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Episode 268: Mitch Maley & Joe McClash

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.
Yesterday at 5:08 PM
Election Results

Amendment 3 Passes, Amendments 1 and 2 fail

With 95% of precincts having reported, Florida Amendment 3 looks to have passed. The proposal, which expands homestead property tax exemptions, received 60.72% of the vote (2,638,964 "Yes" votes), …
Staff Report
2 days ago
Election Results

Schwarz and Gonzalez-Moore win Bradenton City Council races

Grassroots candidate Thomas Schwarz pulled off a major upset, narrowly defeating establishment-backed appointed incumbent Kemp Schuessler in Tuesday's non-partisan Bradenton City Council Ward 3 race. …
Staff Report
2 days ago
Election Results

Manatee School Board: Bedinghaus upsets Mullis; Jefferson unseats Spray

In the Manatee County School Board District 5 race, 22-year-old Cam Bedinghaus upset heavily-favored Jonathon Mullis 52% to 48%, with about 1,500 votes separating the candidates. Mullis came in first …
Staff Report
2 days ago
More local news
Election Results
Manatee BOCC: Ballard Squeaks by Smith, Arnold and Poulton win easily
Incumbent District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard narrowly survived a challenge from former D2 Commissioner Charles Smith in Tuesday's Manatee County Commission Race. Smith had been leading from the …
Staff Report
2 days ago
Election Results
Boyd, Conerly, and Varnadore win state legislature races
Incoming Senate President Jim Boyd (R) easily won reelection on Tuesday, fending off grassroots Democrat Gerald Baldi by 20 points. Incumbent District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly (R) won by 21 points …
Staff Report
2 days ago
state
Duke Energy Florida’s office located in St. Petersburg. Photo via Duke Energy’s website
Florida Public Service Commission rejects Duke Energy’s data center plan
The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday rejected Duke Energy Florida’s proposal to pay data center costs, 5-0. The agency found that the proposal did not demonstrate compliance …
by Mitch Perry
2 days ago
election 2026
It's Election Day! Get out and vote!
Today is the final day to participate in the 2026 Election. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m., and you can only vote at your assigned precinct. To access The Bradenton Times 2026 General …
3 days ago
Business
Manatee Memorial names new Chief Executive Officer
On Monday, Manatee Memorial Hospital’s Board of Governors announced the appointment of Darin Roark as Chief Executive Officer, effective November 2, 2026. “We are pleased to welcome Darin …
Staff Report
3 days ago
Manatee County Honors Veterans Day 2026
Manatee County Government offices and all Manatee County libraries will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day. “Veterans Day is an opportunity to recognize the …
Manatee County Government
3 days ago
Opinions
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
5 days ago
EarthTalk: Migratory Birds Need Your Help To Get Along
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
A young Kelly Kirschner (right) fishing off North Longboat Key with his childhood best friend, Hal Christensen, in Florida’s 16th District.
It takes a scalpel to save Rattlesnake Key
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
COMMENTARY
Sunday Favorites
Holy Water and Happy Hour
Sunday best wasn’t always required, and neither was leaving the car. From Venice’s drive-in church to beachside services and worship at the Flora-Bama, Florida congregations have found some …
by Merab Favorite
5 days ago
commentary
A bear wanders through one of the pastures on the Olsen family cattle ranch in Davie. The natural beauty of Ben Olsen’s family property motivated him to become an environmental activist, which has led to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission putting him and his parents under surveillance. (Photo via Ben Olsen)
Florida wildlife agency put a homebound dementia patient under surveillance
Growing up, I watched a lot of Bugs Bunny cartoons. I always cracked up when inept hunter Elmer Fudd would turn to the camera, put a finger to his lips and tell viewers, “Be vewwy vewwy quiet — …
by Craig Pittman
Friday, October 30
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
Sunday, October 25
Obituaries
Pauline Vinette
Pauline (née Lamarche) Vinette, of Bradenton Florida, joined her beloved husband of 55 years Gilles Vinette (1933-2021) peacefully on October 4 after a recent diagnosis of metastatic lung cancer. …
2 days ago
Rita Ann Speas
January 16, 1933 – October 25, 2026 With heavy hearts and loving memories, we announce the passing of Rita Speas, who peacefully departed this life on October 25, 2026, at the age of 93. Rita …
3 days ago
obituary
Rosette Canete Deibler
Rosette Canete Deibler passed on September 13, 2026, at the age of 42, having been born on November 21, 1983, and residing in Bradenton, Florida.
Thursday, October 29
Join us on social media
TBT Podcasts
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
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 …
Thursday, October 22
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
TBT ENDORSEMENTS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation
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
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
Saturday, October 24
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
Arts & Entertainment
Music

