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 “37 who died on USS Stark remembered 38 years later”
Former crew members of the USS Stark lay a wreath in front of a memorial to the 37 men killed in an Iraqi attack on the ship in 1987. The ceremony was part of an annual memorial Friday, May 16, 2025, at Naval Station Mayport, the ship's home port. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 16, 2025

37 who died on USS Stark remembered 38 years later

Crew members and family remembered the tragedy Friday during an annual memorial at Naval Station Mayport.…

Featured image for “Sidewalk proposal presented to packed Mandarin crowd”
City Council member Michael Boylan, left, presents information about a planned 2.3-mile sidewalk project on part of Mandarin Road during a meeting Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Mandarin Community Club. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 15, 2025

Sidewalk proposal presented to packed Mandarin crowd

More than 200 people gathered Wednesday to learn about a sidewalk plan that some fear will destroy trees.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Fire Chief Keith Powers announces retirement”
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
May 15, 2025

Jacksonville Fire Chief Keith Powers announces retirement

Powers will retire June 30 after 29 years in the department, including six as its leader.…

Featured image for “History Center lists most endangered historic properties”
The historic Snyder Memorial building is at 226 N. Laura St. in Downtown Jacksonville, next to James Weldon Johnson Park. It appears on a list of the city's most endangered historic properties. | Jacksonville Daily Record
May 14, 2025

History Center lists most endangered historic properties

The Jacksonville History Center released its annual list of the city’s most endangered historic properties.…

Featured image for “Substitute teacher arrested with guns and ammo in car”
Southside Estates Elementary School. | Google maps
May 14, 2025

Substitute teacher arrested with guns and ammo in car

Abdiel Badillo-Martinez was charged with taking weapons onto the campus of Southside Estates Elementary School.…

Featured image for “SWAT call ends with police killing Westside man”
May 14, 2025

SWAT call ends with police killing Westside man

Police said they shot Calixto Beabenutti to prevent him from taking a hostage at a neighboring home.…

Featured image for “UNF’s Osprey Racing hopes to fly in international race”
Osprey Racing team captain Nathan Stratton looks over Swoopde13, the team's Formula SAE race car, as it is assembled prior to a race in Michigan. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 14, 2025

UNF’s Osprey Racing hopes to fly in international race

The team designed and built a race car that will compete this weekend at Michigan International Speedway.…

Featured image for “Duval school police officer accused of domestic battery”
A Duval Schools police officer was arrested. | Duval County Public Schools
May 13, 2025

Duval school police officer accused of domestic battery

Kevens Louis was charged with domestic battery by strangulation and false imprisonment.…

Featured image for “FIVE music venue replaces Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points”
The marquee for FIVE, the new live music venue opening this week at the former home of the Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points. | FIVE
May 13, 2025

FIVE music venue replaces Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points

FIVE’s grand opening was originally planned for January, but issues with construction and permits delayed it.…

Featured image for “Mandarin residents fear loss of trees for sidewalk project”
Mandarin Road at Brady Road, part of the street set to gain sidewalks. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
May 12, 2025

Mandarin residents fear loss of trees for sidewalk project

A $4.5 million project that would add 2.3 miles of sidewalk to an oak-shaded part of historic Mandarin is coming…

Featured image for “Three die in mobile home fire in East Palatka”
Three people died in a fire in Palatka. | Palatka Fire Department
May 12, 2025

Three die in mobile home fire in East Palatka

Firefighters rescued several people. The cause of the fire has not been determined.…

Featured image for “DeSantis wants ‘accountability’ on City Hall gun registry”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, was joined Friday, May 9, 2025, by Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, right, and local real estate expert Jordan Hooten at Gators BBQ on West Beaver Street. | Office of Gov. Ron DeSantis
May 9, 2025

DeSantis wants ‘accountability’ on City Hall gun registry

Florida’s governor says there needs to be accountability as the controversy deepens into Jacksonville gun registry issue.…

Featured image for “Strobes and horns alert Atlantic beachgoers to lightning risk”
A closeup image of a Thor Guard Lightning Prediction System shows the multiple horns mounted under its rim. | Thor Guard
May 9, 2025

Strobes and horns alert Atlantic beachgoers to lightning risk

Two new lighting alert systems on Atlantic Beach predict when lightning strikes are imminent.…

Featured image for “Parker High grad retires as drum major of president’s Marine band”
"The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band
May 9, 2025

Parker High grad retires as drum major of president’s Marine band

Jacksonville native Duane King was the 40th drum major since the Marine Band was created in 1798.…

Featured image for “Mayport’s ferry is out of service for up to 3 months”
May 8, 2025

Mayport’s ferry is out of service for up to 3 months

The ferry’s boarding ramp needs repair after the ferry hit it Sunday night. The reason is still under investigation.…

Featured image for “Veterans get a supportive home in Green Cove Springs”
Clay County's first permanent supportive housing for veterans has opened in this classic home in Green Cove Springs. | Operation Lifeline Inc.
May 8, 2025

Veterans get a supportive home in Green Cove Springs

Clay County’s first supportive housing residence for veterans opened Thursday in a classic home on Spring Street.…

Featured image for “Charter school teacher accused of abusing students”
IDEA River Bluff School in Arlington. | Google
May 8, 2025

Charter school teacher accused of abusing students

A kindergarten teacher at IDEA River Bluff School in Arlington faces five counts of child abuse.…

Featured image for “Now you can record a person’s scent in case they wander”
The new K9 at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is a year-old bloodhound named Pepper. | ElderSource
May 7, 2025

Now you can record a person’s scent in case they wander

A bloodhound at the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office will use the scent to track the missing person.…

Featured image for “Students with disabilities connect with art at the Cummer”
May 6, 2025

Students with disabilities connect with art at the Cummer

For 30 years, the museum has opened its doors for a unique hands-on program for exceptional education students.…

Featured image for “Former Mayor Alvin Brown is out as NTSB vice chair”
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, recently removed as vice chairman of the NTSB by the administration. | NTSB
May 6, 2025

Former Mayor Alvin Brown is out as NTSB vice chair

Brown was the latest of several Democrats that President Donald Trump has fired from federal agencies.…

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach now under rabies alert after coyote attacks”
A coyote near Los Angeles in June 2022. | Damian Dovarganes, AP
May 5, 2025

Atlantic Beach now under rabies alert after coyote attacks

A rabid coyote is suspected of attacking four people last week. Atlantic Beach police shot it.…

Featured image for “MOSH to close until new museum opens on Northbank”
The new Museum of Science & History will reflect what designers consider "one of Northeast Florida’s most powerful natural assets," namely the St. Johns River. | MOSH
May 2, 2025

MOSH to close until new museum opens on Northbank

MOSH plans to continue community outreach while it prepares for a larger museum on the Northbank.…

Featured image for “C&S Wholesale will lay off 490 and close Baldwin warehouse”
The C&S Wholesale Services warehouse and office in Baldwin. | Google
May 2, 2025

C&S Wholesale will lay off 490 and close Baldwin warehouse

All employees, including 132 drivers, will lose their jobs over two weeks beginning July 4.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Can FDOT make construction zone safer on I-95 near Emerson?”
Interstate 95 northbound is being widened between Atlantic Boulevard and Emerson Street. | Florida Department of Transportation
May 1, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Can FDOT make construction zone safer on I-95 near Emerson?

A Jacksonville Today reader says a merge area in a construction zone needs better markings.…