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 “Shigella infection kills 2 bonobos at Jacksonville zoo”
Two bonobos at the Jacksonville zoo — Jenga and Jumanji — have succumbed to the Shigella bacteria. | Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
August 27, 2024

Shigella infection kills 2 bonobos at Jacksonville zoo

The deaths of brothers Jumanji and Jenga comes just four days after a western lowland gorilla died from the infection.…

Featured image for “JU law school opens at new Downtown site”
Jacksonville University’s new College of Law is housed in more than 50,000 square feet on four floors of the former Atlantic Bank Building, built in 1909 at 121 W. Forsyth St. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 26, 2024

JU law school opens at new Downtown site

Jacksonville’s only law school has officially opened its home in the historic former Atlantic Bank Building.…

Featured image for “Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence featured in EverBank ads”
Trevor Lawrence will be the focus of nationwide marketing campaigns for EverBank. | EveryBank
August 23, 2024

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence featured in EverBank ads

The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has been named EverBank’s new brand ambassador.…

Featured image for “2 indicted in drug-related shooting on I-95”
Roger Handberg, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida, joins local and federal law enforcement officials to announce the indictment of two Jacksonville men. | News4Jax
August 21, 2024

2 indicted in drug-related shooting on I-95

The two Jacksonville men are suspected of running a large drug operation between California and Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Restaurant owners charged after immigration raids”
Federal investigators raided the Kamiya restaurant last week. | News4Jax
August 20, 2024

Restaurant owners charged after immigration raids

Hua Yao Ke and Ping Ping Zheng are accused of harboring undocumented workers after raids at Kamiya 86 in Ponte…

Featured image for “Want a fire truck? St. Johns County is auctioning one”
This 2007 Pierce fire truck is part of the surplus property that St. Johns County will auction off Saturday, Aug. 17. 2024. | St. Johns County
August 16, 2024

Want a fire truck? St. Johns County is auctioning one

The truck is among 80-plus pieces of surplus property the county will auction Saturday in St. Augustine.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | What is a Republican Party committeeman or committeewoman?”
Campaign signs are posted at Bowden and Spring Park roads for two candidates for state committeeman and state committeewoman. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 14, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | What is a Republican Party committeeman or committeewoman?

A Jacksonville Today reader wants to know more about candidates for state committeewoman and state committeeman.…

Featured image for “Fernandina names skate park after Poe Pinson”
Poe Pinson was introduced to skating when she was 4 years old. She is shown at WJCT Studios in May 2024.| Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 13, 2024

Fernandina names skate park after Poe Pinson

The city’s skateboard park will be renamed Friday to honor the 19-year-old Olympian from Fernandina Beach.…

Featured image for “Ollies and kick-flips abound as Artist Walk Skatepark opens”
Dozens of skaters and skateboarders used the Artist Walk Skatepark under the Fuller Warren Bridge on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 8, 2024

Ollies and kick-flips abound as Artist Walk Skatepark opens

The skatepark that anchors the new Artists Walk between Riverside Arts Market and Park Street officially opened Thursday.…

Featured image for “Norwood Plaza owner assailed over leaks and potholes”
Dozens of potholes pockmark the Norwood Plaza parking lot. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 8, 2024

Norwood Plaza owner assailed over leaks and potholes

City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman joined business owners to demand repairs.…

Featured image for “Black Creek flooding could drive out residents”
The Black Creek floods Lazy Acres Road in Clay County on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. | Clay County
August 6, 2024

Black Creek flooding could drive out residents

The north prong of Black Creek had reached 20 feet deep as of Tuesday afternoon — 4 feet above flood…

Featured image for “Debby downgraded; rain and wind continue on First Coast”
A car splashes through the flooded San Marco Boulevard intersection with LaSalle Street on Monday morning, Aug. 5, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 5, 2024

Debby downgraded; rain and wind continue on First Coast

Hurricane Debby was downgraded to a tropical storm late Monday morning, but the effects were continuing across Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “Sheriff’s Office survey judges department’s work”
Photo: Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
August 2, 2024

