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Episode 193: Mitch Maley & Dawn Kitterman

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the hiring of a new deputy county administrator, drama within the Manatee County Commission, and the possibility of World War III.
7 hours ago
Attending via Zoom, Dr. Corey Stutte addresses Manatee County Commissioners during his confirmation as the county's newest deputy county administrator during the June 17, 2025, BOCC meeting

Commissioners Confirm Bishop's New Deputy

During a BOCC meeting on Tuesday, county commissioners narrowly confirmed the appointment of a new deputy county administrator. Dr. Corey Stutte will fill the vacancy created by …
by Dawn Kitterman
Yesterday at 7:15 PM
Screenshot of Florida TaxWatch senior VP of research Kurt Wenner (left) speaking on June 17, 2025. Also seen are Florida TaxWatch’s Dominic Calabro (center) and Jeff Kottkamp (right).

Florida TaxWatch identifies $416 million in ‘Budget Turkeys’ for FY 2025-26

A day after the Florida Legislature approved a $115.1 billion state budget, Florida TaxWatch released its annual “Turkey Watch Report” on Tuesday, identifying 242 projects totaling $416.1 …
by Mitch Perry
Yesterday at 5:19 PM

Ringling Museum to Remain with FSU

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' proposed transfer of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the State's Official Art Museum, from Florida State University to New College of …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 5:16 PM
More local news
Speaker emeritus Rep. Melissa Hartman talks to colleagues during a special legislative session Monday, June 9, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)
Minnesota House Democratic leader dead after ‘politically motivated assassination’
Minnesota House Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus leader Melissa Hortman, who was among the state’s most influential elected officials of the past decade, died on Saturday morning after a man …
by Michelle Griffith
3 days ago
President Donald Trump’s speech was displayed on large screens as people watched near the Washington Monument at the conclusion of the Army parade on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
Army parade, Trump birthday take over D.C., as ‘No Kings’ protests erupt across nation
President Donald Trump on Saturday celebrated his 79th birthday reviewing a parade of tanks, armament and marching soldiers gathered in the nation’s capital for the …
by Ariana Figueroa and Ashley Murray
3 days ago
LWV Manatee School Board Notes: 6/10/25
The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Education Issues Committee observes the Manatee County School Board meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack …
LWV Manatee County
5 days ago
Manatee County CFO Shelia McLean addresses commissioners while opening a June 10, 2025, BOCC budget work session.
Commissioners Hold Three Budget Work Session Meetings to Kick off County's Budget Process
Manatee County Government kicked off its FY26 budget process this week, with three work session meetings held Monday through Wednesday. The County Administrator is recommending an …
by Dawn Kitterman
5 days ago
Red Tide Status Update: 6/13/25
Over the past week, red tide was detected at background concentrations in two samples from Southwest Florida. We continue to use chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) to help track …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Friday, June 13
Promotional image from Flock Safety showing a law-enforcement officer using the system from inside a patrol car. | Photo courtesy of Flock Safety
Florida troopers tapped surveillance network for immigration searches, raising alarm
Florida Highway Patrol has tapped into a vast private surveillance network — performing hundreds of searches for license plates scanned by cameras controlled by the controversial surveillance …
By Kara Newhouse and Alice Herman | Suncoast Searchlight
Friday, June 13
Opinions
opinion
Phosphate Environmental Impact Statement Needed
An Area-Wide Environmental Impact Statement (AEIS) for phosphate mining in the Central Florida Phosphate District was completed in 2013. Several phosphate mining projects are currently being reviewed …
by Glenn Compton
3 days ago
Opinion
This is not normal, folks, and we need to fight to keep it that way
This week, we saw U.S. soldiers in the streets of an American city as the president held a political rally on an Army base, all while tanks rolled into our nation’s capital for an expensive …
by Mitch Maley
Thursday, June 12
EarthTalk: AI Threatens Efforts To Combat Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming a part of our everyday lives—we now have chatbots and search engines and virtual assistants that can mimic real conversation. But as AI …
Wednesday, June 11
COMMENTARY
commentary
Council Corner: Ward One
First, congratulations to all who are celebrating academic achievements this season—from Kindergarten graduations to advanced college degrees. We are incredibly proud of you! Keep reaching for …
by Jayne Kocher
Yesterday at 5:25 PM
Guest Commentary
A Father's Day Fishing Trip In Alaska
Living on planet Earth is peculiar. Despite billions of people, raising an upright walking human comes with challenges in every time zone. Perhaps it's our original sin, or maybe we just weren't …
by Gino Durante
4 days ago
Sunday Favorites
Fishing at Anna Maria Island
Hook, Line, and Legend
They came for the tarpon, but stayed for the stories. During National Fishing and Boating Week, we’re casting back to the late 1800s, when Florida’s Gulf Coast drew anglers from around the globe. These waters offered more than just sport, they fed families, fueled settlements, and reeled in a tide of tourism that would shape the state’s salty soul for generations.
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, June 8
Obituaries
Stephen Holt
Stephen Holt, 77, of Bradenton, FL passed peacefully on June 16th, 2025. Stephen lived a full and vibrant life. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, whom he was married to for 40 years. Together …
3 hours ago
Nikita Kelly-Carl
Nikita Nicole Kelly-Carly of Bradenton Palmetto Florida transitioned peacefully on June 4, 2025 at Blake Medical Center. Nikki, as she was affectionately called, was born on January 31, 1974 to …
3 hours ago
Marcus Modisett
April 17, 1957 - June 13, 2025 Parrish, Florida - Marcus "Marc" Gregory Modisett, 68, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2025, surrounded by love. Marc was born on April 17,1957 in …
3 hours ago
Join us on social media
TBT Podcasts
podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the latest sex scandal in our public schools, a ban on new businesses that include the retail sale of cats and dogs, and other local stories TBT is covering.
Wednesday, June 4
podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss Manatee County developers' reaction to the BOCC's attempt to raise impact fees, the further deregulation of digital currencies, and what that means for the …
Wednesday, May 28
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Vogelbach Returns to Pirates as Hitting Specialist

