Subscribe & save $142 per year!
Skip to main content

Sarasota Magazine

Politics

Vote!

How to Vote in the August 18 Primary in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Florida is a closed primary state. Here's what to know before you head to the polls.

08/17/2026

Suncoast Searchlight

Florida’s New Anti-DEI Law Threatens Sarasota Arts Groups’ Funding

Sarasota County arts organizations seeking a share of $2.1 million in public grant funding this year are facing a new requirement to sign an acknowledgment tied to Florida's restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

08/11/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight and Carrie Seidman/ArtsBeat.org

Suncoast Searchlight

New College Foundation Votes to Dissolve Alumni Association Despite Objections

Critics and other community members argued the move would eliminate an independent alumni voice and further divide the college, which was transformed in recent years under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

07/30/2026 By Francesca Abarca/Suncoast Searchlight and Gabriela Szymanowska/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Three Open School Board Seats Could Change the Direction of Sarasota County Schools

Seven candidates are vying for the three open seats on the Sarasota County School Board.

07/27/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

New College Foundation Seeks to Dissolve School's Alumni Association

The Foundation’s board is scheduled to vote on the changes Wednesday, and if approved, alumni leaders will convene to seek potential legal action.

07/27/2026 By Gabriela Szymanowska/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Five Vie for Sarasota City Commission in Key Election

Joining incumbent commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch on the ballot are four first-time candidates from diverse professional backgrounds: Flo Entler, John Harshman, Rob Rominiecki and Yevgeny Khodorkovsky.

07/20/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota County Blocks Hyperscale Data Centers for at Least One Year

Commissioners voted on Wednesday to halt the “acceptance, review and approval” of any major data centers until at least July 2027 but seemed eager to push for an outright ban in perpetuity.

07/10/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

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

Popular Content

    What Sarasota County’s Conservation Questions—and Amendment 3—Could Mean for Remaining Open Land

    Judge Deals Death Blow to Sarasota County’s Fight Against Live Local Act

    Blue Wave Misses Suncoast as Republicans Maintain Power

    Sarasota Performing Arts Center Hits Another Snag

    Sarasota Just Lost Some More of Its Public Beaches

    Sarasota City Manager’s 100-Day Report Sparks Discussion About Commission Procedures

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

The New New College

John Oliver Takes Aim at New College of Florida

"It's not going great," the late-night host said of the political takeover and institutional upheaval that have transformed New College's campus since 2023.

06/08/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Politics

USF Sarasota-Manatee Will Be Transferred to New College

That's despite major public outcry from the public, business leaders and state and national legislators.

05/26/2026 By Megan McDonald and Susan Burns

Education

The Fate of University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Will Be Decided Soon

Business organizations and community leaders are urging lawmakers to save USF-SM instead of handing the campus to New College of Florida.

05/07/2026 By Susan Burrns

Smooth Operator

New City Manager Karie Friling Prepares to Step Into City Hall

Friling, the first woman selected for the job, talks about growth, local control, stormwater, housing and why her first year will begin with listening.

04/29/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota County Blocks ‘Live Local’ Law, Risking Clash With Developers

Commissioners said they were reacting to a steady barrage of concerns from residents over the impact of the proposed developments.

04/13/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Michael Barfield/Florida Trident

Politics

Sarasota's Sydney Gruters Officially Announces Congressional Run

Gruters raised more than $100,000 after announcing her run, according to her campaign.

04/06/2026 By Staff

Taking It to the Streets

Photos: Organizers Say Approximately 9,000 People Showed Up at Downtown Sarasota's 'No Kings Day' Protest

Protestors also gathered at University Town Center, Venice and Englewood.

03/30/2026 Photography by Damon Powers

Politics

Will Sydney Gruters Run for Congress?

Gruters, the executive director and vice president of advancement at the New College of Florida Foundation and wife of Republican National Committee chair Joe Gruters, just got a ringing endorsement from Donald Trump.

03/25/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Suncoast Searchlight

Less Sunshine, More Secrecy as Florida Limits Public Records Access

Florida lawmakers introduced more than 50 bills this session to limit access to public records, but fewer than 10 passed. Still, open government advocates say the measures that did clear the Legislature could significantly restrict transparency.

03/23/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Latest Issue

November 2026

Best of Sarasota 2026

Subscribe

At Sarasota Magazine, we celebrate Sarasota’s vibrant culture, rich history, and bright future with award-winning, high-quality content that captures the spirit of our community.

Channels

About

Subscriptions

1413 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota FL 34236 , Phone: 941.487.1100, Fax: 941.365.9233
© 2026 DreamLarge