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 “Rip rap questioned at 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
February 7, 2024

Rip rap questioned at HGTV Dream Home in St. Augustine

The St. Augustine Planning & Zoning Board is delaying a decision about the retaining wall, which was built without approval.…

Featured image for “More affordable housing planned in St. Johns County”
The Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County wants to build more housing on its campus in St. Augustine. l Google
February 5, 2024

More affordable housing planned in St. Johns County

The Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County hopes to use $247,000 in state money toward building 16 affordable duplexes.…

Featured image for “St. Augustine Beach renourishment will start soon”
A section of St. Augustine Beach will undergo a beach renourishment project starting in mid-February l Army Corps of Engineers
February 2, 2024

St. Augustine Beach renourishment will start soon

A project starting in mid-February will add about 2.5 million cubic yards of sand from the ocean floor along the…

Featured image for “Kerr-McGee Superfund cleanup set for major step forward”
The Kerr-McGee Superfund site is along the St. Johns River and Talleyrand Avenue. | Multistate Environmental Response Trust
February 1, 2024

Kerr-McGee Superfund cleanup set for major step forward

The next stage of cleanup will begin in the spring on 31 acres of contaminated land along Tallyrand Boulevard and…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Why are firetrucks dispatched when there’s no apparent fire risk?”
A Jacksonville Fire & Rescue truck parks at a recent city event on Jacksonville's Northside l Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
February 1, 2024

#AskJAXTDY l Why are firetrucks dispatched when there’s no apparent fire risk?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders whether it’s a waste of resources to send firetrucks when there’s no fire.…

Featured image for “Traffic relief coming to CR 210 in St Johns County”
A portion of County Road 210 in northern St. Johns County will be expanded to six lanes to help alleviate traffic congestion. l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
January 30, 2024

Traffic relief coming to CR 210 in St Johns County

Construction is underway on a project to widen County Road 210 in northern St. Johns County to alleviate a major…

Featured image for “MOSH misses deadline, but new museum still in the works”
MOSH is planning a $100 million museum on the Northbank in Downtown Jacksonville. | MOSH
January 29, 2024

MOSH misses deadline, but new museum still in the works

The Museum of Science & History missed a deadline to raise $40 million for its move to the Northbank, but…

Featured image for “How to change your party affiliation ahead of an election”
January 26, 2024

How to change your party affiliation ahead of an election

The deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation ahead of the March primary is coming up Feb…

Featured image for “St. Johns takes steps to lure company from Orlando area”
An illustration shows the proposed headquarters for Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service. St. Johns County commissioners are considering more than $118,000 in incentives to bring the company to the county. l St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
January 25, 2024

St. Johns takes steps to lure company from Orlando area

Neighbors are worried about traffic around the proposed headquarters of Vermeer Southeast Sales & Service, a construction equipment company.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville sheriff releases racist shooter’s manifesto”
A makeshift memorial outside Dollar General honors the three people killed there Aug. 26, 2023, in a racist shooting. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
January 19, 2024

Jacksonville sheriff releases racist shooter’s manifesto

The gunman from Clay County left behind a 27-page manifesto before he killed three Black people at a Dollar General…

Featured image for “Polling locations are changing in St. Johns County”
January 18, 2024

Polling locations are changing in St. Johns County

Changes in polling locations will affect about 23,000 of the 217,000 registered voters in St. Johns County.…

Featured image for “More organ donors needed despite record transplants”
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic perform an organ transplant. l Mayo Clinic
January 12, 2024

More organ donors needed despite record transplants

The number of people needing transplants is increasing faster than the number of donors, says Dr. Shennen Mao of Mayo…

Featured image for “Jacksonville takes steps to cut permitting delays”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan announces the launch of JAXEPICS on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. The new system is designed to speed the permitting process. l Steven Ponson WJCT News 89.9
January 10, 2024

Jacksonville takes steps to cut permitting delays

The city of Jacksonville has launched a new website, JaxEPICS, to reduce the waiting times to get building permits.…

Featured image for “More poll workers needed in Duval, especially Republicans”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections office. l Ray Hollister, WJCT News 89.9
January 9, 2024

More poll workers needed in Duval, especially Republicans

Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland would like to recruit 30 to 40 more Republicans and 10 to 20 Democrats.…

Featured image for “Respiratory illnesses on the rise on First Coast”
Northeast Florida has hit the peak of respiratory virus season. l Towfiqu barbhuiya, Unsplash
January 5, 2024

Respiratory illnesses on the rise on First Coast

Some hospitals say they are seeing more cases of COVID-19, the flu and RSV. The trend is likely to continue…

Featured image for “New voter cards may change where you vote in Duval”
New voter information cards are being sent to registered voters across Duval County. l Jessica Palombo, Jacksonville Today
January 3, 2024

New voter cards may change where you vote in Duval

The Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office is sending out new voter information cards that will show any changes in…

Featured image for “Beach walkover and parking planned for Crescent Beach”
Crews are in the process of demolishing the old South Beach Grill restaurant in Crescent Beach to make way for a new beach walkover and parking l St. Johns County
January 2, 2024

Beach walkover and parking planned for Crescent Beach

The old South Beach Grill restaurant is being demolished to make way for a new beach walkover and parking by…

Featured image for “Recycling just got stricter in Clay County”
Curbside recycling pickup is ending in Clay County later this year. | Randy Roguski, WJCT News 89.9
December 29, 2023

Recycling just got stricter in Clay County

Clay County will no longer recycle glass, paper or packaging — an attempt to control costs and avoid a fee…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Why can’t I access jacksonville.gov while overseas?”
This is the city of Jacksonville's new website, at jacksonville.gov. | City of Jacksonville
December 22, 2023

#AskJAXTDY l Why can’t I access jacksonville.gov while overseas?

A Jacksonville Today reader wonders whether the city is blocking website users in Israel.…

Featured image for “Mayo pledges $5 million toward Sulzbacher campus”
A $5 million gift from Mayo Clinic will help Sulzbacher complete this campus in Northwest Jacksonville.
December 20, 2023

Mayo pledges $5 million toward Sulzbacher campus

Mayo Clinic Florida will provide medical services in Northwest Jacksonville, an area in desperate need of health care.…

Featured image for “After 5 years, Jacksonville to unite with one MLK breakfast”
Jacksonville NAACP President Isaiah Rumlin speaks Dec. 11, 2023, about Jacksonville's unified Martin Luther King Jr. breakfasts. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
December 11, 2023

After 5 years, Jacksonville to unite with one MLK breakfast

Jacksonville’s two MLK breakfast events will join in a show of unity during a time of rising hate and intolerance.…

Featured image for “Thousands of Duval residents sign up for health insurance”
December 8, 2023

Thousands of Duval residents sign up for health insurance

The number of people without health insurance has plummeted nearly 22% in Duval County in a month.…

Featured image for “Local veterans reflect on Pearl Harbor 82 years later”
Joan DelCogliano, vice president of the Fleet Reserve Association branch in Atlantic Beach, lays a flower during a moment of remembrance for Pearl Harbor. l Steven Ponson
December 7, 2023

Local veterans reflect on Pearl Harbor 82 years later

Dozens of veterans and active duty service members came together Thursday in Atlantic Beach to remember the lives lost on…

Featured image for “Law enforcement renews push against hate crimes”
The FBI Jacksonville is encouraging the public to report hate crimes. l Steven Ponson
December 1, 2023

Law enforcement renews push against hate crimes

The FBI Jacksonville and other agencies are encouraging the public to report hate crimes, which are increasing in Florida and…