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Tickets on sale for the Sarasota Opera Food and Wine Festival

Sarasota Opera’s Annual Food and Wine Festival returns to the Opera House on Saturday, September 21, from 1- 4 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person for general admission and are …
Staff Report
2 days ago
Stormwater Engineering Division Manager Tom Gerstenberger

Planning Commission Recommends Density Increase Despite Flood Concerns

At Thursday's Manatee Planning Commission meeting, commissioners voted 3-2 to recommend approval of a map and text amendment/rezone from RES-6 to RES-9, limited to a maximum density …
by Mitch Maley
2 days ago

Interview: Trombone Shorty

In the span of seven studio albums—the first three of which were released on the small independent label, Treme Records—Trombone Shorty has reached the pinnacle for a New Orleans …
by Alan Sculley
2 days ago
Florida GOP Sen Rick Scott at Jaguar CrossFit in Tampa on July 26, 2024. Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix.

Rick Scott says he’s not ready to commit to debating Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

Rick Scott said Wednesday that, if he were Donald Trump, he would do “as many debates as possible” against Kamala Harris. But when asked whether he’ll commit to at least one …
by Mitch Perry
2 days ago
More local news
Local Election Candidate Preview
After an August primary choc full of landslide upsets, Manatee County voters will decide several key races on the November ballot. In the Manatee County Commission District 1 race, grassroots …
by Mitch Maley
2 days ago
Florida Democrats want DOJ to investigate ‘voter intimidation’ on Amendment 4
Seven members of Florida’s Democratic Congressional delegation have written a letter asking U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate the DeSantis administration’s …
by Mitch Perry
2 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 9/15/2024
It will be another very quiet week in local government. On Tuesday evening, at 6:00 p.m., the Manatee County Commission will convene for its second and final FY2025 budget …
by Dawn Kitterman
2 days ago
LWV Manatee County Commission Notes: 9/10/24
The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of …
by Karen Curlin
2 days ago
Future of Local Republican Executive Committee Uncertain
After receiving numerous grievance complaints regarding the Manatee County Republican Executive Committee, the Republican Party of Florida voted to suspend the political party …
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Halloween Book Drive Ahead of VOTA Trick or Treat Event
This Halloween, Manatee County businesses and organizations are joining forces in a county-wide initiative to promote literacy and community engagement. The drive aims to collect …
Staff Report
4 days ago
Opinions
EarthTalk: Bee Populations Healthier Near Organic Farms
According to experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, bees are responsible for a third of the world’s food production. Flowering plants, which make up about 75 percent …
2 days ago
opinion
Meanwhile, in Bizzaro World
To call Tuesday’s Manatee County Commission meeting surreal would be an incredible understatement. The historic, across-the-board upsets in the August primaries were bound to provoke some sort …
by Mitch Maley
4 days ago
Guest Commentary
Swimming in Sewage
Less oversight and reduced regulation of the building industry have made our region a contender for the “Sewage Spill Capitol of the World.” Contact with water contaminated with raw …
by Glenn Compton
4 days ago
COMMENTARY
Guest Commentary
Lorraine Road just after Hurricane Debby
The Worries About Water
What can the City of Bradenton do with 24-plus inches of rain in one month’s time frame? Processing it to avoid polluted discharges doesn’t seem to be an option, with 25 million gallons …
by Janyel Taylor
2 days ago
Guest commentary
September is Suicide Prevention Month
September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Unfortunately, our region continues to experience an increase in the number of individuals who need support and care. A recent study shows the …
by Bill Jordan
2 days ago
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds addresses his secret water quality summit in the Lee County Commission chambers (note the portrait of Robert E. Lee) via Facebook with permission.
Secret Florida water summit lets polluters talk to government without press or public present
If I were the king of Florida, there’d be a statue of J. Emory “Red” Cross in front of every government building. Red Cross was a state senator from Gainesville who became the …
by Craig Pittman
Thursday, September 5
Obituaries
Ellen Faye Garza
Ellen Faye Garza (88) peacefully passed away at home Saturday August 10, 2024, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Ellen leaves behind her husband of 67 years, C. Roy Garza, her sons Roy …
2 days ago
Francina Griggs
October 27, 1953 - September 5, 2024 Bradenton, Florida - Ms. Francina Griggs of Bradenton, FL, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 14, …
3 days ago
Amy Sessions
Amy Leigh Sessions (née Torma) passed away on August 3, 2024, at the age of 63. Born on March 8, 1961, in in Cleveland, Ohio, she resided in Lakewood Ranch, Florida for many years ...
3 days ago
This week's reader poll
TBT Podcasts
Lesa Miller is a Democrat running for the Florida House District 72 seat in November. She Joins Mitch & Dawn this week to discuss a wide range of state issues she hopes to tackle if elected.
Yesterday at 12:00 AM
This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the presidential debate, Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting, and the meltdown of the local Republican Executive Committee.
3 days ago
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Thanks For The Memories, 2024 Marauders

