WSLR News

On Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission slammed the brakes on a 9,000-home development that could have eviscerated the last big chunk of rural land in the area between North Port and Englewood.

Next: Last week, the Sarasota School Board narrowly passed a resolution promising full cooperation with ICE. But what does this actually mean? Alice Herman with Suncoast Searchlight tries to find answers.

Then: An investigative report by Suncoast Searchlight and the Bradenton Herald showed a trend of rising abuses by teachers in the Manatee County school district. Josh Salman brings us a follow-up report about how the district pledges improvement.

Finally: Trump is imposing an energy blockade on the island to our south. Massive blackouts in Cuba are becoming increasingly likely.

A developer is marketing the affordable housing in their downtown Sarasota high-rise as short-term rentals. What gives? Suncoast Searchlight investigates.

Then: Florida’s Live Local Act is meant to produce affordable housing. But one Sarasota County Commissioner has problems with that law. Ramon Lopez has that story.

Finally: The killing by ICE agents of a nurse in Minneapolis is making waves in Sarasota, too, where a couple hundred people gathered yesterday. Jackson Rothman reports.

The Sarasota County Commission green-lighted a 9,000-home mega development. Ed James III brings you that report.

Next: A developer is marketing the affordable housing in their downtown Sarasota high-rise as short-term rentals. What gives? Suncoast Searchlight investigates.

Then: Florida’s Live Local Act is meant to produce affordable housing. But one Sarasota County Commissioner has problems with that law. Ramon Lopez has that story.

Finally: The killing by ICE agents of a nurse in Minneapolis is making waves in Sarasota, too, where a couple hundred people gathered yesterday. Jackson Rothman reports.

The post-Larry Thompson era is in sight at Ringling College of Art and Design. We have the details about the first new president picked to take the helm of the private campus in Sarasota this century. 

Next: The grandchildren of the family whose name is on the Van Wezel shocked some in Sarasota when they endorsed the project of a new performing arts center. We have a report with more details about their rationale and the design changes that convinced them.

Then: Public speakers at the first Sarasota City commission meeting this year were getting pushback from Mayor Debbie Trice. Suncoast Searchlight has a report.

Next: The Amaryllis Park Neighborhood Association in Newtown is putting the focus on crime and restorative justice. Ed James the Third reports.

Finally: Amid the Trump Administration’s crackdown, immigrants are easy prey to legal scammers. Suncoast Searchlight reports.

If it is built, it would be one of the region’s largest infrastructure projects in years: A cruise terminal at the foot of the Sunshine Skyway. We get local reactions to the big plans. 

Then: Sarasota School Board member Bridget Ziegler got her way: Her proposed resolution pledging full cooperation with ICE and other law enforcement triggered a protest, more than four hours of public comment at yesterday’s school board meeting, and a narrow vote in favor of the resolution.  

Next: More developer control - a bill filed in the state legislature would give the Suncoast’s biggest private landowner taxing authority. That raises a lot of questions, as Suncoast Searchlight reports.

Finally: This year’s theme of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations in Sarasota was “uniting nations in a peaceful way”. Ed James the Third reports for WSLR.

Last Sunday, WSLR News reporter Ramon Lopez tagged along on a bus trip with a group of Sarasota clerics, worshippers and activists to a protest at the controversial immigration detention camp in the Everglades. Here is the report he filed.

Sarasota County commissioners voted on federal funding for affordable housing yesterday, and it’s not good news for two high-profile projects near downtown Sarasota. 

Next: Immigration enforcement continues to make ripples. For one - an estimated 1,000 protesters rallied in Sarasota, Venice and Englewood this weekend, responding to the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Then: The water war at a developer-run community in south Sarasota County’s Wellen Park has been settled - but some of the plaintiffs have been thrown under the bus. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this report. 

Finally: The Van Wezel family has been opposed to plans to put the Purple Cow out to pasture. But now, the proponents of a new performing arts center have managed to get the Van Wezels’ grandchildren on their side. We will tell you why they changed their mind.

A makeover of Sarasota’s elementary and middle schools is moving at a fast pace, taking on a dynamic way beyond the original intent of repelling for-profit schools’ takeover of buildings.

Then: Enrollment at two historic schools in Sarasota’s historic African American neighborhood has dipped, while enrollment at a new charter school has gone up. We have a report why - despite this - there’s excitement in Newtown about the future of those schools.

Next: A big commercial development in Venice is winding its way through the approval process, and we have the details. 

Then: More affordable housing for seniors in walking distance to downtown took a step towards construction in the Sarasota City Commission - but not without controversy.

Finally: Many Venezuelans in Florida are elated about the U.S. intervention in their country. We interviewed one who is not.

The Sarasota County Commission has a new chair. Also, at its strategic retreat, one of the commissioners suggested stormwater management should be planned with more intense storms in mind. WSLR News reporter Louise Machinist has the details.

Next: Trump’s EPA is trying to redefine “wetlands”. If passed, a big chunk of Florida wetlands could lose their protection. Brice Claypoole has this report. 

Next: The Manatee County school district has seen a spate of teacher misbehavior recently, and the handling of the cases has contributed to the dismissal of a superintendent. Suncoast Searchlight brings us that story.

Then: Between storms, flood and drought and resulting financial strain, Florida farmers are under duress. The “Mind Your Melon” program is trying to help. WSLR News reporter Gretchen Cochran explains.

Finally: Immigrant families are in distress, too. This weekend, not just one, but two vigils in Sarasota will send a signal of support.

MCR Health serves more than 100,000 low-income and under-insured patients in this area. WSLR News reporter Dania Hefley talked to its CEO, after the non-profit re-emerged from bankruptcy.

Then: Rattlesnake Key was just sold to a private buyer. WSLR News reporter Brice Claypoole tries to find out what that means for what is the longest stretch of natural coastline in Manatee County.

Next: Just five years ago, a pair of Trump followers and election deniers on the Suncoast launched Defend Florida, and the outfit saw a meteoric rise in influence. But now, Florida legislators are distancing themselves. Suncoast Searchlight brings us that story.

Suncoast Searchlight also has a story on how Sarasota County got tied up in a new legal battle over rights to beach property and access.