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Longboat Key | Opinion

Tyranny of Trump's tariffs
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 30, 2025
Tyranny of Trump's tariffs

Who is ripping off whom in international trade. How can Donald Trump know more about tariffs than 250 years of economic evidence? Tariffs punish everyone.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
In truth, our trade deficits benefit Americans
  • By Randall G. Holcombe
  • April 30, 2025
In truth, our trade deficits benefit Americans

While the Trump administration’s economic policies are aimed at least partly toward eliminating the nation’s balance of payments deficits, Americans should understand that they benefit from those deficits.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Noted economists past and present on tariffs and free trade
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 30, 2025
Noted economists past and present on tariffs and free trade

In any discussion to understand free trade, protectionism and tariffs, there is no debate among credible economists: Free trade: good; protectionism and tariffs: bad.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
A united effort is needed
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 29, 2025
A united effort is needed

There's a short time left to raise the necessary funds for Longboat Key's new civic space and library.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Weight-loss drugs still require lifestyle changes
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • April 28, 2025
Weight-loss drugs still require lifestyle changes

If you have to use the semaglutide medicines for weight loss, you still need exercise and a balanced diet.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
A legacy for us to carry on
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 23, 2025
A legacy for us to carry on

Modest, likable, trusted, respected, Charlie Stottlemyer is a testament to a life well-lived — and to which we should aspire.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Ringling, Selby serve as models for SPAC
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • April 21, 2025
Ringling, Selby serve as models for SPAC

Both were created during challenging times and both show how an investment can pay off.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Let kids be independent
  • By Adrian Moore, Zachary Christensen
  • April 16, 2025
Let kids be independent

Florida lawmakers are on the verge of giving parents more leeway in deciding how much independence to give to their children and not be charged with neglect.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Which is greater: Christ’s birth, resurrection?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 16, 2025
Which is greater: Christ’s birth, resurrection?

Which is the greater: Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, or Easter, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Longboat is far different than it was in 1955
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • April 15, 2025
Longboat is far different than it was in 1955

Many things like gas and operating expenses cost more now than back then.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
AI: The next new frontier?
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • April 9, 2025
AI: The next new frontier?

While some media organizations are clamoring to be leaders in artificial intelligence, the Observer is following a different approach.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
SpaceX plans to open a launch site as part of a new expansion at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ).
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • April 2, 2025
It's annual, it's fun, and we gotcha with the Observer's April Fool's editions

SRQ's Rick Piccolo had to dispel a "rumor" that SpaceX is building a spaceport at the airport.

  • April Fools
Round and about on LBK
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 2, 2025
Round and about on LBK

Longboaters sent $102 million across the bay in 2024. Susan Phillips will be missed. Mayor Schneier is setting records.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
New College-USF: Hey, someone make the case
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • April 2, 2025
New College-USF: Hey, someone make the case

Ah, yes, the never-ending debate: What to do about New College of Florida and the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Time for a SPAC reboot
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 26, 2025
Time for a SPAC reboot

The most recent city-SPAC meeting showed a lot of misalignment among the players. Here are four key issues to be resolved to keep it going.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
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Latest in Longboat Key

1
Though homesteaded residents would gain property tax savings if Florida's overhaul proposal gains 60% of support in the November elections, even non-homesteaded property owners would see new protections from sharply rising property assessments.
  • June 11, 2026
Property tax overhaul: What you should know
2
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has two ladder trucks that can reach 75 feet, including this Sutphen engine built in 2020, which serves as the primary engine at Fire Station 92.
  • June 10, 2026
Cost to replace fire trucks continues to rise
3
The home at 5840 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $4.5 million. Built in 2022, it has four bedrooms, four-and-two-half baths, a pool and 4,145 square feet of living area.
  • June 10, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for May 25-29 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
4
Metal sculptor John Grammer has honed his crafting skills through various stages of his careers in construction and prop work for film. Now, he said he appreciates getting to fine tune the work he presents at shows like last weekend's St. Armands Circle Craft Festival.
  • June 10, 2026
From movies to metal sculpture, local crafter does it all
5
Family and friends helped Out-of-Door Academy graduate Caleb Rodriguez celebrate his academic accomplishments at the May 22 ceremony. Rodriguez will be departing Longboat Key to attend the University of Central Florida to study mechanical engineering.
  • June 10, 2026
Life is a roller coaster, and this graduate wants to engineer it

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