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 “Emergency operations chief resigns as hurricane season looms”
May 5, 2023

Emergency operations chief resigns as hurricane season looms

Former Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Chief Andre Ayoub will take over for Todd Smith, who departs while under investigation.…

Featured image for “Former submarine officer takes helm at Navy Region Southeast”
May 5, 2023

Former submarine officer takes helm at Navy Region Southeast

Capt. Ian Johnson took over for Rear Adm. Wes McCall as Navy Region Southeast commander at a ceremony Friday at…

Featured image for “Massive I-95/I-295 project will take another year”
May 4, 2023

Massive I-95/I-295 project will take another year

COVID-19 and other issues have delayed a $176.8 million interchange project on the Northside far past the original completion date…

Featured image for “Families can get a virtual marker for people killed on the road”
May 4, 2023

Families can get a virtual marker for people killed on the road

The Florida Department of Transportation’s District 2 has developed a virtual Memorial Marker Pilot Program in Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “Players donates $3 million for Wolfson behavioral health unit”
A design image shows one of the Behavioral Health and Wellness rooms that will be built on the third floor of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. | Vikki Mioduszewski, Wolfson Children’s Hospital
May 3, 2023

Players donates $3 million for Wolfson behavioral health unit

The new 20-bed Behavioral Health and Wellness Unit at Wolfson Children’s Hospital will double the number of beds available for children…

Featured image for “Group opposes gay pride site as a threat to children”
May 3, 2023

Group opposes gay pride site as a threat to children

Citizens Defending Freedom-Nassau asked city officials to move the Fernandina Beach Pride event planned June 10 at a city park.…

Featured image for “Your climate solution could be worth $10,000”
Solar panels line the roof of Ikea's Brooklyn store, in New York. | Mark Lennihan, AP
May 3, 2023

Your climate solution could be worth $10,000

Jacksonville University will hold a Shark Tank-like competition, asking community members to submit innovative solutions to environmental challenges.…

Featured image for “Shrimp fest will draw thousands to Fernandina Beach”
May 3, 2023

Shrimp fest will draw thousands to Fernandina Beach

The 59th annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival will descend on downtown Fernandina Beach this weekend with food, arts,…

Featured image for “DeSantis signs ‘ESG’ ban in Jacksonville”
May 2, 2023

DeSantis signs ‘ESG’ ban in Jacksonville

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that he says will protect consumers from the environmental, social and corporate governance movement.…

Featured image for “St. Johns River Ferry is returning to service”
May 1, 2023

St. Johns River Ferry is returning to service

The ferry has been closed three months for routine maintenance required by the U.S. Coast Guard.…

Featured image for “Help available to fight destructive pine beetle”
May 1, 2023

Help available to fight destructive pine beetle

Private landowners in Northeast Florida can apply for assistance fighting a pine beetle that has destroyed thousands of acres of…

Featured image for “Jacksonville joins world’s largest diaper drive”
April 28, 2023

Jacksonville joins world’s largest diaper drive

The Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida is joining a national campaign to collect 2 million diapers for people in need.…

Featured image for “Dredging planned next week in Salt Run”
April 28, 2023

Dredging planned next week in Salt Run

The monthlong project will remove about 10,000 cubic yards of material from the area for use as landfill, beach replenishment…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why was a city park’s bathroom closed on Saturday morning?”
April 27, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Why was a city park’s bathroom closed on Saturday morning?

“Why was a city park’s bathroom closed on Saturday morning?” a Jacksonville Today reader asked. The city says that’s changing.…

Featured image for “Former St. Augustine mayor suspended as lawyer”
Joseph Lester Boles Jr. | Law Office of Joseph Boles
April 27, 2023

Former St. Augustine mayor suspended as lawyer

Joseph Lester Boles was suspended for 90 days after he admitted to misconduct and conflict of interest after two complaints…

Featured image for “Immigration bill sparks alarm among religious and Hispanic leaders”
April 26, 2023

Immigration bill sparks alarm among religious and Hispanic leaders

A bill in the Florida Legislature would make it a felony to transport people who may be in this country…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s first fallen firefighter honored — 130 years later”
April 25, 2023

Jacksonville’s first fallen firefighter honored — 130 years later

Members of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department discovered that the grave of Henry J. Bradley had no headstone. So…

Featured image for “Top cops and staff get awards at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office”
April 25, 2023

Top cops and staff get awards at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

Awards included a detective who solved the murder of a Coast Guard officer and a computer expert who protected the…

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…