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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)
State

‘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
Yesterday at 4:40 PM
A young Kelly Kirschner (right) fishing off North Longboat Key with his childhood best friend, Hal Christensen, in Florida’s 16th District.
Guest Opinion

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
Yesterday at 1:52 PM
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
Yesterday at 1:33 PM
opinion

Republicans' Misleading Campaign Tactics Undermine Voter Trust

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
Yesterday at 12:00 AM
More local news
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
3 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
3 days ago
Local
Florida seeks sanctions against Pine View teacher that could cost her license
Last month, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly accused a Pine View history teacher of labeling a student a “misogynist” over his political views, saying she should be fired if the …
by Alice Herman | Suncoast Searchlight and Chloe Nelson | The Daily Sun
3 days ago
local government
Manatee County Accepting Applications for Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee
Manatee County is seeking residents interested in helping shape the future of local conservation efforts to serve on the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee (ELMAC). The …
Manatee County Government
3 days ago
TBT Exclusive
StreetLeaf solar lights installed at G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton. The county leases solar-lighting equipment from Gig Fiber LLC.
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
Saturday, October 24
Election 2026
Manatee County draws about two-thirds of its water from Lake Manatee, shown here. Photo by Tiffany Tompkins, Bradenton Herald
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
Saturday, October 24
Opinions
opinion
Local Manatee Republicans Ousted in State Takeover
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
3 days ago
opinion
State Republican Party’s Installation of Radical Right Mark Flanagan Drives Manatee Republicans to Moderate Democrats
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
3 days ago
guest opinion
Manipulation in the Mailbox
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
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
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
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
Thursday, October 22
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.
Yesterday at 5:01 PM
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 …
Yesterday at 5:00 PM
obituary
Cindee Meek
Cindee Meek, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on October 24, 2026. She will be remembered for her loving heart, her devotion …
Yesterday at 4:58 PM
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 …
2 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
Yesterday at 2:00 PM
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
Yesterday at 4:44 PM
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
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
Guest Opinion
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
Saturday, October 24
Advanced technology and automated systems are becoming a big part of environmental conservation. Researchers are starting to use smart machines …
Saturday, October 24
Election 2026
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 …
Thursday, October 22
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
Tuesday, October 20
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)
7 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)
7 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)
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
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