Manatee County

A Suncoast Searchlight-Bradenton Herald investigation exposed more than 20 “adult arcades” operating across the region despite state law banning slot machines. The ordinance would give the county and law enforcement new tools to shut down existing operations.

More than 5,000 residents now considered on the brink of losing their housing — up more than 50% in just three years.

Gruters will run against Democrat Kelly Kirschner and independent Mark Davis in the November election.

More than half of the candidates running for Florida statehouse seats this year across Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties are self-reported millionaires.

Anti-growth candidates swept into office in 2024 have struggled to implement campaign promises, constrained by pushback from Gov. Ron DeSantis and laws preempting their ability to control development.

Manatee's Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a data center moratorium at a July 28 meeting. The move also directs county staff to potentially revise their land development code.

The decision came after a long-simmering controversy over who should pay the cost of collecting the voter-approved tax.

Three candidates are running for District 5, which has performed well academically and is building new schools due to population growth.

An incumbent, attorney, media personality, retired communication specialist and a teacher are running in the District 2 race

Ten counties split up $2 million through the Coordinated Opioid Recovery Network, which connects people dealing with addiction to treatment, psychiatric care, housing services and more.

The audit found that more than 200 employees were owed back pay between June 28 and March 30. Some were shorted a few hundred dollars. Others were owed thousands. One was underpaid by $9,000.

Experts say that riptide forecasts are unpredictable and change daily due to weather conditions and coastline characteristics.