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 “1991 Indy pace truck to be auctioned for Jax charity”
This 1991 Ford F150 PPG Indy 500 Pace Truck will be auctioned Thursday at the Mecum auction in Kissimmee to benefit Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. | Mecum Auctions
3 hours ago

1991 Indy pace truck to be auctioned for Jax charity

The customized IndyCar pace truck could raise $50,000 to $75,000 for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville names fire headquarters for late chief”
The Jacksonville fire department headquarters has been named for former Chief Gary France Keys Sr. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
24 hours ago

Jacksonville names fire headquarters for late chief

The headquarters honors former Chief Gary France Keys Sr., who served in the department for 29 years.…

Featured image for “Electrathon racers will zip around FSCJ on Saturday”
Electric race cars zip past a course worker on April 27, 2024, during an Electrathon race at Florida State College at Jacksonville. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
1 day ago

Electrathon racers will zip around FSCJ on Saturday

The Electrathan race series started in 1980 as a fun way to educate students about electric cars.…

Featured image for “12 abandoned rabbits rescued at Timucuan Preserve”
A rabbit curls up in a crate after rescue on New Year's Day. | Bebette’s Bunny Rescue
2 days ago

12 abandoned rabbits rescued at Timucuan Preserve

Bebette’s Bunny Rescue is caring for the domesticated rabbits after they were abandoned in the woods.…

Featured image for “Council members push back on ‘Holo-Donna’ at airport”
A holographic version of Mayor Donna Deegan welcomes travelers at Jacksonville International Airport — as the real Deegan watches on the left. The technology was unveiled Dec. 19, 2024. | Michelle Corum, Jacksonville Today
3 days ago

Council members push back on ‘Holo-Donna’ at airport

City Council members are questioning whether money was misued for a hologram-like image of Mayor Donna Deegan.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Will lights ever shine again on Fuller Warren Bridge?”
The columns supporting the Fuller Warren Bridge between Riverside and San Marco are no longer lighted. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
January 7, 2025

#AskJAXTDY | Will lights ever shine again on Fuller Warren Bridge?

A Jacksonville Today reader remembers when the Fuller Warren Bridge used to light up the Downtown skyline.…

Featured image for “Cause ‘undetermined’ in massive Rise Doro fire”
A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department drone shows the Rise Doro fire at its height. after the roof had burned out and floors collapsed inside. | Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
January 6, 2025

Cause ‘undetermined’ in massive Rise Doro fire

A year after the Rise Doro fire, a state investigation could not identify a definitive cause.…

Featured image for “Higher garbage fees proposed in Jacksonville”
Jacksonville City Council member Matt Carlucci is proposing to raise garbage fees while protecting low-income residents against fee increases.
January 2, 2025

Higher garbage fees proposed in Jacksonville

City Council member Matt Carlucci is proposing to raise garbage fees while protecting low-income residents against fee increases.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville ends 2024 with record low homicides”
Police collect evidence Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in the slaying of a man on Division Street. | News4Jax
January 2, 2025

Jacksonville ends 2024 with record low homicides

Murders, manslaughters and justifiable homicides fell by more than half last year, records show.…

Featured image for “Baby right whales sighted with mothers off Ponte Vedra”
The adult right whale Caterpillar surfaces next to its mother’s head in this aerial image taken on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, off Ponte Vedra Beach. | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
January 2, 2025

Baby right whales sighted with mothers off Ponte Vedra

Two endangered North Atlantic right whales — and their calves — were spotted earlier this week offshore from the Guana…

Featured image for “When is garbage pickup this week?”
You won't see these trucks on Dec. 25.
December 31, 2024

When is garbage pickup this week?

The New Year’s holiday will delay garbage collection in Clay and St. Johns counties.…

Featured image for “Veteran corrections officer accused of domestic battery”
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Director Joe Cowan announcing Monday's arrest of a corrections officer. | News4Jax
December 30, 2024

Veteran corrections officer accused of domestic battery

A Jacksonville corrections officer was arrested after an argument with a family member, the Sheriff’s Office says.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | When will Rise Doro apartments rise again after fire?”
More than 100 firefighters battle a fire Jan. 29, 2024, at the Rise Doro apartments. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 26, 2024

#AskJAXTDY | When will Rise Doro apartments rise again after fire?

