WSLR News

Peter Gentile reports on progress on a long-delayed utilities project in Sarasota; Jesse Coleman looks at the candidates for the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board; Vana Prewitt listens in on the candidates in a Manatee County School Board race; Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried explains her new gun-safety initiative; Lev Siegel provides the activist calendar.

First half-hour: Critical Times reporters interview Sarasota City Commission candidates Jen Ahearn-Koch, Dan Lobeck, Sheldon Rich, Terrill Salem and Debbie Trice. Second half-hour: Excerpts from County Commission District 2 candidates' forum featuring Republicans Lourdes Ramirez and Mark Smith and Democrats Fredd Atkins, Hagen Brody and Mike Cosentino.

Becca Hadwen brings us up to date on the diseases we should be concerned about beyond Covid; Peter Gentile presents the latest chapter in the saga of Big Olaf Creamery; Basil Pursley checks in on a candidates’ forum for Sarasota County Commission Districts 2 and 4; Vana Prewitt hears from the candidates in a Manatee County School Board Race; and Lev Siegel presents the Activist Calendar.

In the past year, the housing crisis in Sarasota and Manatee has reached a new level of intensity. According to data from United Way Suncoast, half of local families are rent-cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent.Housing advocates like Jon Thaxton currently work toward solutions. Thaxton is the Senior Vice President for Community Investment at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. He started at the Foundation in 2012, after serving on the Sarasota County Commission for 12 years. Before that, Thaxton worked locally as a realtor. This range of experience has given Thaxton insight into the local housing market on various levels.Critical Times reporter Becca Hadwen sat down with Thaxton in May to discuss how to address the housing crisis on the Suncoast. Here is their unedited interview.

Peter Gentile looks at a Sarasota County charter amendment that will appear on the general election ballot in November; Becca Hadwen talks with Jon Thaxton about the lack of affordable housing; Basil Pursley interviews City Commission candidate Sheldon Rich; Peter Gentile provides an update on Covid 19; Lev Siegel provides the Activist Calendar.

Basil Pursley examines the effect of the Stop WOKE Act on higher education; Jovi Christos hears about the ramifications of the Don’t Say Gay Bill; Peter Gentile has a report on invasive pythons in the Everglades, and Vana Prewitt brings us some news from Manatee County and some election information. Lev Siegal has the Activist Calendar.

Becca Hadwen speaks with a local advocate about accessing reproductive care on the Suncoast; Peter Gentile gives an update on Covid vaccines for young children; Vana Prewitt continues her report on a proposed aquaculture project in the Gulf off Sarasota; and Jovi Christos wraps up Pride month.

Becca Hadwen speaks with City Commission candidate Dan Lobeck about his campaign. Basil Pursley provides a run-down of state laws as the governor’s deadline for signing bills approaches. Vana Prewitt discusses a proposed pilot fish farm. Peter Gentile reports on the local state of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jovi Christos wraps up the program with news updates.

Becca Hadwen learns how a local organizer’s housing crisis reveals the vulnerabilities of low-income tenants. Jovi Christos interviews City Commission Candidate Jen Ahearn-Koch. Vana Prewitt reviews Manatee County budget updates. Last, Basil Pursley provides an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Becca Hadwen follows up on local organizing against for-profit charter schools and learn about the state-level changes about to undermine it. Vana Prewitt reports on local health news. Becca covers Manatee County Commission’s first budget workshop. And last, Vana returns with tips on hurricane preparedness.