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Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Fores (Photo via St. Johns River Water Management District)
Commentary

Private company controls access to public land at Florida national park

I have a friend named Sandra Friend. She writes guidebooks about hiking in Florida . Not long ago, my friend named Friend contacted me about a different kind of hike: the hike in prices for using our …
by Craig Pittman
11 hours ago
opinion

Epstein, Trump, Clinton, and Israel: A Retrospective

This weekend, more than five thousand college Republicans convened in Tampa for Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit. Highlighted by events featuring A-list MAGA pundits, the gathering …
by Mitch Maley
Yesterday at 2:01 AM

Anastasios Kamoutsas Takes over as Florida's Commissioner of Education

On Wednesday, the Florida Board of Education welcomed Anastasios Kamoutsas to his first state board meeting as Commissioner of Education. Unanimously selected by the Board on June 4, Kamoutsas kicks …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 12:00 AM
Blaise Ingoglia and Gov. Ron DeSantis in Tampa on July 16, 2025. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

DeSantis picks Blaise Ingoglia for CFO; says he never would have chosen Joe Gruters

The state of Florida has a new chief financial officer, and the Republican Party of Florida has a new schism in its ranks leading to next year’s primary election for that seat.
by Mitch Perry
2 days ago
More local news
Manatee County Seeking Applicants for Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Manatee County Government is now accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC), a citizen-led board that makes …
Manatee County Government
2 days ago
Florida Supreme Court upholds congressional district maps
The Florida Supreme Court upheld on Thursday the state’s congressional map championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which reconfigured a district in North Florida, erasing Black representation in that …
by Christine Sexton
2 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 7/20/25
This week, the Palmetto City Commission, the Manatee County School Board, and the Bradenton City Commission will hold workshops and regular meetings. The Manatee County Commission …
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Bradenton City Hall building located at 101 Old Main Street
Bradenton City Council to Discuss Ward 3 Vacancy at Tuesday Workshop
Bradenton City Council Ward 3 incumbent Josh Cramer has officially vacated his seat to accept the position as the new Chief of the Bradenton Police Department. At next Tuesday's …
Staff Report
4 days ago
Manatee County Launches Sandbag Initiative to Prepare for Hurricane Season
Manatee County Department of Public Safety, in partnership with Community & Veterans Services (CVS), will host Operation: Sandbag Support, a drive-thru filling and pickup event …
Manatee County Government
4 days ago
ICE ends possibility of bond hearings for millions of undocumented immigrants
The Trump administration recently announced that immigrants who arrived in the United States illegally are no longer eligible for a bond hearing as they fight deportation …
Staff Report
4 days ago
Opinions
EarthTalk: Enviros Thumbs Down To Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill?
The recently passed Republican-driven legislative and economic package has sparked intense backlash among environmentalists, who argue that its contents represent a step backward for environmental …
4 days ago
EarthTalk: Tidal Energy - Is There Any There, There?
Tidal energy—generated from the natural rise and fall of ocean tides—is one of the most predictable forms of renewable energy. Unlike wind or solar, which fluctuate based on weather, …
4 days ago
guest opinion
These immigrants were supposed to be protected. The administration came for them anyway.
In the 19 years my uncle has worked in the healthcare industry, he’s only missed one day — the day his mother, my grandmother, passed away. He would then help plan a funeral he …
by Emily Rodiguez
4 days ago
COMMENTARY
commentary
Many of Florida’s springs are owned by the taxpayers, such as Silver Springs, famed for its glass-bottomed boats. But the DEP has been dragging its feet about cleaning up pollution in the springs, despite a state law requiring it be done. (Via Florida State Parks)
DEP once again fails Florida springs, won’t push polluters
Florida’s springs are one of the natural wonders of our state. As a result, I naturally wonder why the government agency in charge of protecting them thinks it’s OK to let them become …
by Craig Pittman
Saturday, July 12
Ongoing flooding problems at the site of the proposed Pope Ranch development led neighbors to oppose new development there. (Photo by Kate Horne)
Powerful Florida developer hears a rare response from Manatee County: No!
There’s a tradition that when someone sings Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus,” everyone has to stand. So please rise as I warble several heartfelt hallelujahs over what the Manatee …
by Craig Pittman
Thursday, July 3
Commentary
4th of July Brings Us Hope and Celebration
This past year, our community has demonstrated that our democracy works and people can come together for common causes. This alone is a reason to celebrate this Independence Day . We are blessed in …
by Joe McClash, Publisher
Thursday, July 3
Obituaries
Richard Haczynski
Richard F. Haczynski died on July 13th with his oldest son and his daughter-in-law by his side. Richard, known throughout most of his …
4 days ago
Grier Buckingham, Jr.
Grier C. Buckingham, Jr., passed away on July 8, 2025, just one day shy of his 74th birthday. Born on July 9, 1951, in Columbia, South Carolina, Grier's journey through life was marked by his …
4 days ago
Robert Greene
Robert "Bobby" Greene, aged 82, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, July 11, 2025, at his home in Ellenton, FL. Born on January 15, 1943, in Memphis, TN, Bobby was a beloved …
4 days ago
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TBT Podcasts
Podcast
This week, Brice Claypoole sits in for Dawn Kitterman. Mitch and Brice discuss the so-called Big Beautiful Bill's impacts on our energy independence and vital environmental issues, and whether or not …
3 days ago
Podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss flooding and ballooning costs at the ICE's Everglades detention center; the response to catastrophic flooding in Texas, and what that suggests about hurricane …
Wednesday, July 9
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Sports & recreation

