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Election 2026

I endorse Kelly Kirschner, Reggie Bellamy, and Charles Smith

I want to be very clear with the people of Manatee County about where I stand. I have always stayed true to my core conservative principles and my commitment to doing what is right for Manatee …
Dr. Bob McCann
6 hours ago
Election 2026

Early voting now open in Manatee County

Early voting starts today and runs through Sunday, November 1, 8:30 am - 6:00 pm daily at the following locations throughout Manatee County. After early voting, in person voting can only be done on …
Staff Report
Today
opinion

Elections: A Time for Hope

Elections can bring out the worst in people. Tensions rise, friendships become strained and political campaigns bombard us with messages designed to divide rather than inform. Just read some of the …
Joe McClash, Publisher of The Bradenton Times
3 days ago
State

Rain doesn't dampen enthusiasm at Bernie Sanders/Angie Nixon rally

Senator Bernie Sanders brought his fighting oligarchy tour to Tampa on Saturday, and despite heavy rain, well over a thousand people packed into the courtyard of Ybor City's Cuban Club to hear the …
by Mitch Maley
3 days ago
More local news
Local
Audit finds transparency, accounting problems with environmental lands tax fund
A Manatee County Inspector General audit estimates that about $6.26 million in operating expenses charged to the Environmental Lands Fund exceeded …
Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
TBT Exclusive
Document superimposed for illustrative purposes.
Records confirm county Code Enforcement Chief was terminated
Manatee County Code Enforcement Chief Tom Wooten was formally terminated on Sept. 16, according to public records obtained by TBT. Six days later, the county …
Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
Local
This Week in Local Government: 10/18/26
There are a few meetings of note on local government calendars this week. The Palmetto City Commission will hold a workshop and regular meeting on Monday. The Manatee County Commission …
Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
Red Tide Status Update: 10/16/26
The red tide organism,  Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in six samples collected from and offshore of Southwest Florida. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
3 days ago
local
Portrait credit: Malia Byrtus
National Geographic Explorer Carlton Ward Jr. to keynote Suncoast Waterkeeper’s annual Brunch for the Bay Nov. 1
As Sarasota and Manatee counties continue to grow, decisions being made today about what gets developed and what gets protected will shape the future of the region’s water. On November 1, …
Suncoast Waterkeeper
4 days ago
state
In the dark? 2026 ‘Government in the Sunshine’ manual seemingly shelved
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has not published the Government in the Sunshine Manual this year, seemingly breaking an annual effort by attorneys general in the state for decades.
Jay Waagmeester
4 days ago
Opinions
EarthTalk: Outrunning Global Warming? Coral Reefs Move Toward Poles
Greenhouse gas emissions around the globe are driving tropical ocean temperatures to historic highs. As a result, coral reefs are attempting to migrate toward cooler, …
3 days ago
Election 2026
For Florida House District 72, we recommend Harvey Shifrin
The Florida House District 72 race features incumbent Bill Conerly and challenger Harvey Shifrin. Incumbent Republican William “Bill” Conerly has been one of the most reliable votes for …
3 days ago
Election 2026
For Florida Senate District 20, we recommend Gerald Baldi
The Florida Senate District 20 race features longtime incumbent Jim Boyd and political newcomer Gerald Baldi. Baldi, 70, is a former advertising executive who moved from real estate to financial …
3 days ago
COMMENTARY
Sunday Favorites
The Things That Stayed
A house whose owner loved it so much she wrote it a love letter. An antique doll that reportedly wouldn’t stay where it was placed. A phantom bus said to haunt the Sunshine Skyway. This week’s …
Merab Favorite
Yesterday at 12:00 AM
commentary
A typical stormwater retention pond in a Florida community is both a visual amenity and a poorly functioning pollution control device. New standards were supposed to make the stormwater system more effective, but the Florida DEP removed their teeth. (Photo via Southwest Florida Water Management Districts)
New Florida stormwater rules don’t fix our pollution problem
Do you have a favorite movie? Mine is “Singin’ in the Rain.” Maybe because I grew up in the rainiest city in Florida, Pensacola. I could identify with Gene Kelly splashing around in all those …
by Craig Pittman
4 days ago
commentary
Mayor's Corner: City of Bradenton
Earlier this month, I joined local, state, and federal leaders at City Hall to recognize Christine Olson and 20 years of To Inform Families First, known as TIFF. After losing her daughter, …
by Mayor Gene Brown
5 days ago
Obituaries
William Sidney (Sid) Reames
William Sidney (Sid) Reames of Bradenton, Florida was born October 13, 1936 in West Plains, Missouri. He entered eternal rest at age 89 on October 11, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida Sid was the …
4 days ago
obituary
Kelly Moore
Kelly Moore passed away on October 6, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida, after a long battle with cancer. Kelly was 62. Born on July 1, 1964, Kelly’s life was marked by strength and perseverance. …
4 days ago
obituary
Jean Rebecca Denoyelles
Jean Rebecca Denoyelles passed away on October 9, 2026, at the age of 75. Born on November 21, 1950, Jean will be remembered with love and gratitude by those who knew her. Her life spanned …
4 days ago
Join us on social media
TBT Podcasts
podcast
George Kruse, a Republican Manatee County Commissioner, recently endorsed Democrat Dave Jolly for governor and Democrat Kelly Kirschner for Congress. He joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss why he thinks …
5 days ago
podcast
Reggie Bellamy is running for the Manatee County Commission's District 6 at-large (countywide) seat in November's election. He joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss what motivated him to run after being …
Wednesday, October 14
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
TBT ENDORSEMENTS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation
sports

