WSLR News

The national Democratic fundraising arm for congressional candidates declared a local district “in play”. We explain what that means.  Next: We continue our series of candidate profiles. Today, we’re focusing on Eddie Pope, a Republican running for Congress in District 16. Then: Journalists sometimes venture into fiction. Scratch that - faction. That’s the literary genre where facts and fiction ov...

Today, Sarasota joined the fast-growing ranks of Florida counties slamming the brakes on data centers.  Next: One rural resident has an issue with being charged by the county for rainwater that does not end up in the county’s ditches, channels or canals. She may have a case.  Then: Like many districts in Florida, Sarasota Schools is facing a budget crisis and cuts. The driver is shrinking student...

Today, WSLR News is going underwater, with a report on turtle rehab at Mote Marine and another one about restoring oyster beds in the Manatee River.  But before that, we have a report on how the world’s biggest vacation rental company is helping fund Byron Donald’s campaign for governor.  Then, we bring you a story about a small business owner who takes the unusual step of passing on his company t...

In a WSLR exclusive, our reporter Ramon Lopez interviewed a Canadian businessman who spent time at the now-shuttered Everglades immigrant detention center before he was deported. One of the moments Doug Dixon would rather like to forget: He witnessed the suicide of a 19-year old fellow detainee. Next: Today is the day New College officially absorbs the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. Yesterday, the N...

The notorious immigrant detention center in the Everglades is shutting down for good. In a WSLR exclusive, our reporter Ramon Lopez interviewed a Canadian businessman who spent time at Alligator Alcatraz before he was deported. Next: The foul-mouthed blue cartoon character that made a big difference in the outcome of the last Manatee County Commission elections is due for a court hearing this Tues...

Being seen as tied to developers is a big no-no in this election cycle. One of the most active anti big-development groups in Sarasota County just endorsed one candidate, and it’s being taken to task for it. Next: Julie London is the sole Democrat in this election cycle running for a seat in the Sarasota County Commission. We have a profile. Then: Even though it seems wildly unpopular, the develop...

Sarasota Public Hospital Board elections made headlines in 2024, when a slate of “Medical Freedom” activists was on the verge of taking control of Sarasota Memorial Hospital. They failed. But what about vaccination and mask skeptics in the upcoming elections? Nic Steinig reports. Then: A local activist launched a statewide petition for a moratorium for all rezoning.  Noah Bookstein reports. Next:...

The governor signed into law a Joe Gruters-sponsored insurance bill that will likely raise costs for condo dwellers and retirement home residents. The insurance industry had urged DeSantis to veto it, because it seems to heavily favor just one particular insurance business. Then: 1899 Fruitville, a controversial residential project planned to fill two blocks near downtown Sarasota, took a big step...

Friday, high noon, was the candidate filing deadline for the upcoming elections. We were looking for last-minute drop-outs and add-ons, as well as at who is NOT running in Sarasota.  Then: Investors want to build Planet Earth’s biggest data center just 40 miles from Sarasota. But they might have to overcome a hurdle or two when it comes to water use.  Next: It’s a fact now: After 50 years, the Flo...

New College got national exposure again - but not the kind it wants.  Next: Half a year ago, a buyer spent more than $1 million on a historically designated home in the Hudson Bayou neighborhood near downtown Sarasota. Now, they are asking the city to allow a tear-down. What gives? Then: Do you feel overwhelmed by new development? But you feel your voice does not count and resisting is not worth y...

New College is facing what looks like a financial head-on collision. Nic Steinig brings us this story. Then: Four out of 10 Floridians support or sympathize with Christian Nationalism, and we have a U.S. administration that is pushing the envelope. An event in Sarasota is trying to raise awareness of what many Americans perceive as a danger to democracy.   Next: Jen Ahearn-Koch wants to be re-elec...

 In-person neighborhood workshops are back in Sarasota County - developers who ask for exceptions from zoning rules now have to present their projects to actual neighbors again. Then: Two recent, high-profile road deaths of bicyclists in the region have stirred up biking activists.  Next: Frank DiCicco seeks to fill the Sarasota school board seat left by Robyn Marinelli. Ed James the Third brings...

