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Sarasota Magazine

Politics

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota County Blocks ‘Live Local’ Law, Risking Clash With Developers

Commissioners said they were reacting to a steady barrage of concerns from residents over the impact of the proposed developments.

04/13/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Michael Barfield/Florida Trident

Politics

Sarasota's Sydney Gruters Officially Announces Congressional Run

Gruters raised more than $100,000 after announcing her run, according to her campaign.

04/06/2026 By Staff

Taking It to the Streets

Photos: Organizers Say Approximately 9,000 People Showed Up at Downtown Sarasota's 'No Kings Day' Protest

Protestors also gathered at University Town Center, Venice and Englewood.

03/30/2026 Photography by Damon Powers

Politics

Will Sydney Gruters Run for Congress?

Gruters, the executive director and vice president of advancement at the New College of Florida Foundation and wife of Republican National Committee chair Joe Gruters, just got a ringing endorsement from Donald Trump.

03/25/2026 By Kendall Southworth

Suncoast Searchlight

Less Sunshine, More Secrecy as Florida Limits Public Records Access

Florida lawmakers introduced more than 50 bills this session to limit access to public records, but fewer than 10 passed. Still, open government advocates say the measures that did clear the Legislature could significantly restrict transparency.

03/23/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota Erased Downtown Art Without Public Notice. Now Artists Are Seeking Damages.

Nine artists have filed claims against the city of Sarasota, alleging their rights were violated when officials removed pavement art in response to a state directive from the Florida Department of Transportation.

03/20/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Carrie Seidman/ArtsBeat.org

Update

The Florida Senate Pulls Back on USF Sarasota-Manatee Transfer

The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted a “delete everything” amendment on the plan to transfer campus facilities to New College of Florida.

03/05/2026 By Susan Burns

Education

Will USF Sarasota-Manatee Disappear?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to give New College the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, but local leaders, businesspeople, students and faculty plan to speak out at a Feb. 25 meeting.

02/19/2026 By Elizabeth Djinis

Mr. Nice Guy

Mr. Gruters Goes to Washington

Congenial new RNC chair Joe Gruters juggles Trump, midterms and a fractious Republican Party. How long can he keep smiling?

02/03/2026 By Isaac Eger

A Tale of Tariffs

How Are Tariffs Affecting Sarasota Coffee Shops?

“Tariffs puts everyone in this strange position where you are punished for doing good long-term deals.”

02/02/2026 By Isaac Eger

Popular Content

    What Does Florida’s New Beach Access Law Mean?

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

    Sarasota County Blocks ‘Live Local’ Law, Risking Clash With Developers

    The History of Mar-a-Lago

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

    The Sarasota County School Board Votes Out Superintendent Brennan Asplen

Suncoast Searchlight

Curiosity in Chaos: How a Local Nonprofit Takes on Deep Political Division

Through a series of facilitated dinners, CATA seeks to “rehumanize” people on all sides of the political spectrum.

01/30/2026 By Clinton Engelberger/Suncoast Searchlight

Politics

Rep. Vern Buchanan Will Retire After 20 Years in Office

Buchanan is one of a growing number of Republican lawmakers who will not seek re-election this year.

01/28/2026 By Staff

Suncoast Searchlight

After Sarasota County Schools’ ICE Vote, Questions Remain About Enforcement on Campuses

Despite the outcry, board members voted 3 to 2 to pass the measure, committing to “full cooperation and collaboration” with ICE.

01/23/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Florida Bill Would Give Benderson Development Its Own Taxing District at UTC

House Bill 4091 would give Benderson the ability to finance and oversee future expansions of the shopping hub, as well as the rowing park.

01/17/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Christian Casale/Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Nip/Tuck

Mar-a-Lago Face? Not in Sarasota.

Locals are eschewing drastic plastic surgery trends in favor of more subtle de-aging procedures.

01/02/2026 By Hannah Wallace

Partisan Lines

National Redistricting Push Zeroes In on Florida

A court ruling in Texas and renewed pressure from national Republicans have made Florida a key state to watch in the mid-decade redistricting push.

12/04/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Stats

Sarasota County School Vouchers and Their Impacts

The state-funded scholarships have cut enrollment in public schools, which decreases state funding for each district, affecting teachers, administrators and students..

11/04/2025 By Lauren Jackson

Burning Question

What Does Florida’s New Beach Access Law Mean?

Coastal rights attorney Pepper Uchino weighs in on the sand wars.

11/03/2025 By Isaac Eger

SNAP Aid

Where to Find Free Food And Donate in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

With SNAP benefits paused during the federal shutdown, here’s where to find free meals, groceries, and support—and how to give back.

11/03/2025 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Most Suncoast Lawmakers Quiet as Charter School Expansion Fuels Local Upheaval

The same lawmakers who voted earlier this year to let charter schools move into underused public campuses have stayed quiet as a Miami-based charter operator’s early push to occupy local schools set off confusion and concern among parents and educators.

10/20/2025 By McKenna Oxenden/Suncoast Searchlight and Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

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April 2026

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