busiest year on…

Featured image for “Florida Blue exec named as mayor’s new chief of staff”
Darnell Smith, as shown in 2022, serves as North Region president for Florida Blue. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 19, 2023

Florida Blue exec named as mayor’s new chief of staff

Darnell Smith will replace Pat McCollough, who left her position after less than six months on the job.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Is there a train schedule we can check to avoid crossings?”
A Florida East Coast Railway locomotive is shown in Jacksonville. | Florida East Coast Railway, Facebook
December 18, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Is there a train schedule we can check to avoid crossings?

A Jacksonville Today reader says Florida East Coast trains are a frustrating time-waster as they block crossings in San Marco.…

Featured image for “Mayor’s chief of staff leaves City Hall job”
Former City Chief of Staff Pat McCollough. | Pat McCollough Facebook
December 18, 2023

Mayor’s chief of staff leaves City Hall job

City officials did not say why Pat McCollough left her position. Information about a replacement could come soon.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville lawmaker files bill to extend Safe Haven law”
A triangular yellow sign marks this Jacksonville fire station as a safe haven for a mother to surrender her newborn baby anonymously. | Eric Prosswimmer, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
December 15, 2023

Jacksonville lawmaker files bill to extend Safe Haven law

Sen. Clay Yarborough would allow mothers to turn over a newborn up to 30 days after giving birth, an increase…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Is there a petition to remove St. Johns County’s elections supervisor?”
St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections Vicky Oakes, right, speaks to staff in 2022. | St. Johns County Supervisor of Elections
December 15, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Is there a petition to remove St. Johns County’s elections supervisor?

A Jacksonville Today reader says she was asked to sign a petition regarding Elections Supervisor Vicky Oakes.…

Featured image for “Ex-Jags employee pleads guilty and agrees to repay $22 million”
Amil Patel walks out of federal court on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. | News4Jax
December 15, 2023

Ex-Jags employee pleads guilty and agrees to repay $22 million

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ former financial manager pleaded guilty to charges of wire fraud and making illegal transactions, and agreed to…

Featured image for “Jacksonville honors its 25 fallen firefighters”
Jacksonville firefighters hold helmets bearing the names of the 25 men who have died in the line of duty since 1885. They were honored Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, during Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 13, 2023

Jacksonville honors its 25 fallen firefighters

The annual Fallen Firefighter Memorial Day remembered firefighters who have died in the line of duty since 1885.…

Featured image for “Hoop! (There it is): Jacksonville 95ers bring back pro basketball”
Jacksonville 95ers principal Kevin Waters gives a team jersey to Alex Alston, the city's chief of sports and entertainment. The jersey bears Mayor Donna Deegan's name. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 12, 2023

Hoop! (There it is): Jacksonville 95ers bring back pro basketball

The city’s newest professional sports franchise — the Jacksonville 95ers basketball team — will have its first home game March…

Featured image for “Sweet creations abound at Gingerbread Extravaganza”
Christmas trees frame the inside the historic sanctuary of Old St. Andrews Church for the 21st annual Gingerbread Extravaganza. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 7, 2023

Sweet creations abound at Gingerbread Extravaganza

It’s sugar and spice and everything nice at the 21st annual Gingerbread Extravaganza at Old St. Andrews Church.…

Featured image for “Jax airport moves military lounge in time for the holidays”
Veterans and active duty members gather in the new military lounge at Jacksonville International Airport on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
December 7, 2023

Jax airport moves military lounge in time for the holidays

The lounge moved from a dark corner of the baggage claim area to the heavily traveled main concourse entrance.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County commissioner censured for comments”
St. Johns County Commissioner Krista Joseph waves an American flag as she begins her comments during a meeting Nov. 21, 2023. | St. Johns County
December 6, 2023

St. Johns County commissioner censured for comments

County Commissioner Krista Joseph criticized public officials and promoted the next election. Collegues called her comments uncivil and overtly political.…

Featured image for “Holiday events could snarl traffic in Clay County”
Floats and decorated cars line up for last year's Middleburg Christmas Parade. | Middleburg Christmas Parade
December 6, 2023

Holiday events could snarl traffic in Clay County

Clay County is preparing for multiple Christmas events on Saturday. The Sheriff’s Office is warning of “heavy, heavy traffic.”…

Featured image for “Family sues over fatal shooting by Camden sergeant”
Leonard Cure places his hands on the back of his truck as Sgt. Buck Aldridge prepares to fire his Taser during a traffic stop Oct. 16, 2023, in Camden County, Georgia. | Camden County Sheriff's Office
December 5, 2023

Family sues over fatal shooting by Camden sergeant

Attorney Ben Crump filed the suit in the death of Leonard Allen Cure, who was released from a wrongful prison…

Featured image for “Hearing delayed in murder of Cherish Perrywinkle”
Convicted killer Donald Smith appears in court. | News4Jax
December 4, 2023

Hearing delayed in murder of Cherish Perrywinkle

A court hearing for Donald Smith has been postponed until January after one of his attorneys resigned over the weekend.…

Featured image for “Fire department reorganized to increase diversity”
Mayor Donna Deegan, left, listens as Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Chief Keith Powers speaks during a news conference Nov. 30, 2023. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
November 30, 2023

Fire department reorganized to increase diversity

The staff of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department will be reorganized to make it more diverse and better trained,…

Featured image for “First Coast counties unite in fight against climate threats”
A truck plows through floodwaters in St. Augustine.
November 29, 2023

First Coast counties unite in fight against climate threats

Seven counties are participating in the Resilient First Coast Collaborative, a attempt to jointly battle the effects of climate change.…

Featured image for “UNF lab develops solar power, hydrogen fuel cells and more”
UNF graduate student Dylan Jones works on his electrolysis system, which turns water into hydrogen gas to power fuel cells. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 28, 2023

UNF lab develops solar power, hydrogen fuel cells and more

The JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab, financed by the utility, could create greener ways to generate electricity — and could lead…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why is there a major bottleneck on I-295 on the Southside?”
Barrels line the Town Center Parkway exit off I-295, part of a project by the Florida Department of Transportation. | Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 28, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Why is there a major bottleneck on I-295 on the Southside?

A Jacksonville Today reader says orange barrels in the area are creating a traffic hazard.…

Featured image for “Man, 70, hit six times walking on First Coast Expressway”
The Florida Highway Patrol says six vehicles hit a man who was walking on the First Coast Expresswayr. | FHP
November 27, 2023

Man, 70, hit six times walking on First Coast Expressway

Investigators say the man was walking in the right lane of the state highway at 6 a.m. when five vehicles…

Featured image for “Mayport destroyer responds to tanker attack off Yemen”
The U.S.S. Mason is based at Mayport Naval Station. | USS Mason, Facebook
November 27, 2023

Mayport destroyer responds to tanker attack off Yemen

The USS Mason seized five armed rebels late Sunday off the coast of Yemen after a tanker linked to Israel…

Featured image for “Here’s what local lawmakers want to pass in 2024 session”
Members of the Florida House of Representatives meet in 2022. | Wilfredo Lee, AP
November 27, 2023

Here’s what local lawmakers want to pass in 2024 session

Northeast Florida lawmakers have filed at least 35 bills for review in the 2024 legislative session, ranging from child safety…

Featured image for “JU law school will move to permanent home Downtown”
The Jacksonville University College of Law will move to the 121 Atlantic Place Building. | Monty Zickuhr, Jacksonville Daily Record
November 22, 2023

JU law school will move to permanent home Downtown

Jacksonville University’s new law school has signed a lease for the former Atlantic Bank Building at Hogan and Forsyth streets.…