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Amendment 3 Passed. Now we do the math

Amendment 3 passed last Tuesday with 62% of the statewide vote (65% in Manatee County), which surpassed the 60% threshold needed to add the additional tax exemptions into the Florida Constitution. …
by George Kruse
42 minutes ago
The Manatee County Commission, meeting on July 28. | Courtesy Manatee County
Local

New faces, same fights? Manatee’s new commissioners won’t rock the boat

Even with two new faces joining the Manatee County Commission, the November elections are unlikely to sway the board’s direction on top issues, like the county administrator’s contract and the …
by Carter Weinhofer | Suncoast Searchlight
5 hours ago
Local

After Lake Manatee Dam flooding, county turns to high-tech solution

As local officials released water from the Lake Manatee Dam to manage rising reservoir levels during Tropical Storm Debby, residents felt they were left with little warning to prepare for the …
by Clinton Engelberger | Suncoast Searchlight
5 hours ago
Editor's Picks

Who Honey Potted Who? Secretary of National Embarrassment; The Nerd Reich

Editor's Picks returns after an election hiatus.  The Nvidia story gets a little murky, Pete Hegseth outembarrasses himself, and Jesse Wells is my new hero. Who Honey Potted Who? The Nvidia …
by Mitch Maley
Yesterday at 5:22 PM
More local news
Red Tide Status Update: November 13, 2026
Over the past week, the red tide organism,  Karenia brevis, was observed in 20 samples from Northwest Florida and at background concentrations in three samples from or offshore of Southwest …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2 hours ago
local government
Manatee County seeks applicants for seven seats on Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
Manatee County is accepting applications through Dec. 4 to fill seven open seats on its Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, the citizen panel that advises the Board of County Commissioners on ways …
Manatee County Government
5 hours ago
State
Appeals court denied Hope Florida publication ban, opens second leak probe
The First District Court of Appeal has refused to ban publication of the Hope Florida grand jury report. The request came from the officials the report names, Attorney General James Uthmeier …
by Michael Barfield
3 days ago
National
Alina Habba-Mildon. Public domain photo
Former Trump lawyer "fired" from shady gig, but retains $14.5 million from undisclosed "work" for pardoned Venezuelan banker
Alina Habba-Mildon, former attorney of President Donald Trump, has been fired by Concord Partners, losing the remaining value of a $50 million, four-year contract she was controversially awarded by a …
by Mitch Maley
4 days ago
National
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth holds a press briefing at the Pentagon, Nov. 10, 2026. Photo: DOD
Defense Secretary Hegseth calls impeachment push a ‘farce’
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth struck a defiant tone Tuesday as he faces potential impeachment by the U.S. House of Representatives this week, casting the effort as an attack on American service …
by Jonathan Shorman
4 days ago
Local
Inaugural Manatee River Turkey Trot DeSoto Bridge Run to take place Thanksgiving morning
This Thanksgiving, community members can kick off the holiday season with a brand-new tradition near the river: the Inaugural Manatee River Turkey Trot Bridge Run. Runners/Walkers will be able to …
Staff Report
4 days ago
Opinions
EarthTalk: Besides Giving The View And Letting In Light, Solar Windows Power Buildings
Modern urban skylines are dominated by towering skyscrapers with expansive glass facades that absorb large amounts of solar heat …
Saturday, November 7
Opinion
The road to ruin is paved with partisanship
As someone who has analyzed public policy in Manatee County for a long time, one of my biggest frustrations is the ongoing disconnect between voters' expressed concerns and their voting …
by Mitch Maley
Friday, November 6
opinion
Is Radical Republican Chair Mark Flanagan Spewing Lies About Republican Candidates?
When the state party under Joe Gruters installed Mark Flanagan as Chairman of the local Manatee Republican Executive Committee, it was because party leadership wanted a radical right-winger to …
by Joe McCalsh
Saturday, October 31
COMMENTARY
commentary
Fish swarm over the Oculina Bank, a reef off Florida’s Atlantic coast that’s unlike any other in the world. Shrimpers damaged it before it became a protected area, and now want to be let back in. (Photo courtesy of John Reed of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution)
Feds consider letting destructive shrimping into protected Florida reef
So many of the things we depend on in Florida are hidden from us, out of sight and thus out of mind. We depend on water from the underground aquifer but seldom give any thought to how we’re …
by Craig Pittman
5 hours ago
Sunday Favorites
When Crossing the Manatee River Cost You a Toll
On the old Davis Toll Bridge, if you met someone coming the other way, one of you had to back up. In 1918, two men refused to budge, and one ended up getting shot. This week, we look back at the …
Merab Favorite
5 hours ago
Sunday Favorites
The Last Squeeze: Florida's Vanishing Citrus Culture
There was a time when orange juice was a staple on American breakfast tables and roadside citrus stands greeted travelers at nearly every Florida interstate exit. But times have changed.
by Merab Favortie
Sunday, November 8
Obituaries
obituary
Maria Teresa McDermott-Alvarez
Maria Teresa McDermott-Alvarez passed away on October 31, 2026, at the age of 98. Born on June 28, 1928, Maria lived a long life that spanned nearly a century. She will be remembered with love …
Yesterday at 1:25 PM
obituary
Laura Lou Morales
Laura Lou Morales, born on February 1, 1952, passed away on November 2, 2026. Laura will be remembered with love and respect by those who knew her. Her passing leaves behind sorrow, but also …
Yesterday at 1:23 PM
obituary
Wallace Thomas Jenkins
Wallace Thomas “Tom” Jenkins, 70 of Lakewood Ranch, FL passed away on Saturday, November 7th at home surrounded by his family after a lengthy health battle. He will be missed by all who knew him. …
Yesterday at 1:21 PM
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TBT Podcasts
podcast
This week, Mitch and TBT Publisher Joe McClash discuss the results of Tuesday's elections and what they likely mean for Manatee County's future.
Wednesday, November 4
podcast
This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the upcoming elections and Dawn's recent investigative reporting on a soul-sourced streetlight project and other business involving an entity that seems to do a lot …
Wednesday, October 28
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
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Sports & recreation
Sports

