Neighborhood Guide

How to Spend a Summer Weekend in the Rosemary Art & Design District

North of downtown, this walkable neighborhood is gentrifying fast, but it still feels like a rooted community. Here’s how to spend a hot summer weekend there.

08/28/2026 By Matthew Gutierrez

Moon Magic

How to Watch Tonight's Lunar Eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse and tomorrow's full Sturgeon moon should put on a spectacular show—if the clouds clear.

08/27/2026 By Megan McDonald

In Full Flower

Take a Break and Scroll Through the Winners of Selby Gardens' Juried Photographic Exhibition

Nearly 250 entries were submitted as part of this year's competition, with photos capturing unique moments across the gardens' downtown and Historic Spanish Point campuses. 

08/27/2026 By Megan McDonald

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota Holds Parking Open House Without Public Comment. Chaos Ensues.

A Sarasota parking open house meant to ease months of frustration instead erupted into boos, shouting and accusations that residents had been misled about the meeting’s format.

08/26/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

County Administrator Warns of Potential Cuts to Sheriff’s Office, Key Services if Amendment 3 Passes

Sarasota County could see major cuts to critical services if Amendment 3 passes at the ballot box in November, with the Sheriff’s Office alone standing to lose more than $50 million.

08/25/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

Not Sayonara

JPan Sushi at UTC Will Close After 10 Years

The restaurant will serve its final sushi rolls and Benderson Bowls on Sept. 13. A new tenant is expected to take over the space, and JPan's other location will remain open.

08/25/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Aha! Moments

The Shipyard Is Back

The talent incubator returns to Ringling College of Art + Design Sept. 4-6 with a simple premise: put talented people in a room and see what they can build.

08/25/2026 By Jules Telfort

ArtsBeat

FST Offering Hope and Positivity With New Season Selections

New plays and award-winning musicals, plus original cabaret shows, are part of the 2026-2027 lineup.

08/25/2026 By Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Fast Track

Academy Award-Winning Songwriter, Producer Mark Ronson Named to Sarasota Arts Group's Curatorial Council

Plus: Michelle Bocock is named Florida School Counselor of the Year, and more.

08/24/2026 By Staff

What We Stand to Lose

'I’m Haitian, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Is Personal'

"Finding out that the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians, despite the ongoing violence in my home country, left me feeling livid and a little hopeless," writes Jules Telfort.

08/24/2026 By Jules Telfort

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota and Manatee See Surge in Population Facing Risk of Homelessness

Sarasota and Manatee counties are seeing a sharp rise in people at risk of homelessness, with more than 5,000 residents now considered on the brink of losing their housing—up more than 50 percent in just three years.

08/24/2026 By Emily Andersen/Suncoast Searchlight

Public Safety

Sarasota Police Officer Arrested For Misuse of Controversial Surveillance System

The arrest of a Sarasota officer for misuse fuels mounting community opposition to the city's contract with Flock Safety.

08/24/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Suncoast Searchlight

St. Armands Garage Is Straining Sarasota’s Parking Finances

The St. Armands parking garage has fallen far short of the revenue projections used to justify the project, leaving the city’s parking division struggling to cover its debt and contributing to a financial crisis rippling across the city’s parking system.

08/21/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

Summer Sunsets

Photo of the Week: Sunset Over the Historic Blackburn Point Swing Bridge

Damon Powers captures a stunning summer sunset over one of Florida's historic bridges.

08/21/2026 By Damon Powers

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota School Board Flips to Liberal Majority After Years of Conservative Control

The next Sarasota County School board will see a liberal-leaning majority take control after voters rejected the conservative policies and culture wars that for years dominated the board.

08/20/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Sponsored Content

Ten Million Dollar Expansion Underway with the Child Protection Center

Demand for Child Abuse Services Rising Alongside Population Boom - Children Can't Be Left to Suffer

08/20/2026

Real Estate Report

Sarasota-Manatee Home Sales Rise as Inventory Tightens

July brought more closings, fewer active listings and a surge in Sarasota’s luxury market.

08/19/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Local Voters Mostly Stick With Establishment, Developer-Backed Candidates in Primary

Because the majority of the state—including both Sarasota and Manatee counties—is solidly Republican, the GOP primaries usually put winning candidates on a clear path to victory in the November general election. But there were some surprises.

08/19/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

Wow, Waldorf

Sneak Peek: The Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota

New renderings reveal the homes, gardens, gathering spaces and—wait for it—an orangerie at the 18-story downtown tower.

08/19/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Sponsored Content

A Night at the Orchestra to Benefit Our Local Heroes

An inspiring concert of music, vocals, and narration for four local first-responder charities.

08/19/2026