Steven Ponson Reporter 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 “Ethics officials worry new law will tie their hands”
Uncertainty surrounds Jax ethics commission following ethics legislation approval.
March 12, 2024

Ethics officials worry new law will tie their hands

The Jacksonville Ethics Commission says new restrictions on ethics complaints could foster misconduct by public officials.…

Featured image for “Homeless population soars in parts of Northeast Florida”
A person sits near their tent in an empty lot near Ashley and Clay streets in Downtown Jacksonville on March 8, 2024. | Casmira Harrison, Jacksonville Today
March 8, 2024

Homeless population soars in parts of Northeast Florida

The number of unsheltered people in Duval, Clay and Nassau counties increased by 43% this year, according to Changing Homelessness.…

Featured image for “Where to vote early in the presidential primary”
Early voting starts this week across Northeast Florida ahead of the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary.
March 7, 2024

Where to vote early in the presidential primary

The early voting period for the Presidential Preference Primary in Florida begins this week across Northeast Florida.…

Featured image for “Aldi completes purchase of Winn-Dixie stores”
Aldi bought Southeastern Grocers Inc., the parent company of Winn-Dixie. | Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
March 7, 2024

Aldi completes purchase of Winn-Dixie stores

Aldi acquired Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets from Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers. A “significant number” of the stores will be converted to…

Featured image for “Decision delayed on HGTV Dream Home in St. Augustine”
This rip rap was constructed behind HGTV's Dream Home on Anastasia Island. | St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board
March 5, 2024

Decision delayed on HGTV Dream Home in St. Augustine

St. Augustine’s Planning and Zoning Board will wait until next month to consider a retaining wall that builders installed without…

Featured image for “Neptune Beach cameras will catch speeders in school zones”
A school speed zone. | News4Jax
March 5, 2024

Neptune Beach cameras will catch speeders in school zones

The city has decided to install automatic cameras in school zones. Speeders will receive $100 tickets in the mail.…

Featured image for “Low-income residents get help to reduce energy bills”
March 5, 2024

Low-income residents get help to reduce energy bills

Jacksonville has received a $845,350 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to conduct energy audits and make home improvements.…

Featured image for “Sulzbacher launches catering service to benefit homeless”
Sulzbacher has started a catering service to benefit its two kitchens and workforce development. l Inside the Box via X.
March 4, 2024

Sulzbacher launches catering service to benefit homeless

The service, called Inside the Box, will support Sulzbacher’s two kitchens and help people develop food service skills.…

Featured image for “New Ringhaver playground embraces all children”
New playground equipment has been installed at Ringhaver Park on Jacksonville's Westside. l Kim Clontz, Friends of Jax Playgrounds.
March 1, 2024

New Ringhaver playground embraces all children

The renovated playground at Ringhaver Park was designed to be more inclusive for children with limited abilities.…

Featured image for “Whiskey Jax closing in Atlantic Beach”
Whiskey Jax Kitchen & Cocktails posted this notice about its closing. | Whiskey Jax, Instagram
February 29, 2024

Whiskey Jax closing in Atlantic Beach

Sunday will be the last day for the gastropub and live music venue. The location in the Baymeadows area will…

Featured image for “Three Malayan tiger cubs ready for debut at zoo”
Three Malayan tiger cubs are ready to strut for the public at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens this week. l News4Jax.
February 29, 2024

Three Malayan tiger cubs ready for debut at zoo

The cubs born at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in November will join their mother Friday in the Land of…

Featured image for “121 Financial Ballpark in line for major makeover”
A new video board has been installed in the outfield at 121 Financial Ballpark. The stadium's renovation project is called Project Next. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
February 28, 2024

121 Financial Ballpark in line for major makeover

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp plan a new multilevel building in right field, a new center field main entrance and enhanced…

Featured image for “Popular Murray Hill bakery in need of help after fire”
An electrical fire in the bakery at Community Loaves in Murray Hill has forced the business to move to a lighter operation until repairs can be made. | Community Loaves.
February 27, 2024

Popular Murray Hill bakery in need of help after fire

Community Loaves hopes the community will help keep employees on the payroll by buying gift cards while the business gets…

Featured image for “New exhibit explores the culinary history of the Beaches”
Lumpia from Abstrack Filipino is featured in a new exhibit at the Beaches Museum. | Katie Rider, Beaches Museum.
February 23, 2024

New exhibit explores the culinary history of the Beaches

A new exhibit at the Beaches Museum will explore the history and culture surrounding food in the Beaches area.…

Featured image for “New group helps women in tech and entrepreneurship”
Members of the new Jacksonville chapter of Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship enjoy the chapter's first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at Wicked Barley in Jacksonville. l Steven Ponson WJCT News 89.9.
February 22, 2024

New group helps women in tech and entrepreneurship

An organization called Women in Tech & Entrepreneurship has created a Jacksonville chapter to support women in those fields.…

Featured image for “Autonomous vehicles hit the road at FSCJ”
Autonomous vehicles are starting to help students get around the Downtown campus of Florida State College at Jacksonville. l Steven Ponson WJCT News 89.9
February 20, 2024

Autonomous vehicles hit the road at FSCJ

Two driverless vehicles at Florida State College at Jacksonville will help guide plans for the Ultimate Urban Circulator around Downtown.…

Featured image for “Curbside recycling is ending in parts of Clay County”
Curbside recycling pickup is ending in Clay County later this year. | Randy Roguski, WJCT News 89.9
February 19, 2024

Curbside recycling is ending in parts of Clay County

Curbside recycling will end Oct. 1 when Clay County switches to a new waste hauler. But waste collection fees will…

Featured image for “Nassau County Schools sued over curriculum materials”
The group Citizens Defending Freedom sued the Nassau County school district. l News4Jax
February 16, 2024

Nassau County Schools sued over curriculum materials

The group Citizens Defending Freedom has sued Nassau County Schools to get access to materials in a behavioral health curriculum.…

Featured image for “Eastside children open their hearts through podcasting”
Children at Richard Lewis Brown Academy smile as they get ready for a podcast session l William Jackson
February 14, 2024

Eastside children open their hearts through podcasting

A new podcast at Richard Lewis Brown Academy has given children a chance to express themselves to a wide audience…

Featured image for “More drink choices coming at Clay County Fairgrounds”
February 14, 2024

More drink choices coming at Clay County Fairgrounds

County commissioners voted to allow the sale of canned cocktails during events with 500 or more people — including the…

Featured image for “Opposition growing against ethics legislation”
February 12, 2024

Opposition growing against ethics legislation

Opponents say a bill moving through the Florida Legislature would make it easier for corrupt politicians to get away with…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s new planning director lays out his mission”
R. Brett James is Jacksonville's new Director of Planning. | NAVFAC Southwest
February 9, 2024

Jacksonville’s new planning director lays out his mission

R. Brett James, a former Navy civilian director, took over this week as Jacksonville’s chief of planning and development.…

Featured image for “Earthquake rumbles off the East Coast of Florida”
An earthquake struck just over 100 miles east of Cape Canaveral. | U.S. Geological Survey
February 8, 2024

Earthquake rumbles off the East Coast of Florida

The magnitude 4.0 earthquake registered a little more than 100 miles east of Cape Canaveral, just before 11 p.m. Wednesday.…

Featured image for “Sheriff’s officer accused of giving information to criminals”
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announces the arrest of police officer Christopher Barr during a news conference Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2024 l Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
February 7, 2024

Sheriff’s officer accused of giving information to criminals

Christopher Barr is accused of sharing information from police databases with people that Sheriff T.K. Waters described as criminals.…