Ashcraft Productive Pitching Addition to Pirates’ Staff

Since his call-up to the Pittsburgh Pirates in May, Braxton Ashcraft hasn’t disappointed in the 11 games that he’s appeared in. This is one MLB All-Star break that Ashcraft must be …
by Don Laible
2 days ago

Marauders’ Sanford Energized to be Second-Generation Pirate

Wyatt Sanford’s baseball career is one you’ll want to keep an eye on. When I sat down with Sanford last week, hours before the Bradenton Marauders were to host the Fort Myers Mussels at …
by Don Laible
Thursday, July 10

Beloved Pirates’ Slugger Parker Remembered as Tremendous Teammate

Kent Tekulve remembers what a great Pittsburgh Pirates teammate Dave Parker was. It’s how someone was in the clubhouse, on the plane, at the hotel, that’s the true athlete. How did …
by Don Laible
Thursday, July 3
Arts & Entertainment
Arts & Entertainment

Farcical Comedy Don't Dress for Dinner comes to FST Aug. 8

Florida Studio Theatre will close out its summer season with Don’t Dress for Dinner , a rapid-fire farce filled with mistaken identities, romantic chaos, and high-stakes …

Staff Report
2 days ago
Arts & Entertainment

Movie Review: Superman

I’m tired of having to point this out about movies, television shows and daily life, so this may be the last time I’m going to broach this topic—and I’ll do so in a …
by Jared Rasic
2 days ago
arts & entertainment

Christmas in July returns to the Village of the Arts this Saturday

Who says holiday cheer is just for December? Join Bradenton's Village of the Arts as they celebrate their 2nd Annual Christmas in July—the most wonderful time of the summer!
Staff Report
4 days ago

Movie Review: F1

There’s nothing that wrong with “F1,” the new film from Joseph Kosinski, the mastermind behind “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Tron: Legacy” and a few other films …
by Jared Rasic
Thursday, July 10
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
opinion
As Americans bear witness to a deadly tragedy caused by catastrophic flooding that has killed at least 120 people in the hill country of Texas, Floridians are getting a preview of how much worse a …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, July 12
Guest Opinion
It is no secret that Florida laws minimize regulation, allowing private corporations to maximize profits. This means that we manage risks rather than acting on a precautionary principle and …
by Glenn Compton
Saturday, July 12
Guest opinion
I spent every bit of free time in my final semester at Villanova University fighting a lawsuit that could make life for me as a disabled American very difficult. As a low vision student, …
by Kaleigh Brendle
Friday, July 11
Guest Opinion
The big Trump-GOP budget that recently passed Congress will slash trillions in taxes for billionaires and centi-millionaires while devastating services like Medicaid. Among those tax breaks for the …
by Chuck Collins
Friday, July 11
opinion
I am a veteran who proudly served my country. What I see in the thugish tactics used by our Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency does not represent the values I swore to uphold. The America I …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, July 5
Interesting News

African women are key to fighting climate change – these are the green skills they will need

There’s a long list of green skills that women across Africa need so that they can get jobs and start businesses that help the world adapt to climate change.

Ogechi Adeola, University of Kigali; Innocent Ngare, Kenyatta University, and Olaniyi Evans, Pan Atlantic University, The Conversation

14 interesting facts about self-driving cars

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. reports on 14 intriguing facts about self-driving cars, highlighting their history, benefits, challenges, and safety concerns.
Patrick A. Salvi II for Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.
Yesterday at 3:20 PM

Understanding high cholesterol: Symptoms, risks, and treatment options

SaveHealth reports that high cholesterol affects 1 in 3 Americans, often without symptoms until serious events occur. It is treatable via lifestyle changes and medications.
Nima Mehran for SaveHealth
Yesterday at 3:10 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
TAMPA — Although it’s been more than seven months since Hillsborough County state Rep. Susan Valdés flipped to the Republican Party, that departure remains raw with some of her former …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 5:09 PM
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed Friday that it’s releasing funds that support before- and after-school programs as well as summer programs, a portion of the $6.8 …
Shauneen Miranda (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 4:15 PM
Gov. Ron DeSantis this week has been promoting his commitment to Everglades restoration amid the backlash and legal challenges to his construction of an immigrant detention center on an airstrip in …
Jackie Llanos (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 3:05 PM
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, the White House announced Thursday. The condition is “benign and common” for people above age 70, U.S. …
Shauneen Miranda (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 11:25 AM