Politics

Election Alert

Early Voting Starts in Sarasota County Monday, Oct. 24

Seven early-voting polling locations are located throughout the county.

10/18/2016 By Staff

No Time to Rest

How This Supreme Court Marriage Equality Plaintiff Went From "Accidental" Activist to Just Plain Activist

"The opponents of equality know they're losing and they're lashing out in every way they can," says LGBT activist Jim Obergefell.

10/12/2016 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Planning

Manatee County Commission Approves 1,950-Unit Project

The Manatee County Commission last week voted in favor of a plan to rezone 358.5 acres of land in Bradenton to make way for Peninsula Bay.

10/10/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Deadline to Register to Vote Approaching

Florida's deadline to register to vote in the November general election is next Tuesday, Oct. 11.

10/06/2016 Research by staff

Politics

County Commission Debate Set for Monday

The Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations will hold a forum for the two candidates campaigning to represent district one on the Sarasota County Commission.

10/04/2016 Research by staff

Planning

Palmetto Hotel Moving Forward

The Manatee County Commission this week approved an agreement to build a six-story, 250-room Sheraton hotel on land near the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto.

09/30/2016 Research by staff

Health care

Congress Approves $1.1 Billion to Fight Zika

After months of inaction, Congress on Thursday approved $1.1 billion in federal funding to fight the Zika virus.

09/29/2016 Research by staff

Honors

Tax Collector Receives 'Public Sector Champion' Award

Thomson Reuters announced Monday that Sarasota County Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates received the 2016 Thomson Reuters Public Sector Champion Award for Excellence in Office Leadership.

09/26/2016 Research by staff

New hires

Sarasota Chamber Selects New CEO

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce today selected Kevin Cooper as the organization’s next chief executive officer and president.

09/08/2016 Research by staff

Planning

City Commission OKs Downtown Parking Meter Plan

The Sarasota City Commission voted Tuesday to move forward with a paid parking plan proposed by city staffers.

09/08/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Forum Dedicated to State, County Ballot Choices

The Sarasota County Council of Neighborhood Associations is hosting a discussion of the state and county amendments that will appear on the November ballot during its next meeting.

09/08/2016 Research by staff

Politics

County Commission, State House and Senate Debates Set

Now that local primary elections are over, November candidates for the Sarasota County Commission, the Florida House and the Florida Senate will meet in a series of lunchtime debates hosted by the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club.

08/31/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Post-Primary State House Debate Set for Sept. 1

The Sarasota Tiger Bay Club will host a debate between Democratic and Republican state House candidates shortly after the Aug. 30 primary election.

08/29/2016 Research by staff

Data

Study Finds Florida's Minimum Wage Is Too Low

Florida's minimum wage of $8.05 an hour is too low to lift families out of poverty, leaves workers unable to afford health insurance and is not high enough to offset work-related expenses like child care, according to a new report.

08/09/2016 Research by staff

Health care

Buchanan Asks for Federal Money to Fight Heroin Abuse

Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, asked federal officials on Monday for immediate aid to confront the region's recent surge of heroin-related overdoses.

07/25/2016 Research by staff

Government

County Considers Changes to Mowing Rules

Sarasota County is proposing changes to mowing service in residential areas within the county's urban service boundary and will host two informational meetings on the changes this week.

07/25/2016 Research by staff

Politics

County Commission Debate Set for Aug. 18

Mike Moran and Frank DiCicco, Republican candidates for the Sarasota County Commission, will square off during a luncheon debate.

07/21/2016 Research by staff

Environment

State Offers Loans to Businesses Affected By Algal Blooms

Gov. Rick Scott last week activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for businesses affected by the presence of algal blooms in nearby waterways.

07/19/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Arts Education Group Hosts School Board Discussion

The Arts and Cultural Alliance is hosting an interview session with Sarasota County School Board candidates Caroline Zucker and Teresa Mast on July 25.

07/14/2016 Research by staff

Politics

Democratic State Senate Debate Set for Aug. 4

Frank Alcock and Frank Cirillo will square off before the Aug. 30 primary.

07/12/2016 Research by staff