Sarasota

The item drew criticism over its timing, lack of comparative salary data and the optics of awarding such a large raise as the city considers tax hikes and a pay freeze for most employees.

Gov. Ron DeSantis celebrated Florida’s symbolic designation as the top state for religious freedom in the nation, announced during an event at New College by the conservative legal group First Liberty Institute.

A joint investigation by Suncoast Searchlight and the Bradenton Herald reveals a thriving network of illegal slot parlors operating in plain sight across Sarasota and Manatee counties, despite years of law enforcement crackdowns and state reforms.

Suncoast Searchlight partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.

Pastor Brian Gibbs leads a small-but-growing Sarasota church with an outsized political vision — blending fiery spiritual warfare rhetoric with far-right ideology and close ties to elected officials like U.S. Rep. Greg Steube.

The rebuilding of Sarasota's Lido Beach's storm-damaged sand dunes will also take place next year.

The Legislature considers such "claim bills" each year because of the state’s sovereign immunity laws, which generally shield government agencies from liability for negligence. This year, nine were enacted.

County projections show that by 2028, expenses will outpace revenues by $31.6 million. The deficit climbs to nearly $41 million the next year and remains above $39 million into 2030.

Residents discovered a memo from the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers that appears to show Sarasota County could get around the red tape. County and Corps officials disagree.

Many LGBTQ+ seniors are grappling with a question they thought they’d already answered: how much of themselves to risk in public and how far to go — again — to defend their rights.

Said one resident: “It’s just another example of county leadership not having a sense of urgency.”

In interviews with Suncoast Searchlight, 13 of 18 departing dancers detailed harsh treatment by leadership, unpredictable casting decisions and inadequate rehearsal support, particularly under Director Iain Webb and his wife, Assistant Director Margaret Barbieri.