Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight

About Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight

Derek Gilliam is a watchdog/investigative reporter at Suncoast Searchlight. During his career, he has covered courts and crime, mental health, real-estate, economic development and general business issues for news organizations throughout Florida. Most recently, Derek has focused on real estate and development while also covering local businesses for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, where he untangled a particularly egregious example of real estate fraud months before the police arrested the fraudster. That story attracted the attention of a local legislator who then was able to pass a state law to close a loophole identified in his story. A student of the University of Florida, Derek’s work has earned numerous statewide journalism awards. He has lived in Sarasota since 2021. Reach Derek via email at derek@suncoastsearchlight.org

Scientists to discuss Suncoast environmental threats at free Sarasota panel

One researches dolphin pods in Sarasota Bay.  Another studies [...]

By |2026-04-10T08:07:47-05:00April 10, 2026 4:10 am|Sarasota|Comments Off on Scientists to discuss Suncoast environmental threats at free Sarasota panel

Sarasota County blocks ‘Live Local’ law, risking clash with developers

In a unanimous vote that could set up a [...]

By |2026-04-09T20:39:41-05:00April 9, 2026 3:45 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Sarasota County blocks ‘Live Local’ law, risking clash with developers

Sarasota erased downtown art without public notice, artists now seek damages

David Blanch labored for hours in the spring of [...]

By |2026-03-19T16:46:09-05:00March 20, 2026 5:45 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on Sarasota erased downtown art without public notice, artists now seek damages

Florida House approves scaled-back UTC District that Benderson would control

The Florida House of Representatives unanimously approved a scaled-back [...]

By |2026-03-06T16:35:24-05:00March 6, 2026 5:30 am|Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on Florida House approves scaled-back UTC District that Benderson would control

Feeling overwhelmed by misinformation online? Sarasota panel says slow down

An Internet scammer posing as Taylor Swift to sell [...]

By |2026-02-26T20:32:46-05:00February 27, 2026 5:40 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on Feeling overwhelmed by misinformation online? Sarasota panel says slow down
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