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Feds Step in to Stop Another Bad Idea in Manatee County

Earlier this month, TBT reported a significant development: the Federal Aviation Authority rejected a potentially game-changing deal between the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Authority and …
by Mitch Maley
12 hours ago

Rattlesnake Key owners put property on the market as state/county purchase deal drags

Rattlesnake Key, a 671-acre island in Manatee County just north of Emerson Point, has been put on the market. Unless the state and county purchase the barrier island, a …
Staff Report
Yesterday at 2:48 PM

UF threatens student protesters with suspension, banishment from campus for 3 years

The University of Florida threatened pro-Palestinian student demonstrators with suspension and banishment from campus for three years if they violate a host of rules of behavior …
by Amanda Friedman and Vivienne Serret
Yesterday at 1:48 PM
Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell turns in her paperwork at the Department of State building in Tallahassee on April 24, 2024. Photo by Jackie Llanos

Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell files to challenge Rick Scott for U.S. Senate seat

Democrat Debbie Mucarsel-Powell officially filed for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, quickly attacking Republican Sen. Rick Scott, the incumbent, and his record on abortion. The former South …
by Jackie Llanos
2 days ago
More local news
Red Tide Status Update: 4/26/24
Over the past week, red tide was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Northwest Florida. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
12 hours ago
Some University Park Residents Claim Upcoming Bond Issue Should be Invalidated
In 2019, University Park residents purchased the development's golf club from developer John Neal for twice its appraised value at a time when the course's irrigation system …
Staff Report
2 days ago
2024 Property Tax Installment Payment Plan Application Deadline is April 30
The deadline to participate in the 2024 property tax installment payment plan is April 30.  This does not apply to unpaid 2023 taxes, which are now delinquent. 
by Sharmaine Bridges
2 days ago
LWV Manatee County Commission Notes: 4/23/24
The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of …
by Coleen Friedman
2 days ago
This Week in Local Government: 4/28/24
It will be a very slow week in local government as we close out the month of April. This week, only the Manatee County Commission will be in session...
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Photo via Duette Fire and Rescue District's Facebook page
Manatee County Commissioners Again Discuss Fire District Consolidations
During a Tuesday meeting of the Manatee County Commission, multiple commissioners expressed their support for future conversations on the possibility of consolidating some of the county …
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Opinions
Guest Opinion
Plastic Bag Ban
The Sarasota City Commission recently approved eliminating the use of plastic bags for yard waste collections. Sarasota is the only local government in Sarasota County that still allows its customers …
by Glenn Compton
2 days ago
EarthTalk: Where’s The Biofuel?
Biomass is organic material derived from living or recently living organisms like plants, animals and microorganisms. It can be used as a renewable energy source via combustion, fermentation or …
4 days ago
Guest Opinion
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
Mosaic’s Toxic Assets
On Monday evening, March 25, a fire broke out at the Mosaic Riverview fertilizer plant and rapidly went out of control. In classic Mosaic PR style, Jackie Barron, Mosaic spokesperson, described it as …
by Andy Mele
4 days ago
COMMENTARY
Commentary
Bob Graham on his first workday after being elected governor handles sod for a Tallahassee road project, working eight hours in a light rain. Florida State Archives; photographed on Jan. 27, 1979.
The environmental education of Bob Graham offers lessons for Florida today
Officially he was “D. Robert Graham,” but nearly everyone called him “Bob.” The former governor and U.S. senator from Miami Lakes died last week at 87. …
by Craig Pittman
12 hours ago
Sunday Favorites: The Battle at Dade
As the sun rose over the Florida wilderness in the winter of 1835, tensions simmered beneath the surface, foretelling a clash that would echo through the annals of American history. The stage was set for the tragic saga of the Dade Massacre, a pivotal event in the tumultuous narrative of the Second Seminole War. But to truly grasp the significance of that fateful day, we must journey back through the years, tracing the intricate web of events that culminated in one of the bloodiest conflicts on Florida soil.
by Merab Favorite
Sunday, April 21
commentary
The population of Florida’s bald eagles dropped dramatically because of DDT. Photo by FWC
Florida fueled the first Earth Day; now we need another one
Earth Day is coming up next Monday, which will probably elicit a fervent “meh” from a lot of people. These days, Earth Day seems more like a marketing gimmick than a holiday, not unlike …
by Craig Pittman
Friday, April 19
Obituaries
Jo Ann White-Lawall
Jo Ann White Lawall, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2024, at the age of 82. Jo Ann was born on September 7, 1941, in Fredericksburg, VA, to Lloyd and Josephine White, and grew up in Southern …
2 days ago
Verna Gum
Word has been received that Verna Overly Gum age 80 of Ellenton, FL and formerly of Mt Pleasant, PA went to be with The Lord on 4/16/2024. Verna was born in Mt Pleasant, the daughter of Emma F …
2 days ago
Jimmy Bennett
Jimmy Don Bennett passed away in Tidewell Hospice House of Bradenton on Friday April 19, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Fannie Mae Bennett and his siblings Geneva Ingram, …
3 days ago
TBT Podcasts
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the appeal by the mother of a Palmetto man who died following a police encounter for the county to implement a program that would send social workers instead of …
3 days ago
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's special meeting on "illegal aliens" and James Satcher's appointment as Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.
Wednesday, April 17
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Marauders Lombardo – Rookie Coach with Veteran Poise

Bradenton Marauders’ development coach, Steph Lombardo, has no issues with paying her dues as a professional baseball coach. Everyone connected with the Marauders is learning. Each day the …
by Don Laible
2 days ago

Lopez Finding Coaching Groove With Pirates

Mendy Lopez is a very special member of the Pittsburgh Pirates coaching staff. The Dominican native, now in his second year as a member of manager Derek Shelton’s MLB staff, is someone to keep …
by Don Laible
5 days ago

