WSLR News

Angie Nixon staged a big upset in the race for US Senate - but not in Sarasota, which was one of the major hubs of support for her primary opponent Alex Vindman. Our reporter Noah Bookstein talked to local Democrats.

Then: Speaking of local Democrats, reporter Ramon Lopez interviewed the chair of the Sarasota Democratic Party about his reactions to the primary elections and expectations.

Next: The Sarasota School Board’s turn away from conservative politics is making national news. So what are the expectations for the newly liberal board? Our reporters Ed James III and Rhatia Murphy watched and listened closely at the board’s first post-election meeting.

Then: Sarasota County’s new Administration Center officially opened today. Reporter Noah Bookstein has the scoop on the $100 million move away from downtown.

Then: One local activist filed a complaint with the IRS against the operators of a Wyoming-based non-profit that acted like a PAC in the primary elections.

Finally: A rising number of people in Sarasota and Manatee are on the brink of homelessness. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story.  

On Tuesday, Jim DeNiro beat the incumbent for the Sarasota County Commission District 4 seat. Our reporter talked to the retired cop about what’s next.

A new luxury condo building has gone up near downtown Sarasota. That’s not news. The news is, it has been built where it’s not supposed to be, and we have the story.

Then: Florida’s immigrant dragnet is catching people that are not supposed to be caught. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story.  

Then: Jimmy Glover’s strong performance in round 1 of the District 1 Sarasota School Board race is energizing Newtown. We have a report.

Finally: Democratic voters have picked Matt Montavon to be the one to try to oust Greg Steube from his congressional seat. Our reporter took Montavon’s pulse after his primary victory. 

The Obsidian is probably the most controversial project in downtown Sarasota. It would be the tallest condo tower, planners sent it back to the drawing board, and the city commission rejected it repeatedly. Now, there’s a lawsuit. Ramon Lopez reports.

A Sarasota City Commission candidate withdrew from the race this summer, citing reasons unrelated to her eligibility. But records show she wasn't eligible to run in the first place — and the system almost didn’t catch it. Noah Bookstein looks at whose job it was to verify her residency, and how the election safeguard nearly failed.

Live Local Act affordable housing projects have made waves, after a recent rush of applications that prompted the Sarasota County Commission to vote ‘no’ on seven of them. The rejection triggered lawsuits that are now unfolding in the courts. Community activists are now looking at how many Live Local project applications are pending in the county, as Ramon Lopez reports.

A PAC campaign most likely funded by local developers has attacked two Republican incumbents on the Sarasota County Commission. Ramon Lopez has a report from a press conference held by those two commissioners.

And on to election day. Ramon Lopez was at a precinct voting place in Sarasota this morning, and he brings us a few impressions.

The Black Panthers are back - we have a report on the newly created Florida chapter. 

Then: Republican primaries in this area feature the most heated battles this electoral cycle. Case in point: The two Republican candidates in the Sarasota County Commission District 4 race are whacking each other with PACs and cease-and-desist orders. 

Then: We continue with candidate profiles in the crowded District 16 congressional race. Today, we feature the Democratic candidate endorsed by the environmental and progressive caucuses.

Finally: Our reporter admired the sunset through a fence at the Indian Beach Park. The City of Sarasota is two years and $17 million behind in repairs to its parks after storm damage dating back to 2024. 

The Sarasota County Commission District 4 race gets heated, as candidate Jim DeNiro faces questions about his residency.  

Next: Candidates Allen Spence and Matthew Montavon face off in a forum ahead of the primary for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. 

Then: We profile Tamika Lyles, who is running for Florida’s 16th Congressional District. 

Finally: Manatee County has been under the microscope following a recent state audit. We spoke with Commissioner George Kruse about the county’s spending and the findings of a local review. 

Sarasota County is facing a lawsuit from Laurel Meadows homeowners who say a decades-old, unrepaired breach in a county-maintained dike is to blame for the catastrophic flooding that filled their homes with up to two feet of water during Hurricane Debby. 

Then: Booker High has a new football coach after the abrupt dismissal of its previous coach and an uproar in the community. 

Next: The Sarasota County Commission has experienced over five decades of continuous Republican dominance. Where are the Democrats?

Next: The City of Sarasota’s wastewater treatment facility is under construction. We spoke with utilities director Verne Hall about the project. 

Finally: We profile Sydney Gruters, who is running  for US House on the Trump endorsement in a heavily gerrymandered District 16.

It’s quite likely that the place you live in is subject to an HOA. But HOAs are often problematic, and a bipartisan law is trying to fix that. Our reporter was at a town hall in Sarasota.

Then: There is a long history of flip-flopping when it comes to paid parking in the City of Sarasota. Well, the city is apparently about to change its mind again. 

Next: A controversial concrete crushing plant near downtown Sarasota has a new owner. We have the details.

Finally: A state audit made Manatee County’s growing budgets look bad. Now, an internal report adds more detail - and it puts the spotlight on one county department’s finances in particular.

Friday was the first time the Trump-endorsed candidate for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Vern Buchanan appeared in a public forum. Our reporter was there to observe Sydney Gruters - but most of the spotlight was taken by a competitor.

Next: Hi Hat Ranch is set to be the biggest planned development in Sarasota County. The developer presented its first segment to neighbors at a community workshop this week. 

Then: City Commission candidates this week faced scrutiny over how they would make sure historic buildings in Sarasota will be preserved. 

Next: The Historic Downtown Village’s days are counted. But one small business owner wants to recreate something like it one mile east.

Finally: This is more than just a summer camp. Our reporter was at the final performance of YouthThrives in Newtown. 

National sports media has been covering the Booker High School football drama. We have more details.

Next: The makers behind the Bay Park project want a rezone. We explain why.

Then: Confused about the upcoming primary election? We have an explainer.

Then: The political vehicles that produce negative campaigning are showing up in  City of Sarasota politics. 

Finally: The New College Foundation, which is supposed to raise funds from alumni, voted today to dissolve its alumni association. 

A Washington event reveals extremist ties to the Florida program that is pushing to cut local spending. We have a Suncoast Searchlight report.

Next: Bulldozers are rolling on Gracewater Midtown, a big development - not in the boonies, but right next to historic Newtown. Ed James III is gathering community reactions. 

Then: Speaking of housing projects: This developer lawsuit against Sarasota County is different - it actually tries to hold commissioners personally responsible for their “no” vote. 

Then: A last-ditch effort to save the historic US Garage building is winding its way through the courts. 

Finally: Rounding out our series on City of Sarasota Commission candidates, today we present Rob Rominiecki.