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Sarasota Magazine

Politics

Partisan Lines

Florida’s Mid-Cycle Redistricting, Explained

Florida lawmakers are pushing to redraw congressional district maps mid-decade. Political scientist Frank Alcock explains the uproar.

09/30/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

She Paid His Bond. ICE Took Him. Bradenton Family's Saga Shows How Florida Jails Fuel Deportations

In Florida, the jail-to-deportation pipeline is one of the main engines of Trump’s mass-deportation push. Routine arrests, even for minor charges, are a direct gateway into ICE custody—the most frequent method of immigration arrests in the state.

09/19/2025 By Kara Newhouse/Suncoast Searchlight and Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Campus Memorial

New College of Florida Plans Statue of Charlie Kirk

The Sarasota school is commissioning a privately funded monument to the slain activist as other campuses weigh tributes following his murder in Utah.

09/16/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Paths Reimagined

Sarasota Turns to Art After Statewide Crosswalk Ban

Community members in Sarasota will gather to create mosaic stepping stones after the state ordered the removal of rainbow crosswalks and sidewalk art.

09/12/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Privatization Push Emerges at New College as Ex-Insider Breaks With DeSantis Allies

New College alum Nathan Allen has laid out a multi-million-dollar proposal to wean New College off taxpayer dollars over the next decade

09/05/2025 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Politics

Sarasota Sidewalk Art Set to Be Removed

A new state mandate bans all “non-standard” markings on streets, sidewalks and crosswalks, insisting they're safety hazards and distractions to motorists—despite research showing street art actually results in safer driving habits and fewer crashes.

08/27/2025 By Kendall Southworth

Politics

Sarasota's Joe Gruters Named Chair of Republican National Committee

Gruters is a fourth-generation Sarasotan who's directly tied to Donald Trump's rise to power.

08/25/2025 By Staff

Wild and Scenic History

Decades Ago, Visionary Sarasota County Commissioners Saw the Value of Protecting the Myakka

Their efforts led to the adoption of Florida’s Myakka River Wild and Scenic Designation and Preservation Act.

07/24/2025 By Susan Burrns

The Arts

Ringling Museum Will Remain Under FSU's Management

The proposed transfer of the museum from Florida State University's stewardship to New College of Florida's was left out of the 2025 legislative budget.

06/17/2025 By Staff

Photos

Photos: 'No Kings' Protest in Downtown Sarasota

Thousands of people gathered on the Sarasota bayfront to protest the Trump administration. Here's a look.

06/16/2025 By Kim Doleatto Photography by Lori Sax

Popular Content

    Florida’s Mid-Cycle Redistricting, Explained

    She Paid His Bond. ICE Took Him. Bradenton Family's Saga Shows How Florida Jails Fuel Deportations

    New College of Florida Plans Statue of Charlie Kirk

    How Cinderella’s Castle Became the Latest Battleground in the Culture Wars

    Everyone Hates Martin Hyde, and He Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way

    The History of Mar-a-Lago

First Person

What It Was Like Being in St. Peter's Square When Pope Leo XIV Was Elected

Sarasota Magazine contributing editor and current Rome resident Elizabeth Djinis on witnessing the assumption of the first American pope.

05/09/2025 By Elizabeth Djinis

Fab Forward

The Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest Celebrates 15 Years This Weekend

All are welcome at the event on May 10 at Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota.

05/07/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Name Game

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Jack E. Davis Weighs in on the Gulf’s New Name, Its History and Its Future

President Trump recently changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Does it really matter?

05/05/2025 By Isaac Eger

Unity Awards

Sarah Parker Uses Her Voice to Lift up Others

“We replace fear with action. If you want to change something, you consistently work to change that thing.”

03/03/2025 By Megan McDonald

Uncertain Future

A Newly Formed Group Is Working to Oppose New College's Proposed Takeover of the Ringling Museum

Citizens to Protect the Ringling is rallying museum supporters ahead of the upcoming legislative session.

02/27/2025 By Kay Kipling

Q & A

Outgoing Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates Looks Back on a Half-Century of Public Service

Ford-Coates joined the tax collector's office in 1975 and has served as its elected leader since 1984.

01/02/2025 By Cooper Levey-Baker

2024 Year in Review

A Look Back at Some of Our Best Stories of 2024

Editor in chief Cooper Levey-Baker selects his personal favorites.

12/19/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Funding Fallout

State and Local Leaders Cut Funding for Arts Organizations This Year. Will Things Be Any Better Next Time Around?

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in funding for the arts in June due to concerns over content, and the Sarasota County nixed grants to three arts organizations a month later.

11/21/2024 By Kay Kipling

Information Overload

Why Was There So Much Disinformation After Hurricanes Helene and Milton?

Rumors and untruths proliferated as Hurricanes Helene and Milton destroyed communities. Why do we keep falling for them?

11/20/2024 By Megan McDonald

Election 2024

A Guide to Election Results in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Both counties saw voter turnout higher than 80 percent.

11/06/2024 By Staff

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September-October 2025

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