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Fort Myers area flooded by the Hurricane Ian storm surge. (Photo via USCG)
commentary

Florida should use next six months to prepare for the 2025 hurricane season

Saturday marked the end of our horrible 2024 hurricane season. How did you celebrate? Did you build a bonfire from the plywood you used to cover your windows? Turn your blue tarp into a party awning …
by Craig Pittman
3 days ago
opinion

Secretary DeSantis?

With Fox News's Pete Hegseth’s prospects of being confirmed to lead the Pentagon uncertain, sources close to the incoming administration have hinted that President-elect Trump is considering …
by Mitch Maley
4 days ago
Denzel Washington in Gladiator 2. Photo courtesy of Paramount.

Movie Review: Gladiator II

“Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions …
by Jared Rasic
4 days ago

One month into Obamacare enrollment, Florida leads the nation in sign-ups

Florida leads the nation in Obamacare enrollment after a month of open enrollment. Data released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that 1,458,792 Florida residents signed up …
by Christine Sexton
4 days ago
More local news
Video
Big Picture Manatee: Manatee's New Political Landscape
The 2024 election has reshaped the political scene in Manatee County, with major outcomes across city races, school board leadership, and pivotal referendums and amendments. In this video, we break …
4 days ago
Red Tide Status Update: 12/4/24
Over the past week, red tide was detected in 49 samples collected from Northwest and Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 6 samples: one …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
4 days ago
Manatee County Accepting Applications for Tourist Development Council
Manatee County is seeking qualified applicants to fill two openings on its nine-member Tourist Development Council. The TDC makes recommendations to the Board of County …
Manatee County Government
4 days ago
photo by Gage Skidmore
Rick Scott shows support for embattled Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth
Some GOP U.S. senators may be feeling uneasy about Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to serve as his Secretary of Defense, but Rick Scott isn’t one of them.
by Mitch Perry
5 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 12/8/24
The Manatee County Commission and the Manatee County School Board will be in session for meetings this week.  …
by Dawn Kitterman
5 days ago
Photo via Whitehouse.gov
Biden’s pardon of his son draws blowback from Republicans, a few Democrats
President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son from federal gun and tax crimes —and any other offenses over a nearly 11-year period — has drawn outrage from …
by Ariana Figueroa
Tuesday, December 3
Opinions
EarthTalk: Climate Resilient Housing
Since the frequency and intensity of floods, wildfires and heat waves have increased due to climate change, the U.S. housing market has become steadily more volatile. Billions of dollars worth of …
5 days ago
opinion
We're taking on America's most anti-union company — and we're going to win
I work at one of the most profitable companies in the world, yet I’m barely able to get by. In August 2023, I got hired as a warehouse associate at an Amazon delivery station in San …
by Dori Goldberg
Tuesday, December 3
Guest commentary
Air Pollution and Vehicle Emissions
Members of the Sarasota County legislative delegation should sponsor legislation that will expand the annual inspection of motor vehicles.  The Florida Department of Highway Safety and …
by Glenn Compton
Monday, December 2
COMMENTARY
commentary
The Chiquita Lock (foreground) was built to deal with environmental damage caused during Gulf American’s illegal construction of 400 miles of Cape Coral canals. Now Cape Coral wants to remove it — and severely penalize three fishermen for opposing the move. (Photo via Ralph Arwood of Calusa Waterkeeper)
Be thankful you don’t live in this Florida city, which is trying to punish its own citizens
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! Contrary to what you were told in the second grade, the first Thanksgiving took place in St. Augustine 56 years before the Pilgrims arrived. The attendees were …
by Craig Pittman
Friday, November 29
Sunday Favorites: Historic Thanksgiving Traditions
Manatee County’s Thanksgiving traditions reflect its rich history, from pioneer potlucks to festive parades. This season, celebrate the events and stories that have brought the community together over the years.
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, November 24
Commentary
Gulf sturgeon held by a NOAA fisheries scientist after measurement and tagging. (Photo via NOAA Fisheries)
To save a river, Florida small town’s activists oust every incumbent
I’m back in the Panhandle this week visiting family and while here I felt compelled to check in on the Blackwater River. It’s the first river I ever canoed back when I was in Boy Scouts, …
by Craig Pittman
Friday, November 22
Obituaries
Janice Feister
Janice Feister passed away in Bradenton Florida on November 29th 2024. She was born in Mousie Kentucky on July 10th 1934. Janice was a caring spirit, and for most of her career was a nursing …
4 hours ago
Joan Gannon
January 8, 1932 - December 5, 2024 Bradenton, Florida - Joan J. Gannon, 92, died December 5, 2024, at the Westminster Point Pleasant Health Center in Bradenton, FL., after a long illness. Born …
4 hours ago
Diane Pendleton
Diane E. Pendleton passed away at her Bradenton, Florida home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. She was born Diane Rhodes Everest in New Haven, CT on November 2, 1934 and was predeceased by her …
4 hours ago
This week's reader poll

Are you traveling/hosting for the holidays?

