WSLR News

Sarasota County commissioners yesterday got an earful about renewed efforts by developers to build bigger-than-allowed hotels on Siesta Key. WSLR reporter Ramon Lopez lets you know what they decided.

NEXT: Bridget Ziegler, the controversial figurehead of the conservative makeover of the Sarasota School Board, is out as chair. WSLR reporter Dania Hefley tells us who succeeded her, and she also has the nuts and bolts of a new collective contract for teachers.

THEN: Tampa and St. Petersburg earned high marks from an LGBTQ organization, partner station WMNF reports.

 FINALLY: Sarasota's Newtown is one of the few African American communities that made it through the post-segregation era more or less intact. A documentary in the making is focusing on how that happened, and our news team witnessed the shooting of that film.

The developers are doubling down. Just weeks after previous plans to build big hotels in Siesta Key were shot down by a court, Sarasota County commissioners this Tuesday will deliberate about new plans.

NEXT: The dorms on the New College campus designed by a worldwide famous architect in the 1960s have been falling apart. Now, they may get a new lease of life.

THEN: The backbone of regional transit may get a little stronger, thanks to a million-dollar infusion of state money.

NEXT: A new landmark is rising in Sarasota County, within sight of Interstate 75. Mote Marine Laboratory’s new aquarium is about a year from opening. 

THEN: after the United Nations called for a ceasefire amid the Israel-Hamas war, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is demanding the United States defund the UN.

FINALLY: Rural areas are known for farming – but a new bill was filed by St. Petersburg legislators to promote urban farming. 

The end of a cannabis criminal diversion program, changes to Bay Park plans, and next year's top priorities. City of Sarasota commissioners had a packed agenda on Monday. WSLR reporter Dania Hefley has a roundup.

 NEXT: Sea levels are rising, and storms are more intense. Will Sarasota County require higher elevation for new buildings? Don't hold your breath. 

THEN: One of the most affordable senior homes in this area sits on land owned by the City of Sarasota. Last week, the city decided to sell the land to a New York real estate fund, and Ramon Lopez has the story.

NEXT: The rising cost of food is squeezing a lot of people, including college students, as the Community News Collaborative reports.

THEN: The Community News Collaborative has a story about a public housing complex in Sarasota that is becoming a hub for services to the wider community.

THEN: Florida has made headlines with its school privatization policies. Now, local superintendents are speaking out. Partner station WMNF brings us that story.

FINALLY: Local governments pave the way for more growth, but they also have a responsibility for the environment, one Suncoast non-profit says, and underlines that at an upcoming event. The News Collaborative reports.

If we don't want to run out of water in Sarasota County, we need to find an additional 12 million gallons a day by the year 2045. The county commissioners are apparently ready to gamble on one source. And that comes at a high cost. 

NEXT: Last week, voters in Venice - where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats 2:1 - swept two Democrats into the city council. Both campaigned on anti-developer platforms. Ramon Lopez tried to find out what grassroots activists expect from them.

THEN: A national homebuilder is asking for a rezone of agricultural land in east Sarasota County. But that land is next to a wetlands preserve, known as Celery Fields. And that is now mobilizing environmentalists. The hosts of the Our Changing Environment show on WSLR interviewed one of the leaders of the resistance.

FINALLY: As the war raging in Gaza is costing thousands of Palestinian lives, Israel's supporters are mobilizing for a demonstration in Sarasota this Sunday. Emy McGuire talked to one of the organizers.

What with crusaders turning the school board and hospital board into ideological battlefields, the Sarasota County Commission has been a bit of a latecomer in the culture wars. But, under the lead of Commissioner Mike Moran, they're now catching up, as Ramon Lopez reports. Meanwhile, at an elementary school in Sarasota, students, parents and teachers walked to honor Ruby Bridges and the history of racial integration of schools. Ryan Stanley was there.

Then: The City of Sarasota has a new mayor. Which is not a big deal compared to other cities, because it happens every year. But it does have some significance, as Ramon Lopez reports.

The mushrooming of vacation rentals is not good news for people trying to live and work here. But the city of Sarasota's efforts to get a handle on the phenomenon are facing a backlash now, as Ramon Lopez reports.

Next: The Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is ringing the alarm bells on the lack of housing working people can afford. Dania Hefley was at an affordable housing summit that is seeking to re-energize local developers, employers and government officials.

