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Opinion

The road to ruin is paved with partisanship

As someone who has analyzed public policy in Manatee County for a long time, one of my biggest frustrations is the ongoing disconnect between voters' expressed concerns and their voting …
by Mitch Maley
Yesterday at 3:19 PM
“Alligator Alcatraz” when it was open, via Florida Division of Emergency Management
commentary

Here are the messes the next Florida governor needs to clean up

Dear Governor-elect Donalds: Congrats on your historic win! Feel free to continue celebrating for (checks watch) the next 24 hours. Then you better buckle up. What’s that, sir? What am I …
by Craig Pittman
Yesterday at 2:30 PM
Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a news conference at the Florida Capitol following the 2026 elections, on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix
State

DeSantis wants special session to implement ‘taxpayer bill of rights’

One of the last actions Gov. Ron DeSantis wants done before leaving office in January is to implement a “taxpayer bill of rights” via a special legislative session, he said Wednesday. He …
by Jay Waagmeester
Yesterday at 2:27 PM
Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse, right, endorsed Democratic candidates Kelly Kirschner and David Jolly in the November elections. | Photo courtesy of Kirschner campaign
Election 2026

Blue wave misses Suncoast as Republicans maintain power

The blue wave that swept elsewhere around the United States on Tuesday night did not reach Sarasota’s beaches. Democrats took control of the U.S. House of Representatives and …
by Alice Herman | Suncoast Searchlight
Yesterday at 2:24 PM
More local news
Local
This Week in Local Government: 11/8/26
BRADENTON — All local government offices will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day. The Manatee School Board will be in session on Tuesday at 10 a.m., and on …
by Dawn Kitterman
11 hours ago
local
Manatee Church to Observe Freedom to Read Day
The Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host a Freedom to Read event on Saturday, November 21, marking the third anniversary of the Warmington Freedom Tiny Library located outside the …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 2:20 PM
local
MCSO's Special Enforcement Division substation in Lakewood Ranch. Photo: Manatee County Government.
Manatee County opens new Sheriff's Office facility in Lakewood Ranch
Manatee County officials joined Sheriff Rick Wells and members of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office recently to celebrate the opening of a new 5,000-square-foot Special Enforcement Division …
by Manatee County Government
Yesterday at 2:05 PM
crime
Manatee County Sheriff's Office takes down large-scale church check-fraud ring
Eight people have been arrested in connection with a large-scale check fraud scheme involving fraudulent activity at least 17 churches in Manatee County between September 2025 and May 2026. The …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 1:49 PM
Local
A judge rejected the county's effort to restrict Live Local developments in rural areas, a decision that could affect several other pending lawsuits. | Suncoast Searchlight illustration using photos by Lily Fox for Suncoast Searchlight and GTD Aquitaine via Wikimedia Commons
Judge deals death blow to Sarasota County’s fight against Live Local Act
A judge’s ruling this week could clear the way for more than 7,600 apartments in rural Sarasota County, dealing a major blow to local officials and residents who have fought to keep large-scale …
by Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight
2 days ago
state
House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison, left, and Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd, right, converse between their two chambers in the Florida Capitol. Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix
Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd releases the details of his inner circle
Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd released on Thursday released details about his planned inner circle during his two-year rein as leader of the Florida Senate and confirmed an organizational …
by Christine Sexton
2 days ago
Opinions
EarthTalk: Besides Giving The View And Letting In Light, Solar Windows Power Buildings
Modern urban skylines are dominated by towering skyscrapers with expansive glass facades that absorb large amounts of solar heat …
11 hours ago
opinion
Is Radical Republican Chair Mark Flanagan Spewing Lies About Republican Candidates?
When the state party under Joe Gruters installed Mark Flanagan as Chairman of the local Manatee Republican Executive Committee, it was because party leadership wanted a radical right-winger to …
by Joe McCalsh
Saturday, October 31
EarthTalk: Migratory Birds Need Your Help To Get Along
Nearly half a billion birds cross the U.S. to travel to their northern nesting grounds in the spring, and then return to central and south America to escape the cold in the fall …
Saturday, October 31
COMMENTARY
Sunday Favorites
Holy Water and Happy Hour
Sunday best wasn’t always required, and neither was leaving the car. From Venice’s drive-in church to beachside services and worship at the Flora-Bama, Florida congregations have found some …
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, November 1
commentary
A bear wanders through one of the pastures on the Olsen family cattle ranch in Davie. The natural beauty of Ben Olsen’s family property motivated him to become an environmental activist, which has led to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission putting him and his parents under surveillance. (Photo via Ben Olsen)
Florida wildlife agency put a homebound dementia patient under surveillance
Growing up, I watched a lot of Bugs Bunny cartoons. I always cracked up when inept hunter Elmer Fudd would turn to the camera, put a finger to his lips and tell viewers, “Be vewwy vewwy quiet — …
by Craig Pittman
Friday, October 30
Sunday Favorites
The Cadets Who Never Left
An undertaker guarding an empty hotel ought to have been difficult to frighten. But according to a story collected by Venice author Kim Cool, David Farley found himself threatening to release a dog …
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, October 25
Obituaries
obituary
Maria Teresa McDermott-Alvarez
Maria Teresa McDermott-Alvarez passed away on October 31, 2026, at the age of 98. Born on June 28, 1928, Maria lived a long life that spanned nearly a century. She will be remembered with love …
2 days ago
obituary
Barrow Stewart Fleetwood
Barrow Stewart Fleetwood, affectionately known to everyone as “Stu,” unexpectedly crossed the finish line of a life well lived on October 27, 2026, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, …
2 days ago
obituary
Nellie Rice Wilder
In loving memory of Nellie Rice Wilder of Bradenton, Florida - Nellie passed on October 28, 2026, at the age of 86. She moved to Bradenton in 1960. She worked for the Sarasota Herald Tribune in …
2 days ago
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TBT Podcasts
podcast
This week, Mitch and TBT Publisher Joe McClash discuss the results of Tuesday's elections and what they likely mean for Manatee County's future.
3 days ago
podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the upcoming elections and Dawn's recent investigative reporting on a soul-sourced streetlight project and other business involving an entity that seems to do a lot …
Wednesday, October 28
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
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Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation
Sports

