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A screenshot from the ad falsely depicting Kirschner being "perp-walked" in a campaign ad by Sydney Gruters.
Election 2026

Kirschner denounces Sydney Gruters' campaign ad using AI to falsely depict him getting arrested

Republican Congressional candidate Sydney Gruters is facing backlash from Democratic opponent Kelly Kirschner over a commercial that uses AI-generated imagery to falsely depict Kirschner in a police …
by Mitch Maley
11 hours ago
As much as 86% of wetlands in Florida could lose federal protections under proposed federal changes. | Photo courtesy of Ebyabe via Wikimedia Commons
State

Wetlands ‘created Florida.’ A new proposal could threaten their existence

A team of University of Florida researchers recently set out to kayak the headwaters of Myakka River but found themselves dragging their boats across stretches of it that dry out seasonally. …
by Clinton Engelberger | Suncoast Searchlight
Yesterday at 2:07 PM
Candidates are criss-crossing the state as Election Day nears in Florida. Photo Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix
Election 2026

Nearly 4 million Floridians have voted so far

Early voters plus mail-in voters equal nearly 3.9 million ballots cast so far, according to Thursday afternoon state data. Of that, 2.2 million Floridians have voted early and 1.68 million …
by Jay Waagmeester
Yesterday at 1:56 PM
Alice Lesko celebrates her 111th birthday Thursday, Oct. 8.  2026. (Photo courtesy of Bonna Lesko)
Election 2026

After living through a century of American politics, Florida’s oldest voters aren’t done yet

Alice Lesko mailed her ballot ahead of Tuesday’s midterm elections. Her eyesight isn’t what it used to be, and signing her name has become difficult.  Lesko, of Palm Springs in South …
by Julianna Bendeck
Yesterday at 1:43 PM
More local news
Local
This Week in Local Government: 11/1/26
It will be a very quiet week in local government, with only the Palmetto City Commission meeting …
by Dawn Kitterman
6 hours ago
Local
DOH-Manatee Updates Mosquito-Borne Illness Alert
The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) is informing residents of a second confirmed case of locally-acquired dengue. DOH-Manatee has been proactively working with partners …
DOH-Manatee
Yesterday at 1:35 PM
Local
Collection of 2026 Manatee County Property Taxes Begins November 2
The Manatee County Tax Collector will begin collection of 2026 property taxes on November 2, when 220,594 annual Property Tax Bills and Informational Notices are scheduled to be mailed. The Property …
Sharmaine Bridges
Yesterday at 1:26 PM
State
State administrative judge will consider arguments in a challenge to the Florida Department of Health's proposed new vaccine rules for entry into schools and daycare. (Photo by Florence Middleton for CalMatters)
‘Ambitious’ timeline means DeSantis could pass new vax rules before he leaves office
Gov. Ron DeSantis’s efforts to pare back the number of vaccines children must receive to enter school or daycare could pay off for him before he leaves office on Jan. 5 in light of a state …
by Christine Sexton
2 days ago
Election 2026
Countdown to midterms motivates Manatee County voters
With less than a week remaining to the Midterms, Indivisible Manatee says voters are energized and motivated to make their voices heard at the ballot box. IM has prepared for this important moment …
Miriam Thompson
4 days ago
state
Uthmeier: Property risk-assessment company ‘is marketing fear to advance a climate activism agenda’
Florida has sued a company that issues climate change assessments of property risks including flooding that the state alleges are deceptive, deviate from the federal flood insurance assessments, and …
by Michael Moline
4 days ago
Opinions
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 …
6 hours ago
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
2 days ago
opinion
Radical Republican Chair Mark Flanagan’s Expensive "Trump Day" Dinner
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
2 days ago
COMMENTARY
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
Yesterday at 1:46 PM
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
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
Saturday, October 24
Obituaries
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.
2 days ago
obituary
Robert Calvin Elliott Jr.
Robert Calvin Elliott Jr. passed on October 21, 2026, at the age of 77. Born November 27, 1948, Robert was a resident of Bradenton, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be held at Robert Toale …
2 days ago
obituary
Cindee Meek
Cindee Meek, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on October 24, 2026. She will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion …
2 days ago
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 …
3 days ago
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
2 days ago
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
photo by Matty Vogel

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
2 days ago
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
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
Thursday, October 22
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
Tuesday, October 20
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
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
3 days ago
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
4 days ago
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
4 days ago
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
4 days ago
opinion
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
Saturday, October 24
Interesting News

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)
8 hours ago

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)
8 hours ago

Mortgage-Dependent Buyers Are Being Squeezed Out of the Florida Keys

There is a growing divide in the Florida Keys housing market, and it runs along a single fault line: whether a buyer needs a mortgage. Cash buyers – many of them retirees and business owners from …
Alejandra Rodriguez (via KeyCrew)
8 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