Josh Salman | Suncoast Searchlight

About Josh Salman | Suncoast Searchlight

Josh Salman is a senior investigative reporter and deputy editor at Suncoast Searchlight. Before joining the nonprofit newsroom, he spent three years as a watchdog editor at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Born and raised in Sarasota, Josh returned home after college to work for the Charlotte Sun, then joined the Bradenton Herald and eventually the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, first as a business reporter and then as an investigative reporter. Josh later spent time on the national investigations teams at GateHouse Media and USA TODAY. During his career, his work has triggered federal investigations, uncovered illegal activity by convicted felons, exposed loopholes that have cost taxpayers millions of dollars, prompted new state laws and helped struggling families save their homes. His reporting has won state, regional and national journalism awards. Reach Josh via email at josh@suncoastsearchlight.org

Series of misconduct cases signals systemic breakdown in Manatee County schools

An elementary school resource teacher arrested for allegedly possessing [...]

By |2025-12-12T10:45:33-05:00December 12, 2025 5:55 am|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on Series of misconduct cases signals systemic breakdown in Manatee County schools

Sarasota Schools drafted a plan to prevent ‘Schools of Hope’ takeovers. Here’s what’s in it.

Sarasota County Schools has drawn up a sweeping plan [...]

By |2025-10-31T16:05:24-05:00October 31, 2025 4:05 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on Sarasota Schools drafted a plan to prevent ‘Schools of Hope’ takeovers. Here’s what’s in it.

‘Schools of Hope’ law eyes underused public schools. But charters have empty seats, too

Florida’s new charter-school law promised to open more classrooms [...]

By |2025-10-30T20:28:11-05:00October 31, 2025 5:50 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on ‘Schools of Hope’ law eyes underused public schools. But charters have empty seats, too

Inside the Manatee casino case that named 1-800-ASK-GARY founder and went nowhere

When Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies raided the Spin Fun [...]

By |2025-10-24T10:28:55-05:00October 24, 2025 5:50 am|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on Inside the Manatee casino case that named 1-800-ASK-GARY founder and went nowhere

‘Over my dead body.’ Manatee schools prepare to battle charter takeover plans

Two Manatee County school facilities are targets in a [...]

By |2025-10-11T08:26:46-05:00October 11, 2025 6:00 am|Manatee, Sarasota, Suncoast, Uncategorized|Comments Off on ‘Over my dead body.’ Manatee schools prepare to battle charter takeover plans

As Manatee targets illegal casinos, other counties’ crackdowns paid off

Marion County was riddled with storefront gambling dens — until [...]

By |2025-10-09T20:45:49-05:00October 10, 2025 4:32 am|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on As Manatee targets illegal casinos, other counties’ crackdowns paid off

‘Hostile takeover’: Charter operator files to occupy 3 Sarasota schools

Mater Academy Inc., a Miami-based charter school operator, has submitted [...]

By |2025-10-08T17:47:41-05:00October 8, 2025 5:01 pm|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on ‘Hostile takeover’: Charter operator files to occupy 3 Sarasota schools

Charter expansions jeopardize Sarasota’s Wilkinson Elementary. Others could be next.

Sarasota County Schools announced preliminary plans last month to [...]

By |2025-10-08T13:31:41-05:00October 3, 2025 5:45 am|Sarasota, Suncoast|Comments Off on Charter expansions jeopardize Sarasota’s Wilkinson Elementary. Others could be next.

Manatee County to weigh crackdown on illegal adult arcades after media investigation

Manatee County soon will consider a plan to crack [...]

By |2025-09-25T18:55:46-05:00September 26, 2025 5:45 am|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on Manatee County to weigh crackdown on illegal adult arcades after media investigation

DOGE audit makes Manatee County a test case for defying DeSantis and developers

Manatee County voters snubbed Tallahassee last fall when they [...]

By |2025-08-28T19:20:11-05:00August 29, 2025 5:50 am|Manatee, Suncoast|Comments Off on DOGE audit makes Manatee County a test case for defying DeSantis and developers
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