About the Author: Suncoast Searchlight Staff
Manatee drops bid to tie nonprofit funding to immigration checks amid pushback
A proposal that would have required nonprofits receiving Manatee County funding to verify they are not serving undocumented immigrants was withdrawn Tuesday after drawing widespread public opposition and little support from commissioners. Commissioner Amanda [...]
‘On edge’: Possible citizenship verification has Manatee County nonprofits searching for answers
Local nonprofits fear a provision under consideration in Manatee County to prohibit them from serving undocumented immigrants could jeopardize millions of dollars in funding, causing gaps in critical family services. Manatee County commissioners are [...]
‘Our responsibility.’ Manatee superintendent ushers change after misconduct investigation
The Manatee County School District has implemented new teacher training and reinforced hiring practices following a Suncoast Searchlight and Bradenton Herald investigation into staff misconduct toward students. At least a dozen incidents during the [...]
Series of misconduct cases signals systemic breakdown in Manatee County schools
An elementary school resource teacher arrested for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse materials and footage of sexual activity with an animal. A middle school teacher arrested after allegedly sending a student explicit images on [...]
‘Over my dead body.’ Manatee schools prepare to battle charter takeover plans
Two Manatee County school facilities are targets in a large charter school company’s rush to take over dozens of underused schools across the state. Miami-based Mater Academy Inc. sent the notices to the School [...]
Manatee County moves forward with new arcade regulations to ‘reduce crime’
Manatee County officials are pursuing new rules to tighten regulations on illegal slot gambling machines that have become a widespread problem in the Bradenton area. Commissioner Tal Siddique shared his proposal Tuesday at the [...]
DOGE audit makes Manatee County a test case for defying DeSantis and developers
Manatee County voters snubbed Tallahassee last fall when they rejected Gov. Ron DeSantis’ hand-picked, pro-development commission candidates and instead elected a slate of grassroots Republicans who promised to rein in runaway growth. True to [...]