Bradenton’s Finest and Bravest Coming to LECOM Park For Charity Softball Game

Balls will be flying around LECOM Park on Thursday, November 5. Every bit of balls being batted and bases being rounded at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training home is a reminder that …
Don Laible
4 days ago
Sports

Rafael Flores Jr. Ready to Take Next Step in Pirates Depth Chart

Beginning next spring in Bradenton, I’m looking forward to Rafael Flores Jr.’s 2027 season. When the Pirates recalled Flores Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis in early July, the rookie catcher …
by Don Laible
Friday, October 9
Sports

Random Ramblings from the 2026 MLB Season

The New York Mets, at $357,626,125, have the highest MLB team payroll in 2026. The Mets are not in the postseason. The team with the lowest payroll, the Cleveland Guardians, at $69,984,029, not only …
by Don Laible
Friday, October 2
Sports

Pirates Presenting Case for 2027 Postseason Participation

I don’t bet. But if I did, odds are the Pittsburgh Pirates are a postseason club in 2027. Forget the fear-mongering circulating that there might not be an MLB season in 2027. A new collective …
by Don Laible
Thursday, September 24
Arts & Entertainment
music
photo by Spidey Smith

Interview: Jake Owen

"This is still a young man's game." That’s something Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder has said. Pearl Jam's singer-songwriter is correct. The peak for many singer-songwriter's is during their salad …

by Ed Condran
Thursday, October 8
Arts & Entertainment

Tickets On Sale Now for 2026 European Holiday Market at the Bradenton Area Convention Center

Tickets are on sale now for the third annual European Holiday Market hosted at the Bradenton Area Convention Center , December 2-6, now with an added day for optimal cultural immersion …
Manatee County Government
Thursday, October 1
Music

Interview: Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper has more than earned his reputation as the “Godfather of Shock Rock.”  From his half-century of onstage decapitations to last year’s unexpected reunion album with his original …
by Bill Forman
Thursday, October 1
Arts & Entertainment

Art Walk returns to VOTA this weekend

Art Walk returns to Bradenton's Village of the Arts this weekend. This month's theme is Fall in Love with Art! The monthly event will take place Friday and Saturday for t wo days of art, …
Tuesday, September 29
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Election 2026
The Manatee County Commission District 6 (at-large) race will fill the seat being vacated by Commissioner Jason Bearden. It features former District 2 Commissioner Reggie Bellamy and Congressman …
3 days ago
The Florida Attorney General race features appointed Republican incumbent James Uthmeier against Democrat José Javier Rodríguez. The winner will serve a four-year term as Florida’s chief legal …
Tuesday, October 13
Guest Opinion
If you've sat in traffic on a road built for half the people using it, or watched your street flood after an ordinary storm, you know the problem. Growth has outrun the roads, pipes and drainage …
by Kelly Kirschner
Tuesday, October 13
During the cold gaps of the winter day, a warm, cozy fire may seem like the perfect solution. But burning wood releases far more than just heat …
Sunday, October 11
The governor’s initiative, modified by the Legislature and known as Amendment 3, will appear on all statewide ballots this November and will require 60% statewide approval to pass. The ballot …
by Terry Schaefer
Saturday, October 10
Interesting News

Tips for getting a loan with no credit

OneMain Financial reports tips for securing a loan with no credit history, suggesting options like secured loans, cosigned loans, family loans, and 401(k) loans.

Kim Gallagher for OneMain Financial
6 hours ago

7 proven acne treatments for teens

Honeydew reports on 7 effective acne treatments for teens, including options like low-dose Accutane, tretinoin, and benzoyl peroxide, tailored to individual needs.
Madeline Colorado for Honeydew
6 hours ago

A baker’s surprising ingredient: Mayonnaise

Hellmann's reports that mayonnaise can enhance baking by replacing eggs, oil, or butter, adding moisture and rich flavor while ensuring tender textures in cakes, cookies, and breads.
Suzanne Barr for Hellmann's
7 hours ago
Florida report

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Bob Delaney - Undercover Film "Hiding in Plain Sight" Working Undercover in New Jersey as a State Trooper

Emmy Award winning director, Nick Nanton, interviews Bob Delaney. Former undercover New Jersey state trooper and NBA referee. Bob Delaney talks with Nick Nanton about his incredible careers in two vastly different fields, from infiltrating the Mafia in the 1970s to becoming one of the NBA's most respected referees. In this episode, Bob opens up about his experience with post-traumatic stress and his passion for helping others overcome it.

State News
Organizers launched more than 2,500 No Kings events across all 50 states and the District of Columbia Saturday, this time focusing their efforts on the midterm elections. From roadside rallies to …
Shalina Chatlani (via Florida Phoenix)
2 hours ago
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday establishing a Women’s Health Division within the National Institutes of Health.  The new division is set to work with the …
Shauneen Miranda (via Florida Phoenix)
2 hours ago
In the week following Hurricane Isaias’ landfall in Destin, initial damage estimates reported by insurers and state officials show that the storm financially walloped northwest Florida. State …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
4 hours ago
WASHINGTON — Immigrants living in the United States with humanitarian status from Ukraine and Sudan will retain their deportation protections and work authorizations for now, the Department of …
Ariana Figueroa (via Florida Phoenix)
4 hours ago