Everybody in baseball has a beginning. A year ago, Daniel Vogelbach broke spring training camp as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Playing for his fifth MLB club in nine seasons, Vogelbach was …
by Don Laible
Thursday, June 12

Taylor Turning Heads as Marauders’ Masher

Will Taylor has a bright future in baseball. Right now, in my humble opinion, Konnor Griffin is the best-known Marauder this season, and for very good reasons. Forty-six games into his initial …
by Don Laible
Thursday, June 5

Perez Oozes Confidence as Pirates’ Bullpen Coach

At the start of this past spring training in Bradenton, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Miguel Angel Perez was well prepared for his new assignment as the club’s bullpen coach. A single glance …
by Don Laible
Wednesday, May 28
Arts & Entertainment
Food & Wine
Fried Green Tomatoes

Savor Sarasota at Harry’s Continental Kitchens

As Sarasota and Manatee Counties continue to celebrate culinary excellence during Savor Sarasota, I finally had an opportunity to get out to Harry’s Continental Kitchens on …

by Mitch Maley
Yesterday at 6:27 PM
Film Review

The Phoenician Scheme

I’m tired of apologizing for my love of the films of Wes Anderson. Here’s my hard line: I don’t begrudge anyone who doesn’t like Anderson’s movies. The combination of …
by Jared Rasic
Thursday, June 12

Savor Sarasota Waterside at Korê Steakhouse

As Savor Sarasota continues through its 20 days for 20 years gastro celebration, I had the opportunity to try Korê Steakhouse at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch. The …
by Mitch Maley
Tuesday, June 10

Manatee Players Announce Upcoming Season

The Manatee Players recently announced the company's upcoming 2025/26 season. Producing Artistic Director Rick Kerby brings a lineup that celebrates heart, humor, and humanity.
Staff Report
Friday, June 6
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
opinion
John Morales is an Ivy League-educated atmospheric and environmental scientist who specializes in hurricanes. He began his career with the National Weather Service and has spent the past two decades …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, June 7
Pollution remains one of the most significant environmental challenges, contaminating air, water and soil and posing risks to human health. Traditional cleanup methods, like chemical treatments and …
Wednesday, June 4
opinion
Last week, Manatee County Commissioners held their first public hearing on moving forward with collecting 100% of impact fees from developers, who have been receiving steep discounts for over a …
by Mitch Maley
Sunday, June 1
Climate change is a pressing problem worldwide, and yet corruption continues to obstruct significant progress. Corruption is defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. Powerful …
Wednesday, May 28
opinion
The U.S. Senate appears poised to pass the GENIUS Act , a comprehensive piece of cryptocurrency legislation that could facilitate widespread fraud and economic instability throughout the economy.
by Mitch Maley
Tuesday, May 27
Interesting News

5 simple and delicious recipes to make in your blender

(BPT) - There's no end to the number of kitchen gadgets you can buy, but in terms of versatility, the blender cannot be matched. If you only use your blender for making smoothies, you're missing out! …

9 hours ago

The rise of merch: How today’s brands turned simple swag into sought-after collectibles

Shopify reports on merch trends that enhance brand affinity, highlighting creative items, collaborations, and unique designs that foster community connections.
Angelica Frey for Shopify
9 hours ago
Health Awareness

Struggling with Your Thyroid Medication? The Difference may be in the Formulation

Sponsored by YARAL Pharma (NAPSI)—For millions of people managing hypothyroidism, finding the right levothyroxine medication can make all the difference. Not all formulations are the same, and due …
10 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
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Wednesday confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a major role for carrying out the president’s border enforcement …
Ariana Figueroa (via Florida Phoenix)
3 hours ago
A Rhode Island federal judge seemed likely Wednesday to block the U.S. Department of Transportation’s move to yank billions in congressional funding for bridges, roads and airport projects if …
Ariana Figueroa (via Florida Phoenix)
3 hours ago
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith honored Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, during remarks on the Senate floor. The Minnesota Democratic …
Shauneen Miranda (via Florida Phoenix)
3 hours ago
Students entering Florida for higher education may want to keep an eye on the price tag now that universities have permission to increase tuition on out-of-state students. Out-of-state tuition has …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
4 hours ago