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 “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 flyers 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 flyers 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”
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.…

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 “Drivers asked to stay off the roads in Northeast Florida”
Parts of Palm Avenue in San Marco are flooded Monday morning, Aug. 5, 2024. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
August 5, 2024

Drivers asked to stay off the roads in Northeast Florida

Some roads are already flooded from Hurricane Debby, and trees have fallen onto roads.…

Featured image for “Early voting starts soon on the First Coast”
Early voting in Duval County was delayed by Tropical Storm Debby. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today.
August 2, 2024

Early voting starts soon on the First Coast

Early voting for the primary election now starts Wednesday in Duval County due to Tropical Storm Debby, with other counties…

Featured image for “Jet pilots arriving to train at NAS Jacksonville”
August 1, 2024

Jet pilots arriving to train at NAS Jacksonville

Residents should expect more noise as pilots train for the next few weeks at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Ransomware attack slows OneBlood operations”
OneBlood continues to operate despite a ransomware attack. l OneBlood.
July 31, 2024

Ransomware attack slows OneBlood operations

The not-for-profit blood bank was assessing whether donors’ personal information was compromised.…

Featured image for “Duval teachers can get help buying school supplies”
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is offering financial assistance to 15 Duval County schoolteachers so they can buy school supplies for their classrooms. l Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash.
July 29, 2024

Duval teachers can get help buying school supplies

The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is offering financial assistance to 15 Duval County schoolteachers.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Can you really receive a digital vote-by-mail ballot?”
Vote-by-mail ballots can be requested digitally in all 67 counties in Florida. l Tiffany Tertipes via Unsplash.
July 25, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Can you really receive a digital vote-by-mail ballot?

A Jacksonville Today reader wants to know whether voters can receive a digital version of their vote-by-mail ballot.…

Featured image for “Voter registration deadline looms for primary election”
The voter registration deadline is Monday for the Aug. 20 primary election in Florida. l Element5 Digital via Unsplash.
July 19, 2024

Voter registration deadline looms for primary election

The deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation before the Aug. 20 primary election in Florida is…

Featured image for “Feeding Northeast Florida opens expanded space”
A newly renovated 110,000-square-foot facility is now open for Feeding Northeast Florida, the areas largest food bank. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
July 18, 2024

Feeding Northeast Florida opens expanded space

The area’s largest food bank says its renovated facility will help meet a growing need for food.…

Featured image for “Summer at the Cummer returns this week”
Arvid Smith plays the Sitar at the Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens during a performance on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today.
July 17, 2024

Summer at the Cummer returns this week

Summer at the Cummer offers free admission to the museum and gardens with live music, games and art-making activities.…

Featured image for “Lane closures extended on San Jose Boulevard”
Repair continues on a broken water main on San Jose Boulevard. | News4Jax
July 15, 2024

Lane closures extended on San Jose Boulevard

JEA says it hit a snag as it repairs a broken water main. Two lanes will be closed in each…

Featured image for “Fewer guns confiscated at Jacksonville’s airport”
A woman moves through one of the nine TSA checkpoints at Jacksonville International Airport l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
July 12, 2024

Fewer guns confiscated at Jacksonville’s airport

The number of guns seized at Jacksonville International Airport has declined by 25% from last year.…

Featured image for “Edward Waters University officially joins NCAA Division ll”
Florida Memorial defeated Edward Waters 38-21 in The Big Cat Classic on Sept. 2, 2023, in Jacksonville. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
July 11, 2024

Edward Waters University officially joins NCAA Division ll

The move to the NCAA means stronger competition for student-athletes and more money for the athletics department.…