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 “19th century shipwreck reappears on Little Talbot Island”
December 2, 2022

19th century shipwreck reappears on Little Talbot Island

A hunk of wooden hull from the 1800s lies among wave-flattened grasses on a beach of Little Talbot Island, uncovered…

Featured image for “Police on the hunt for drunken holiday drivers”
December 2, 2022

Police on the hunt for drunken holiday drivers

Be forewarned: Police plan an aggressive campaign to target and stop impaired drivers over the Christmas holiday. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s…

Featured image for “Jacksonville man imprisoned for defrauding bank with phony IDs”
December 1, 2022

Jacksonville man imprisoned for defrauding bank with phony IDs

A Jacksonville man used phony IDs to open bank accounts and, in one case, take out a $20,000 loan, according…

Featured image for “2 endangered tortoises stolen from alligator farm”
December 1, 2022

2 endangered tortoises stolen from alligator farm

Two juvenile Galapagos tortoises have been stolen from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Farm officials are asking everyone to be…

Featured image for “Crime rate falls in Duval County, but details are scant”
December 1, 2022

Crime rate falls in Duval County, but details are scant

The total crime rate dropped in Duval County lasts year, mirroring a decline statewide, but exactly what type of crimes…

Featured image for “Free Saturdays will continue at Cummer museum”
December 1, 2022

Free Saturdays will continue at Cummer museum

Free Saturdays will continue at Jacksonville’s Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens — even as the current program comes to…

Featured image for “Squawking PETA protest targets schools and chicken restaurants”
November 30, 2022

Squawking PETA protest targets schools and chicken restaurants

A national animal rights group, dissuading people from eating chicken, will protest this week outside Jacksonville restaurants that serve the…

Featured image for “Georgia school threats among hundreds of hoaxes across US”
November 30, 2022

Georgia school threats among hundreds of hoaxes across US

Twelve Georgia school districts saw beefed-up police presence Wednesday morning after they received threats that turned out to be hoaxes,…

Featured image for “Jacksonville University plans city’s first 4-year medical school”
November 30, 2022

Jacksonville University plans city’s first 4-year medical school

Jacksonville’s first four-year medical school program is coming to a private university on the banks of the St. Johns River.…

Featured image for “Atlantic Beach enacts homeless restrictions — along with measures of help”
November 29, 2022

Atlantic Beach enacts homeless restrictions — along with measures of help

A new ordinance in Atlantic Beach restricts where homeless people are allowed to sleep or camp out, but supporters believe…

Featured image for “Clay County buses: How much do you know?”
Clay County
November 28, 2022

Clay County buses: How much do you know?

Survey says: Are you aware of JTA’s Clay Community Transportation services? Then the JTA’s new community questionnaire on its Clay…

Featured image for “FDOT hearings give the lowdown on upcoming road projects”
November 28, 2022

FDOT hearings give the lowdown on upcoming road projects

Information on major state road projects that could affect residents all over the First Coast will be presented at two…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s homegrown stores seek local love on Small Business Saturday”
November 23, 2022

Jacksonville’s homegrown stores seek local love on Small Business Saturday

They are open in Avondale and Atlantic Beach, as well as San Marco, Riverside and all over shopping districts in…

Featured image for “Historic Jacksonville church returns splendor to pipe organ and sanctuary”
November 22, 2022

Historic Jacksonville church returns splendor to pipe organ and sanctuary

The mighty music thunders from the hundreds of pipes at the back of the historic nave of Jacksonville’s Basilica of…

Featured image for “Hundreds line up for Thanksgiving food baskets”
November 21, 2022

Hundreds line up for Thanksgiving food baskets

The end was near for Tanya May, after waiting in a long line of cars in front of the Mandarin…

Featured image for “USS Orleck may move down the river”
November 21, 2022

USS Orleck may move down the river

The historic warship once known as the “Grey Ghost” may be moving down the St. Johns River to another temporary…

Featured image for “Multispecialty surgery center opens on Jacksonville’s Southside”
November 18, 2022

Multispecialty surgery center opens on Jacksonville’s Southside

A new medical complex incorporating a multispecialty surgery center and multiple medical offices was officially opened Friday afternoon near Butler…

Featured image for “Marineland signs were hidden for 80 years — until Tropical Storm Nicole”
November 18, 2022

Marineland signs were hidden for 80 years — until Tropical Storm Nicole

Rusted and warped, they represent slices of St. Johns County’s cinematic and tourist history of about 80 years ago. Now…

Featured image for “Youth art show opens at Clay County Courthouse”
November 18, 2022

Youth art show opens at Clay County Courthouse

People going about their normal business in the Clay County Courthouse will experience original art from the community’s youth during…

Featured image for “Bass tournament comes to Clay County — with a twist”
November 17, 2022

Bass tournament comes to Clay County — with a twist

A new competition combining bass fishing and kayaks is coming next year to Clay County. But the Kayak Bass Fishing…

Featured image for “Roadwork to disrupt Mathews Bridge traffic”
November 17, 2022

Roadwork to disrupt Mathews Bridge traffic

Roadwork will disrupt your trip across the Mathews Bridge on the weekend. Eastbound lanes will be shut down Friday night…

Featured image for “Sheriff-elect T.K. Waters restructures Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office”
November 17, 2022

Sheriff-elect T.K. Waters restructures Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office

Three days before he is sworn in as Jacksonville’s new sheriff, T.K. Waters announced a major restructuring of the department’s…

Featured image for “Kicker Josh Lambo’s lawsuit against Jaguars dismissed”
November 16, 2022

Kicker Josh Lambo’s lawsuit against Jaguars dismissed

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit by former Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo claiming that former coach Urban Meyer kicked…

Featured image for “Duval school janitor was investigated previously on complaints involving children”
November 16, 2022

Duval school janitor was investigated previously on complaints involving children

New details have been released about a Duval County school janitor accused of sexual battery against a child over multiple…