Sheriff’s Office survey judges department’s work

A majority of people think the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is doing a good job, but many Black people fear police…

Featured image for “Makeover complete on historic Green Cove street”
The redesign of Walnut Street in downtown Green Cove Springs shows brick paving and other improvements from Palmetto to Orange Avenue. | City of Green Cove Springs
August 2, 2024

Makeover complete on historic Green Cove street

The work on Walnut Street is the first of several projects to make downtown Green Cove Springs more of a…

Featured image for “Downtown street could be renamed to honor Ben Frazier”
The late Ben Frazier speaks in mid-January 2023, pressing City Council members to get rid of the city’s Confederate monuments. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 1, 2024

Downtown street could be renamed to honor Ben Frazier

Legislation before Jacksonville City Council would rename Confederate Street as Frazier Place.…

Featured image for “Newest fire station opens on Lenox Avenue”
Fire Station 22 firefighters salute as the station's flag is raised for the first time on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 31, 2024

Newest fire station opens on Lenox Avenue

The latest Jacksonville fire station replaces a 58-year-old facility that originally opened for volunteers.…

Featured image for “New skate park is ready to roll under Fuller Warren Bridge”
Despite "no trespassing" signs, skateboarders try out the Artist Walk Skatepark in Riverside on Monday, July 29, 2024. The skate park will open in early August. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
July 30, 2024

New skate park is ready to roll under Fuller Warren Bridge

The $8.8 million skate park will open in early August between Riverside Avenue and Park Street, but skateboarders are already…

Featured image for “4 arrested in slaying of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio”
Charles Jones, also known as Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio. | News4Jax
July 29, 2024

4 arrested in slaying of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio

The rapper was ambushed outside a hotel in Tampa while celebrating his 26th birthday.…

Featured image for “Aviator’s remains identified 79 years after WWII crash”
Army Air Forces 2nd Lt. Alfred J. Hamwey, 24, of Jacksonville. | Find A Grave
July 29, 2024

Aviator’s remains identified 79 years after WWII crash

Alfred Hamwey of Jacksonville was shot down in 1945 while fighting Japanese forces in New Guinea.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Does the city’s resilience office have any power?”
Jacksonville's chief resilience officer, Anne Coglianese, works at her desk.
July 26, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Does the city’s resilience office have any power?

A Jacksonville Today reader asks whether the city’s Office of Resilience is purely advisory and is City Hall listening?…

Featured image for “Enchantment Con will beguile Jax on Saturday”
Fans at last year's Enchantment Con gaze at a statue of a basilisk — a fictional serpent-like creature. | Enchantment Con
July 25, 2024

Enchantment Con will beguile Jax on Saturday

Enchantment Con will wrap together sci-fi, fantasy and cosplaying for lovers of all things fantastic.…

Featured image for “Suspected serial rapist arrested after three decades”
Sheriff T.K. Waters announces the arrest of a suspected serial rapist from the 1990s. State Attorney Melissa Nelson and other law enforcement staff joined Waters at a news conference Thursday, July 25, 2024. | News4Jax
July 25, 2024

Suspected serial rapist arrested after three decades

Advances in DNA testing led to the arrest of Calvin Dumas, 68. Police said he attacked women in their homes…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Can a judicial candidate advertise herself as ‘conservative’?”
A former Putnam County school resource officer was sentenced to life in prison for a sexual relationship with a child.
July 24, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | Can a judicial candidate advertise herself as ‘conservative’?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders why a judicial candidate can advertise as a conservative in a nonpartisan race.…

Featured image for “Members sought for first LGBTQ+ Advisory Board”
Mayor Donna Deegan announces the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board during a Pride Month event June 28, 2024, at City Hall. | city of Jacksonville
July 24, 2024

Members sought for first LGBTQ+ Advisory Board

Applications are open until Aug. 9 for the mayor’s inaugural LGBTQ+ Advisory Board…