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 “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?”
The November ballot is hefty this year. 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 area's 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.…

Featured image for “Salvation Army offers rent and utility assistance”
The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida is offering rental and utility assistance for low-income residents in Duval County. l Google Maps.
July 11, 2024

Salvation Army offers rent and utility assistance

The Salvation Army of Northeast Florida is offering rent and utility assistance for low income residents in Duval County.…

Featured image for “Affordable housing begins leasing at San Marco East”
Lofts at San Marco East is accepting applications. | The Jaxson
July 10, 2024

Affordable housing begins leasing at San Marco East

The Lofts at San Marco East is a 172-unit affordable housing complex at Philips Highway and St. Augustine Road. …

Featured image for “Artists sought for new entryways to Cathedral Hill”
The Cathedral District-Jax is looking for artists to beautify two intersections in the Cathedral District of Downtown Jacksonville. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today.
July 9, 2024

Artists sought for new entryways to Cathedral Hill

The Cathedral District-Jax, a local nonprofit, is seeking artists to beautify two intersections in Downtown Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “2 Jacksonville adult businesses sue state of Florida over employee age limit”
Sinsations on Emerson Street is one of the businesses suing the state over its entertainer age limit. | Google Maps
July 2, 2024

2 Jacksonville adult businesses sue state of Florida over employee age limit

The federal lawsuit alleges the new Florida law violates the rights of 18- to-20-year-old adult entertainers.…

Featured image for “DIA backs out of Laura Street Trio negotiations”
All three buidlings in the Laura Street Trio were built in the early 20th century. | The Jaxson
June 28, 2024

DIA backs out of Laura Street Trio negotiations

The developer, Southeast Development Group, wants to work directly with the Jacksonville City Council.…

Featured image for “Lawmakers question delayed mail at USPS center in Jax”
Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia lawmakers are asking questions about the operations at the Jacksonville Regional Processing and Distribution Center after receiving complaints for months. l News4Jax.
June 27, 2024

Lawmakers question delayed mail at USPS center in Jax

Lawmakers say they receive countless complaints about the Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville expedition will study white sharks in Europe”
The Ocearch ship sits in Mayport ready for its departure. | Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
June 18, 2024

Jacksonville expedition will study white sharks in Europe

The nonprofit research group Ocearch is leaving Mayport to study white sharks in the waters off western Europe and the…

Featured image for “Former cop sentenced for giving information to criminals”
June 18, 2024

Former cop sentenced for giving information to criminals

Christopher Barr was accused of accessing police databases to share information with criminals.…

Featured image for “Shorebird nests delay Amelia Island dredging”
A black skimmer protects its chick in a nest. | Florida Fish and Wildlilfe Conservation Commission, WGCU
June 14, 2024

Shorebird nests delay Amelia Island dredging

A project to dredge the Nassau River and nearby waterways has been delayed until early October.…

Featured image for “Public hearing scheduled on stadium renovation”
The Jaguars are proposing a $1.4 billion renovation of EverBank Stadium. | Jacksonville Jaguars
June 13, 2024

Public hearing scheduled on stadium renovation

The hearing will take place Monday as a debate continues over the community benefits segment of the stadium agreement.…

Featured image for “Loan scam targets sailors along the First Coast”
A new type of loan scam targets sailors on the First Coast. l Rodion Kutsaiev, Unsplash.
June 11, 2024

Loan scam targets sailors along the First Coast

About 20 sailors in Northeast Florida have fallen victim to the scammers, who ask to use their phones and then…

Featured image for “Honoring female veterans in Northeast Florida”
Pat McCullough served in the U.S. Marine Corps before working in politics and serving as the city of Jacksonville's special assistant to the mayor on civic engagement and youth participation. She is shown marching during the city's Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11, 2023. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 10, 2024

Honoring female veterans in Northeast Florida

Events are planned all week for Women Veterans Recognition Week, which honors female vets and highlights their daily challenges.…

Featured image for “Second workshop set on stadium renovation”
The Jacksonville Jaguars are proposing a $1.4 billion renovation of EveryBank Stadium. | Jacksonville Jaguars
June 10, 2024

Second workshop set on stadium renovation

The agenda will include the community benefits portion of the agreement, which would funnel $300 million into the community.…

Featured image for “JEA CEO resigned over spending concerns, mayor says”
Jay Stowe resigned as CEO of JEA in April. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
June 6, 2024

JEA CEO resigned over spending concerns, mayor says

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said she is not aware of any wrondoing by former CEO Jay Stowe.…

Featured image for “Historic Beach Bowl will reopen this month”
The Beach Bowl on Beach Boulevard has been renovated and expanded. | News4Jax
June 6, 2024

Historic Beach Bowl will reopen this month

The bowling alley on Beach Boulevard has been renovated and expanded since closing in 2019.…