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 “Hear what’s new at Jumbo Shrimp games”
The Jumbo Shrimp's ballpark, soon to be named VyStar Ballpark.
March 20, 2023

Hear what’s new at Jumbo Shrimp games

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp will have a Virtual Town Hall from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to share the team’s…

Featured image for “Sheriff turns up the spotlight on cold cases”
March 17, 2023

Sheriff turns up the spotlight on cold cases

A new Cold Case Spotlight from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office seeks new tips to solve an old homicide — the…

Featured image for “People feel safe in Jax, but approval of JSO is declining”
March 16, 2023

People feel safe in Jax, but approval of JSO is declining

A public opinion poll by the University of North Florida found that 87% of people feel safe in their neighborhoods.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Are these traffic lights in Jax Beach ever turning on? ”
March 16, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Are these traffic lights in Jax Beach ever turning on? 

Traffic lights have been installed but not turned on in Jacksonville Beach. Why the months-long delay?…

Featured image for “What would you like to see in a Northside public library?”
March 16, 2023

What would you like to see in a Northside public library?

Community input is being sought at public meetings April 4 and 5 about a new library planned for New Berlin…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Will local mosquito spraying kill pollinators?”
AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File
March 15, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Will local mosquito spraying kill pollinators?

Will spraying for mosquitoes kill beneficial pollinators in Jacksonville, a reader asks.…

Featured image for “Diamonds, cars and more: Sheriff auctions seized property”
March 15, 2023

Diamonds, cars and more: Sheriff auctions seized property

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is auctioning jewelry, a Ford Mustang, a Land Rover and a boat trailer to pay for…

Featured image for “U.S. 301 south of Baldwin puts drivers on new FDOT test road”
March 14, 2023

U.S. 301 south of Baldwin puts drivers on new FDOT test road

A 4-mile stretch of U.S. 301 south of Baldwin is a test site for new concrete road designs — and…

Featured image for “Second cop on DEA task force faces drug charges”
Former Nassau County sheriff’s Sgt. James Hickox.
March 14, 2023

Second cop on DEA task force faces drug charges

Former Nassau County sheriff’s Sgt. Darrell Hickox has been charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.…

Featured image for “Suspended driver’s license? Get it back with Operation Green Light”
March 13, 2023

Suspended driver’s license? Get it back with Operation Green Light

Drivers can avoid some fees through Operation Green Light in Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. John’s counties.…

Featured image for “Victory Park saved after residents discover deed”
March 10, 2023

Victory Park saved after residents discover deed

Arlington residents discovered a 32-year-old deed that blocks plans for a child learning center on the property — plans the…

Featured image for “Shooter pleads guilty in slaying of Nassau County deputy”
Patrick McDowell. | Nassau County Sheriff's Office
March 10, 2023

Shooter pleads guilty in slaying of Nassau County deputy

Patrick Rene McDowell faces a death sentence after Deputy Joshua Moyers was shot to death during a traffic stop in…

Featured image for “Boeing breaks ground on new component operations facility at Cecil Airport”
March 9, 2023

Boeing breaks ground on new component operations facility at Cecil Airport

Boeing is already recruiting maintenance and support positions and anticipates creating more than 300 new jobs as the new facility…

Featured image for “Jax launches registry to help in searches of endangered people”
March 9, 2023

Jax launches registry to help in searches of endangered people

The alert came out early on March 3: A 2-year-old child was missing from a home on Avenger Lane. It…

Featured image for “Protesters feel threatened over Confederate monuments”
March 3, 2023

Protesters feel threatened over Confederate monuments

Take ‘Em Down Jax, which is fighting Confederate monuments on public property, held its weekly picket line Friday despite threats…

Featured image for “Arlington Expressway in line for resurfacing”
March 3, 2023

Arlington Expressway in line for resurfacing

The public can get details about the Arlington Expressway resurfacing during an open house on Thursday.…

Featured image for “New task force combats trafficking and child sex exploitation”
March 2, 2023

New task force combats trafficking and child sex exploitation

Local sheriffs joined the FDLE and Department of Homeland Security to announce a new public-private partnership called INTERCEPT.…

Featured image for “NASCAR great Jeff Gordon roars into The Amelia”
March 2, 2023

NASCAR great Jeff Gordon roars into The Amelia

Multiple charities will benefit from the 28th annual classic car event held this weekend at and around the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia…

Featured image for “Dozens of roads closing for Gate River Run”
March 2, 2023

Dozens of roads closing for Gate River Run

Thousands of runners will hit the roads Saturday when the Gate River Run winds through Downtown and into parts of…

Featured image for “Deegan holds huge lead in mayor’s race, but many voters undecided”
February 28, 2023

Deegan holds huge lead in mayor’s race, but many voters undecided

A poll from the University of North Florida shows Democrat Donna Deegan with 37% support compared with 20% for Republican…

Featured image for “1 dead after FDOT Road Ranger knocks pickup off Buckman Bridge”
February 28, 2023

1 dead after FDOT Road Ranger knocks pickup off Buckman Bridge

A 61-year-old driver died after a Road Ranger pickup hit his truck on the Buckman Bridge and knocked it into…

Featured image for “Second arrest made in slaying of 13-year-old Prince Holland”
February 27, 2023

Second arrest made in slaying of 13-year-old Prince Holland

Kentrevious Tyree Garard is accused of killing Prince Holland in a drive-by shooting as the boy returned home from football…

Featured image for “Baptist Health expanding in Nassau and St. Johns counties”
February 27, 2023

Baptist Health expanding in Nassau and St. Johns counties

Baptist Health will soon break ground on a medical campus in Yulee, and construction is underway on a primary care…

Featured image for “Catholic bookstore sues city over Human Rights Ordinance”
February 24, 2023

Catholic bookstore sues city over Human Rights Ordinance

The Queen of Angels Catholic Bookstore says Jacksonville’s HRO prevents the store from expressing its rejection of transgender pronouns.…