Professional growth becoming routine for Rembert

Chris Rembert is growing professionally at Pirate City. This weekend, Rembert, Pittsburgh’s second-round draft pick in July, is headed back home to Pensacola, Florida. He’s been in Bradenton …
by Don Laible
Yesterday at 2:11 PM
Local

Rye Preserve camping goes online

Ready to spend a night under the stars? Camping at Rye Preserve returns this Friday, November 6! Enjoy a peaceful weekend surrounded by nature, with camping available every Friday and Saturday night …
Manatee County Natural Resources
Yesterday at 7:16 AM
Baseball

Young Bucs Awards Winners Dominated by Former Marauders

The Pittsburgh Pirates' future looks bright. The top ballplayers in the Pirates’ system have all, at some point in their careers, passed through LECOM Park. Recently, the Pirates announced …
by Don Laible
Thursday, October 29
Sports

Nogowski clears the fences with updated edition of The Last Time Out

Author John Nogowski has a unique way of remembering some of the biggest names of all time in baseball, with his updated edition of The Last Time Out: Big-League Farewells of Baseball’s Greatest. …
by Don Laible
Saturday, October 24
Arts & Entertainment
Theater
The cast of Ahoy-Hoy. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.

Review: Urbanite's Ahoy-Hoy

Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota recently presented the world premiere of Jenny Stafford's Ahoy-Hoy . Winner of Urbanite's 2025 Modern Works Festival "Audience Favorite" award, Ahoy-Hoy began at …

by Mitch Maley
2 days ago
Music

Interview: Samantha Fish

When Samantha Fish was a music-crazy tween, experiencing music was best done in the confines of her bedroom. So, when her father took her to see Sheryl Crow, she went kicking and screaming …
by Dave Gil de Rubio
2 days ago
Music

George Thorogood & The Destroyers to headline Thunder By the Bay

George Thorogood & The Destroyers have been announced as the new headlining act for the opening night of the 29th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motors Festival on Friday, February …
Staff Report
4 days ago
Arts & Entertainment

Festival of the Skeletons returns this weekend

Bradenton's Village of the Arts' biggest day of the year returns Friday from 6–9 pm and Saturday from 11 am–4 pm. This year marks the 22nd Annual Día de los Muertos - Festival of the Skeletons.
Staff Report
5 days ago
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Guest Opinion
Rattlesnake Key, south of the Sunshine Skyway, reachable only by boat, is about 700 acres of mangroves and tidal flats beside the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Its shallows shelter the young snook, …
by Kelly Kirschner
Thursday, October 29
opinion
After the takeover of the local Republican Executive Committee, Mark Flanagan spent an outrageous amount of money to bring in Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of Donald J. Trump. In reviewing the …
by Joe McClash
Thursday, October 29
opinion
Campaign season demands sharp debate, but it also demands accountability. Misleading voters to shore up party turnout harms our political process and disrespects the intelligence of everyday …
by Joe McClash
Thursday, October 29
opinion
The Republican Party of Florida must have been caught completely off guard when local Republicans dared to reject Governor DeSantis’s preferred candidates in the 2024 primary. Candidates James …
by Joe McClash
Wednesday, October 28
opinion
Manatee County’s voters have sent an unmistakable message: many would rather cast their ballots for moderate Democrats than back the slate championed by appointed Republican Executive Committee …
by Joe McClash
Tuesday, October 27
Interesting News

Element 52 Penthouse, Telluride, Colorado – A Ski Lift at the Door, Main Street Down the Block

A top-floor penthouse combines the privacy of a standalone house with hotel-style service, a pairing rarely found inside Telluride’s town limits. By Chris Caggiano The morning starts in the …

emergent (via KeyCrew)
7 hours ago

What Luxury Home Buyers in Beaverton, Oregon Are Prioritizing in 2026

Luxury buyers on the West Coast want different things than they did five years ago, and in Beaverton, Oregon, those changes show up in which homes sell and which ones sit. Carey Hughes, who leads …
Daniela Davila (via KeyCrew)
7 hours ago

Two Careers and Two Commutes Shape Where Buyers Live in Washington, D.C.

Deciding where to live in Washington, D.C. usually comes down to three things: where each adult in the household works, how they will commute, and what kind of life they want outside work. Because …
Heather Hook (via KeyCrew)
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 age of the typical first-time homebuyer last year remained stuck at a historic high of 40 years old as younger people continue to get the worst of brutally high prices and interest rates in much …
Tim Henderson (via Florida Phoenix)
11 hours ago
Florida has lost another round in a  long-running legal battle over how the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis removed people from Medicaid. A federal appeals court ruled this week that the …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 4:56 PM
Two lawsuits have been filed against Proposal 2, the “Michiganders for Money Out of Politics” ballot measure that passed on Tuesday with over 80% of the vote, arguing it violates the First …
Katherine Dailey (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 2:57 PM
A new federal report released the week before Tuesday’s midterm elections found that Americans experienced declines in several categories of violent and property crime victimization in 2025, …
Amanda Watford (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 1:34 PM