Steven Ponson Reporter, WJCT News 89.9 email

Steven Ponson has six years of experience covering news in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.

Prior to arriving on the First Coast, Steven also worked in radio in Orlando. He attended the University of Central Florida where he earned a degree in radio and television. Steven has been a reporter, producer, anchor and board operator.

Outside of work, Steven loves to watch sports, cook delicious cajun food (as any good Louisiana native does) and spend time outdoors.

Featured image for “Meet FSCJ’s new mascot: Rayzor Ray”
FSCJ's new manta ray mascot will be named Rayzor Ray. | FSCJ
2 days ago

Meet FSCJ’s new mascot: Rayzor Ray

Florida State College at Jacksonville announced that students, faculty and staff have picked the new mascot’s name.…

Featured image for “Here’s when early voting begins on the First Coast”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections office provides signs in English and Spanish outside the Duval County Public Library Mandarin Branch location to notify voters where they can cast their ballot. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 18, 2024

Here’s when early voting begins on the First Coast

Early voting begins next week across Northeast Florida. Dates and times vary by county.…

Featured image for “Land conservation is on the ballot for Clay County voters”
Hurricane Milton flooded areas near Doctors Lake in Fleming Island that had been set aside for conservation. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
October 18, 2024

Land conservation is on the ballot for Clay County voters

Voters will decide whether to increase taxes by 0.2 mills to go toward land conservation efforts.…

Featured image for “Utilities continue to restore power on First Coast”
Lineworkers continue to restore power across the First Coast after Hurricane Milton. l Florida Power & Light Co.
October 11, 2024

Utilities continue to restore power on First Coast

Power remains out mainly in St Johns, Putnam and Flagler counties after Hurricane Milton.…

Featured image for “Uninsured Jax residents can now reach physicians virtually”
The city of Jacksonville has fully launched a new healthcare program designed to connect uninsured individuals with physicians virtually. l National Cancer Institute via Unsplash.
October 7, 2024

Uninsured Jax residents can now reach physicians virtually

Jacksonville has launched a program to link uninsured residents with physicians without going to the emergency room.…

Featured image for “Mail ballots flow in as voter registration deadline nears”
Monday is the deadline to register to vote.
October 4, 2024

Mail ballots flow in as voter registration deadline nears

Monday is the final day to register to vote in Florida ahead of the Nov. 5 general election.…

Featured image for “Hunger grows among active duty military”
A newly renovated 110,000-square-foot facility is now open for Feeding Northeast Florida, the area's largest food bank. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
October 3, 2024

Hunger grows among active duty military

Nearly 1 in 5 active duty service members in Northeast Florida are struggling with hunger, according to Feeding Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “Mayport naval ship intercepts missiles in Middle East”
The USS Indianapolis was involved in shooting down missiles and drones from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the Middle East on Friday.
September 27, 2024

Mayport naval ship intercepts missiles in Middle East

The USS Indianapolis, based at Naval Station Mayport, was one of three ships involved with Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, CNN reported.…

Featured image for “Helene’s hurricane winds could reach Duval County”
September 25, 2024

Helene’s hurricane winds could reach Duval County

Northeast Florida is under a tropical storm warning, but hurricane-force winds from Helene are possible in western Duval County.…

Featured image for “Tropical Storm Helene grows; First Coast prepares”
September 24, 2024

Tropical Storm Helene grows; First Coast prepares

Northeast Florida is preparing for high winds and possibly heavy rain as Tropical Storm Helene gains strength.…

Featured image for “New Mission: Astronaut MOSH exhibit gives taste of life in space”
Anthony Mortimer with the Museum of Science and History shows off the new traveling exhibit Mission: Astronaut on Thursday Sept. 19. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today.
September 19, 2024

New Mission: Astronaut MOSH exhibit gives taste of life in space

Starting Saturday, a new exhibit will open to the public at the Museum of Science and History in Jacksonville giving…

