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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 …
12 hours ago
photo by Eric Ryan Anderson
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
Yesterday at 2:14 PM
Volunteers walk dogs on a shaded pathway at the Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Avenue West in Bradenton. Tiffany Tompkins | Bradenton Herald
Local

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
Yesterday at 1:54 PM
The voter lookup function was down across Florida Supervisor of Elections pages due to digital security concerns impacting websites around the globe.
State

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
Yesterday at 1:51 PM
More local news
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
Yesterday at 2:22 PM
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
Yesterday at 1:52 PM
Map and photos presented by ELMAC staff during the Oct. 20, 2026, Manatee Board of County Commissioners meeting.
County to purchase nearly 711 acres for conservation
Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved two conservation land acquisitions totaling approximately 711 acres Tuesday, advancing the Environmental Lands Program's …
by Dawn Kitterman
3 days ago
Local government
Manatee County accepting applications for Planning Commission
Manatee County is accepting applications for an additional vacant seat on the Planning Commission, a citizen’s advisory committee that makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on …
Manatee County Government
3 days ago
National
Books in a Florida high school library. Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix
School board members can be deposed for removing library books, federal court rules
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 …
by Jay Waagmeester
3 days ago
Local
Campaign finance reports display fundraising gaps, PAC networks in BOCC races
With early voting underway ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, the latest campaign finance reports show substantial fundraising disparities among Manatee County Commission …
by Dawn Kitterman
4 days ago
Opinions
Election 2026
Guest Opinion: Protect Lands and Protect the Public Trust
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
3 days ago
Election 2026
I endorse Kelly Kirschner, Reggie Bellamy, and Charles Smith
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
4 days ago
opinion
Elections: A Time for Hope
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
COMMENTARY
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
Yesterday at 2:51 PM
commentary
Council Corner, City of Bradenton: Ward 4
As we welcome the fall season, we look forward to cooler temperatures, community gatherings, and holidays that bring families, friends, and neighbors together. Hurricane season is not yet behind us, …
Councilwoman Pam Coachman
3 days ago
Sunday Favorites
The Things That Stayed
A house whose owner loved it so much she wrote it a love letter. An antique doll that reportedly wouldn’t stay where it was placed. A phantom bus said to haunt the Sunshine Skyway. This week’s …
Merab Favorite
Sunday, October 18
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 …
12 hours 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 …
Yesterday at 3:52 PM
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 …
Yesterday at 3:50 PM
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 …
12 hours 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 …
Yesterday at 2:00 PM
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
TBT ENDORSEMENTS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation
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
Sports

Pirates Presenting Case for 2027 Postseason Participation

I don’t bet. But if I did, odds are the Pittsburgh Pirates are a postseason club in 2027. Forget the fear-mongering circulating that there might not be an MLB season in 2027. A new collective …
by Don Laible
Thursday, September 24
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 …

12 hours 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
3 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
3 days ago
music

Interview: Jake Owen

"This is still a young man's game." That’s something Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder has said. Pearl Jam's singer-songwriter is correct. The peak for many singer-songwriter's is during their salad …
by Ed Condran
Thursday, October 8
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
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
Election 2026
The Florida Senate District 20 race features longtime incumbent Jim Boyd and political newcomer Gerald Baldi. Baldi, 70, is a former advertising executive who moved from real estate to financial …
Friday, October 16
Election 2026
The Manatee County Commission District 6 (at-large) race will fill the seat being vacated by Commissioner Jason Bearden. It features former District 2 Commissioner Reggie Bellamy and Congressman …
Friday, October 16
The Florida Attorney General race features appointed Republican incumbent James Uthmeier against Democrat José Javier Rodríguez. The winner will serve a four-year term as Florida’s chief legal …
Tuesday, October 13
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)
4 days ago
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)
4 days ago
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)
4 days ago
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)
4 days ago