About the Author: Suncoast Searchlight Staff
Does Florida have the cheapest in-state college tuition in the country?
Yes. In addition to being ranked No. 1 higher education for nearly a decade by U.S. News and World Report, Florida also boasts the lowest average in-state college tuition in the country. The average in-state [...]
Does a Florida law prevent visible streaks in the sky some call “chemtrails” from forming?
No. “Chemtrails” are a conspiracy theory that cannot be proved or prevented through legislative action. The term refers to contrail clouds, or visible condensation trails left in the sky by aircrafts. Some believe they are [...]
Do most Americans oppose transgender women competing in women’s sports?
Yes. Most Americans support policies that require trans athletes to participate on teams that align with their sex assigned at birth, according to multiple national studies. The Pew Research Center found in a 2025 poll [...]
After Florida removed Gulf of Mexico Drive signs, must Longboat Key cover the cost of new ones?
No. Longboat Key residents won’t have to pay for new signs on Gulf of Mexico Drive, whether the town keeps the current name or changes it. The state removed the road signs under a law [...]
Was Florida ranked the best state economy for three consecutive years?
Yes. Gov. Ron DeSantis was right when he touted that Florida’s economy has been ranked the best in the U.S. since 2023 in studies published by CNBC. The annual studies are an overview of the [...]
Has Florida had six major hurricanes in the last seven years?
No. Despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ claim during a Sept. 2 press conference, Florida has been impacted by five — not six — major hurricanes since 2018. Those storms are Milton, Helene, Idalia, Ian and Michael, [...]
Will a red-light camera ticket go away by ignoring it?
No. The longer a red light ticket is ignored, the worse the penalties become. Violators initially have 60 days to pay a red light camera ticket in the city of Sarasota, which costs $158. A [...]
Do red-light cameras ticket drivers for not clearing wide intersections?
No. Red light cameras in Sarasota County and elsewhere flag only drivers who enter the intersection after the light turns red — not those who entered the intersection before the light turned red and may [...]
Art Center Sarasota celebrates 100 years of making art accessible to everyone
Raised in Sarasota by a single mother, Katherine Ceaser’s first encounters with fine art came on school field trips. As a girl, she wandered museums and galleries with her class, drawn to bursts of [...]
DeSantis said Florida was the first to ‘eliminate DEI’ in higher ed. Is that true?
No. Florida was the second state to implement legislation targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education, contrary to what Gov. Ron DeSantis said during an Aug. 13, 2025, speech in Hillsborough County. However, [...]
Did the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office website remove its warrant search feature?
Yes. It’s no longer possible for the public to search for active warrants on the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office website. An SCSO spokesperson said the decision was made to protect officers and prevent interference in [...]
Has a new Trader Joe’s been proposed for the Sarasota area?
Yes. Benderson Development Co. has applied for permits in Sarasota County that propose the construction of a new Trader Joe’s. The prep permit –– part of the initial process for getting a building permit –– [...]
