Log in Subscribe
Top Stories

Review: 2024 State and Local Ballot Referendums

There will be six potential state constitutional amendments decided on November's ballot. Two were proposed by citizen initiatives, while the state legislature is bringing forward four.
by Mitch Maley
52 minutes ago
Manatee County Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Elliott Falcione addresses county commissioners during a BOCC meeting on July 30, 2024.

County Deletes Webpage Related to the Tourist Development Tax Referendum

This November Manatee County voters will decide whether to approve an additional 1% tourist development tax levy on short-term rentals. County officials are concerned …
by Dawn Kitterman
Yesterday at 12:02 PM
Cabot Citrus Farms is a Brooksville golf course development, via Facebook
commentary

Handing Florida state forest to a golf course builder is another DeSantis deal

There’s a tradition among Florida developers of naming their projects after any natural attributes obliterated by the development. That’s why you see subdivisions with such monikers as …
by Craig Pittman
2 days ago
South side of the Piney Point gypstack. Photo credit: Center for Biological Diversity.

Former Piney Point Owner found Liable for Pollution Tied to Massive Fish Kill

A federal judge has  found HRK Holdings LLC liable for a 2021 pollution event 2021 that led to the deaths of hundreds of tons of marine life in Tampa Bay. …
Staff Report
3 days ago
More local news
Red Tide Status Update: 9/20/24
Red Tide was detected in 11 samples from Southwest Florida over the past week. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. Additional …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2 days ago
New College promotional material plays up its natural setting on Sarasota Bay via New College website.
New College of Florida spending called into question
A five-year plan relying on hundreds of millions in state funding at New College of Florida, which already spends more per student than any other public university in Florida, drew concern from at …
by Jay Waagmeester
3 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 9/22/24
BRADENTON — It will be a very busy week in local government. On Monday, the Sarasota/Manatee MPO will meet at 9:00 a.m.  The Bradenton City Council and the Manatee County Commission will …
by Dawn Kitterman
5 days ago
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
5 days ago
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 …
5 days 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
Sunday, September 15
Opinions
guest opinion
Midnight Pass: Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to be Wasted
The Sarasota County Commission recently directed county staff to draft an amendment to change Florida Statutes so permits could be pursued to dredge a tidal connection between Little Sarasota Bay and …
by Glenn Compton
2 days ago
EarthTalk: Climate Change Threatens To Make Many Regions Uninhabitable
Global warming refers to the long-term rise in the Earth’s average temperature, due primarily to human activities like burning fossil fuels, deforestation and industrial processes. …
5 days 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
Saturday, September 14
COMMENTARY
commentary
Council Corner: Ward 3, Josh Cramer
Heroes. We were reminded of their importance last Wednesday (Sept. 11) as we stopped to remember fallen heroes on the 23rd Anniversary of the terror attacks against America on September 11, 2001. It …
3 days ago
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: …
5 days ago
commentary
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)
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
5 days ago
Obituaries
Alwilda Becker
Alwilda J Becker, aged 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by her son James Luther. Born in Pittsburgh PA, Alwilda spent many years in Erie, PA before moving to Bradenton FL in mid 1980's.
4 days ago
Domingo and Maria Sanchez
Pastor Domingo and Maria both born in Mexico, were married in 1955 and stayed married for 66 years until Pastor Domingo made the first move to be with the Lord in 2022 ...
4 days ago
Ray Schindewolf
Ray Schindewolf, age 85, passed away peacefully at home on September 12, 2024. Born in Alton, Illinois, also living in Granite City, Troy and Edwardsville, Illinois. He moved to Bradenton, Florida in …
4 days ago
This week's reader poll

Do you think Manatee County Government's Response to Flooding Caused by Hurricane Debby was Adequate?

Thursday, September 12

You must be a subscriber in order to vote on this item.

View results

TBT Podcasts
podcast
Jennifer Hamey is a local attorney and NPA candidate for Manatee County Commission District 1, a seat that is currently vacant. Hamey joins TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss her vision …
4 days ago
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.
Friday, September 13
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
5 days 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
Staycation Series
Photo courtesy of the Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From Ormond Beach to Ponce Inlet, Volusia County is Much More than just Daytona Beach

I’ve been to Daytona Beach at least half a dozen times over the past 25 years, but I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that I never took the time to see any more of Volusia County. However, on …

by Mitch Maley
2 days ago

Pour One Out for Harold Seltzer's

When I first moved to Sarasota in 2001, it didn't take me long to discover Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse. Sunday editions of the Herald Tribune would regularly feature an ad for the weekly special, which …
by Mitch Maley
3 days ago

Interview: Teddy Swims

Teddy Swims says his goal is to be more open and vulnerable in his music and his life. He certainly was practicing what he was preaching in this phone interview, as he opened up about the emotions …
by Alan Sculley
3 days ago

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
5 days ago
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
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
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
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
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
Interesting News

America's 50 favorite actors who are men

To determine American audiences' 50 favorite actors who are men, Stacker analyzed data from YouGov, current as of June 2024. See who came out on top!

Paul Feinstein
2 days ago

How to let someone test drive your car

CarGurus breaks down key steps you can take to safely arrange a test drive when selling your car.
Tim O'Sullivan
2 days ago

A dose of inspiration: Why doctors are prescribing museum visits

Reasons to be Cheerful explores "museo-therapy," a unique initiative by the Palais des Beaux-Arts which draws on the power of art to improve health and well-being.
Peter Yeung for Reasons to be Cheerful
2 days ago
Florida report

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

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
Three nonprofits earlier this month released findings of a study that analyzes segments or values clusters within the Black community in three swing states that goes deeper than typical …
Ken Coleman (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 7:00 AM
Beer is bipartisan, according to U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean, a Republican, and Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat. The two came together to craft “Florida Man,” a kolsch they brewed at the Anheuser-Busch …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
2 days ago
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service has taken responsibility for the failures that resulted in the July assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania and is asking for …
Ashley Murray (via Florida Phoenix)
2 days ago
Florida could be forced to pay $40 million in fines to the federal government over its handling of the state’s Medicaid program. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Director of State …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
2 days ago