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Larry Keefe, executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, speaking in Tampa on May 12, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

State officials discuss how FHP officers are now making immigration arrests

Gov. Ron DeSantis and other government officials held a news conference in Tampa on Monday to discuss immigration arrests made last week by the Florida Highway Patrol, which for the first time has …
by Mitch Perry
12 hours ago
opinion

Felts Fumbles at the Goal Line

In 15 years of covering the Manatee County Commission, I don't know that I have ever witnessed anything as bizarre as District 1 Commissioner Carol Felts' performance Tuesday when the board was to …
by Mitch Maley
3 days ago
Manatee County Commissioners stand for invocation and pledge during a May 2025 board meeting in Honorable Patricia M. Glass Chambers

Commissioners Double-down on Policy Commitments Despite Possible Legal Challenges

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners could be staring down a battle with the state or other entities in their efforts to reverse policies enacted under a previous board. During …
by Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
Manatee County Commissioners held a land use meeting on May 9, 2025

Manatee County Commission Denies Two Development Requests, Grants Continuation on Third

Multiple development application requests before Manatee County Commissioners failed to gain the board's support last week. Two ended in denials, and one narrowly escaped a denial and was granted a continuance. While taking up …
by Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
More local news
This Week in Local Government: 5/11/25
The Bradenton City Council and the Manatee County Planning Commission will be in session this week. The Bradenton City Council will meet on Wednesday, while the Manatee County …
by Dawn Kitterman
Yesterday at 10:00 AM
Red Tide Status Update: 5/9/25
Over the past week, red tide   was detected at background concentrations in two samples collected from Florida's Gulf Coast. We continue to examine chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
4 days ago
FWC confirms fatal bear attack in Collier County
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has concluded its initial investigation into what is confirmed to be the first fatal Florida black bear attack in state history this week in …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
4 days ago
Graphic from James Madison Institute poll
New poll of GOP gov race shows the power of Trump endorsement in Donalds-Casey DeSantis matchup
A public opinion survey shows U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds leading Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, 44%-25, in the race for the Republican nomination for governor in 2026. That’s from a new …
by Mitch Perry
4 days ago
Manatee County Gets Sucker Punched on Wetland Policy Reversal
At Thursday's Manatee County Commission land use meeting, commissioners voted unanimously on a continuance for its wetland policy reversal after state agencies provided an onslaught …
by Mitch Maley
5 days ago
Manatee's Next Chick-fil-A to Open in Bayshore Gardens
South county will get a new Chick-fil-A next week. The company's newest Manatee County location opens next Thursday, May 15, at 6010 14th Street West near Bayshore Gardens. …
Staff Report
5 days ago
Opinions
Guest Opinion
NOAA puts coastal communities at risk
Every summer brings the familiar joys of sunny weather, family barbecues, and beach vacations. But for Americans on the Gulf or Atlantic coasts, the daily weather forecast always comes with a …
by Sabrina B. Valenti
4 days ago
Guest Opinion
Exclusion of Volunteer Firefighters from Florida’s Presumptive Law: A Critical Disparity in the Healthcare System
Firefighting is inherently a hazardous profession. It exposes first responders to numerous dangers, such as extreme heat, toxic smoke, and intense physical and emotional strain. Yet beyond these …
by Jonathan Sharp
4 days ago
EarthTalk: Trump Budget Cuts Threaten National Parks
America’s national parks welcome millions of visitors per year, some 331.9 million in 2024. And parks offer more than just scenery. The 63 American national parks are vital to conservation and …
Wednesday, May 7
COMMENTARY
Sunday Favorites
Bertha Palmer: Sarasota's Glamorous Cattle Queen
Hold your hats, history buffs—turns out not all cattle barons wore boots and spurs! Meet Bertha Palmer, the glamorous Chicago socialite who swapped her opulent ballrooms for the wild swamplands of Sarasota in 1910. With a keen eye for opportunity and a defiance of societal norms, Palmer transformed over 140,000 acres of untamed Florida wilderness into booming ranches, farms, and citrus groves, forever changing the cattle industry and Sarasota County's landscape.
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, May 4
Commentary
An early phosphate mine in the Bone Valley region of Central Florida. (Photo via Florida State Archives)
Florida legislators want to protect phosphate giant from suits over radioactive land
When I was a kid growing up in Pensacola, I’d come home from school and immediately turn on “ The Big Show” on WKRG-TV . The avuncular host, Max Goodman, showed a lot of ’50s …
by Craig Pittman
Friday, May 2
Commentary
Bezos Bends the Knee as Tech Billionaires Walk Trump Tightrope
On Monday morning, Punchbowl News reported that Amazon.com would start showing customers how much tariffs are adding to the price of each product. When questioned during a White …
by Mitch Maley
Tuesday, April 29
Obituaries
Patricia Bohnet
Patricia Bohnet, a beloved wife and cherished member of her community, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida, at the age of …
2 days ago
Jason Rogers
Jason Rogers, a devoted Christian missionary, passed away on April 29, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida, where he was born on August 1, 1966. Throughout his life, Jason exemplified the true spirit of …
2 days ago
Craig Nelson
Craig Royden Nelson, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Bradenton, FL, on April 18, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Elizabeth …
2 days ago
This week's reader poll

