Sarasota | Opinion | Your Observer

Sarasota | Opinion

By Nancy Parrish
April 16, 2026

New College is asking Florida taxpayers to pay more for less

When looking at the numbers, allowing New College to absorb the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus makes zero financial sense.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Mirabai Holland
April 15, 2026

Yes, sleeping, eating right and working out can improve and preserve your memory

Healthy habits, including exercise, a good diet and getting enough sleep, can pay big dividends on improving memory function and preventing memory diseases.

Longboat Key
Opinion

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

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

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

By Letter to the Editor
March 20, 2026

City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism

The city of Sarasota should end its program to charge for parking to remain competitive with other tourism areas.

Sarasota
Opinion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Letter to the Editor
January 28, 2026

Orchestra, SPAC should combine efforts

One reader says rather than take on two projects worth $800 million, the Sarasota Orchestra and Sarasota Performing Arts Center should collaborate on a new center for the arts.

Sarasota
Opinion

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

By Matt Walsh
January 7, 2026

2026 Word: Laissez-faire

That two-word phrase is a reminder — a reminder to politicians and officeholders to let us live our lives the way we want to live, and a reminder that we must teach the next generations of the virtues of capitalism.