Opinion | Longboat Key | Your Observer

Longboat Key | Opinion

Matt Walsh
May 13, 2026

Lessons on how not to do it

The Sarasota tax collector-school board dispute has reached a partial resolution. Taking the high road can bring it to the best ending.

Sarasota
Opinion

By Letter to the Editor
May 12, 2026

Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

The fate of USF Sarasota-Manatee depends on the Legislature's special budget session. It will decide whether to shut down the college and transfer the buildings to New College.

Longboat Key
Opinion

By Adrian Moore, Nicole Shekhovtsova
May 6, 2026

Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

Legislators are passing laws to verify the age of social media users — but does it inadvertently require these sites to keep more data than necessary?

Sarasota
Opinion

By Mike Moran
May 3, 2026

My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County

While waiting for the attorney general to rule on a disagreement over how to implement state law, costly litigation could have been avoided.

Longboat Key
Opinion

Matt Walsh
April 29, 2026

Tax collector's money grab

Mike Moran needs cash to "modernize" his operations. His target: taking money from the schools, in spite of what voters approved.

Sarasota
Opinion

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 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

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 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

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 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

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

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 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

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Lessons on how not to do it

Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County

Tax collector's money grab

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

Don’t panic about sports betting in Florida

Once again, what's the best bridge?

In pursuit of a good laugh

Regime change in Iran is best outcome

They are goons who don't understand Jesus

DeSantis has better policy than rhetoric on data centers

This is justified retaliation

Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat

Fixed-span bridge is the right choice for Longboat for many reasons

Beach raking cleans the shoreline but comes with erosion concerns

Dock on the Bay makes progress on 'long road to recovery'

Landscaping company seeks expansion in Longboat Key

New town clerk hired for Longboat Key

Colony of black skimmers continues to thrive on Lido Key; here's how to respect their space

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