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opinion

Who’s afraid of Lisa Gonzalez Moore?

During the primary, I wrote a column describing the dirty tricks being played on Manatee County Commission Republican candidate Elizabeth Arnold, based on some excellent investigative reporting by …
by Mitch Maley
10 hours ago
StreetLeaf solar lights installed at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton. The county leases solar-lighting equipment from Gig Fiber LLC.
TBT Exclusive

A land deal, three no-bid lighting awards, one common name

As an outgoing Manatee County Commissioner raises questions about how a solar streetlighting company secured county contracts without a competitive bidding process, a review of public records …
by Dawn Kitterman
Yesterday at 3:40 PM
Manatee County draws about two-thirds of its water from Lake Manatee, shown here. Photo by Tiffany Tompkins, Bradenton Herald
Election 2026

As development threatens Manatee’s water supply, voters weigh conservation

Manatee County’s growing population is putting pressure on its drinking water supply—and as development consumes more open space, environmentalists warn that the land protecting those water …
Carter Weinhofer | Suncoast Searchlight
Yesterday at 2:51 PM
Jane Fedorczyk stands in front of a gate to a former equestrian center where an Indianapolis developer plans to build a Live Local project. Residents oppose the project. | Photo by Derek Gilliam, Suncoast Searchlight
local

Manatee residents blocked one development. Live Local brought a bigger one

When neighbors of a defunct equestrian center near Bradenton fought off a proposed housing development in 2025, they thought they had saved the area from more flooding and traffic that would come …
Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight
Yesterday at 2:35 PM
More local news
Red Tide Status Update: October 23, 2026
Over the past week, the red tide organism,  Karenia brevis, was observed in 12 samples collected along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Yesterday at 2:36 PM
Local
This Week in Local Government: 10/25/26
It will be a fairly quiet week in local government this week. On Monday, the Bradenton City Council will hold a special meeting. The Manatee County School …
by Dawn Kitterman
Yesterday at 9:25 AM
Local government
Manatee County Commission Notes: 10/20/26
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 to, or nonadherence …
LWV Manatee County
3 days ago
Local
Volunteers walk dogs on a shaded pathway at the Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Avenue West in Bradenton. Tiffany Tompkins | Bradenton Herald
Manatee officials deliver small win for Bishop Shelter, but delay talks of full rebuild
After months of complaints about conditions at Manatee County's newly expanded Bishop Animal Shelter, county commissioners agreed Tuesday to move forward with plans for permanent shade structures but …
Carter Weinhofer | Suncoast Searchlight
3 days ago
Manatee Clerk offers free services to veterans throughout November
The Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller will honor veterans and active-duty military members throughout November with free certified copies of official and court records, passport …
Manatee Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
3 days ago
State
The voter lookup function was down across Florida Supervisor of Elections pages due to digital security concerns impacting websites around the globe.
Voter lookup tools go down across Florida as early voting begins
The voter lookup function was down across Florida Supervisor of Elections pages due to digital security concerns impacting websites around the globe.
Alice Herman and Christian Casale | Suncoast Searchlight
3 days ago
Opinions
Guest Opinion
Manatee County's Conservation Momentum is at a Crossroads
A few years ago, I wanted to better understand how the conservation lands my family and I enjoyed came to be protected, and how I could be more involved in the process. When my wife suggested I apply …
by Mason Gravley
11 hours ago
EarthTalk: Environmentalists Embrace Smart Machines
Advanced technology and automated systems are becoming a big part of environmental conservation. Researchers are starting to use smart machines …
Yesterday at 12:00 AM
Election 2026
For Florida House District 71, we recommend Ocean Fitts
The Florida House District 71 race features Republican Jordan Varnadore, Democrat Ocean Fitts, and NPA candidate Joseph Hoolihan. Ocean Fitts is a 27-year-old, seventh-generation Floridian …
3 days ago
COMMENTARY
Sunday Favorites
The Cadets Who Never Left
An undertaker guarding an empty hotel ought to have been difficult to frighten. But according to a story collected by Venice author Kim Cool, David Farley found himself threatening to release a dog …
by Merab Favorite
4 hours ago
commentary
An endangered Florida panther emerges from a wildlife underpass built beneath a busy South Florida highway. Photo by Carlton Ward Jr.
To avoid becoming roadkill, Florida panthers need critter crossings
One of my favorite cartoons, drawn by a Pensacola artist named Jem Sullivan, shows a flock of sad-looking chickens gathered around a casket. The chicken minister delivering the eulogy says, “And …
by Craig Pittman
Yesterday at 2:59 PM
commentary
Chief's Corner: Bradenton Police Department
An old rivalry is returning to the softball diamond! After a multi-year hiatus, the Bradenton Police Department and Bradenton Fire Department will once again go head-to-head in Boots vs. Badges, a …
Police Chief Josh Cramer
3 days ago
Obituaries
OBITUARY
Gregory Shelton Silcox
Greg Silcox passed away peacefully with his son Parker by his side October 18, 2026, he was 62 years old. Born in Bradenton, FL, he graduated from Southeast High School in 1982. For the past 20 years …
3 days ago
obituary
Arlis A. Albritton
Arlis Albritton, 77, of Bradenton, Florida, went home to be with the Lord on October 18, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, faith, and cherished memories that will forever live in the …
3 days ago
OBITUARY
Donna Lee Meadows
Donna Lee Simpson Meadows, born August 12, 1948, in Muncie, Indiana, passed away on October 18, 2026. She grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before making Sarasota, Florida, her home in the …
3 days ago
Join us on social media
TBT Podcasts
podcast
Ocean Fitts, a 27-year-old Democrat, is running for Florida House District 71. He joins Mitch Maley to discuss critical issues facing the state and what he hopes to change if elected. You can learn more …
3 days ago
podcast
Joseph Hoolihan is running as an NPA candidate for Florida House District 71. He joins TBT 's Mitch Maley for a discussion on development, infrastructure, data centers, and more. You can learn more …
3 days ago
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
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Calendar of events
Sports & recreation
Sports

