WSLR News

Not just two, but six constitutional amendments will be on the ballot in Florida on Nov. 5. We'll give you a roundup of the four state-initiated amendments, plus we'll talk about the chances the two citizen-initiated amendments have of making it.

Next: One of Sarasota's biggest and oldest retirement communities would like to build a major expansion. But they would like to do that near an area that was completely under water during the recent storm. Ramon Lopez has the details.

Then: A national organization is ringing the alarm bells about exploding numbers of book bans in Florida. WSLR reporter Noah Vinsky talked to a former New College student who is watching that issue.

Finally: In the race for the Sarasota Hospital Board, it's now down to mainstream Republican versus Democratic candidates. Even though all "Medical Freedom" activists were eliminated during the Republican primaries, clear choices are emerging. Florence Fahringer reports.

If it happens, a new performing arts center would be the most expensive project in the history of the City of Sarasota. The project took another step closer to becoming reality this week, and our reporter Della Hale has the details. 

Next: In the City of Sarasota's weak-mayor system, the city manager plays a key role. The city is facing a difficult transition after Marlon Brown's surprising retirement announcement, and Ramon Lopez is updating us on this.

Then: Helene, Debby, and before that, another thousand-year rain event - how is Sarasota Bay holding up? The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program director talked to WSLR about the bigger environmental picture.

Finally: Amid storms and flooding, a bit of relief: A ribbon cutting for a neighborhood park in Sarasota, complete with a drum line and speeches.

Hurricane Helene sideswiped us at a good distance in the Gulf. But that's little consolation to thousands of barrier island residents here who suffered flooding from a historic storm surge. We have a first damage assessment.

Next: WSLR News reporter Florence Fahringer puts the focus on the storm surge, talking to victims and experts.

Then: An environmental group lauds the achievements of former Governor Bob Graham for planning in Florida. That nostalgic view of past achievements contrasts with recent and current trends in planning in the state, as WSLR reporter Noah Vinsky found.

Finally: In what could change the neighborhood-vs-developer balance of the City of Sarasota commission, Mayor Liz Alpert is facing challenger Ron Kashden in the upcoming elections. Ramon Lopez has a close look at both candidates.

First, we’ll hear how New College student and alumni journalists are launching an independent newspaper; next, an incumbent city commissioner answers criticisms from his challenger; then, we’ll learn how Sarasota schools are dealing with staffing shortages; next, we’ll share why a new docuseries is bringing animal rights activists back to Sarasota; and finally, we’ll get a look at early designs for a new performing arts center.

 The Sarasota County Commission has $15 million to allocate for job training in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Some commissioners were ready to give it all to the Suncoast Builders Association. The West Coast Black Theater Troupe took a creative approach to getting out the vote with a presentation of a one-woman show called “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story.” Democrat Derek Reich is once again challenging Republican Fiona McFarland for the District 73 seat in the Florida House. He thinks he has a better chance this time around.  The Sarasota City Commission gathered for a special meeting to discuss the Downtown Master Plan, and how to bring fresh ideas to the table through an Ad Hoc Committee. With strong opinions and a clear call for collaboration, the debate was anything but routine.  Perhaps surprisingly, the Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday passed up a chance to increase density on Siesta Key.

 The Sarasota County Commission has $15 million to allocate for job training in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Some commissioners were ready to give it all to the Suncoast Builders Association. The West Coast Black Theater Troupe took a creative approach to getting out the vote with a presentation of a one-woman show called “The Fannie Lou Hamer Story.” Democrat Derek Reich is once again challenging Republican Fiona McFarland for the District 73 seat in the Florida House. He thinks he has a better chance this time around.

We will hear about what the Sarasota County School Board picked as their legislative priorities for the coming year. Next up, we discuss the latest updates in the saga to save the historic Colson Hotel. We dig deeper into the Sarasota City Commission District 1 race, as two candidates move forward. Then, our team heads down to Tiger Bay debate to hear from the Sarasota County Tax Collector candidates. Finally, a report from the campaign stop of the Democratic Candidate in Florida for US Senate as she swung through Sarasota Wednesday afternoon.

The Sarasota County Commission approves a massive new housing development just weeks after floodwaters subside in nearby neighborhoods; residents of Calusa Lakes respond to another new development proposal in their neck of the woods; candidates for tax collector to face off before the Tiger Bay Club; Governor DeSantis pulls the plug on a controversial proposal to build golf courses and hotels in state parks; and the Uhuru 3 face trial next week.

Sarasota is seen by many as a testing ground for the right-wing Project 2025. But these elections sent a strong signal of pushback, and that came - in a big part - from high school students. We have that story.

Next: Kamala Harris picked up the baton from Joe Biden, and the Democratic National Convention has turned into an unexpectedly spirited event. WSLR reporter Mark Warriner is in Chicago, where he caught up with Sarasota delegates, as well as protesters in the streets.

Then: The City of Sarasota Commission met this week, and Ramon Lopez reports.

Yesterday we had a primary election, and our Manatee County analyst says the sweep by grassroots candidates was historic. We're dedicating this newscast to the elections, beginning with a roundup by Bradenton Times Editor Mitch Malley.

Next, we'll interview  one of the winners of the Sarasota school board elections.

Then, Florence Fahringer reports about Sarasota County Commission elections. 

Then - is it the end of General Flynn's "Medical Freedom" movement? We'll have a roundup of the Sarasota Hospital Board elections.

Finally: The incumbent was far from the 50% he needed to win, and the City of Sarasota District 1 race is now going to the general election. Ramon Lopez reports.