News & City Life

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

In Their Own Words

Attorney Janella Leibovitz Gives Foster Kids a Voice in Court

Leibovitz oversees Legal Aid of Manasota's Legal Lifeline for Youth program, which provides comprehensive legal representation to kids in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

02/03/2026 By Megan McDonald

Did That Really Happen?

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

An alligator eviction, reconsidering the phrase "armed with knowledge," plant theft and wondering if manatees need a side hustle.

02/03/2026 By Staff

Fast Track

Nicole Rissler Named Sarasota County's Assistant County Administrator

Plus, Sarasota High School's Ryan Chase is named the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Florida High School Principal of the Year, and more.

02/02/2026 By Staff

Grant Report

Impact100 SRQ Awards $864,000 in Grants to Eight Local Nonprofits

Plus, Publix Charities awards $175,000 to Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, and more.

02/02/2026 By Staff

A Tale of Tariffs

How Are Tariffs Affecting Sarasota Coffee Shops?

“Tariffs puts everyone in this strange position where you are punished for doing good long-term deals.”

02/02/2026 By Isaac Eger

Suncoast Searchlight

Curiosity in Chaos: How a Local Nonprofit Takes on Deep Political Division

Through a series of facilitated dinners, CATA seeks to “rehumanize” people on all sides of the political spectrum.

01/30/2026 By Clinton Engelberger/Suncoast Searchlight

Politics

Rep. Vern Buchanan Will Retire After 20 Years in Office

Buchanan is one of a growing number of Republican lawmakers who will not seek re-election this year.

01/28/2026 By Staff

New School

Ringling College Names Davis Schneiderman As Its Next President

Schneiderman will take over June 1, succeeding longtime president Larry Thompson, who is stepping down after 27 years.

01/23/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

After Sarasota County Schools’ ICE Vote, Questions Remain About Enforcement on Campuses

Despite the outcry, board members voted 3 to 2 to pass the measure, committing to “full cooperation and collaboration” with ICE.

01/23/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

The Wheel Deal

D&R Automotive Is Moving to the Limelight District Next Week

The beloved 58-year-old business will relocate to a large new auto shop with plenty of paved parking.

01/22/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Education

Florida's School Voucher Program Is in the Hot Seat Again

Among other problems, between $1 million and $2 million dollars went to scammers who created fraudulent accounts for fictitious students in order to receive funds.

01/21/2026 By Megan McDonald and Lauren Jackson