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Manatee County Sheriff booking photo, Scott Hopes, Feb. 8, 2024

State Brings Additional Charges in Hopes Felony Theft Case

Defense counsel for former Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes has entered a motion to dismiss multiple new counts brought against Hopes in the ongoing litigation, State of Florida vs …
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Commentary

Fifteen Years and Counting

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
4 days ago
State biologists examine a manatee that starved to death during the big die-off. (Photo via FWC)
Commentary

Judge finds manatee die-off proves Florida broke endangered species law

Back in the 1990s, when I was on the criminal court beat, I sat through more murder trials than Perry Mason and Ben Matlock combined. Every case concerned a tragedy, but occasionally there were …
by Craig Pittman
4 days ago
Ron and Casey DeSantis. Public domain photo

DeSantis Administration Steered Medicaid Funds to First Lady's Charity

The $10 million that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration steered to a state-created charity last year consisted of Medicaid dollars owed to state and federal …
Staff Report
5 days ago
More local news
Red Tide Status Update: 4/25/24
The red tide organism,  Karenia brevis,  was detected at background concentrations in one sample from Northwest Florida. We continue to examine chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
4 days ago
The United States Military Academy at West Point. Public Domain photo.
Buchanan to Host 2025 Service Academy Fair
Congressman Vern Buchanan will host a Service Academy Fair for all high school students in Florida’s 16th Congressional District at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, …
Staff Report
5 days ago
Crime
Bradenton Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend on her Birthday
Nicholas Lee Shermer was convicted of Second Degree Murder this week, after being arrested for the August 27, 2023, shooting of his then-girlfriend, Amanda Shoaf, on her 27th …
Staff Report
5 days ago
Kristen Truong Launches Campaign for Robinson's House Seat in 2026
Kristen Truong, a lifelong Republican and Manatee County native, says she will run for Florida State House District 71, the seat currently held by Rep. Will Robinson. Robinson is …
Staff Report
5 days ago
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier in Orlando on April 14, 2025.
Attorney general greenlights arrests under suspended Florida immigration law
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to law enforcement Wednesday stating that he won’t stop them from enforcing a temporarily blocked state immigration law that led to the …
by Jackie Llanos
5 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 4/27/25
It will be a fairly quiet week in local government. This week, the Manatee County School Board will be in session for a regular board meeting on Tuesday and a workshop meeting on …
by Dawn Kitterman
Wednesday, April 23
Opinions
Guest Opinion
Freedom to Cause Cancer
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
4 days ago
EarthTalk: Microplastics Scourge Fueling Antibiotic Resistance
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments that pollute oceans, rivers and the air. They’re now being linked to a serious public health threat known as antibiotic resistance. Scientists have …
Wednesday, April 23
Guest Opinion
Florida libraries are priceless — and they need our support
Growing up as an avid reader, I loved trips with my mom to our local library. It also served as a community space where I attended many birthday parties and baby showers to celebrate our neighbors …
by Aspen Coriz-Romero
Tuesday, April 22
COMMENTARY
Commentary
Mayor's Corner
April has been a busy and exciting month in Bradenton! From the Law Enforcement Torch Run, BAM!Fest, and the return of Music in the Park, to the Lucky Ducky Race for PACE, our upcoming Earth Day …
Mayor Gene Brown
5 days ago
Archie Rutledge, a well-known African American cowhunter in Manatee County, sits atop a stallion circa 1940.
Sunday Favorites: The Grit and Grace of Archie Rutledge
Archie Rutledge’s journey from a butcher’s pen at age 11 to the open prairies of Florida as a skilled cow hunter reveals a life marked by resilience, hardship, and quiet heroism. Amid segregation, war, and injury, Archie carved his place in history, one dollar a day, one rope at a time.
Merab Favorite
Sunday, April 20
Chief's Corner: Fire Prevention Month
October may be Fire Prevention Month, but it is always the right time to practice fire safety. As April is Autism Awareness Month, it is crucial to consider plans and aids tailored to the needs of …
BFD Chief Tim Geer
Thursday, April 17
Obituaries
Robert Mercier
Robert "Bob" Mercier passed away on April 26, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida. Born on December 31, 1946, Bob lived a life full of joy, laughter, and cherished moments. Bob was a veteran of the Army, …
2 days ago
Constantin Leonte
In Loving Memory of Constantin Leonte It is with deep sadness and love that we announce the passing of Constantin Leonte, affectionately known to all as Tataia. A devoted father, grandfather, …
2 days ago
Daniel New
In Loving Memory of Daniel Eugene New September 4, 1949 – April 22, 2025 With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Daniel Eugene New, a devoted son, brother, veteran, and …
2 days ago
This week's reader poll

