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 “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…

Featured image for “First new school opens in Duval under half-cent sales tax”
Rutledge H Pearson Elementary School sign l Steven Ponson
August 10, 2023

First new school opens in Duval under half-cent sales tax

Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School is the first new school to open in Duval County since 2011.…

Featured image for “Waves of heat-weary Jaxsons turn for medical help”
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue personnel help a man as the temperature hits 94 degrees on Aug. 1, 2023. l Michelle Corum
August 9, 2023

Waves of heat-weary Jaxsons turn for medical help

The number of heat-related calls to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue has nearly doubled since last year.…

Featured image for “As Jacksonville bakes, people seek relief wherever they can”
People try to stay cool in James Weldon Johnson Park in Jacksonville. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 89.9
August 8, 2023

As Jacksonville bakes, people seek relief wherever they can

The oppressive heat prompted the city to open cooling centers Tuesday. The homeless, elderly and outdoor workers are at particular…

Featured image for “Here’s an easy way to apply for a passport this weekend”
The St. Johns County Clerk’s Office will host a passport event Saturday. l St. Johns County Clerk of Courts.
August 8, 2023

Here’s an easy way to apply for a passport this weekend

The St. Johns County Clerk’s Office will host a passport event from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the…

Featured image for “New tennis courts beckon to students at Edward Waters University”
These renovated tennis courts at Edward Waters University will be home to a new women's tennis program. | Steven Ponson, WJCT News 98.9
August 3, 2023

New tennis courts beckon to students at Edward Waters University

EWU says the courts — home to a new women’s tennis program — are a chance for students to get…

Featured image for “Immunizations and supplies offered as students return to school”
A teenage child gets vaccinated for tetanus, meningitis and chickenpox. l Lindsey Kilbride, WJCT News
August 2, 2023

Immunizations and supplies offered as students return to school

Health Departments will provide immunizations, and school supplies will be distributed at events along the First Coast.…

Featured image for “St. Johns Riverkeeper studies dying river grasses”
A largemouth bass is shown near eel grass in the St. Johns River. | St. Johns Riverkeeper
August 2, 2023

St. Johns Riverkeeper studies dying river grasses

The Riverkeeper is surveying the river from Doctors Lake in Clay County to Lake George in Putnam County, looking for…

Featured image for “Jacksonville’s newest park under construction in Riverside”
Artist Walk rendering
July 31, 2023

Jacksonville’s newest park under construction in Riverside

Artist Walk — including a skate park and artistic displays — will lie between Riverside Avenue and Park Street under…

Featured image for “Tillie K. Fowler Nature Center reopens after months of repairs”
July 27, 2023

Tillie K. Fowler Nature Center reopens after months of repairs

The nature center gives visitors an up-close experience with live snakes, frogs, turtles, lizards and other wildlife native to Florida.…

Featured image for “Vice President Kamala Harris headed to Jacksonville”
July 21, 2023

Vice President Kamala Harris headed to Jacksonville

The vice president will speak against new state standards for teaching Black history, including a suggestion that slaves benefited by…

Featured image for “Hydroponic farm in Baker County promises 600 jobs”
July 20, 2023

Hydroponic farm in Baker County promises 600 jobs

Plant Agricultural Systems, based in Fort Lauderdale, plans to develop 772 acres in Sanderson to grow fresh produce.…

Featured image for “Rising saltwater is threatening marine ecosystems”
July 18, 2023

Rising saltwater is threatening marine ecosystems

Increased salinity in oceans and coastal areas has potentially devastating effects, a new UNF study concludes.…

Featured image for “With 1904 Music Hall closing, what’s the future of The Elbow?”
July 14, 2023

With 1904 Music Hall closing, what’s the future of The Elbow?

No need to worry, business leaders say. More businesses are on the way to the entertainment district in Downtown Jacksonville.…