Then: Another strike is shaping up in this region, as partner station WMNF reports.

Then: Ms. Susie's was going to be an education, job and business generator for a black neighborhood in Sarasota. But the restaurant project just officially met its sad end, as Ramon Lopez reports.

Next: What's music to some in downtown Sarasota, is noise to others. The old battle came to a head again at the Sarasota City Commission. Ramon Lopez reports.

Finally: We have an Activist Calendar jam-packed with fresh events for you.

Reflecting the trend in elections nationwide yesterday, voters in the city of Venice shunned conservative candidates. 

THEN: City of Sarasota commissioners had a busy Monday meeting. Ramon Lopez gives us a roundup of decisions and discussions.

NEXT: Cars are not the only way to get to places, and the City of Sarasota recognizes that. Our news team has the details about two "complete street" projects that are underway near downtown.

NEXT: A federal judge rejected a plea by New College plaintiffs to block a new law that, teachers and students say - interferes with classroom instruction. Emy McGuire talked to one of the plaintiffs to gauge what the judge's rejection means to her.

THEN: WMNF reports how book banners in the Florida Panhandle send cops to libraries.

THEN: The endangered Florida Panther is our state’s official animal and one of the most endangered mammals in the country. A surprising statistic may be indicating the panther’s decline. Chris Young with partner station WMNF reports.

THEN: Federal officials denied a petition by environmentalists to save one whale species along the Florida Gulf Coast. Partner station WMNF has that story. 

FINALLY: High school football season nears its end, and one team in rural DeSoto County counts its blessings. The Community News Collaborative was in the stands in Arcadia.

Manatee County's affordable housing Rapid Response Team is on a roll, and WSLR News reporter Dania Hefley is following that story. Then: Two days ago, Sarasota city planners gave the sign-off to yet another project in the "thinner and taller tower" race downtown. This one is a hotel, and our news team has the details. Then: If you've ever had a problem with your homeowners association or condo board, take note ... some state lawmakers say they're working on new rules to make these associations more accountable. The Community News Collaborative brings us that story. Next: Tomorrow, the ASALH Freedom School's first class will begin, and WSLR's Surreal News interviewed the founder of this African American history teaching project. Then: A pioneering hydrogen project is coming to Florida. If all goes to plan, a green hydrogen plant is set to be the first demonstration project in the nation to create clean energy using a system to produce, store, and combust green hydrogen. Chris Young with partner station WMNF has that story. Then: A Tampa non-profit is demanding the U.S. government do more to ensure the safety of all American citizens in Gaza, as Chris Young with partner station WMNF reports.

WSLR News Director Johannes Werner follows the fallout of the Hamas terror attacks and retaliation by Israel that have led to a series of demonstrations in Florida, and talks with a recently arrested pro-Palestine activist.
THEN: Alma Johnson, co-owner and head beekeeper of a Sarasota honey company, shares insights on the impact of climate change on the industry with Our Changing Environment hosts Jono Miller and Julie Morris.
NEXT: Following the lead of Gov. Ron DeSantis, parents’ rights activists want Sarasota County libraries to drop membership in the world’s oldest library association. Ramon Lopez has that story. FINALLY: Amid a backdrop of increasing political attacks on environmental organizations, a UU environmental summit in Sarasota brought together green leaders to collaborate. WSLR News Director Johannes Werner was there.

A day before the Board of Trustees were to vote to make his tenure permanent, then-New College Interim President Richard Corcoran fired the man he had just hired to head communications on campus. Ryan Terry is talking about his experience, and he granted Aria Lockman, reporter of the Catalyst student newspaper, a one-hour interview. The Catalyst shared it with us, and we appreciate their collaboration. 

THEN: They have a 100% Republican County Commission since the last election, and the new commissioners have distinguished themselves in bringing culture war to Manatee County. But one year later, voters and political activists are restless. Three seats are open for grabs in the 2024 elections, and six challengers - no less than four of them Republicans - are going against the Republican incumbents. WSLR reporter Dania Hefley talked to all the challengers. THEN: The golf course in Sarasota has been through three developers, but it's still a large, overgrown chunk of land. Neighbors now want the county to turn it into a natural preserve. Ramon Lopez has been following this story. NEXT: Guess who is the biggest group of blood donors in Sarasota? Hint: WSLR News reporter Emy McGuire spent some time during a blood drive at Sarasota High School.