With the Bradenton Marauders 2024 season concluded, a tough stretch for local baseball fans begins. The last road trip has been made this season. Sunday’s scheduled game with the Daytona …
by Don Laible
4 days ago

Jones’ Return to Pirates Rotation Strengthens Staff

There’s much to be excited about with Jared Jones returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting rotation. Better days are ahead for the Pirates. Entering Saturday’s game in …
by Don Laible
Monday, September 2

Manatee County Special to Former Pirate Bielecki

Some of Mike Bielecki’s best of times during his MLB pitching days began in Bradenton. So, when MLB Network began promoting their latest documentary, “One of a Kind”, telling …
by Don Laible
Tuesday, August 27
Arts & Entertainment

Haunted Fish Camp at Jiggs Landing

Prepare for a spine-chilling adventure. The 3rd Annual Haunted Fish Camp at Jiggs Landing returns for five frightful nights from October 27 to 31, 7:30-9:30 PM.

Staff Report
2 days ago
Staycation Series:

Anna Maria Island: The Closest Vacation Still Feels a World Away

It’s been a long time since we included Anna Maria Island in our staycation series—14 years, to be exact. Much has changed since then, and most island rats will tell …
by Mitch Maley
Friday, September 6

Parrish Fall Festival Returns Next Month

The annual fall festival held on the grounds of Parrish United Methodist Church returns Sunday, October 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. This year, organizers are teaming up with Mote Marine and their …
Staff Report
Thursday, September 5

Interview: Yngwie Malmsteen

In the annals of guitar shredding, none come more self-assured and mercurial than Yngwie Malmsteen. Born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, the Swedish axe whiz came of age in the mid-‘80s with …
by Dave Gil de Rubio
Thursday, September 5
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
On Wednesday, I attended Dam 101, a media event put on by Manatee County Government to help local outlets better understand the functions of the dam and reservoir at Lake Manatee in light of the …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, September 7
opinion
Applied Technology and Management will present their findings to the Sarasota Board of County Commissioners on alternatives to establish a Gulf to Bay Tidal Connection in the vicinity of the former …
by Glenn Compton
Friday, September 6
Since Joe Biden was elected president in 2021, his administration has made effective, albeit halting progress on combating climate change and giving the nation’s renewable energy industry the …
Wednesday, September 4
As we come to terms with the growing effects of climate change, many are turning to so-called nature-based solutions, which are holistic approaches that promote biodiversity and ecosystem …
Thursday, August 29
Guest Opinion
There’s an image that’s stayed with me for weeks: A sea of people holding up “Mass Deportation Now” signs at the Republican National Convention. Since then, I’ve …
by Alliyah Lusuegro
Thursday, August 29
Interesting News

Sunflowers make small moves to maximize their Sun exposure − physicists can model them to predict how they grow

Sunflowers use tiny movements to follow the Sun's path throughout the day. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel Most of us aren’t spending our days watching our houseplants grow. We see their signs of life only …

Chantal Nguyen, University of Colorado Boulder, The Conversation
Yesterday at 5:42 PM
Newsworthy Trends

Save Yourself From Spam and Scams

(NAPSI)—When your phone rings­—don’t answer it. At least, not unless you’ve a good idea of who’s calling. After all, your phone is like your house. You deserve to know whom to let in. …
Yesterday at 2:48 PM

From tea bags to cinnamon, survey reveals favorite hacks for making a garden grow

King commissioned a poll of 2,000 US adults to dig deep into their gardening habits, including unusual methods they employ to help their gardens thrive.
Lucy Brimble
Yesterday at 1:30 PM
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
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and two private citizens filed criminal complaints Friday against the head of the state agency that’s maintaining a website pushing messaging opposing the …
Jackie Llanos (via Florida Phoenix)
12 hours ago
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden, in the last months of his four-year term, detailed his administration’s efforts in seeking to advance opportunities and equity for Black communities on Friday …
Shauneen Miranda (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 5:15 PM
Two months after a chaotic scene at Hard Rock Stadium during the Copa America soccer championship, Florida members of Congress are asking the federal government for details about security plans when …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 4:45 PM
Florida House Democrats are calling for the state to make public school choice scholarship data and budget plans as the programs grow.  Reps. Fentrice Driskell, Kelly Skidmore, and Allison Tant …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 4:32 PM