News & City Life

Flashback

Photo: Carrie Ratliff Jones, Siesta Key Bridge Tender, 1939-1963

Look closely and you can see the bridge controls commingling with Jones’ everyday items.

07/09/2026 By Megan McDonald

Warming Trend

North Port Approves $4.1 Million More for Warm Mineral Springs Restoration

The funding closes a construction gap for the historic park’s building rehabilitation project, moving long-planned improvements at one of North Port's most beloved sites closer to reality.

07/08/2026 By Kim Doleatto

You're Invited!

Join Us for 'Her & Now,' Our Can't-Miss Bash in Honor of Our Women of Impact Issue!

Her & Now—our annual soiree celebrating the women who shape our community—is back on Aug. 6 at the Sarasota Garden Club.

07/07/2026

In Their Own Words

CreArte Latino Managing Director Cinthia Peña on Building Pride, Acceptance and Community

“We Latinos, we have warm hearts. We’re an open book. We invite everyone to come see what we do, collaborate with us, volunteer with us.”

07/06/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Go South

Detwiler’s Farm Market Is Heading South

Detwiler’s Farm Market plans its first ground-up store in North Port, as the family-owned grocer pushes farther south into one of Sarasota County’s fastest-growing cities.

07/06/2026 By Kim Doleatto

ArtsBeat

Arts Groups to Share $20 Million as DeSantis Vetoes More Funding

Questions remain about what organizations will receive state support.

07/02/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

First Person

Manatee County Commission Candidate Adam Johnson on the Issues

How serious is Johnson, really? And can he transition from his mischievous trolling on X (formerly known as Twitter) for the unsexy slog of zoning ordinances?

07/01/2026 By Isaac Eger

From the Editor

Goodbye to USF Sarasota-Manatee—and New College

Instead of having two strong institutions serving our region, we lost both to politics.

07/01/2026 By Susan Burns

Wacky Headlines

Recent You-Can’t-Make-Them-Up Headlines From Sarasota and Beyond

Overspending on a canine coworker's birthday, a meth mishap and Publix realizes you probably don't need a gun while picking up your BOGO buys.

07/01/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Good, Bad, Baffling

Our Judgy Take on Current Events: July Edition

Data centers, redrawn Congressional maps, a win for environmentally sensitive lands and a controversial figure plotting his return to politics.

07/01/2026

We're No. 1!

CNN Names Sarasota Its 'Best Town to Visit' for 2026

We're kind of a big deal.

07/01/2026 By Megan McDonald

Playing the Fool

Adam Johnson, the Smiley Guy Who Grabbed Nancy Pelosi’s Lectern on Jan. 6, 2021, Is Running for Manatee County Commission

Should voters take him seriously?

07/01/2026 By Isaac Eger

Grant Report

Gettel Foundation Invests $1 Million in The Haven's Community Center Project

Plus, Oyster River Ecology receives more than $750,000 in grants, FEMA approves $90 million in funding for state and local hurricane relief, and more.

06/29/2026 By Staff

Fast Track

Sarasota Chamber Announces 2026 Small Business Award Winners

Plus, new hires at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital and more.

06/29/2026 By Staff

Loop de Loop

Photo of the Week: A Bird's-Eye View of St, Armands Circle

Surrounded by palm-lined streets, charming shops and beautiful coastal scenery, it's a perfect blend of relaxation and sophistication, says photographer Damon Powers.

06/26/2026 Photography by Damon Powers

A PORPOISEFUL TRANSITION

Sarasota Dolphin Research Program's Influential Director, Randy Wells, Is Retiring

Dr. Katie McHugh will succeed Wells when he steps down after 56 years on July 1.

06/24/2026 By Kendall Southworth

FIFA via Florida

10 Sarasota Experiences World Cup Tourists Would Absolutely Lose Their Minds Over

International soccer fans are already going crazy for America’s free refills, giant drinks and ranch dressing. Naturally, we started wondering what they’d make of Sarasota.

06/23/2026 By The Editors

Fast Track

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Announces 2026-2027 Board of Directors

The foundation's president and CEO, Phillip Lanham, also renewed his contract through 2031.

06/18/2026 By Staff

Historical Holiday

How to Celebrate Juneteenth in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

One June 19, 1865, enslaved people in Texas learned they were free—two years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

06/18/2026 By Chloe Nelson

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota County Sued Over Live Local Projects

Sarasota County's attempt to stop thousands of apartments from being built in rural communities is now facing the legal challenge the county attorney warned was likely all along.

06/15/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota Magazine