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

Good, Bad, Baffling

Our Judgy Take on Current Events: July Edition

Data centers, redrawn Congressional maps, a win for environmentally sensitive lands and a controversial figure plotting his return to politics.

07/01/2026

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

Update

The Florida Senate Pulls Back on USF Sarasota-Manatee Transfer

The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted a “delete everything” amendment on the plan to transfer campus facilities to New College of Florida.

03/05/2026 By Susan Burns

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

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

Weather

Sarasota County Schools to Close From Sept. 25 to Sept. 27 Due to Tropical Storm Helene

Manatee County schools, Ringling College and New College also announced closures.

09/24/2024 By Staff

Limelight

Photos: USF's Brunch on the Bay

The annual event on the Sarasota bayfront raised a record $537,000 this year.

11/21/2022 Photography by Cliff Roles

Hurricane Ian

Sarasota-Manatee Schools and Local Colleges Close Ahead of Hurricane Ian

The closures will allow for time to prepare schools that serve as emergency evacuation centers.

09/26/2022 By Staff

Journalism

'Community News Collaborative' Launches to Expand Local News Coverage

The project will create print, video and audio content for syndication to more than a dozen news outlets across the Gulf Coast.

09/12/2022 By Staff

Grant Report

Designing Women Boutique Donates $2,500 to Ukrainian USF Students

Plus, the Education Foundation receives STEAM education grant and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation finalizes $3.3 million in grants for local causes.

06/27/2022 By Staff