Suncoast Searchlight

06/05/2026

The race comes as Sarasota County confronts mounting concerns about traffic, flooding, infrastructure and property taxes — issues many residents tie to years of rapid growth. 🔗 in comments

06/05/2026

Some teens notice birds. Sophia Haakman wanted to know whether local habitat restoration efforts are actually helping them survive. Her answer is now headed to a national publication. 🔗 in comments

06/02/2026

The plan would strip $380M in tax revenues from Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties combined over the next two years alone. 🔗 in comments

05/29/2026

This year, the county commission's District 2 seat, viewed as Democrats’ best chance at breaking the streak, is back on the ballot. The only problem is that no serious Democratic candidates are running in the race. 🔗 in comments

05/29/2026

Since Trump's 2nd term, federal funding policies based on culture-war debates have created uncertainty for local nonprofits about grants, contracts and other kinds of government support they rely on to provide food, housing, and other critical services. 🔗 in comments

05/27/2026

Florida lawmakers are poised to steer $10M toward a long-discussed boathouse project at Nathan Benderson Park after recently submitted appropriations requests pitched the facility as a regional storm shelter and emergency recovery hub. 🔗 in comments

05/27/2026

ICYMI

A fight between Sarasota County Schools and Tax Collector Mike Moran over millions in voter-approved school tax dollars has reached Tallahassee, where lawmakers are proposing a fix that could settle who pays the collection costs. 🔗 in comments

05/26/2026

A fight between Sarasota County Schools and Tax Collector Mike Moran over millions in voter-approved school tax dollars has reached Tallahassee, where lawmakers are proposing a fix that could settle who pays the collection costs. 🔗 in comments

05/22/2026

Sarasota County finalized a plan to pay more than $2 million that Tax Collector Mike Moran withheld from Sarasota County Schools — but only until an ongoing lawsuit between Moran and the schools is resolved in court. 🔗 in comments

05/22/2026

Anxious residents who live near flood-prone Phillippi Creek can expect at least some relief this storm season now that the county has removed 60 tons of sediment from the creek bed. But there is still a long way to go. 🔗 in comments