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 “How to see Saturday’s solar eclipse in Jacksonville”
Solar Eclipse at University of North Florida 2017 l University of North Florida
October 11, 2023

How to see Saturday’s solar eclipse in Jacksonville

A rare solar eclipse will take place over the U.S. this weekend, and in Northeast Florida, we will have a…

Featured image for “Job fair for military veterans, spouses coming to Jacksonville Thursday”
A group of military veterans runs out on the field before an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
October 10, 2023

Job fair for military veterans, spouses coming to Jacksonville Thursday

Thursday, veterans, and their spouses, will have the chance to look for a new career at a veterans job fair…

Featured image for “New US citizens welcomed in Jacksonville”
Thirty-five people became US citizens Friday during a ceremony at Englewood High School in Jacksonville. l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
October 6, 2023

New US citizens welcomed in Jacksonville

Thirty-five people from 24 countries became the newest U.S. citizens Friday during a ceremony at Englewood High School in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Timuquana greens vandalized ahead of Furyk tournament”
The clubhouse at Timuquana Country Club. | Ben Jared/PGA Tour via Getty Images)
October 5, 2023

Timuquana greens vandalized ahead of Furyk tournament

Tournament officials are repairing the damage, and the course is expected to be ready for the first day of tournament…

Featured image for “Your voting site may change for next election”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections building. | Claire Heddles, Jacksonville Today
October 3, 2023

Your voting site may change for next election

Proposed changes to voting precincts in Duval County could affect more than half of the county’s voters.…

Featured image for “People have plenty of ideas to replace Golf Hall of Fame”
The World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX theater sit near St. Augustine. | Dan Scanlan, Jacksonville Today
September 28, 2023

People have plenty of ideas to replace Golf Hall of Fame

The public came out in force to suggest uses for the departing World Golf Hall of Fame and nearby properties.…

Featured image for “Legislative priorities take shape in Northeast Florida”
This aerial view shows the World Golf Hall of Fame at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. | Visit St. Augustine
September 27, 2023

Legislative priorities take shape in Northeast Florida

The legislative delegation from Northeast Florida is sounding out the public for priorities heading into the 2024 session.…

Featured image for “Nightlife ordinance off the table in St. Augustine”
A bar in St. Augustine. | News4Jax
September 26, 2023

Nightlife ordinance off the table in St. Augustine

The proposed ordinance would have required businesses to get a permit to sell alcohol between midnight and 2 a.m.…

Featured image for “Ponte Vedra resort plan moves forward despite complaints”
An illustration shows the proposed new Surf Club at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. l Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
September 22, 2023

Ponte Vedra resort plan moves forward despite complaints

The St. Johns County Planning & Zoning Agency approved a plan to upgrade and expand two resorts in Ponte Vedra.…

Featured image for “Tougher laws against sex offenders, predators approved in St. Johns County”
September 20, 2023

Tougher laws against sex offenders, predators approved in St. Johns County

On Tuesday, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners approved tougher ordinances against sexual predators and offenders.…

Featured image for “Mayor: ‘Everything’s on the table’ when it comes to city ownership of EverBank Stadium”
The Jacksonville Jaguars have proposed renovating EverBank Stadium into the "Stadium of the Future."
September 19, 2023

Mayor: ‘Everything’s on the table’ when it comes to city ownership of EverBank Stadium

Though she likes city ownership of EverBank Stadium, Mayor Donna Deegan says all options are being considered at negotiations begin.…

Featured image for “Trucker accused of moving stolen fuel in Nassau County”
Gas pumps
September 14, 2023

Trucker accused of moving stolen fuel in Nassau County

The man was arrested with hundreds of gallons of fuel after he drove past an inspection station on Interstate 95.…

Featured image for “Imagine EverBank Stadium swamped in floodwaters”
An illustration simulates the effect of rising waters on a city street. The city is not identified, but it's not Jacksonville. | FloodVision
September 13, 2023

Imagine EverBank Stadium swamped in floodwaters

Climate Central, a nonprofit group, is simulating how rising sea levels could endanger well-known landmarks, including several in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “No injuries reported after parking garage partially collapses at St. Vincent’s Riverside hospital”
September 12, 2023

No injuries reported after parking garage partially collapses at St. Vincent’s Riverside hospital

JFRD & JSO responded to a partial parking garage collapse at Ascension St. Vincent’s hospital.…

Featured image for “Feds help Duval fight rash of opioid deaths”
A Jacksonville Fire Rescue unit l Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
September 8, 2023

Feds help Duval fight rash of opioid deaths

Duval County has the fifth-highest rate of opioid deaths in Florida, according to data from the the Department of Health.…

Featured image for “Hearing set Wednesday on Ponte Vedra Inn plans”
The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club. | Ponte Vedra Beach Resorts
September 5, 2023

Hearing set Wednesday on Ponte Vedra Inn plans

Ponte Vedra Corp. wants to rezone about 91 acres for improvements to improve resilience and to compete with similar resorts.…

Featured image for “Power outages spread across Jacksonville area”
August 30, 2023

Power outages spread across Jacksonville area

Although Hurricane Idalia was causing limited damage Wednesday in Northeast Florida, power outages were spreading across the region.…

Featured image for “How to prepare for the arrival of Idalia”
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan and other city officials give a storm update about Tropical Storm Idalia on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.8
August 28, 2023

How to prepare for the arrival of Idalia

People in Northeast Florida are advised to prepare for a hurricane-force storm that is likely to hit the Gulf Coast…

Featured image for “Tourism down locally after two exceptional years”
The beaches in Duval County draw thousands of tourists every year. l Ryan Ketterman
August 24, 2023

Tourism down locally after two exceptional years

The number of tourists visiting Duval County fell nearly 10% in the second quarter this year, but the news might…

Featured image for “Postpartum depression on the rise; new program offers help”
Motherhood Space sign l Steven Ponson
August 23, 2023

Postpartum depression on the rise; new program offers help

Baptist Health opens the Motherhood Space Day Program to help mothers with mental health challenges.…

Featured image for “Duval elections office pushes for poll workers in 2024”
The Duval County Supervisor of Elections office. l Ray Hollister, WJCT News 89.9
August 22, 2023

Duval elections office pushes for poll workers in 2024

The campaign will use the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Icemen and the Sharks social media accounts to draw people’s attention.…

Featured image for “Jacksonville promises to tame those overgrown lots”
Grass is mowed Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, at A. Philip Randolph Park. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
August 16, 2023

Jacksonville promises to tame those overgrown lots

Mayor Donna Deegan is proposing a 95% increase in the amount of money allocated to the city’s Mowing and Landscaping…

Featured image for “Free legal advice offered for veterans and military members”
Military veteran l City of Jacksonville
August 14, 2023

Free legal advice offered for veterans and military members

The city of Jacksonville and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid are creating something of a one-stop shop to meet the growing…

Featured image for “Jacksonville man headed to Hawaii to help with wildfires”
The Red Cross is sending Tyler Smith from Jacksonville to Hawaii to assist with wildfire recovery. l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9.
August 11, 2023

Jacksonville man headed to Hawaii to help with wildfires

Tyler Smith of the American Red Cross will be deployed to Hawaii for three weeks to help with recovery from…