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photo by Brantley Gutierrez

Interview: Drive-By Truckers

In the annals of concept albums, they don’t get much more ambitious than “Southern Rock Opera,” the 2001 double-album from the Drive-By Truckers. The idea by vocalist/guitarist …
by Dave Gil de Rubio
Yesterday at 12:55 PM
The mobile launcher, carried by the crawler-transporter 2, rolls out from its park site location to Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida in August 2023 for testing ahead of the agency’s Artemis II mission.(Photo by Ben Smegelsky/NASA)

U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna asks Trump to move NASA headquarters to Florida

Pinellas County Republican U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has written a letter urging President Donald Trump to consider moving NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Florida’s Space …
by Mitch Perry
Yesterday at 12:24 PM
Erin Harpe Duo performs at Cottonmouth this Saturday.

Weekend Sounds: Jan. 24-26

It's another weekend, and you know what that means. If you guessed another great lineup of local, talented musicians in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties, you would be …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 12:00 AM

Manatee County Fair Continues Through Sunday

The Manatee County Fair continues through this Sunday, January 26. Enjoy live music, fair food, ag exhibits, and much, much more! Musical acts this weekend include: …
Staff Report
3 days ago
More local news
United Way Suncoast to Offer Free Tax Prep
It's Tax Time, and that means thousands of filers in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota, and Manatee Counites have access to FREE tax preparation thanks to United Way Suncoast. Any household that makes …
United Way Suncoast
Yesterday at 5:22 PM
Gulf Islands Ferry Service Updates Route Map
Effective January 23, 2025, the Gulf Islands Ferry service will operate a two-stop system from the downtown Bradenton Riverwalk Pier to the Historic Bridge Street Pier on …
Manatee County Government
Yesterday at 5:19 PM
Get Ready for the storm(s) with Hurricane Season Q&A
After an unprecedented 2024 Hurricane Season, Manatee County residents may have new or lingering questions about storm readiness, flood zones, evacuation …
Manatee County Government
Yesterday at 5:10 PM
Red Tide Status Update: 1/22/25
Over the past week, red tide was detected in 23 samples collected from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in four samples: one from Manatee County, …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
3 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 1/26/25
It will be a fairly active week in local governments with several meetings of note scheduled.  On Monday, the Palmetto City Commission will convene for regular and …
by Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
Video
Big Picture Manatee: New Year, New BOCC
In this episode, our hosts dive into the fresh start for our new Board of County Commissioners! We’re breaking down who they are, the priorities they’ve set for the upcoming term, and the changes ...
4 days ago
Opinions
opinion
Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for a late-January special legislative session from the Florida Capitol on Jan. 13, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)
What will be left of Florida after our leaders are done with it?
Ron DeSantis never passes up the chance to be spiteful, petty, and craven. He ordered the flags, which should still be flying at half-staff to honor President Jimmy Carter, be raised to …
by Diane Roberts
Yesterday at 5:07 PM
EarthTalk: Jimmy Carter’s Environmental Legacy
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, made a lasting impact on environmental policy. His robust initiatives to protect natural resources and advance clean energy established the foundation for …
3 days ago
opinion
The Social Security/Medicare Flimflam
This article endeavors to show how current Medicare and Social Security recipients are being duped by both political parties.  It would be wise for the generations currently supporting these …
by Ray Fusco
4 days ago
COMMENTARY
commentary
Chief's Corner: Tim Geer, BFD
Thanks to HME Ahrens-Fox, this February, two new mini pumpers will be added to BFD’s Stations #2 and #3. These new mini pumpers replace outdated fire engines, have 300-gallon tank capacities, …
City of Bradenton
4 days ago
Sunday Favorites: Haunting Tales from Tampa
Last weekend, I stepped into the eerie past on a ghost tour of Tampa, kicking off and wrapping up at the famously haunted Tampa Theatre. Along the way, I uncovered spine-tingling stories and fascinating pieces of the city’s history. From restless spirits to macabre mysteries, here are a few chilling tales that still linger in the shadows of Tampa’s streets
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, January 19
Commentary
Council Corner: Jayne Kocher: Ward 1
As we begin the new year, we’re all relieved to leave behind the storms of 2024 and the challenges they brought. However, our work continues as we address and resolve their lingering effects. …
City of Bradenton
Friday, January 17
Obituaries
Timothy Cady
Timothy Michael Cady, 70, September 24, 1954 to December 28, 2024. Tim was born in Neosho County, MO, spent his earlier years …
Yesterday at 12:01 AM
James Denison
James Norman Denison of Bradenton, FL passed away January 19, 2025. He was born October 24, 1954, in Lakewood, OH. Beloved husband, …
2 days ago
Donald Richendollar
Donald C. Richendollar, retired Sergeant with the Clark County Sheriff's Office in Springfield, Ohio, passed away peacefully on January …
2 days ago
This week's reader poll

What grade would you give the new Manatee County Commission so far?

