Rankings

In New Rankings, Sarasota County Is No. 1 for Retirees, but Scores Lowest for Young Professionals

Plus, more modest results in the cities of Sarasota and Bradenton kept the regional picture mixed.

04/03/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Where They’re Going

Sarasota Still Draws Newcomers, Even as Its Neighbors Surge

Florida Realtors data and U-Haul moves show sustained growth across the region, with inland neighbors gaining ground.

02/10/2026 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

Best Restaurants 2026

Rich Knowles’ Years of Working in Restaurants Around the World Come Full Circle at enRich Bistro

“I’m the oldest of six kids. I was making fajitas for my siblings around age 10.”

02/03/2026 By Lauren Jackson

Simply the Best

The Best Restaurants in Sarasota

Our list of the 33 most fabulous restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee.

02/03/2026 By Lauren Jackson

The Other Downtowns

Looking for New Downtown Districts to Explore? Try These Five Nearby City Centers

Within an hour of Sarasota’s Main Street, we found five downtowns, each with its own rhythm and its own kind of welcome.

01/04/2026 By Lauren Jackson, Susan Burns, and Kim Doleatto

Did That Really Happen?

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

Political hypocrisy, unexpected treasure, a tightrope walk triumph and more.

01/02/2026

Merry and Bright

Nine Stunning Local Christmas Trees to Go See This Holiday Season

Need a break from the blue light of your computer or phone screen as we head into the holidays? Try these lights instead.

12/19/2025 By Megan McDonald Photography by Damon Powers

Water World

Ditch the Car for a Stress-Free, Fresh-Air Ferry Ride to Anna Maria Island

If this doesn’t sound idyllic, then you’ve never driven a car to Anna Maria.

12/02/2025 By Brian Cohen

Play Ball!

Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves Announce 2026 Spring Training Schedule

This spring, fans can look forward to more Spring Breakout, increased access to Orioles' practices and international matchups ahead of the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

11/05/2025 By Megan McDonald

Retirement Ranks

Sarasota Falls From U.S. News & World Report Retirement Rankings as North Port Climbs

Once a perennial favorite, Sarasota drops out of U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 national list of the Best Places to Retire, while North Port rises to No. 135.

11/04/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Boss Moves

A New Workforce Housing Initiative Is on the Verge of Launching in Manatee County

Using its collective money, land and willpower, a coalition of mid-sized businesses is backing Forest Cove, a 156-unit development aimed at easing Manatee County’s housing squeeze.

08/12/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Blush Rush

The Little Pink House That Could

How a pint‑sized bubble‑gum cottage in Braden Castle Park defied the odds—and the market.

06/30/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Get Your Ducks in a Row

The Wait for Peking Duck at Rainbow Island Chinese Is So Worth It

Thank us after you take your first bite of crisp, crackling bronze skin.

04/08/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Waste Water

The Historic Hurricane Season Flexed Its Muscles. A Suncoast Sewage Crisis Followed.

From the Manatee River to Sarasota Bay, 177.8 million gallons of wastewater were released last hurricane season.

02/26/2025 By Josh Salman/Suncoast Searchlight

Love Where You Live!

11 Local Neighborhoods Where Everything Is Changing

Our region has grown like crazy in recent years, but growth can look very different depending on your neighborhood.

01/13/2025 By Kim Doleatto, Lauren Jackson, Megan McDonald, and Cooper Levey-Baker

Born Again

The Oldest Home in Bradenton Is on the Market

Built in 1871 by some of the area's first settlers, the restored Tole Fogarty House proved history reigns. Now it can be yours for $2.15 million.

11/08/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Beach Bound

Lido Beach Will Reopen Nov. 2

And Anna Maria Beach and Manatee Beach have welcomed back visitors, too.

11/01/2024 By Staff

Restaurant Review

EnRich Bistro Has Returned, and It's a Triumph

If you’re a Sarasota resident, EnRich Bistro is worth a trip to Bradenton. And if you’re a Bradentonian, congratulations on finding your new favorite spot.

09/01/2024 By Lauren Jackson

New Community

SeaFlower, a Massive Retail, Residential and Commercial Development, Is Headed to Bradenton

The mixed-use project will include 4,000 residential units, a hotel, a grocer, retail space and more on the site of a former gladioli farm.

06/07/2024 By Kim Doleatto