Tampa’s Lou Piniella hopes third time’s a charm with upcoming Hall of Fame vote

December 6 is a date Lou Piniella’s family and friends have circled on their calendars. Will Piniella receive an early Christmas present and finally get elected to the National Baseball Hall of …
by Don Laible
3 days ago
Sports

Professional growth becoming routine for Rembert

Chris Rembert is growing professionally at Pirate City. This weekend, Rembert, Pittsburgh’s second-round draft pick in July, is headed back home to Pensacola, Florida. He’s been in Bradenton …
by Don Laible
Friday, November 6
Local

Rye Preserve camping goes online

Ready to spend a night under the stars? Camping at Rye Preserve returns this Friday, November 6! Enjoy a peaceful weekend surrounded by nature, with camping available every Friday and Saturday night …
Manatee County Natural Resources
Friday, November 6
Baseball

Young Bucs Awards Winners Dominated by Former Marauders

The Pittsburgh Pirates' future looks bright. The top ballplayers in the Pirates’ system have all, at some point in their careers, passed through LECOM Park. Recently, the Pirates announced …
by Don Laible
Thursday, October 29
Arts & Entertainment
Theater
Photo by Chaz D Photography

Review: Meteor Shower

Meteor Shower , the surreal comedy written by Steve Martin, recently debuted at American Stage in downtown St. Pete. The grossly entertaining play is very Martin-esque , though much more in the vein …

by Mitch Maley
Yesterday at 4:42 PM
film

2026's Most Overlooked Movies

As we roll into the final stretch of 2026, we’re getting to that year-end push from the studios on the films that they’ve either put millions into advertising (“Dune: Chapter 3” and …
by Jared Rasic
Yesterday at 3:26 PM

Junior League of Manatee County Brings Holiday Magic to Local Families with Santa Mail of Manatee

The Junior League of Manatee County (JLMC) is bringing a little extra North Pole magic to the holiday season with the launch of Santa Mail of Manatee: Delivering Holiday Magic, One Letter at a Time. …
Junior League of Manatee County
Yesterday at 1:28 PM
Arts & Entertainment

Christmas in Cortez returns with AMI Privateers, Dec. 12

Christmas in Cortez returns on December 12, from 12- 3 PM. The annual free family event offers a chance to meet Santa, play games, make crafts, play in bounce houses, and more. The AMI …
Staff Report
4 days ago
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
Nearly half a billion birds cross the U.S. to travel to their northern nesting grounds in the spring, and then return to central and south America to escape the cold in the fall …
Saturday, October 31
Guest Opinion
Rattlesnake Key, south of the Sunshine Skyway, reachable only by boat, is about 700 acres of mangroves and tidal flats beside the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Its shallows shelter the young snook, …
by Kelly Kirschner
Thursday, October 29
opinion
After the takeover of the local Republican Executive Committee, Mark Flanagan spent an outrageous amount of money to bring in Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of Donald J. Trump. In reviewing the …
by Joe McClash
Thursday, October 29
opinion
Campaign season demands sharp debate, but it also demands accountability. Misleading voters to shore up party turnout harms our political process and disrespects the intelligence of everyday …
by Joe McClash
Thursday, October 29
opinion
The Republican Party of Florida must have been caught completely off guard when local Republicans dared to reject Governor DeSantis’s preferred candidates in the 2024 primary. Candidates James …
by Joe McClash
Wednesday, October 28
Interesting News

Two Careers and Two Commutes Shape Where Buyers Live in Washington, D.C.

Deciding where to live in Washington, D.C. usually comes down to three things: where each adult in the household works, how they will commute, and what kind of life they want outside work. Because …

Heather Hook (via KeyCrew)
4 hours ago

What Luxury Home Buyers in Beaverton, Oregon Are Prioritizing in 2026

Luxury buyers on the West Coast want different things than they did five years ago, and in Beaverton, Oregon, those changes show up in which homes sell and which ones sit. Carey Hughes, who leads …
Daniela Davila (via KeyCrew)
4 hours ago

Beyond the Hamptons: The Quiet Appeal of Sharon, Connecticut

There are towns in Litchfield County that buyers discover and then quietly tell their friends about. Sharon, Connecticut tends to work that way. People arrive for a specific reason, a school, a lake, …
Heather Hook (via KeyCrew)
4 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
WASHINGTON — Dozens of incoming U.S. House Democrats are urging party leaders to tackle a stock trading ban for lawmakers on the first day of the 120th Congress in January. Just over 50 …
Ashley Murray (via Florida Phoenix)
5 hours ago
Among the more formidable responsibilities Byron Donalds will inherit upon being sworn in as governor of Florida in January is signing execution warrants once death-row inmates’ appeals and …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
5 hours ago
WASHINGTON — Two top Democrats in Congress are calling on the Trump administration to delay new requirements for people on Medicaid, arguing there is not enough time for states to prepare before …
Jennifer Shutt (via Florida Phoenix)
6 hours ago
Florida’s university Board of Governors on Friday deferred action on a policy that, if approved, would have started the process to allow certain undocumented students into the state’s public …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
7 hours ago