Bradenton

The population in Manatee County has grown by around 17% since 2020. With it has come certain growing pains, like rising home prices, traffic congestion and lagging public infrastructure.

"Florida Matters Live & Local" recently recorded in front of an audience at the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Bradenton to dig into issues affecting the state like affordability, growth and development.

WUSF reporters Meghan Bowman and Gabriella Paul will emcee the discussion along with "Florida Matters Live & Local" host Matthew Peddie.

Point Park University has reached a non-binding agreement with the city of Bradenton to create a new campus at the former GTE building downtown.

While there are early signs of restoration, an invasive bivalve has also shown up.

A decade ago, the SeaFlower development in west Bradenton got special zoning permission for accessory dwelling units, also known as "granny flats." Now, lawmakers are considering a bill that would make these floor plans more common in Florida.

Baseball's annual reset is almost here. The schedule has a few tweaks this year with the World Baseball Classic and Spring Breakout for prospects. Here's a quick info bank on the when, where and how much.

On "Florida Matters: Live & Local," we highlight courage and community — strengthening young minds, fighting for felons' rights, a historically Black golf course and houses built to beat a Category 5 hurricane.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem highlighted recent Florida arrests on serious criminal charges, but downplayed aggressive ICE tactics and suggested that undocument immigrants afraid of ICE self-deport.

The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation listed the Manatee Village 1887 Church among the historic places that are jeopardized.

The "race" project stopped on Coquina Beach South in Bradenton, where the large turtle was tagged. Overall, 11 nesting reptiles will be monitored to track which one travels the farthest over three months.

The business on the Upper Manatee River has had a number of different owners, none longer than Mark Stukey and his wife, Laura, who after 20 years would like to retire.