Nogowski clears the fences with updated edition of The Last Time Out

Author John Nogowski has a unique way of remembering some of the biggest names of all time in baseball, with his updated edition of The Last Time Out: Big-League Farewells of Baseball’s Greatest. …
by Don Laible
Yesterday at 2:41 PM
sports

Bradenton’s Finest and Bravest Coming to LECOM Park For Charity Softball Game

Balls will be flying around LECOM Park on Thursday, November 5. Every bit of balls being batted and bases being rounded at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training home is a reminder that …
Don Laible
Friday, October 16
Sports

Rafael Flores Jr. Ready to Take Next Step in Pirates Depth Chart

Beginning next spring in Bradenton, I’m looking forward to Rafael Flores Jr.’s 2027 season. When the Pirates recalled Flores Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis in early July, the rookie catcher …
by Don Laible
Friday, October 9
Sports

Random Ramblings from the 2026 MLB Season

The New York Mets, at $357,626,125, have the highest MLB team payroll in 2026. The Mets are not in the postseason. The team with the lowest payroll, the Cleveland Guardians, at $69,984,029, not only …
by Don Laible
Friday, October 2
Arts & Entertainment
Arts & Entertainment

Plant Swap and Witches Parade at VOTA Saturday

From dancing witches to a plant swap and garden show, there is a full day of fun at Bradenton's Village of the Arts this Saturday. The Village Merchants will host a plant swap and garden show …

3 days ago
Music

Interview: Wynonna Judd

A decade ago, Wynonna Judd played one of the most surprising and memorable shows ever at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, TX. Judd agreed to perform at SXSW, for no money, only …
L. Kent Wolgamott
3 days ago
Theater

Carrie: The Musical now playing at MPAC

Just in time for Halloween season, Manatee Players presents a powerful, haunting theatrical experience: Carrie: The Musical! The electrifying stage adaptation of Carrie by Stephen King, blends …
Staff Report
5 days ago
Theater

Urbanite returns with Modern Works Festival Audience Favorite Ahoy-Hoy

Urbanite Theatre returns for its 2026-27 season on Oct 30 with Jenny Stafford's Ahoy-Hoy, a 150-year-old rivalry over the invention of the telephone, based on the true story of its creation.
Staff Report
5 days ago
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Election 2026
In a fast-growing county like Manatee, some decisions can be revisited years later. Others cannot. When a wetland is filled, when a wildlife corridor is fragmented, or when a working ranch …
LWV Manatee County
5 days ago
Election 2026
I want to be very clear with the people of Manatee County about where I stand. I have always stayed true to my core conservative principles and my commitment to doing what is right for Manatee …
Dr. Bob McCann
Monday, October 19
opinion
Elections can bring out the worst in people. Tensions rise, friendships become strained and political campaigns bombard us with messages designed to divide rather than inform. Just read some of the …
Joe McClash, Publisher of The Bradenton Times
Saturday, October 17
Greenhouse gas emissions around the globe are driving tropical ocean temperatures to historic highs. As a result, coral reefs are attempting to migrate toward cooler, …
Saturday, October 17
Election 2026
The Florida House District 72 race features incumbent Bill Conerly and challenger Harvey Shifrin. Incumbent Republican William “Bill” Conerly has been one of the most reliable votes for …
Friday, October 16
Interesting News

A Seller’s Strongest Negotiating Position in Fairfield County, CT Starts Before the First Showing

The Fairfield County, Connecticut housing market heading into fall 2026 doesn’t fit neatly into a single headline. Some homes are drawing multiple offers above asking. Others, in the same county …

Heather Hook (via KeyCrew)
6 hours ago

Self-Employed and Can’t Get a Mortgage? The Loan Type May Be the Problem

Many self-employed borrowers who are told they do not qualify for a mortgage are not actually unqualified. They are applying through a loan type that measures income in a way that works against them. …
Alejandra Rodriguez (via KeyCrew)
6 hours ago

Massachusetts Appraisal Rules Change in November. Buyers Who Wait to Prepare Will Lose Deals.

Most Massachusetts homebuyers will not think about new appraisal rules until those rules delay their closing. By then, according to Colleen Barry of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty, the …
Alejandra Rodriguez (via KeyCrew)
6 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
AUSTIN, Texas — It was a good day for the defense. Standing in front of a judge in Austin’s Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, attorney Matthew Shrum secured a ruling that spared his …
David Montgomery (via Florida Phoenix)
Tuesday, October 20
A years-long legal battle over book removals in Escambia County has a new chapter. A federal appeals court ruled school members may be deposed about why they removed library books and classroom …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
Monday, October 19
A Florida Democrat hasn’t held a seat in the U.S. Senate since 2019, but 42-year-old Democrat Angie Nixon is working to reverse that trend in her push to defeat incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody in the …
Mitch Perry, Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
Monday, October 19
Organizers launched more than 2,500 No Kings events across all 50 states and the District of Columbia Saturday, this time focusing their efforts on the midterm elections. From roadside rallies to …
Shalina Chatlani (via Florida Phoenix)
Monday, October 19