Susan Brown, passed away on January 31, 2026, at the age of 65. She was born on August 7, 1960, in a world that would come to be enriched by her kindness and unwavering spirit. Susan's early …

Charles L. “Chuck” Gregory III, age 79, of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died Friday, January 30, 2026. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles L. Gregory II, …

Vickie Lynn Vorjohan, born on June 21, 1967, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026. She will be remembered for her vibrant spirit, kindness, and unwavering love for her family and friends. …

Robert Leo “Bob” Theroux, 83, died peacefully at his home in Bradenton, Florida, on February 1, 2026. Born on February 4, 1942, in Fall River, Massachusetts, Bob was the son of Leo and Alice …

Renate Marie Williams (known to many as “Rena” or “Reni”), a steadfast servant of God and a beacon of love to all who knew her, was called home to her eternal rest on January 31, 2026. She …

Marilyn Ann Ameres, a beacon of joy and perpetual optimism, passed away on January 30, 2026, in Sarasota, FL, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on October 9, 1946, Marilyn's life was a …

Today, we remember and celebrate the life of James L. "Jim" Green, a remarkable individual whose generosity and selfless nature left an indelible mark on everyone he met. Born on December 28, 1927, …

Michael James Defibaugh, aged 44, a much-loved father, son, brother, uncle, and boyfriend, passed away on January 27, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida. He was born in Washington DC on October 9, 1981.

Neil Davis McCurry, Sr., October 7, 1936- January 25, 2026, Neil was born and raised in Shelby, North Carolina. He retained his North Carolina roots, a southern gentleman to the end, but Bradenton, …

This week, Glen Gibellina, Ed Bailey Jr., and former commissioner Charles Smith filed to challenge for Manatee County Commission seats, while incumbent Mike Rahn announced his intention to seek …

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session continues, and here are two big considerations to keep an eye on.

Hugh Long was born and raised “just up the road” from the Guana River Wildlife Management Area in St. Johns County, and spent “countless hours” as a youth hiking its trails, fishing its …

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday that body cameras would be given to federal immigration agents across the country, starting in Minneapolis, where two U.S. …

The Leagues of Women Voters of Sarasota and Manatee County are sponsoring a joint rally in defense of democracy from 10 am to 12 noon on February 14 at the corner of University Parkway and Cattleman …

What’s really going on with Rattlesnake Key and the proposed cruise terminal near Port Manatee? In this episode of The Big Picture Manatee, we break down the facts, timelines, and political …

Christian Harrison has won the first Grand Slam major title of his professional career at the 2026 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia. The long-time Bradenton resident teamed up with Great …

Every January, Tampa Bay transforms into a spectacle of swashbucklers, beads, and cannon fire for one of America’s most iconic street festivals: Gasparilla. But here’s the twist, its namesake, the fearsome pirate José Gaspar, is almost certainly a myth. Still, that hasn’t stopped generations of Floridians from embracing the legend, donning their finest plunderer garb, and sailing into the story with gusto. This is the tale of how a fictional buccaneer came to define a city’s spirit.

After the Civil War, as freedom began to shift from proclamation into daily life, a new kind of Florida story took shape. Eatonville, incorporated in 1887, was one of the early Black towns where residents shaped their future with their own hands. This week’s column visits Eatonville's beginnings, its staying power, and its fitting motto, "the town that freedom built."

Half of the remaining six million Epstein files, the federal government is legally required to make public, were released on Friday (six weeks after the statutory deadline). We didn't get the names …