Pier Review

Rebuilding of Anna Maria Island's City Pier to Begin Soon

Construction on the pier will begin within the next two months—with test pilings installed in the next two weeks—and the pier will be "substantially complete" by April 2026.

10/09/2025 By Megan McDonald

Water World

Mote's New Science Education Aquarium Is Open

Years in the making, the $132 million facility includes 1 million gallons of aquatic exhibitions, including sharks and stingrays, manatees, otters, penguins, a giant octopus, sharks, otters and more, plus three state-of-the-art STEM teaching labs.

10/08/2025 By Megan McDonald Videography by Joshua Bodkin

Among the Flowers

Rebecca Louise Law Explores Time, Survival and Community in Her Orchid Show Installation at Selby Gardens

The British artist’s installation opens at the gardens’ downtown campus on Saturday, Oct. 11.

10/07/2025 By Megan McDonald

Take a Look, It's in a Book

Amy Tan Headlines Sarasota's 2025 'Off the Page' Literary Festival

You can also attend talks with Janet Evanovich and her daughter Alex, former FBI special agent Robert K. Wittman, memoirist Anabelle Tometich and Pulitzer Prize-winner Jack E. Davis,

10/03/2025 By Megan McDonald

Hurricane Helene

Today Is the One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Helene's Landfall

Catastrophic storm surge, fierce winds and billions of dollars in damages left Sarasota and Manatee struggling to rebuild in the storm's wake.

09/26/2025 By Megan McDonald and Kim Doleatto

Natural Beauty

Looking at the Winning Images From Big Waters Land Trust's Summer Photo Contest Will Reset Your Nervous System

For the sixth year, photographers of all ages and experience levels were invited to submit original work showcasing the beauty of natural Florida.

09/17/2025 By Megan McDonald

Made in Sarasota

Gary Drouin’s Retro Tube Amplifiers Have a National Market

Drouin, 72, meticulously hand-builds and repairs amplifiers from his home garage for tube amp devotees around the country.

09/04/2025 By Megan McDonald

Happy Days

Emmy-Award Winning Mauro Gatti, Creator of the Happy Broadcast, Brings Good Vibes to This Year’s PINC

"You have to take care of yourself to take care of others. I’m in that sweet spot right now in my life. I love it.”

09/03/2025 By Megan McDonald

Flashback

In 1937, the Bradenton Nine Devils Took the Field for the First Time

Part of the Florida Negro League, the team is now honored with a historic marker at LECOM Park—the first step in the creation of the African American Heritage Trail.

09/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

Stats

GoFundMe Offered a Lifeline After Last Year’s Storms

Sarasota ranks high as a giving community.

09/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

Meals That Matter

All Faiths Food Bank Delivers Care and Nourishment to a Growing Number of Hungry Families

An increasing number of local families “are one blown tire away from not being able to pay their rent—forget saving or having any buffer,” All Faiths CEO Nelle Miller says.

09/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

Raise a Glass

Tervis Names Roger Parsons Its New President, Chief Revenue Officer

Parsons will oversee all aspects of the company’s commercial consumer business strategy, including e-commerce and direct-to-consumer business.

08/22/2025 By Megan McDonald

Shop 'Til You Drop

The Hyatt Regency Sarasota Is Being Torn Down. You Can Own a Piece of It.

A major liquidation is underway at the 50-year old hotel, with everything from TVs to beds to soap dishes on offer (and many of them BOGO).

08/13/2025 By Megan McDonald

Gimme Shelter

A New Clinical Trial Aims to Help Anxious Dogs Cope With Thunderstorms

And Bradenton's Bayshore Veterinary Group is participating.

08/05/2025 By Megan McDonald

Flashback

In 1937, a Local Man Caught a 2,500-Lb. Shark Just Off Longboat Key

Edgar Green caught the massive animal while fishing alone in the Gulf.

07/21/2025 By Megan McDonald

Flew Season

Selby Gardens' New Exhibit Is for the Birds

Literally.

07/09/2025 By Megan McDonald

Tech Savvy Kitchen

Five Kitchen Gadgets That Are as Cool as They Are Useful

Everything you need for a tech-savvy kitchen.

07/07/2025 By Megan McDonald

Stats

How Much Does It Actually Cost to Live in Sarasota and Manatee Counties Right Now?

According to the United Way Suncoast's 2025 ALICE Report, the basic survival budget for a family of four is $104,425 in Sarasota County and $95,004 in Manatee County.

07/07/2025 By Megan McDonald

Blast Off

Is SpaceX Coming to Myakka City?

The aerospace company, which was founded by Elon Musk, has proposed a "fenced, gravel compound on a 0.73-acre area with 40 satellite antennas" at 3350 C.R. 675.

07/07/2025 By Megan McDonald

Flashback

Photo: Sarasota Sun-Debs, 1949

Photographer Joseph Janney Steinmetz captured this scene that year, which shows a ballet instructor giving the Sun-Debs a movement lesson on the sunny shores of Lido Beach.

07/03/2025 By Megan McDonald