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TBT Podcasts
podcast
Brice Claypool is a 17-year-old Manatee County resident, environmental activist, political history buff, and author of the blog The Kid Who Cares. He joins Mitch and Dawn this week to discuss how …
Wednesday, April 23
podcast
This week, Bradenton City Councilwoman Lisa Gonzalez Moore joins the podcast to discuss post-Hurricane redevelopment and sewage treatment challenges,  workforce housing needs, downtown …
Wednesday, April 16
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

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
5 days ago

McCutchen’s Mojo Puts Pirates Back in Win Column

Andrew McCutchen knows how to lift his teammates’ confidence. Heading into Wednesday night’s home game against the visiting Washington Nationals at PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates are …
by Don Laible
Friday, April 18

Frick Wrestling Wins 19 State Titles at AAU State Championships

At the April 6 AAU Wrestling Florida State Championships, Frick Wreslting won an impressvie 19 individual state titles with 61 wrestlers medalling, marking a significant achievement …
Staff Report
Thursday, April 10
Arts & Entertainment
Champ Jaxson Band

Weekend Sounds: April 25-27

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
Thursday, April 24
theater review

FST's Shedding a Skin

The Florida Studio Theatre recently opened Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin, a one-woman show starring Samaria Nixon-Fleming. The raw, poetic work delves deeply into race, identity …
by Mitch Maley
Tuesday, April 22
Review:

A Minecraft Movie

As someone who pays their bills by watching and then writing about movies, I don’t really get to differentiate between movies that are “for me” or aimed at a completely different …
by Jared Rasic
Thursday, April 17

Weekend Sounds: April 18-20

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
Thursday, April 17
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Opinion
SB 1080 bill will harm Manatee County's ability to regain impact fees, paid by developers, that are appropriate for the roads, utilities, safety services, etc required for new developments. It makes …
LWV Manatee County
Monday, April 21
opinion
This week, President Trump mused about the possibility of removing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Trump wants Powell to lower interest rates, hoping it will offset the higher prices caused by …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, April 19
Guest Opinion
Environmental protection is not going to go away. Despite other pressures, the American people still care deeply about the quality of their environment. They care about air pollution, trash and noise …
by Glenn Compton
Friday, April 18
Guest Opinion
I've previously alerted everyone about  #SB1118  going through Tallahassee. It would essentially end the FDAB for rural lands. Fortunately, that bill looks to be dying  (as it …
by George Kruse
Friday, April 18
Guest Opinion
At the recent Sea Air Space conference near Washington, D.C., I heard Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson, Commander of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area, respond to a question about what a truly …
by Gene Moran
Thursday, April 17
Interesting News

The Science of Scent: Understanding Smell Disorders

(BPT) - Your sense of smell is more important than you think. It does more than just let you enjoy the aromas of your favorite foods or flowers. It can also serve as a warning system—alerting …

11 hours ago

The definitive guide to indirect procurement

Brex breaks down the difference between direct and indirect costs, shows common spending challenges businesses face, and shares proven methods to take control of these expenses.
Pratik Pandey for Brex
Yesterday at 6:30 PM

10 ways Mental Health Awareness Month has made a difference—and how you can get involved

Blueprint highlights the ways that the celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month each May has championed the nation's mental well-being and offers ways it has transformed the approach to mental health.
Kim Sheffield-Chang for Blueprint
Yesterday at 6:15 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
It’s still “Let’s Make A Deal” time at the Florida Legislature, which means questions about what Floridians can expect out of this year’s session remain unanswered. Republican leaders in …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 6:29 PM
The Senate on Monday deferred a vote on a priority health care bill for Ron DeSantis that would prohibit healthcare providers and facilities from discriminating against patients based solely on …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 5:52 PM
A majority of Florida Hispanic voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and blame Donald Trump’s administration for that negative trajectory, according to a poll released on …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 5:32 PM
A Tallahassee administrative judge on Monday recommended the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) deny a permit to drill for oil and gas in the Apalachicola River Basin in Northwest …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 5:05 PM