About the Author: Alice Herman | Suncoast Searchlight
After public outcry, DeSoto County moves forward on data center moratorium
After nearly three hours of emotional public comment, DeSoto County commissioners on Tuesday took the first step toward a one-year moratorium on data centers. By a unanimous vote, four of the county’s commissioners — [...]
DeSoto County fast-tracked data center project, now commissioners may hit pause
As DeSoto County leaders have pursued what they hope will become an economic lifeline, they have accelerated reviews and embraced interpretations of county rules that help clear the way for a massive data center [...]
Sarasota Schools overhauls HR after Riverview High investigation
Sarasota County Schools is restructuring its human resources department after a third-party investigation found leadership at Riverview High School and district investigators mishandled complaints of cheating, sexual harassment and misuse of school resources. The [...]
Developers push massive data center complex in DeSoto County amid backlash
On a Wednesday afternoon in May, Eugene Turner sorted through maps of DeSoto County, laying one on a wooden table in his Arcadia real estate office. Turner scrutinized the map, pointing to properties in [...]
Sarasota sheriff taps state immigration funds for AI policing tech
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its surveillance capabilities, tapping a state fund to purchase a software platform that offers AI-powered data analysis with the stroke of a key. Promising to use the [...]
Environmentalists warned cruise port fix would leave Terra Ceia vulnerable
While state lawmakers drafted a measure to stop a cruise port in Manatee County, environmental watchdogs warned the bill could leave the door open to large-scale development in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve. Conservation [...]
Sarasota County Schools to cut teachers as vouchers divert millions from district
First-year teachers across the district could lose their jobs next school year as Sarasota County Schools plans to cut 180 instructional staff positions in response to funding shortfalls. The staff reductions come as the [...]
ICE to expand footprint in Southwest Florida, seeking local coworking spaces
Employees using co-working spaces around Southwest Florida could soon get new officemates: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. As ICE expands operations throughout the country, the agency is seeking flexible working space for its [...]
Less sunshine, more secrecy as Florida limits public records access
After state lawmakers introduced dozens of measures this year restricting access to government records, only a few cleared the Florida Legislature. But open government advocates warn the ones that did pass could substantially limit [...]
Window closing to roll back Florida SB 180 home rule limits
The Florida Legislature has just days in the current session to kill controversial provisions in a state law limiting local jurisdictions from regulating growth. Senate Bill 180, which passed with nearly unanimous approval last [...]
How New College turned housing dollars into a fund for athletics
At a time when New College of Florida faces a longstanding housing shortage for students, the school is planning to shift $2.5 million in its housing fund to instead build a baseball field. The [...]
Florida residents use FDLE immigration tip line to report neighbors, acquaintances
In the first months after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement set up a tip line for people to report agencies for not complying with the state’s immigration laws, only a trickle of responses [...]
