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Big Picture Manatee: Manatee County 2024 Primary Breakdown Fallout

In this video, we dive into the aftermath of the 2024 Manatee County primary elections. From unexpected results to critical wins and losses, we analyze how these outcomes will impact local politics …
8 hours ago
The Green Swamp is the source of four rivers, but traffic problems have Polk considering building a road across it. (Southwest Florida Water Management District)
commentary

Polk County’s growing pains show what’s ahead for the rest of Florida

If you ever tire of the monotonous flatness of peninsular Florida, just drive through Polk County. The landscape there is dotted by massive mountains of phosphate waste , the result of companies …
by Craig Pittman
8 hours ago

Jayne Kocher Sounds Off

In Wednesday’s column, I offhandedly mentioned that there was a rumor that one of the Bradenton City Council seats might be vacated after the November election, and, if so, the plan was to …
by Mitch Maley
4 days ago
Manatee County Chief Financial Officer Shelia McLean answers commissioner questions during a September 12, 2024, budget public hearing.

BOCC Proposes Modest Millage Rate Reduction

The Manatee County Commission narrowly approved a .15 millage reduction during the first FY2025 budget hearing on Thursday evening. The 4-2 vote came after two additional votes for …
Staff Report
4 days ago
More local news
8th Annual Reef and Beach Clean Up Returns to Terra Ceia Sept 28-29 
Mark your calendars for the 8th Annual Reef and Beach  Clean Up, an event that combines environmental stewardship with friendly competition! Hosted by Suncoast  Aqua Ventures, this …
by Cheryl Huntsinger
7 hours ago
Sunday Favorites: Honoring the First African American School
For years, Lincoln Academy was thought to be the first school for Black students in Manatee County. However, it was discovered in 2006 through extensive research by the Heritage House Museum that an earlier school did exist, Here's the story.
by Merab Favorite
3 days ago
TBT Exclusive
Manatee County Utilities Deputy Directors Katie Gilmore and Kevin Morris pose for a photo with colleagues after accepting a proclamation recognizing Water Conservation Month on April 12, 2022. 
(Left/Right: Bruno Kapacinskas, Kevin Morris, Katie Gilmore, Olga Wolanin, Tina Moutoux)
Two Deputy Directors Depart Manatee County Utilities
This week Manatee County Government said goodbye to a 20-year employee and in three weeks an additional official will also serve their last day with the organization. Both …
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Commissioner Jason Bearden
Manatee County Commission Moves Toward Reversing Wetland Policy Changes
At Tuesday's meeting, Manatee County Commissioners voted 6-0 to direct staff to bring to the board amendments to the comprehensive land use plan that would restore the recently …
Staff Report
4 days ago
Red Tide Status Update: 9/13/24
Red tide was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. 
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
4 days ago
Following Bayshore Arrest, Manatee School District Clarifies Message Alerts
Following the Thursday arrest of a Bayshore High School student who posted threats toward Manatee County students online, the Manatee School District posted multiple alerts to …
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 …
Thursday, September 12
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
Tuesday, September 10
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
Tuesday, September 10
COMMENTARY
Chief's Corner: Melanie Bevan, BPD
Speed enforcement cameras will soon be installed in school zones in the City of Bradenton, mirroring the speed enforcement program throughout Manatee County. This includes the following schools: …
26 minutes ago
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
5 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
Thursday, September 12
Obituaries
Rudolph "Pete" Rovnan
Rudolph O. "Pete" Rovnan, 94 of Saxonburg passed away on September 17, 2024 at The Addison of Logan Place. Born December 26, 1929 in Tarentum, PA, he was the son of Peter Rovnan and Stefania …
3 hours ago
Patricia Palmer
Patricia Ann Pearce Palmer, 71, a retired federal government manager, and retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on August 31, 2024 in her home in …
3 days ago
Johnny Singleton
Johnny B. Bryant Singleton, affectionately called "Johnny B", was born on February 27, 1951, in Manatee County to Emma Singleton. Johnny attended the Manatee County school system. He was a …
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.
5 days ago
This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the presidential debate, Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting, and the meltdown of the local Republican Executive Committee.
Wednesday, September 11
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Baseball Hall of Famers Shine on Weekly Podcast

Baseball history is uniquely revisited every Saturday morning on SiriusXM Radio’s The Road to Cooperstown podcast. After listening to the first 16 weeks of The Road to Cooperstown hosted …
by Don Laible
8 hours ago

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
Tuesday, September 10

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
Arts & Entertainment

Forks & Corks Grand Tasting Tickets to Go on Sale in October

Tickets for the Sarasota-Manatee Originals' 2025 Forks & Corks Food & Wine Festival Grand Tasting event will be available on October 15 at 7 PM. The event tends to sell out …

Staff Report
7 hours ago

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
Thursday, September 12

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
Thursday, September 12

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
Thursday, September 12
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

How to Get the Health Care You Want and Need

(Family Features) While Baby Boomers are living longer than prior generations, they are more likely to struggle to get the care they need due to financial challenges, hard-to-navigate health insurance coverage.

7 hours ago

Lawn and landscape projects with the greatest ROI

LawnStarter breaks down the lawn and landscaping projects that deliver the greatest return on investment and homeowner joy.
Raven Wisdom
8 hours ago

Back-to-school tech essentials: 5 laptops for student success

(BPT) - As a parent or educator, you know how technology has changed the educational landscape. It would be nearly impossible for students to complete assignments and, in some cases, even attend …
8 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
Florida’s six-week abortion ban, despite its medical exceptions, has led physicians and other health care providers to delay treatment for patients facing life-threatening complications, according …
Jackie Llanos (via Florida Phoenix)
3 hours ago
With three campuses kicking off presidential searches, the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida will plan to expand its oversight over the selection of university …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
5 hours ago
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that it is in the best interest of the state and the country for Florida to conduct its own investigation into the alleged attempted assassination of Donald Trump …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
6 hours ago
Growing union organizing across the country has triggered an anti-labor legislative response in some states, but cities and counties are increasingly pushing back, a new report found. The report, …
Casey Quinlan (via Florida Phoenix)
12 hours ago