News & City Life

Stats

As Building Permits Cooled Nationwide, Sarasota County’s Housing Permits Rose

Our region is No. 1 among large U.S. metros for per-capita multifamily permitting

03/02/2026 By Kim Doleatto

A Major Moment

The Concession Golf Club Gets Its Star Turn With the Senior PGA Championship

It's the first professional major golf tournament played in Florida in more than a quarter century.

03/02/2026 By David Hackett

Best in Show

Discover the Sarasota County Fair’s Heart and Soul: Arts and Crafts

Arts and crafts were the “building blocks” of all county fairs—and thankfully, the traditions continue here.

03/01/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Made in Sarasota

The Resource Factory Creates Million-Dollar, Glass-Fiber Sculptures for Major Multinational Corporations

Some of the company's sculptures are small enough to hold in your hand; some of them are as big as 35 feet long, 25 feet wide and 25 feet tall.

03/01/2026 By Megan McDonald

City Manager

Updated: Karie Friling Named Sarasota City Manager

Friling will be the first woman to hold the position in the City of Sarasota.

02/27/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Dune Duty

Sarasota Rescue Dog Trains to Protect Endangered Sea Turtle Nests in Texas

Magpie, a dog from Satchel’s Last Resort, is heading to South Padre Island, where her scent-detection training will help conservationists locate and protect endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle nests.

02/26/2026 By Kim Doleatto

It Ain’t Over Yet

Supporters Rally to Save the University of South Florida-Sarasota Manatee From New College’s Proposed Takeover

The proposal (HB 5601) has already been approved by the House’s Higher Education Budget Subcommittee. So far, the Senate has not included the transfer in its bill. Local leaders urge citizens to act fast to oppose it.

02/26/2026 By Susan Burns

Fast Track

HCA Florida Englewood Named a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery

Plus, Sheila Ballesteros McLean joins SeaPort Manatee as chief financial officer, and more.

02/23/2026 By Staff

Grant Report

Manasota ASALH Raises $100,000 for Scholarship Program

Plus, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County awards $191,985 in grant funding to 15 animal welfare nonprofits, and more.

02/23/2026 By Staff

Weather Report

Cold Weather Shelters Are Opening Tonight Ahead of More Chilly Weather

We could see wind chills as low as 29 degrees.

02/23/2026 By Staff

Suncoast Searchlight

Judge Rejects Challenge to Controversial Siesta Key Land Swap

The ruling clears the way for a home to be built on property the county once bought to preserve.

02/20/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Education

Will USF Sarasota-Manatee Disappear?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to give New College the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, but local leaders, businesspeople, students and faculty plan to speak out at a Feb. 25 meeting.

02/19/2026 By Elizabeth Djinis

ArtsBeat

A Do-Over for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center

An updated plan features a different location, reduced cost, revised design and alternate parking—but will the city and community buy in?

02/19/2026 By Carrie Seidman/ArtsBeat.org

Tender Loving Care

Mote Is Caring for Three Cold-Stressed Manatees and 25 Cold-Stunned Green Sea Turtles

Cold stressing and stunning are potentially life-threatening conditions caused by sudden or prolonged drops in water temperature.

02/13/2026 By Staff

Fast Track

Sarasota Memorial Hospital Named a Top Cardiovascular Hospital

Plus: Impact100 SRQ announces a co-president leadership structure, and more.

02/09/2026 By Staff

Grant Report

Season of Sharing Campaign Raises $4.2 Million for Families in Need

Plus, the YMCA of Southwest Florida raises more than $300,000 at its first signature fundraising event in almost 10 years, and more.

02/09/2026 By Staff

Care by Numbers

The Case for Keeping Seniors at Home, in Dollars and Cents

In a region where nearly four in 10 residents are 65 or older, a new report argues that keeping seniors at home isn’t just humane, it’s economically smarter.

02/09/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Flashback

Photo: The Bradentown B’s Baseball Team, ca. 1900

The team, pictured here in front of Braden Castle, was likely one of  several neighborhood groups made up of young people playing in sandlots.

02/05/2026 By Megan McDonald

Farming 101

One of Sarasota County’s Newest Programs, the Farm, Teaches Agricultural Skills and Life Lessons

The Farm’s entire philosophy comes back to using agriculture as a holistic teaching tool.

02/05/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Mr. Nice Guy

Mr. Gruters Goes to Washington

Congenial new RNC chair Joe Gruters juggles Trump, midterms and a fractious Republican Party. How long can he keep smiling?

02/03/2026 By Isaac Eger