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 “Sun-Ray Cinema is expanding to Daytona Beach”
The Sun-Ray Cinema in Five Points. | Jacksonville Daily Record
November 29, 2023

Sun-Ray Cinema is expanding to Daytona Beach

Sun-Ray also is hoping for an eventual location at the Beaches or Mandarin.…

Featured image for “Clay County charts a path for next five years”
Road improvements are among Clay County's goals. | Zac Gudakov on Unsplash
November 29, 2023

Clay County charts a path for next five years

The county is creating a long list of plans to improve health and safety, development, infrastructure, quality of life and…

Featured image for “Shark research expedition launches from Mayport”
The Ocearch ship sits in Mayport ready for its departure. | Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
November 27, 2023

Shark research expedition launches from Mayport

A team from Ocearch will study white sharks as they migrate to waters off the southeastern U.S. for the winter.…

Featured image for “You’ll have lots of company if you travel over the holiday”
A woman moves through one of the nine TSA checkpoints at Jacksonville International Airport l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
November 21, 2023

You’ll have lots of company if you travel over the holiday

Here’s what to expect on the roads and in the airport during a weekend of possibly record-heavy travel.…

Featured image for “Nights of Lights returns with boost for local businesses”
The Plaza de la Constitución is lit up during Nights of Lights in downtown St. Augustine. l St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau
November 17, 2023

Nights of Lights returns with boost for local businesses

Tens of thousands of people will travel to St. Augustine to see one of the biggest holiday light displays anywhere.…

Featured image for “JEA trains for potential attacks on electrical grid”
JEA staff participate in GridEx, a simulation of an attack on the utility. l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
November 15, 2023

JEA trains for potential attacks on electrical grid

JEA took part in a two-day security exercise Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for the potential of cyber and physical…

Featured image for “New lab aims to keep water safe in St. Johns County”
A lab worker reads samples taken at the new utility lab in St. Johns County l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
November 14, 2023

New lab aims to keep water safe in St. Johns County

The $4.6 million utility lab was built on higher ground, meaning staff can work 24/7 through any storm.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY | Are tolls being collected on the I-295 express lanes?”
Cars travel on the East Beltway express lanes in Jacksonville l Dan Scanlan, WJCT News 89.9
November 14, 2023

#AskJAXTDY | Are tolls being collected on the I-295 express lanes?

A Jacksonville Today reader asks whether tolls were being collected on the I-295 express lanes in Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “Late library books can cost you. But not in Jax.”
November 13, 2023

Late library books can cost you. But not in Jax.

The Jacksonville library eliminated late fees two years ago. And St. Johns County is giving you a break right now.…

Featured image for “5 new student-created sculptures on display in Jax Beach”
New student crafted sculpture is installed at Seaside Sculpture Park in Jacksonville Beach l Steven Ponson
November 3, 2023

5 new student-created sculptures on display in Jax Beach

Five new University of North Florida student created sculptures were installed Friday in Jacksonville Beach.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l How did Northeast Florida’s reps vote for House speaker?”
Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., takes the oath to be the new House speaker l Alex Brandon/AP
October 31, 2023

#AskJAXTDY l How did Northeast Florida’s reps vote for House speaker?

A reader asked us which Northeast Florida Representatives voted for new House Speaker Mike Johnson.…

Featured image for “Feds say Clay Schools failed non-English-speaking students”
Clay County Schools has agreed to make changes to better service English learners.
October 31, 2023

Feds say Clay Schools failed non-English-speaking students

Under a Justice Department agreeement, the district will increase services for students trying to learn English for the first time.…

Featured image for “How to get rid of your unwanted prescription drugs”
October 27, 2023

How to get rid of your unwanted prescription drugs

Saturday is National Drug Take Back Day, when you can safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs.…

Featured image for “St. Johns County is building schools as fast as it can”
October 26, 2023

St. Johns County is building schools as fast as it can

County Commissioners and School Board members met Thursday to discuss the county’s explosive growth.…

Featured image for “More affordable housing opens in St. Augustine”
Victoria Crossing Apartments in St. Augustine l Steven Ponson
October 25, 2023

More affordable housing opens in St. Augustine

Victoria Crossing is the latest attempt to deal with a critical shortage of affordable housing in Northeast Florida’s most expensive…

Featured image for “Faith leaders work to keep houses of worship safe”
St. John's Cathedral in Downtown Jacksonville l Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
October 24, 2023

Faith leaders work to keep houses of worship safe

Two meetings this week united faith leaders, government and law enforcement in the face of rising violence.…

Featured image for “Here’s what to know as Florida-Georgia week begins”
Florida-Georgia banners hang in Downtown Jacksonville l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
October 23, 2023

Here’s what to know as Florida-Georgia week begins

Florida Gator and Georgia Bulldog fans are already making the annual pilgrimage to Jacksonville.…

Featured image for “#AskJAXTDY l Is Jacksonville the largest city in the contiguous US?”
Jacksonville's credit rating has improved. l Steven Ponson, Jacksonville Today
October 20, 2023

#AskJAXTDY l Is Jacksonville the largest city in the contiguous US?

A reader asked us to set the record straight about Jacksonville’s size compared to other cities in the U.S.…

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.…