The City of Bradenton is trying to change the role of its mayor, limiting re-election and stripping them of a vote on the city council. But will it result in a weakened mayor? We’re having a close look. Then: One of the area’s oldest Black cemeteries has been in a state of neglect, and some graves have been vandalized. Our reporter Brice Claypoole found that history is repeating itself. Next: To m...

USF Sarasota-Manatee is no more. Republican state legislators made a deal that will close down the campus in a matter of months, even after thousands of area residents, students, and four chambers of commerce expressed their opposition.  Then: Planet Earth’s biggest data center may be built some 40 miles from Sarasota. Suncoast Searchlight brings us that story. Next: Another Suncoast Searchlight r...

A historically Black cemetery in Palmetto may have been vandalized months ago, but efforts to make the city aware of it went nowhere. Next: Developers are pushing a massive data center project in rural DeSoto County. Will the pushback stop it? Next: A Bradenton museum exhibition celebrates the history of Latino involvement in baseball and American culture. Next: We are continuing our profiles of l...

Booker High School is an anchor of Sarasota’s African American community. Our reporter is gathering reactions to the appointment of a new principal.  Next: The Sarasota County Commission yesterday took back part of its recent surprise vote to cover expenses of school tax collections, conditioning it on the outcome of a lawsuit.  Then: Paid parking on Sundays brought upon the City of Sarasota the w...

The drought has produced water restrictions. But they are not equally enforced. We have a Suncoast Searchlight report.  Zander Moricz is at it again. This week, the youth organizer and viral debater was in Oxford to discuss the prompt “Youth activism is primarily performative”. We were at the debate watch party of his SEE Alliance in downtown Sarasota. Greg Steube sailed to re-election twice, easi...

Despite a shift in voting by local legislators yesterday, the future of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus still hangs in the balance. Then: Two Democratic challengers are trying to take the U.S. House seat held by Greg Steube in the Sarasota district. Today, we bring you a profile of Allen Spence. Next: The Old Memphis graveyard in Palmetto, a historically Black cemetery, has been vandalized. We tel...

The Sarasota County Commission surprised everyone Tuesday when it took back a vote from last year, picking up the collection fee tab for school taxes. But the debate of what to do with the fees is not over. Next: Booker High School is an institution in Sarasota’s African American Community, and picking the next principal is a high profile issue. Ed James III was there for a candidate event. Next:...

Yesterday, led by Tom Knight, the Sarasota County Commission surprised everyone by taking back a vote it made last year to charge the school district for tax collections.  The $2 million in fees withheld by the Sarasota Tax Collector had prompted the school district to sue Mike Moran and his office.  Next: In another rather unexpected vote two weeks ago, the Sarasota County Commissioners tried to...

A Florida law that promotes affordable housing has put the Sarasota County Commission on a collision course with the state and developers. Suncoast Searchlight brings us a report about the apartment complex project that has prompted outrage and the commission’s strong reaction. Next: It’s Round 3 for a controversial proposal to build downtown Sarasota’s tallest tower, on a quite small lot. Then: T...

Today's news: DR Horton is suing Sarasota County over their denial of a planned subdivision near the Celery Fields.  Then: Sarasota County Democrats are apologizing for a viral social media post following an gunman opening fire at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Next: An event held by Sarasota United For Responsibility put the spotlight on officials on the big gap for youth mental health s...

In August, New College will be facing hearings before a state administrative judge over its campus plans, tree cutting, and more. Six neighbors have petitioned the state to look into what they believe are violations of plans and rules. Then: We continue our dive into the District 1 race for Sarasota School Board. Today, we will have a close look at candidate Teresa DeWitt and Heidi Brandt. Next: R...

A controversial concrete crushing plant near downtown Sarasota apparently keeps operating, without permits. Noah Bookstein visited the plant to find out what’s going on. Then: The Sarasota Property Appraiser heads a PAC in support of gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds. What gives? Suncoast Searchlight brings us this report. Next: The Sarasota School Board yesterday passed a set of new policies,...

A $250 million  land preservation deal is ahead of Sarasota voters. We will find out how the County Commission is going about it.  Next:  180 teachingl positions in Sarasota County schools are on the chopping block, due to a budget shortfall within the district. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story. After that: The one-year anniversary of the “Hands off our Social Security" protest. What has...