McCutchen Leading Way for New Look Pirates

With several new faces representing the present and future of the Pittsburgh Pirates, make no mistake, Andrew McCutchen remains the club’s leader. Now, at the start of his sixteenth MLB …
by Don Laible
Tuesday, April 9
Arts & Entertainment

De Soto Parade Returns this Saturday

The De Soto Grand Parade returns this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. This year's parade, which follows a new route , will be preceded by live music in downtown Bradenton, the step-off location. "Our goal …

Staff Report
2 days ago

Weekend Sounds: April 26-28

It's another weekend, and you know what that means. If you guessed another great lineup of local, talented musicians in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties, you would be …
Staff Report
3 days ago

Theater Review: Westminster

Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota recently presented the world premiere of Brenda Withers' Westminster , a dark comedy that was the winner of Urbanite's 2023 Modern Works …
by Mitch Maley
Thursday, April 18

A Rambling Man is Laid to Rest

Bradenton native and co-founder of the legendary Allman Brothers Band Dickey Betts passed away on Thursday following a battle with cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
by Mitch Maley
Thursday, April 18
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Guest Commentary
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are two pictures and an accompanying 500 words that should prove that James Satcher was the wrong choice to be appointed our Supervisor of …
by Sue Denham
Saturday, April 20
Climate change causes rising temperatures, fluctuating rain patterns and other extreme weather phenomena. However, the effects of climate change are not equally distributed across the country. …
Friday, April 19
OPINION
A new Florida law that Gov. Ron DeSantis touted as a way to prevent Florida from becoming San Francisco looks like another stunt geared more toward the press conference than the actual policy.
by Mitch Maley
Friday, April 19
Guest Opinion
Florida is promoting charter schools as an alternative to traditional schools, allowing parents the “freedom of choice” in providing education for their children. What Florida …
by Glenn Compton
Friday, April 19
Guest Opinion
Marijuana is legal in Florida, and the state follows federal law with regard to the drug. 4/20 Day remains a big event for many people. It has long moved past the counterculture protests of old to …
by Jody Boulay
Thursday, April 18
Interesting News

How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers

The discovery of fragments of avian flu virus in about 20% of milk samples from stores in initial testing across the U.S. suggests that the H5N1 virus may be more widespread in U.S. dairy cattle than previously realized. …

Noelia Silva del Rio, University of California, Davis; Richard V. Pereira, University of California, Davis; Robert B. Moeller, University of California, Davis; Terry W. Lehenbauer, University of California, Davis, and Todd Cornish, University of Californi
12 hours ago

From voice acting to Shakespeare: 10 outstanding summer programs for actors to sharpen performance skills

Backstage picks its 10 favorite summer theatrical programs where budding actors can hone their skills.
Natalia Keogan
12 hours ago

How the pretzel went from soft to hard – and other little-known facts about one of the world’s favorite snacks

The pretzel, one of the fastest-growing snack foods in the world, recently crossed a billion dollars a year in sales. It has its own emoji, comes in flavors like pumpkin spice, mocha and banana, and is now available as an aromatherapy scent. …
Jeffrey Miller, Colorado State University, The Conversation
12 hours ago
Florida report

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Bob Delaney - Undercover Film "Hiding in Plain Sight" Working Undercover in New Jersey as a State Trooper

Emmy Award winning director, Nick Nanton, interviews Bob Delaney. Former undercover New Jersey state trooper and NBA referee. Bob Delaney talks with Nick Nanton about his incredible careers in two vastly different fields, from infiltrating the Mafia in the 1970s to becoming one of the NBA's most respected referees. In this episode, Bob opens up about his experience with post-traumatic stress and his passion for helping others overcome it.

State News
Quality Journalism for Critical Times WASHINGTON — U.S. House lawmakers will no longer be able to request earmarked funding for some nonprofits under a change in eligibility made by the …
Jennifer Shutt (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 4:04 PM
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Florida bade farewell Friday to Bob Graham during a public memorial at Florida’s Old Capitol, with hundreds of people filing up to the second-floor rotunda …
Michael Moline (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 3:27 PM
Quality Journalism for Critical Times There are 13 Floridians vying to win the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Republican incumbent Rick Scott. That’s after the qualifying period for all …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 2:56 PM
Quality Journalism for Critical Times Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee is breathing easier today, after the deadline for candidates to qualify to run in Florida’s 15th Congressional District, …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 2:40 PM
Bonus web content
Demand for sustainability, AI, and equity and inclusion courses are on the rise globally among prospective business students
BestColleges reports on how inclusion and sustainability are increasingly important to prospective business students.
Bennett Leckrone
12 hours ago
6 ways to find more money for college when federal student loans aren't enough
Experian offers options to help cover college expenses, from a budget review to cost-cutting, to a part-time job and grants and scholarships, if federal student loans just aren't enough.
Allison Martin
Yesterday at 4:30 PM
Gen Z is averaging higher credit scores than millennials: Is it financial competence or just good timing?
Rocket Loans analyzed its own data to see which generational group is faring better financially than the others.
Lauren Nowacki
Yesterday at 4:15 PM
Quitting your job to start a business? Here's advice from 4 successful entrepreneurs who have been there
Next Insurance highlights entrepreneurial success stories to motivate anyone wanting to start their own business.
Wil Chan
Yesterday at 4:00 PM
Military service members can now get reimbursed for pet-related moving expenses. Here's the safest way to fly with animals.
CitizenShipper compiled info from the Department of Agriculture, State Department, and Department of Travel to find the best, safest ways to move a pet.
Andrea Vale
Yesterday at 3:45 PM