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Longboat Key | Opinion

Sports betting online became legal in Florida via Hard Rock Bet in 2023.
  • By Guy Bentley, Adrian Moore
  • April 8, 2026
Don’t panic about sports betting in Florida

Although some are concerned that increased access to sports betting may increase gambling addiction, the data show the number of those with a problem has remained stable over the last 35 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Once again, what's the best bridge?
  • By Susan M. Phillips
  • April 7, 2026
Once again, what's the best bridge?

Discussions over a new Longboat Pass Bridge trigger memories over the contentious debates over what is now iconic, the fixed-span Ringling Bridge.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • April 2, 2026
In pursuit of a good laugh

From monorails to teeny-tiny garbage bins, we spread the jokes out last week in our April Fools’ issue. Readers were amused … mostly.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Regime change in Iran is best outcome
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • March 30, 2026
Regime change in Iran is best outcome

The United States' actions are justified because of the malevolence presence ruling the Islamic country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
They are goons who don't understand Jesus
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • March 23, 2026
They are goons who don't understand Jesus

Readers respond to our March 5 editorial with mixed views on the U.S.'s conflict with Iran.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
DeSantis has better policy than rhetoric on data centers
  • By Adrian Moore, Max Gulker
  • March 11, 2026
DeSantis has better policy than rhetoric on data centers

Gov. Ron DeSantis is eager to be seen as a crusader against data centers, but the major piece of legislation on data centers connected to his AI Bill of Rights enables building to continue while addressing major concerns.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
This is justified retaliation
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2026
This is justified retaliation

The leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared war on the U.S. in 1979 and continued ever since. We always had the right to respond.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2026
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat

Plus: Why the Senate hasn’t touched the bill that would cut property taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 28, 2026
Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons

In addition to being a lower-cost, more fiscally responsible option to construct, a fixed-span bridge is cheaper to maintain and operate over the long run as well.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
The $21 million, 2-acre park
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 25, 2026
The $21 million, 2-acre park

Sarasota County is paying twice as much for property than the seller paid two years ago. It's another sign of a concerning spending trend.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
County facing budget consequences
  • By Christine Robinson
  • February 16, 2026
County facing budget consequences

The 9.2% increase in spending in 2026 has commissioners starting the budget process with a $7.1 million gap between expenses and revenues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Legislature tackles housing affordability again
  • By Adrian Moore, Christina Mojica, Eliza Terziev
  • February 4, 2026
Legislature tackles housing affordability again

With the introduction of two bills, the state attempts to address underlying issues that increase the costs of developing new homes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • February 3, 2026
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters

If the elimination of property taxes is being discussed, school taxes must also be considered for communities such as Longboat Key, a reader says.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rather than tackling everything at once, attaining small habit changes can help you meet bigger goals and better health in the new year.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • January 28, 2026
Use your healthy habits to find fabulosity

When considering goals, it's easy to get overwhelmed. But small habits gives us the power to achieve larger — and lasting — change.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Real cost of public notice
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 28, 2026
Real cost of public notice

State lawmakers keep saying public notices are a cost issue that needs fixing. They’re missing the point.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Longboat Key Turtle Watch members presented a nearly $12,000 donation to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to support rehabilitating sea turtles like Ellie, one of the current residents.
  • April 9, 2026
Restaurant collab supports Longboat Key Turtle Watch
2
Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
  • April 8, 2026
Support your passion project through Giving Challenge 2026
3
Amy Bott, executive director of Bernie's Book Bank's Florida Suncoast branch, connects with J. McLaughlin manager Melanie Dale at the boutique's recent Sip and Shop event supporting the incoming nonprofit.
  • April 8, 2026
Longboat boutique boosts new literacy nonprofit branch
4
Traffic is often bumper to bumper on Gulf Drive South. During spring break, even rainy days didn’t stop tourists from flocking to Anna Maria Island.
  • April 8, 2026
Longboat has a Bradenton Beach traffic problem
5
The Unit 12-F condominium at 2525 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $2.1 million. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,651 square feet of living area.
  • April 8, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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