About the Author: Christian Casale | Suncoast Searchlight
Sarasota, Manatee voters deal a blow to grassroots candidates in primary
Voters across the Suncoast dealt a blow to grassroots challengers Tuesday night, while rewarding the establishment-backed candidates — including some who campaigned as outsiders themselves. With few exceptions, the results marked a staggering reversal [...]
Sarasota parking is supposed to pay for itself. It hasn’t for over a decade
When Sarasota rescinded its extended parking hours at a fiery meeting last week, Vice Mayor Kathy Kelley Ohlrich reiterated her desire that the city’s parking division be able to sustain itself. As an enterprise [...]
Florida’s new anti-DEI law threatens funding for Sarasota arts groups
Sarasota County arts organizations seeking a share of $2.1 million in public grant funding this year are facing a new requirement tied to recently approved Florida restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Some [...]
Sarasota reverses extended parking hours after intense pushback
In a stark reversal of its controversial new policy, the Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously to suspend its new extended parking hours during a marathon meeting on Monday. The move came after intense pushback [...]
Sarasota approves $51 million rehabilitation of wastewater facility
Following a series of sewage spills in recent years, Sarasota’s primary wastewater treatment facility will soon receive a much-needed facelift after the City Commission approved a $51 million rehabilitation project on Monday. The city [...]
Five vie for Sarasota City Commission in key election
With two Sarasota City Commission seats on the ballot, this year’s election will determine who helps steer the city through what could be its most consequential period in recent history. Mayor Debbie Trice, who [...]
Sarasota County proposes very small reduction to property tax rate
With heightened attention on how much local governments collect in property taxes and how they spend it, Sarasota County is eyeing a tiny reduction in its overall tax rate for the next budget. The [...]
Sarasota County blocks hyperscale data centers for at least one year
Sarasota County will not even consider the notion of any large-scale data centers for at least a year, citing concerns over utility resources and environmental degradation. Commissioners voted on Wednesday to halt the “acceptance, [...]
Manatee County on the verge of new ordinance against strip-mall casinos
The Manatee County Commission is poised to vote on an ordinance first proposed last year to crack down on strip-mall casinos, in response to an investigation by Suncoast Searchlight and the Bradenton Herald found [...]
Who’s Sarasota’s developers’ candidate? Both campaigns point the finger.
To run for local office in Sarasota County, any association with real estate developers has become a scarlet letter. The tens of thousands of dollars from builders to pay for campaign mailers and social [...]
Airbnb gives $1 million to Byron Donalds as rentals remain a Suncoast flashpoint
As Suncoast areas continue to grapple with the effect of short-term vacation rentals, the industry’s most dominant player has staked a major claim in Florida's premier 2026 election. Airbnb, the online marketplace at the [...]
Sarasota County approves $91.8 million for storm recovery as reimbursements lag
The Sarasota County Commission on Wednesday approved a $91.8 million budget amendment to fund hurricane recovery projects, a stark reminder that efforts to return the area to a sense of normalcy after a rash [...]
