About the Author: Suncoast Searchlight Staff
After near-death attack, Sarasota stylist helps other domestic violence survivors
The buzz of blow dryers and hum of small talk fill Rhonda Calahan’s Sarasota salon most days — until her phone rings. She doesn’t hesitate. She sets down her scissors, wipes her hands and [...]
Does New York City really have a bigger budget than the state of Florida?
No. Florida’s 2025–26 fiscal budget is $1.5 billion larger than New York City’s. Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed on Oct. 15 that the Big Apple’s budget was bigger, but the Sunshine State’s current spending plan totals [...]
Is it normal to find cocoon-wrapped bugs stuck to surfaces in Florida homes?
Yes. If you’ve noticed bugs wrapped in cocoon-like shells in your home, you likely have a bagworm problem. Plaster bagworms are bugs that wrap themselves in small cases made of silk and debris and are [...]
Are some out-of-state SpaceX launches visible from Sarasota?
Yes. An out-of-state SpaceX launch was visible from Sarasota on Oct. 13, producing a white glare in the sky. The spacecraft, called Starship, launched from Starbase, Texas. The purpose of the mission, which was the [...]
Do those mysterious black poles in Sarasota have a purpose?
Yes. Those black poles you may have noticed while driving around Sarasota are 5G small cell poles. 5G is a form of wireless connection introduced in 2019. Connecting to 5G from your device gives you [...]
Can Sarasota County’s Wellen Park community implement its own curfews?
Yes. Wellen Park can implement a curfew because it is a privately-owned master-planned community that can set rules through its HOAs and special purpose district government. The community recently announced a rule that anyone under [...]
Is Florida’s ‘50-year-low’ crime rate based on reliable data?
No. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent claim that crime in Florida is at a 50-year low is based on data that excludes more than 40% of the state’s population. The Uniform Crime Reporting program collects nationwide [...]
Is it a crime to be in the U.S. without proper documentation?
No. Being in the United States without proper authorization is a civil offense, not a criminal one. Cases aren’t handled by criminal courts – they’re overseen by immigration judges. These judges don’t oversee [...]
Is Florida the only state to have both governor and lieutenant governors be veterans?
Yes. Both Gov. Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins served in the military, making Florida the only state to have those two leadership positions be filled by veterans. DeSantis’ military past includes serving as [...]
Are 40% of cancer cases preventable through lifestyle changes?
Yes. A 2024 study shows that about 40% of cancer cases might be attributed to unhealthy lifestyle choices. The study found that four in 10 cancer cases and half of all cancer-related deaths for adults [...]
Does the smell of dead marine life at the beach mean red tide is present?
No. Many smells may remind beachgoers of the stench of red tide, but that doesn’t always mean its present in the water. The toxin produced by the organism that causes red tide, Karenia brevis, kills [...]
Are mail-in ballots less secure since they’re not cast in person?
No. Mail-in and absentee ballots are secure. States use multiple safeguards to verify that the person submitting the ballot is the eligible voter. In Florida, for example, officials compare the signature on the ballot envelope [...]
