Manatee County

"Florida Matters Live & Local" sits down with Mayor Ken Welch, examines how immigration verification rules would reshape local services in Manatee County, and explores efforts to restore a historic Tampa landmark.

Commissioners are expected to consider a plan to update funding agreements with nonprofits in response to a federal law that bars undocumented immigrants from receiving state and local benefits. Nonprofits that don’t comply would lose their county funding.

The Myakka City resident, who was elected to represent District 1 in 2024, was known for her dedication to constituents and focus on land use, the environment and government accountability.

The amendment was sponsored by state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, to restrict any dredging in the sensitive marine environment.

A community group informed residents of what's environmentally at stake and discussed hiring lawyers to get ahead of a private company's development process.

The state department of education is working on writing rules that could narrow the scope of the new law.

Melvin Trotter was sentenced to death in the June 1986 murder of Virgie Langford, 70.

An idea for a cruise terminal near the Skyway is drawing early resistance as environmental groups question whether the promised benefits outweigh the risks to one of Tampa Bay’s most fragile coastal areas.

SSA Marine said its port would be just south of the seaward side of the Sunshine Skyway and would complement Port Tampa Bay's operations. The land is on an environmentally sensitive island, worrying advocates.

The largest private landowner in the district would control its own local government to finance and oversee future expansions of the shopping hub, largely composed of commercial retail around the mall and rowing park.

Adam Johnson is seeking a seat on the Manatee County Commission. He said he objects to high property taxes and overdevelopment in the county, claiming current county leaders are wasteful.

The $50 million project will capture methane that is flared into the atmosphere at the Lena Road landfill and convert it to usable energy.