Tuesday, December 3

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TBT Podcasts
Podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss rumors that Gov. Ron DeSantis may replace Pete Hegseth as President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister's …
5 days ago
podcast
This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the new Manatee County Commission, the sale of the "old City Hall" property, Richard Tatem being reappointed to the school board seat he resigned from to run for …
Thursday, November 21
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Young Embraces Comradery Displayed At Pirates Fantasy Camp

When Kevin Young arrives in Bradenton this week as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates alumni staff for fantasy camp duties, chances are that he’ll be making new friends. Once at Pirate City, …
by Don Laible
Monday, December 2

McKenry Joins Pirates Alumni For Fantasy Camp in Bradenton

Michael McKenry, a former catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, understands how important fantasy camp week is to the fans attending. “It’s a lot of fun for the campers and us former …
by Don Laible
Tuesday, November 26

Marauders’ Horne Earns Top Groundskeeper Honors

Bradenton Marauders’ Jacqueline “Jake” Horne, assistant manager of field operations (Florida), received a tremendous honor this past week. Preparing for her seventh year with the …
by Don Laible
Tuesday, November 19
Arts & Entertainment

2024 Holiday Album Guide

Every fall brings a big-ol’-bag-full of Christmas albums. This year seems to have a slightly lower number of holiday releases. But happily, we get more than our share of worthy and unique …

by Alan Sculley
Friday, November 29

Weekend Sounds: Nov. 29 - Dec. 1

Happy Thanksgiving from The Bradenton Times. It's another weekend, and you know what that means. If you guessed another great lineup of local, talented musicians in Manatee, …
Staff Report
Thursday, November 28

Holiday Classics Return to Tampa Theatre

The Tampa Theatre's holiday films on the big screen are back. Come early and sing along to holiday carols with the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ before the show.
Staff Report
Tuesday, November 26

Shop Local at the Holly Jolly Village Christmas

Step into a Christmas wonderland and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list at the Village of the Arts' "Holly Jolly Village Christmas," Dec. 6-7. Stroll through charming, festively …
Staff Report
Tuesday, November 26
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Opinion
At the March 28, 2023, Manatee County Commission meeting , the board unanimously pledged $8 million to expand the capacity at the existing Bishop shelter campus so that all of Animal Services (now …
by David Daniels
Saturday, November 30
As I reflected on the many things I’m thankful for this week, I kept returning to the overwhelming experience of August’s local elections. Having a front-row seat to the historic sweep of …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, November 30
Dams, often built to generate hydroelectric power, store water and control floods, have significant negative impacts. They disrupt natural river flows, fragment habitats and alter the physical, …
Wednesday, November 27
opinion
Unfortunately, the larger the government body, the more difficult it can be to find positive stories to tell. As a rule, the bigger the bureaucracy, the more entrenched it becomes. The longer the …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, November 23
Opinion
NOAA Fisheries has released a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for the Identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in U.S. Federal Waters of the Gulf of …
by Glenn Compton
Friday, November 22
Interesting News
Holiday Hints
You can stay connected and take control of your holiday budget with TextNow’s Holiday Hotline.

Simple Hacks to Make the Holidays Merrier (and Cheaper)

(NAPSI)—The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, but when the average American is spending nearly $1,000 on gifts, food, and decorations, they can also be the most stressful. For many, …

3 days ago

Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy Provides Patients With Hope

(BPT) - (In Partnership with Eli Lilly and Company)Are you forgetting your words or losing your train of thought more than usual? Memory and thinking issues can be easily dismissed as signs of normal …
3 days ago

In a deep-red state, this lieutenant's blueprint for removing guns from abusers is spreading

The Trace spotlights Lieutenant Valerie Martinez-Jordan, who has trained over 2,000 officers in a Louisiana program that prevents abusers from accessing firearms, even as federal laws become looser.
Alma Beauvais for The Trace
3 days 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
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday it will require dairy farms to share samples of unpasteurized milk when requested, in an effort to gather more information about the …
Jennifer Shutt (via Florida Phoenix)
Today
The federal government is seeking public input on a proposal that would allow the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire property near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge that could soon be …
Jill Nolin (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 7:00 AM
President Joe Biden and Gov. Ron DeSantis have ordered flags lowered Saturday to honor those killed and injured during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Dec. 7, 1941, attack prompted the …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
3 days ago
The law Congress passed this year to force the Chinese parent company of social media giant TikTok to either sell the service or face a U.S. ban is constitutional, a panel of federal appeals judges …
Jacob Fischler (via Florida Phoenix)
3 days ago