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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
4 hours ago
The cast of Ahoy-Hoy. Photo by Sorcha Augustine.
Theater

Review: Urbanite's Ahoy-Hoy

Urbanite Theatre in downtown Sarasota recently presented the world premiere of Jenny Stafford's Ahoy-Hoy . Winner of Urbanite's 2025 Modern Works Festival "Audience Favorite" award, Ahoy-Hoy began at …
by Mitch Maley
Yesterday at 4:58 PM
A judge rejected the county's effort to restrict Live Local developments in rural areas, a decision that could affect several other pending lawsuits. | Suncoast Searchlight illustration using photos by Lily Fox for Suncoast Searchlight and GTD Aquitaine via Wikimedia Commons
Local

Judge deals death blow to Sarasota County’s fight against Live Local Act

A judge’s ruling this week could clear the way for more than 7,600 apartments in rural Sarasota County, dealing a major blow to local officials and residents who have fought to keep large-scale …
by Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight
Yesterday at 3:42 PM
House Speaker-Designate Sam Garrison, left, and Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd, right, converse between their two chambers in the Florida Capitol. Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix
state

Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd releases the details of his inner circle

Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd released on Thursday released details about his planned inner circle during his two-year rein as leader of the Florida Senate and confirmed an organizational …
by Christine Sexton
Yesterday at 3:35 PM

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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
3 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
3 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
3 days ago
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
3 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
3 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
3 days ago

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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
Saturday, October 31
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

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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
Sunday, November 1
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

More Commentary

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 4:30 PM
obituary
 Barrow Stewart Fleetwood
Barrow Stewart Fleetwood, affectionately known to everyone as “Stu,” unexpectedly crossed the finish line of a life well lived on October 27, 2026, at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, …
Yesterday at 4:29 PM
obituary
 Nellie Rice Wilder
In loving memory of Nellie Rice Wilder of Bradenton, Florida - Nellie passed on October 28, 2026, at the age of 86. She moved to Bradenton in 1960. She worked for the Sarasota Herald Tribune in …
Yesterday at 4:27 PM

more obituaries

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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.
2 days ago
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

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COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
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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

More sports

Arts & Entertainment
Music
photo by Alexis Interiano

Interview: Samantha Fish

When Samantha Fish was a music-crazy tween, experiencing music was best done in the confines of her bedroom. So, when her father took her to see Sheryl Crow, she went kicking and screaming …

by Dave Gil de Rubio
Yesterday at 3:21 PM
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
3 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
5 days ago
photo by Matty Vogel
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

More entertainment

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

Element 52 Penthouse, Telluride, Colorado – A Ski Lift at the Door, Main Street Down the Block

A top-floor penthouse combines the privacy of a standalone house with hotel-style service, a pairing rarely found inside Telluride’s town limits. By Chris Caggiano The morning starts in the …

emergent (via KeyCrew)
8 hours ago

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)
8 hours ago

How Ground-Floor Retail Can Raise the Value of an Entire Mixed-Use Project, According to a Boston Retail Strategist

Developers usually judge ground-floor retail by the rent it brings in. Ann Ehrhart, a Boston, Massachusetts retail strategist and founder of EVERSTREET, says that number tells only part of the story. …
Daniela Davila (via KeyCrew)
8 hours ago
Florida report

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

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.

Wetland Buffer Elimination Meeting Citizen Comments and Van Ostenbridge Rant

State News
Alabama Republicans had hoped Rep. Shomari Figures would deliver a concession speech on Tuesday night after the state legislature redrew his district to be more GOP-friendly.  Instead, the Democrat …
Jonathan Shorman (via Florida Phoenix)
59 minutes ago
Public hearings in the case to decide the fate of the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and Florida-based NextEra Energy begin this week at the State Corporation Commission. The $67 billion …
Shannon Heckt (via Florida Phoenix)
12 hours ago
House speaker-designate Samuel Garrison Thursday night sent a memo to members announcing two new House standing committees and re-establishment of a third committee focused on public corruption. The …
Christine Sexton (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 6:54 PM
The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has suspended operations in Florida, the organization has announced. It did so after a federal judge rejected an emergency request Wednesday by the …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
Yesterday at 3:42 PM
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