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Thursday, April 24

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TBT Podcasts
Podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's vote to purchase a large office complex in Lakewood Ranch, where the county will move much of its administrative operations.
Wednesday, May 7
Podcast
This week, Michael Barfield, an investigative journalist with the Florida Trident, Director of Public Access Initiatives with the Florida Center for Government Accountability, and an expert in …
Wednesday, April 30
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Duarte Brings International Coaching Experience to Marauders

One day, Renny Duarte could be elevated to the position of pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Spending a few minutes with Duarte prior to a Marauders’ home game is a treat. …
by Don Laible
4 days ago

Heaney is a Solid Anchor to Pirates’ Pitching staff

Andrew Heaney is a welcome addition to this season’s Pittsburgh Pirates’ pitching staff. Heaney’s record after six starting assignments is 2–2, with a 2.50 ERA. If it …
by Don Laible
Friday, May 2

Reynolds’ Steady Bat Steers Pirates Offense

Bryan Reynolds is a professional hitter. The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the road this week; Southern California to be exact. After last Sunday's game with the Cleveland Guardians at PNC Park, the …
by Don Laible
Thursday, April 24
Arts & Entertainment
Arts & Entertainment

Movie Review: Warfare

If we made a list of some of the most underrated writers/filmmakers currently working, somewhere near the top of that (fairly long) catalog would be Alex Garland. While he has had a few massive …

by Jared Rasic
5 days ago

Commissioned Play Next Up for Urbanite

Playwright Nia Akilah Robinson won the 2020 Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission at Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota. The resulting work, From 145th to 98th Street, will debut …
Staff Report
Tuesday, May 6

Rowlett Student Wins First Place in Local Student Art Show

Rowlett Middle Academy students made a strong showing at the opening of Art 4 Change’s inaugural student art exhibition,  May 3 at the Gaze Gallery at Arcos in Sarasota.
Staff Report
Tuesday, May 6

Interview: Reverend Horton Heat

When it comes to exploring the 1950s roots of rock and roll, you can do a lot worse than to delve into the catalog of Reverend Horton Heat. Singer/guitarist Jim “the Rev” Heath has been …
by Dave Gil de Rubio
Thursday, May 1
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
opinion
On Tuesday, the Manatee County Commission will vote on an estimated $34 million proposal to purchase and renovate a Lakewood Ranch office complex where the county would move the bulk of its administrative operations, including nearly all those currently housed in the downtown Bradenton administrative building. If you’re surprised and even confused by the fact that you had not previously heard about any of this, join the club.
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, May 3
Although Palestine is a relatively small territory, it has historically been an ecologically rich area due to the abundant groundwater dispersed by sand wells throughout Gaza. More than 250 species …
Wednesday, April 30
Guest Opinion
“All right! You know what that sound means!” Mitch Maley exclaimed, as he does every week to kick off The Bradenton Times podcast. This week, though, I was fortunate enough to be sitting …
by Brice Claypoole
Tuesday, April 29
Commentary
This week marks my 15th anniversary as Editor of The Bradenton Times. The milestone, which comes just a few months after turning 50, has given me the chance to reflect on a decade and a half during …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, April 26
Guest Opinion
Two bills moving through this legislative session would shield owners of former phosphate mines from pollution liability, which will likely encourage development of that land and expose people and …
by Glenn Compton
Saturday, April 26
Interesting News
A person falling into a black hole and being stretched while approaching the black hole's horizon. Leo Rodriguez and Shanshan Rodriguez, CC BY-ND

Could a human enter a black hole to study it?

If you are a sci-fi junkie you’ve probably wondered what would happen if you were unlucky enough to fall into a black hole. How well you’d fare all depends on the type of black hole.

Leo Rodriguez, Grinnell College and Shanshan Rodriguez, Grinnell College, The Conversation
12 hours ago

When does a kid become an adult?

Growing up is a gradual process, and the timing isn’t the same for everyone. But you will be tried as an adult if you are over 18 and accused of committing a crime.
Jonathan B. Santo, University of Nebraska Omaha, The Conversation
12 hours ago

Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind

As wearable technologies become more popular, it’s important to consider how they actually work and what their data actually tells us.
James Gilmore, Clemson University, The Conversation
12 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 — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Monday announced about 9,000 Afghans living in the United States who had been protected from deportation will no longer be …
Ariana Figueroa (via Florida Phoenix)
12 hours ago
Gov. Ron DeSantis and other government officials held a news conference in Tampa on Monday to discuss immigration arrests made last week by the Florida Highway Patrol, which for the first time has …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 5:15 PM
The group seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in Florida has joined a legal challenge to a newly approved crackdown on ballot initiatives. Smart & Safe Florida over the weekend asked to …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 4:35 PM
University of West Florida President Martha Saunders will resign months ahead of the expiration of her contract on Dec. 31, she announced Monday morning. She has served as president since 2017.  The …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 3:55 PM