WSLR News

Becca Hadwen speaks with a local education advocate about an application for a for-profit charter school. They also interview Sarasota City Commission Candidate Debbie Trice, and attend a press conference held by gubernatorial candidate Nikki Fried.

Becca Hadwen discusses the controversy surrounding Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes and the commission’s decision to extend his contract. Basil Pursley learns about a recent win for environmental groups in the City of Bradenton and their handling of wastewater. Allison Housh provides some news updates. Last, Becca covers the move of the historic Leonard Reid House and what it means for the City of Sarasota.

For this Wednesday edition, Becca Hadwen covers the City of Sarasota’s most recent effort to incentivize workforce housing. On Monday, May 16th, the Commission voted to move Comprehensive Plan Amendments to the state for review. However, it’s not clear whether or not the amendments will result in the attainable housing units promised and the community was not fully involved in the process.

Becca Hadwen looks at the COVID-19 pandemic and how we approach it as cases and hospitalizations rise in our community. 

Becca Hadwen learns about the County’s decision to allocate 20 million dollars to the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and why some residents disapprove. Amy Flannery reports on COVID-19 locally. Rhiannon Hanlon discusses the removal of two novels from Sarasota County Schools’ classrooms and libraries. Last, Basil Pursley speaks with Sarasota city commission candidate Terrill Salem.

Becca Hadwen checks in about the current local levels of the COVID-19 pandemic and how to approach it. Basil Pursley discusses the upcoming Fabulous Arts Festival which celebrates queer artists. Rhiannon Hanlon provides an overview of Compost Awareness Week.

In this Wednesday edition, Becca Hadwen covers the City of Sarasota’s new tree regulations. The commission updated the zoning code to protect tree canopy on Monday, May 2nd.

We say goodbye to Omar Guerrero, who filed his last story for this program. Omar learns about the lawsuit challenging DeSantis’s congressional map. Basil Pursley reports on the results of the Giving Challenge. I attend the swearing-in ceremony for the new chief of the Sarasota Police Department. Rhiannon Hanlon previews Newtown Nation’s upcoming “We Are One” weekend. Allison Housh covers state and local updates.

In this Wednesday edition of The Critical Times, Becca Hadwen covers the local housing crisis, speaking with three local advocates on how it effects our community and what can be done to change that.  

In this week's episode of The Critical Times' Week in Review, Becca Hadwen covers solutions to the housing crisis with three local advocates, and Basil Pursley details the most recent Manatee County land use meeting. Then, Rhiannon Hanlon explores the upcoming closure of restaurant and blues venue, The Blue Rooster. Lastly, Bernadette Nwokeji gives us a local news update.