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 “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.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville gets help to expand economic opportunities”
April 29, 2025

Jacksonville gets help to expand economic opportunities

The city is one of 20 selected for the Southern Cities Economic Initiative, which aims to boost residents’ economic mobility.…

Featured image for “Thieves swipe football gear from Terry Parker High”
Thieves broke into the athletic field house and softball rooms at Terry Parker High School. | Cyd Hoskinson
April 29, 2025

Thieves swipe football gear from Terry Parker High

Thieves stole helmets, cleats, flat-screen TVs and more from Terry Parker High School’s football field house.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Why can’t we use public streets at RiversEdge?”
A drawing of the RiversEdge project under construction on the city's Southbank. It shows part of its planned riverwalk and nature trails. | RiversEdge/Toll Brothers
April 28, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Why can’t we use public streets at RiversEdge?

A Jacksonville Today reader asks why people can’t use the public roads in the new SouthBank development.…

Featured image for “House passes ‘Pam Rock Act’ regulating dangerous dogs”
Pam Rock’s brother, Tom Rock, encouraged lawmakers on the Senate's Fiscal Policy Committee to vote for the bill on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. | Florida Senate.
April 25, 2025

House passes ‘Pam Rock Act’ regulating dangerous dogs

The bill honors Putnam County postal employee Pam Rock, who was killed by dogs while delivering mail in 2022.…

Featured image for “After 15 years in business, Intuition Ale Works is for sale”
Intuition Ale Works is at at Bay Street and A. Philip Randolph Boulevard. | Intuition Ale Works
April 25, 2025

After 15 years in business, Intuition Ale Works is for sale

Founder Ben Davis says the business is strong but he has taken it as far as he can.…

Featured image for “Mandarin farmhouse can’t be saved, but parts may survive”
The Henry C. Arpen farmhouse sits on Linjohn Road. The 19th century farmhouse is being recommended for local landmark designation. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
April 23, 2025

Mandarin farmhouse can’t be saved, but parts may survive

Windows and possibly doors and floors might be retrieved from the 145-year-old farmhouse before it is razed.…