George Thorogood & The Destroyers to headline Thunder By the Bay

George Thorogood & The Destroyers have been announced as the new headlining act for the opening night of the 29th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motors Festival on Friday, February …

Staff Report
2 days ago
Arts & Entertainment

Festival of the Skeletons returns this weekend

Bradenton's Village of the Arts' biggest day of the year returns Friday from 6–9 pm and Saturday from 11 am–4 pm. This year marks the 22nd Annual Día de los Muertos - Festival of the Skeletons.
Staff Report
3 days ago
Music

Interview: Fitz and the Tantrums

“Man On The Moon,” the current release from Fitz and the Tantrums brings more of the brisk pop bangers and singalong anthems that have become standard -- almost expected -- fare for the soul-pop …
by Chris Young
Thursday, October 29
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 …
Thursday, October 22
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
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
opinion
Manatee County’s voters have sent an unmistakable message: many would rather cast their ballots for moderate Democrats than back the slate championed by appointed Republican Executive Committee …
by Joe McClash
Tuesday, October 27
guest opinion
This year’s Florida Congressional District 16 race wasn’t supposed to be competitive. The RNC/RPOF worked to ensure there were no issues getting their candidate through in the primary. The State …
by George Kruse
Tuesday, October 27
Interesting News

Washington Is Starting to Name the Middle-Income Renter, Without Yet Funding the Fix

A new federal housing effort has directed the Government Accountability Office to study a formal income definition for the middle class, roughly 80 to 120 percent of area median income, and to …

Daniela Davila (via KeyCrew)
7 hours ago

In South Denver, Colorado, Temporary Rate Buydowns Are Expiring – and the Safety Net Isn’t There

The 2-1 buydown was supposed to be a bridge. Buyers who locked in mortgages two to three years ago at rates near 7% used the program to ease into ownership, paying two percentage points less in year …
Alejandra Rodriguez (via KeyCrew)
7 hours ago

In Palm Beach County, Single-Family Homes and Condos Are Now Separate Markets

The question heard most often in Palm Beach County this year is whether the housing market is crashing. The numbers point somewhere else: two markets operating in the same zip codes, moving at …
Heather Hook (via KeyCrew)
7 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
Dear Governor-elect Donalds: Congrats on your historic win! Feel free to continue celebrating for (checks watch) the next 24 hours. Then you better buckle up. What’s that, sir? What am I holding? …
Craig Pittman (via Florida Phoenix)
8 hours ago
WASHINGTON — As the monumental midterm victories set in, Democrats began to talk strategy Wednesday on how to deliver what voters want: lower prices, attainable health care and an end to a …
Ashley Murray, Shauneen Miranda (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 6:31 PM
Ahead of the midterms, Democrats wargamed dozens of scenarios looking at how President Donald Trump might try to undermine the election, everything from seizing voting machines to falsely declaring a …
Jonathan Shorman (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 6:20 PM
WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders in Congress have just a couple months to decide how they want to balance investigations into President Donald Trump and his administration with securing his …
Jennifer Shutt (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 6:15 PM