The developer of the Rise Doro apartment building says reconsruction is “imminent.”…

Featured image for “Former Mayor Alvin Brown named vice chair of NTSB”
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, vice chairman of the NTSB.
December 24, 2024

Former Mayor Alvin Brown named vice chair of NTSB

Brown was Jacksonville’s first Black mayor from 2011 to 2015. President Joe Biden picked him for the NTSB role Friday. …

Featured image for “Former Putnam teacher jailed over nude student photos”
Former Putnam County teacher Gus Devereaux is shown after his arrest Friday morning. | Putnam County Sheriff's Office
December 20, 2024

Former Putnam teacher jailed over nude student photos

Police said Gus Devereaux was arrested after photos of a former student were found on his laptop computer.…

Featured image for “Babysitter gets 17 years for infant’s death in hot car”
Macclenny babysitter Rhonda Jewell testifies during her trial this month. | News4Jax
December 19, 2024

Babysitter gets 17 years for infant’s death in hot car

Baker County babysitter Rhonda Jewell said she forgot she left the 10-month-old girl in her car until five hours later.…

Featured image for “Metropolitan Park design unveiled; here’s what it includes”
People look at the final Metropolitan Park proposal during a town hall meeting Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 18, 2024

Metropolitan Park design unveiled; here’s what it includes

Metropolitan Park would retain most of its trees and create new space for events and recreation on the river.…

Featured image for “Jury recommends life sentence for husband in murder plot”
Jerry Burns sits with his defense attorney during this week's sentencing phase in a Duval County courtroom. | News4Jax
December 17, 2024

Jury recommends life sentence for husband in murder plot

Jerry Burns was convicted of plotting the slaying of his wife, who was stabbed 39 times.…

Featured image for “Six accused of illegal gambling ring in Jacksonville”
Gambling machines. | Nik on Unsplash
December 17, 2024

Six accused of illegal gambling ring in Jacksonville

The gambling suspects include Robin Rukab Azzam, a former City Council candidate and longtime city employee.…

Featured image for “Final design of Metro Park will be unveiled today”
Metropolitan Park as it looks now, from where the stage used to be. The cranes are being used to build the Four Seasons Hotel in the background. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 16, 2024

Final design of Metro Park will be unveiled today

The public will be able to comment on the park design during a meeting Wednesday.…

Featured image for “Local first responder takes Christmas to Colombian orphans”
Max Morel-Sepulveda, left, works with children during a recent charity trip to Colombia. | Reaching the Unreached
December 15, 2024

Local first responder takes Christmas to Colombian orphans

Max Morel-Sepulveda will take food, clothes and more to orphans in Colombia.…

Featured image for “Memorial Park celebrates 100 years — and one historic photo”
The sculpture call "Life" stands at Memorial Park in Riverside, commemorating Floridians killed in World War I. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
December 12, 2024

Memorial Park celebrates 100 years — and one historic photo

A photo from 1924 will be re-created Saturday during a centennial celebration for Memorial Park in Riverside.…

Featured image for “UF picks Prime Osborn area for new high-tech graduate campus”
An illustration shows the planned UF campus near Prime Osborn Convention Center.
December 12, 2024

UF picks Prime Osborn area for new high-tech graduate campus

University of Florida trustees will vote Friday on a new campus that would include the Florida Semiconductor Institute.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville filmmaker premieres story of serial killer”
Actress Madison Wolfe is shown in a still from "The Man in the White Van." The van is seen in the background. | The Man in the White Van
December 11, 2024

Jacksonville filmmaker premieres story of serial killer

The movie tells the story of Billy Mansfield Jr., who killed five women between 1975 and 1980 and dumped a…