WSLR News

Sarasota County Commissioner Mike Moran continues his crusade to end taxpayer funding for what he has called "Sarasota Socialism". His next target: The Economic Development Council, an entity created with the support of local cities and the Chamber of Commerce.

Then: After the last Venice City Council elections swept two outsiders into office, the sitting commissioners want to change the election date to coincide with general elections. That prompted heated debate at a meeting yesterday, as Ramon Lopez reports. 

Next: Although it is controversial in neighboring Newtown, Sarasota County Commissioners bulldozed ahead with a big mixed-use project called Midtown SRQ. Florence Fahringer has that story.

Then: Members of the Black History Museum Task Force chose the top three choices for a future Black history museum in Florida. Sarasota narrowly missed out on the opportunity. Chris Young with partner station WMNF reports.

Finally: Nearly half a year ago, a young Palmetto man died in police custody after suffering a mental health episode. His mother is now taking the cause of improving policing to the Manatee County Commission.

The Colson Hotel was a refuge for traveling African Americans in Sarasota from the 1920s through the end of segregation. Last week, a local panel told the developer who bought the land under that building the Colson can't be torn down. Now the developer appealed, and the matter will come before the city commission. Ramon Lopez reports.

Then: Dickie Betts of Allman Brothers fame, who died yesterday, did not only leave a global legacy as a musician. He also leaves a big hole in the local music scene. We interview the lead singer of Kettle of Fish.

Then: Pat Neal wants to build yet another mega project in Sarasota County. Yesterday, his big plans were approved  by a mini panel.

Finally: A conference coming up tomorrow will work through the legacy of decades of contamination in an African American community, as Ramon Lopez reports.

It's been 20 years since news broke that a military contractor had contaminated the groundwater at Tallevast, an African American neighborhood in South Manatee County. A conference this Saturday will assess what's been achieved and what's not been achieved and needs to be done. Ramon Lopez reports.

Then: Private developers have yet to build in response to incentives for affordable housing in Sarasota. In the meantime, the city is going ahead with its own project, two towers right across from city hall, as Florence Fahringer reports.

Then: A theater's proposal to use an existing building in Sarasota's Payne Park has morphed into something bigger, and that has prompted stiff headwinds. Our news team has that story.

Next: One City of Sarasota commissioner wants stricter rules on lobbying, but he doesn't get a lot of support, as Ramon Lopez reports.

Next: The state attorney fired by Ron DeSantis is back. Partner station WMNF has that report.

Finally: On Saturday, a tense pro-Palestine protest evolved in downtown Sarasota. Meanwhile, USF students ended their hunger strike. Both reports come from WMNF.

Sarasota Square Mall is the biggest ailing
retail property in the county. These kinds of dying malls
are low-hanging fruit to get much-needed affordable
housing. But that was not a topic discussed by Sarasota
County Commissioners before they approved a
developer's request for a rezone, as Ramon Lopez reports.

Then: Florida will not only try to stop the Biden
administration's student loan relief measure, it will have a
set of counterproposals. Partner station WMNF has that
report.

Next: Black voter packing is the target of a lawsuit filed
by Tampa Bay residents, as WMNF reports.

Then: For black maternal health, only ONE Florida
hospital ranks among the highest in the nation. Partner
station WMNF tells you which one.

Next: After a 10-year run, a popular outdoor live music
venue in Sarasota shuts down. Arianna Lockman has the
details.

Finally: Booming luxury condo construction is
threatening the last remaining historical buildings in
Sarasota. Ramon Lopez puts the spotlight on a successful
renovation of one of the oldest buildings in Venice.

The United Way is as American as apple pie. It's a safety net for working families. But to some Sarasota and Manatee County commissioners, that charity seems to be the enemy. Our news team was at a Sarasota County Commission meeting in Venice to follow the commissioners' escalating war on social service providers.

Then: Government-subsidized housing is essential for the lowest-income families in this area. So it should be welcome news that the Sarasota Housing authority is pushing hard for new construction. But there's one problem, as Ramon Lopez reports.

Next: Home rule is under attack - particularly on Anna Maria Island. A protest this Saturday reacts to a big public construction project, and the possible dismantling of not one, but three beachside towns. Aria Lockman has that story.

Then: New College trustees are expected to make two controversial decisions tomorrow - without any discussion. We're shedding light on what's probably NOT going to happen at that campus meeting.

Finally: In other New College news, the campus administration is apparently trying to make sure it stamps out any remainder of woke. Florence Fahringer has that story.

City planners rejected it in the first round, but now the developer is back, with a slightly shorter proposal of what would still be the tallest tower in downtown Sarasota yet. Ramon Lopez reports.

Then: The Sarasota Film Festival has begun. Arlene Sweeting raises the curtain for WSLR News. 

Next: A proposal for a workforce apartment complex near downtown Sarasota is sailing through the approval process, and Ramon Lopez is trying to catch up. 

In a narrow 3-2 vote, the Sarasota City Commission passed a change to its comprehensive plan that incentivizes construction of workforce apartments along major thoroughfares. The dissenters argue we're giving too much to commercial developers, for too little affordable housing. Ramon Lopez reports.

Then: The Florida Supreme Court issued not one, but two rulings about abortion on Monday. We interviewed the CEO of Planned Parenthood Southwest Florida. 

Next: Sarasota city commissioners discussed - again - a developer's request to tear down a historical building in downtown, as Ramon Lopez reports.

Finally: The Sarasota School Board had a 20-minute session yesterday. But that was preceded by three hours of public comment, plus a protest beforehand. This time, this was in part a response to Bridget Ziegler's suggestion to check the immigration status of students and their families.

The new leadership at New College has ambitious expansion plans for the campus. One neighborhood feels threatened by these plans, and it's not made easier by the lack of involvement in the process. Florence Fahringer has that story.

Then: A forum for Sarasota City Commission candidates turned into an exclusive for the challengers, as incumbents stayed away. Arlene Sweeting reports.

Finally: The Florida Highwaymen were - well - not just men. Ramon Lopez puts the spotlight on the sole woman member of this group of painters.

Restrictive abortion laws are producing ripple effects throughout the healthcare system. The League of Women Voters Manatee hosted an event with two OB/GYN doctors who talked about their medical practice.

Then: People die, and nobody wants their body. That is increasingly the case in Sarasota. The News Collaborative has that story.

Next: Main Street is already among the more walkable throughfares in town. Yet, the City of Sarasota is seeking public input to make it better. We have the details.

Finally: One of the last surviving members of the Florida Highwaymen was in town, and Ramon Lopez was there to report about this group of painters.

Bankers are not at the top of mind when thinking about labor unions. But five Wells Fargo employees in Bradenton are about to join a nationwide vanguard. Our news team brings us the details.

Then: Our suburbs are sprawling, and that means Sarasota County needs an additional 12 million gallons of water per day. Where will we get it from? From beyond county limits. Florence Fahringer tells us how county commissioners took a $300 million decision this week.

Next: City of Sarasota commissioners will probably vote on a proposal to hand over a major public park to a business. That prospect drew a protest at city hall yesterday.

Finally: The Sarasota Orchestra is making its first major effort to reach out to Spanish-speaking audiences, and you can take a first listen this Sunday.