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Sarasota Magazine

Politics

Suncoast Searchlight

Judge Deals Death Blow to Sarasota County’s Fight Against Live Local Act

A circuit judge ruled that Sarasota County must allow a proposed development of more than 600 apartments near the Celery Fields to move forward under Florida's Live Local Act.

11/06/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Blue Wave Misses Suncoast as Republicans Maintain Power

Along the Suncoast, Republicans maintained their grip—clinching victories in county commission races across Sarasota and Manatee counties and helping deliver congressional seats to Sydney Gruters and incumbent Greg Steube.

11/04/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

ArtsBeat

Sarasota Performing Arts Center Hits Another Snag

The City of Sarasota and nonprofit foundation have entered dispute resolution over amended partnership agreement.

10/28/2026 By Carrie Seidman

City Hall

Sarasota City Manager’s 100-Day Report Sparks Discussion About Commission Procedures

City manager Karie Friling's vision for Sarasota drew praise, but proposals to change public-comment rules and commission procedures were another matter.

10/27/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

Florida Seeks Sanctions Against Pine View Teacher

The move from the Florida Department of Education could cost the 20-year teaching veteran her license.

10/27/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight and Chloe Nelson/The Daily Sun

Politics

Photos: No Kings Rally, October 2026

Despite the rain, hundreds of people showed up for downtown Sarasota's No Kings event on Saturday, which focused on early voting and civic engagement.

10/19/2026 By Staff Photography by Damon Powers

Vote!

Early Voting Has Started in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

From Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, registered voters in both counties can opt to vote ahead of the Nov. 3 general election at any of these polling places.

10/19/2026 By Staff

ArtsBeat

Two Years Post-Hurricanes, Hermitage Artist Retreat Still Awaits County Repairs

Historic buildings remain damaged, boarded up and unusable.

10/16/2026 By Carrie Seidman/ArtsBeat.org and Jay Handelman/ArtsBeat.org

Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Nonprofits Preparing for Potential Cuts if Property Tax Amendment Passes

If the referendum passes, Sarasota County could lose almost $400 million in tax revenue over the next five years, while Manatee County could lose almost $500 million, according to projections by the Florida Association of Counties.

10/08/2026 By Emily Andersen/Suncoast Searchlight

Conservation Crossroad

What Sarasota County’s Conservation Questions—and Amendment 3—Could Mean for Remaining Open Land

Two local ballot questions would extend Sarasota County’s land-preservation program and borrowing authority. A statewide property-tax amendment could leave the program with less money to work with.

10/06/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Popular Content

    What Sarasota County’s Conservation Questions—and Amendment 3—Could Mean for Remaining Open Land

    Judge Deals Death Blow to Sarasota County’s Fight Against Live Local Act

    Blue Wave Misses Suncoast as Republicans Maintain Power

    Sarasota Performing Arts Center Hits Another Snag

    Sarasota Just Lost Some More of Its Public Beaches

    Sarasota City Manager’s 100-Day Report Sparks Discussion About Commission Procedures

Suncoast Searchlight

DeSantis Appointee’s Family Complained About a Teacher. Uthmeier Called for Her Firing

The grandchild of a Gov. Ron DeSantis appointee appears to be at the center of complaints against a Pine View School teacher whom Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly accused of mistreating an eighth-grade student over his political views.

09/29/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Amendment 3 Promises Property Tax Relief. What Would It Cost the Suncoast?

If Florida voters approve Amendment 3 in November, cities and counties across the state could lose roughly $12 billion a year in property tax revenue.

09/25/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Candidate Forums Offer Sarasota, Manatee Voters a Chance to Hear From Contenders

Local chapters of the League of Women Voters are hosting a series of nonpartisan candidate forums ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

09/22/2026 By Suncoast Searchlight Staff

Suncoast Searchlight

New College Neighbors Head to Mediation Over Disputed Campus Master Plan

Six residents from in and around The Uplands are questioning whether the college followed state planning requirements and adequately considered public input and relevant data.

09/14/2026 By Gabriela Szymanowska/Suncoast Searchlight

9/11

The Ghosts of 9/11 in Sarasota

What we still don’t know 25 years later.

09/11/2026 By Isaac Eger

North Port

New North Port Data Center Filings Detail Water Use, Wetland Impacts and More

A newly submitted water analysis estimates average potable-water demand of 15,500 gallons per day and loss of approximately 4.14 acres of wetlands.

09/10/2026 By Kim Doleatto

Suncoast Searchlight

County Administrator Warns of Potential Cuts to Sheriff’s Office, Key Services if Amendment 3 Passes

Sarasota County could see major cuts to critical services if Amendment 3 passes at the ballot box in November, with the Sheriff’s Office alone standing to lose more than $50 million.

08/25/2026 By Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

What We Stand to Lose

'I’m Haitian, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Is Personal'

"Finding out that the Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitians, despite the ongoing violence in my home country, left me feeling livid and a little hopeless," writes Jules Telfort.

08/24/2026 By Jules Telfort

Suncoast Searchlight

Sarasota School Board Flips to Liberal Majority After Years of Conservative Control

The next Sarasota County School board will see a liberal-leaning majority take control after voters rejected the conservative policies and culture wars that for years dominated the board.

08/20/2026 By Alice Herman/Suncoast Searchlight

Suncoast Searchlight

Local Voters Mostly Stick With Establishment, Developer-Backed Candidates in Primary

Because the majority of the state—including both Sarasota and Manatee counties—is solidly Republican, the GOP primaries usually put winning candidates on a clear path to victory in the November general election. But there were some surprises.

08/19/2026 By Derek Gilliam/Suncoast Searchlight and Christian Casale/Suncoast Searchlight

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