Crisis in Palmetto

DeSantis, State Officials Plan to Close Piney Point Facility

Full cleanup and closure costs could top $200 million.

04/13/2021 By Staff

Piney Point

Environmentalists Warn That Piney Point Pollution Could Affect Sarasota Bay

More than 200 million gallons of wastewater have been discharged into Tampa Bay. That could have major effects on the health of Sarasota Bay.

04/09/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Environment

Environmentalists Call for Complete Cleanup and Closure of Piney Point

Organizations say that at the current rate of wastewater discharge, nearly 500 tons of nitrogen are on track to be released in the course of about a week.

04/07/2021 By Staff

Politics

Sarasota Moves Ahead With New Rules for 'Hotel Houses'

The regulations are intended to curtail large-scale vacation rentals on Lido and St. Armands keys.

04/07/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The Pandemic

City of Sarasota Revisiting Mask Mandate

The city commission voted 3-2 on Monday to begin reinstating the expired mask mandate.

04/06/2021 By Staff

Crisis in Palmetto

Piney Point Evacuation Leaves Residents and Business Owners Scared and Anxious

"It will have lasting effects for years to come for the entire county."

04/05/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Q&A

How Dangerous Is the Water Leaking From Piney Point?

ManaSota-88’s Glenn Compton describes phosphate wastewater’s risk to human health and the environment.

04/05/2021 By Susan Burns

Politics

Will Sarasota Crack Down on 'Hotel Houses'?

Next week, the Sarasota City Commission will debate implementing new rules to regulate vacation rentals that residents say are ruining their neighborhoods.

03/29/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Sound Off

Tallahassee vs. The People of Florida

Why do we want a legislature focused on boosting big money and punishing voters?

03/23/2021 By Pam Daniel

Politics

Sarasota County Commission Indicates It Will End Citizen-Initiated Reviews of Land Use

The citizen-initiated process allows a group of 20 voters to petition the county to initiate a comprehensive plan amendment.

03/09/2021 By Staff

Elections

Deadline to Request Vote-by-Mail Ballot for North Port, Holiday Park Elections Is Feb. 27

The election will be held on March 9.

02/25/2021 By Staff

Elections

Vote-by-Mail Ballots Scheduled for Mail to City of North Port, Holiday Park Voters

The City of North Port will be electing a city commissioner on March 9, and the Holiday Park district will see a race for Board of Trustees Seat 4.

01/26/2021 By Staff

Politics

Do We Need an Anti-Mob Bill?

Gov. DeSantis’ proposed legislation is receiving pushback.

01/19/2021 With Isaac Eger

Politics

Legislative Preview: What to Watch for as Lawmakers Meet in March

Here are the five issues we’re keeping our eyes on.

01/15/2021 By Elizabeth Djinis

Politics

Local Lawmakers Vote Against Impeaching President Trump

Reps. Vern Buchanan and Greg Steube both opposed the effort to remove Trump from office for inciting violence last week.

01/14/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Politics

After Mob Storms Capitol, Local Officials Split on Challenging Results of the Presidential Election

Rep. Greg Steube voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election, while Rep. Vern Buchanan voted to accept them.

01/07/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Politics

Manatee County Commissioner Named Port Authority Chairman

Reggie Bellamy will serve a one-year term overseeing Port Manatee expenditures.

12/17/2020 By Staff

Government

Marlon Brown Named Interim Sarasota City Manager

Brown succeeds Tom Barwin, who will retire at the end of this month.

12/08/2020 By Staff

Help Needed

Restaurant Association Says the Industry Is in 'Free Fall'

According to the National Restaurant Association, 10,000 restaurants have closed in just the last three months.

12/07/2020 By Cooper Levey-Baker

The next generation

Ocean Conservation Summit Celebrates 10 Years of Inspiring Young Activists

In its first decade, the annual summit held at Mote has had a big impact around the country.

12/01/2020 By Allison Forsyth