Featured image for “Jacksonville joins international effort to stop HIV spread”
Wednesday, Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and President of the Fast-Track Cities Institute José M. Zuniga sign a document allowing the city to join the partnership. l City of Jacksonville
September 18, 2024

Jacksonville joins international effort to stop HIV spread

Jacksonville is joining hundreds of other cities and international organizations to try to stop the spread of HIV by 2030.…

Featured image for “A visitor ‘favorite’ ape dies at Jax Zoo, the 4th from Shigella outbreak”
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has announced the death of a three-year-old gorilla named Kevin from Shigella. l John Reed, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens.
September 11, 2024

A visitor ‘favorite’ ape dies at Jax Zoo, the 4th from Shigella outbreak

Tuesday, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the death of 3-year-old Kevin.…

Featured image for “More flooding threatens waterlogged First Coast”
Flooding swamped the San Marco area this week. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
September 5, 2024

More flooding threatens waterlogged First Coast

Bands of heavy rain could bring additional flooding in soggy Jacksonville over the next several days.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Beach pier closed for decayed pillars”
The pillars of the pier are fully exposed after the beach renourishment by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. | News4Jax
September 3, 2024

St. Augustine Beach pier closed for decayed pillars

The St. Augustine Beach pier will be closed indefinitely until it can be repaired.…

Featured image for “Labor Day gas prices are lowest in 3 years”
The lowest gas prices in Northeast Florida are in Clay County.
August 26, 2024

Labor Day gas prices are lowest in 3 years

The average price in Florida was $3.29 on Sunday, the lowest price ahead of Labor Day since 2021.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Zoo gorilla dies unexpectedly at age 35”
Bulera, a 35-year-old female western lowland gorilla, has died at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens. l Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens.
August 23, 2024

Jacksonville Zoo gorilla dies unexpectedly at age 35

Bulera, a female gorilla, died of a bacterial infection that can cause digestive complications.…

Featured image for “Affordable housing complex takes applications Downtown”
The 120-unit Lofts at Cathedral is a mixed-income apartment community at 325 E. Duval St. in Downtown Jacksonville. | Ric Anderson, Jacksonville Daily Record
August 22, 2024

Affordable housing complex takes applications Downtown

The Lofts at Cathedral is pre-leasing units on Duval Street in the Cathedral District.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Can people hand out political fliers near polling locations?”
A sign at the Legends Center in Northwest Jacksonville advises people how to report problems on Election Day, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 21, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Can people hand out political fliers near polling locations?

A Jacksonville Today reader wants to know whether political groups can pass out pamphlets near polling sites.…

Featured image for “More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes”
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office is investigating a police shooting of a man in Arlington.
August 16, 2024

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters opposes Amendment 3. He says he will consider increasing DUI patrols if voters approve it.…

Featured image for “Marker will honor victims of racist Dollar General shooting”
Mourners built memorials to the three people killed in the Dollar General shooting. | News4Jax
August 14, 2024

Marker will honor victims of racist Dollar General shooting

A ceremony is scheduled Sunday to unveil the marker and other tributes.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville Housing Authority picks another interim CEO”
Roslyn Mixon-Phillips was appointed as interim chief executive of the Jacksonville Housing Authority on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 12, 2024

Jacksonville Housing Authority picks another interim CEO

Roslyn Mixon-Phillips, a former Housing Authority commissioner, was selected as interim CEO during a search for a permanent CEO.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Is Jack in the Box still coming to Northeast Florida?”
Jack in the Box remains interested in bringing a restaurant to Northeast Florida. l Dustin Thompson, Jack in the Box.
August 7, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Is Jack in the Box still coming to Northeast Florida?

A Jacksonville Today reader is a fan of the fast food chain and wants to know if he’ll be able…

Featured image for “Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims”
This is the Dollar General store in Jacksonville where three people were shot to death Aug. 26, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
August 7, 2024

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

The historic marker would honor three Black people killed by a white supremacist in a mass shooting in Jacksonville.…