Manatee County

Suncoast Searchlight studied property appraisals and tax bills for more than 300 homes across these special districts to create a first-of-its-kind dataset comparing their annual fees to the property taxes they pay for city and county services.

A Sarasota-area community’s effort to save its golf course by forming a special-purpose government district and issuing $24 million in public bonds has devolved into a bitter, yearslong feud over cost, governance and transparency.

The discussion at the Manatee Tiger Bay Club focused on the impact of state and federal immigration policies on the immigrant community.

In some cases, districts have financed extravagant projects like a beach-style swimming lagoon or even a baseball stadium for the Atlanta Braves. Yet if the housing market sours or a project fails, it’s the homeowners — not the builders — who are left footing the bill.

BayCare Manatee will rise next to a new medical arts building on Moccasin Wallow Road at I-75. When it opens in 2028, it will be the only hospital in the county north of the Manatee River.

Look at the maps below to find your evacuation zone and shelter locations in Manatee County.

Here's a look at how state funding is allocated, how much each district receives, and the ways school leaders are spending those funds.

Incumbent Republican Vern Buchanan will once again represent District 16 after defeating Democrat Jan Schneider.

More than 540 homes were destroyed and thousands were damaged by Helene in Manatee County. The cost is estimated at about $353 million, and is expected to rise.

The hurricane brought levels of storm surge that communities haven't seen in years. Crews are continuing to assess damage in neighborhoods that got hit with flooding.

Lee, Charlotte, Collier, Sarasota and Manatee counties are in an area with 37 other Florida counties now considered for a state of emergency due to Potential Tropical Cyclone 9.

Hurricane Debby caused upwards of $57 million in damage to Manatee County homes, according to the county.