Tuesday, January 14

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TBT Podcasts
In this week's episode, Mitch & Dawn discuss the county's new ADU policy, dry January, the frigid Florida weather, and much more!
Wednesday, January 15
podcast
Fresh off the holiday break, Mitch & Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's reversal on wetland policy, new board chair George Kruse's significant proposals regarding board business, and …
Wednesday, January 8
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Ode to Spring Training

Anything (theoretically) is possible in Major League Baseball when spring training camps swing open their gates in February. Count me in among the optimists. Baseball keeps me young. The sound …
by Don Laible
Thursday, January 16

Manatee County’s Robinson Has Pitching Pedigree

Don Robinson never tires of talking baseball, especially pitching. When you are fortunate enough to come across someone who has spent a lifetime in the game, and your time is limited with them, …
by Don Laible
Thursday, January 9

Pirates Strengthen Lineup With Horwitz Trade

Spencer Horwitz needs the Pittsburgh Pirates as much as they need him. In about six weeks, MLB spring training camps are scheduled to open. For the Pirates, for the third time in as many seasons, the …
by Don Laible
Friday, January 3
Arts & Entertainment
Book Review

King’s The Door In The Stone is Exceptional Book of Fantasy

Rob King is an exceptional writer. When I picked up a copy of The Door In The Stone , I didn’t know what to expect. From the title, I’m wondering is it a mystery? Is it a fantasy?  …

by Don Laible
Yesterday at 5:14 PM

YA Drama and Boyd Hill Preserve Experience Next Up for American Stage

American Stage is back with two unique productions that will be especially enjoyable to younger theater fans: the YA drama This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 3:06 PM

Riverwalk to Host Inaugural Bradenton Art & Music Festival

BRADENTON — Realize Bradenton will present the Bradenton Art & Music Festival (BAM!fest) on Saturday, April 5, on the Bradenton Riverwalk. This dynamic, diverse, immersive experience will …
Yesterday at 12:38 PM

Manatee County Fair Adds Unique Culinary Delights for "Midway Menu Makeover"

The Manatee County Fair welcomes fairgoers with a fresh lineup of classic carnival foods reinvented for 2025. The Strates Shows Midway, known for its iconic fair fare, has added …
Staff Report
Friday, January 17
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
opinion
Despite its broad, bi-partisan popularity, both the Democratic and Republican parties have fought tooth and nail to prevent municipalities from implementing ranked-choice voting. However, in …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, January 18
Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, is well-known as a rudimentary building material used for many centuries. Today, although the resource is often limited to scaffolding or …
Wednesday, January 15
opinion
I’ve long assured both readers and those who hold elected office that I much prefer to write about the things government is doing right than bemoan its many shortcomings. This week provided an …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, January 11
Popular dish soaps often claim to easily tackle grease, leave dishes sparkling clean, and uphold commitments to sustainability and safety. But these promises are often misleading. These products may …
Thursday, January 9
opinion
In last week’s column , I suggested that the Manatee County Commission reevaluate its posture toward our state delegation. This week, Senator Jim Boyd and Representative Will Robinson took a …
by Mitch Maley
Thursday, January 9
Interesting News

Minneapolis is the top city for renters to watch in 2025 amid Midwest–West battle for popularity

RentCafe.com took a closer look at the online engagement rates for the most dynamic cities of 2024 for its annual rental activity report.

Adina Dragos
6 hours ago

Most popular casinos for concerts

OLBG examines 10 of the most popular casinos in terms of concerts and subsequent revenue.
Dan Tracey
7 hours ago

The "Bank Black & Green" campaign is funneling millions away from fossil fuels and incarceration

Next City examines the "Bank Black & Green" campaign, which aims to move capital into Black-owned banks that commit to not funding the fossil fuel or mass incarceration industries.
Cinnamon Janzer for Next City
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
The Republican-led Legislature could, for the first time, find itself on a special-session collision course with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis has called lawmakers into a weeklong special …
Christine Sexton, Jackie Llanos (via Florida Phoenix)
10 minutes ago
President Donald Trump floated “getting rid” of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Friday as he visited western North Carolina to survey the damage and recovery efforts from …
Galen Bacharier (via Florida Phoenix)
49 minutes ago
The State Executive Committee of the Florida Democratic Party (FDP) will meet in Orlando on Saturday to elect statewide officers, as well as members of the Democratic National Committee and …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
2 hours ago
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture said during her confirmation hearing Thursday that she has “a lot to learn” about highly pathogenic avian …
Jennifer Shutt (via Florida Phoenix)
4 hours ago