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Opinion

It’s time to remove our own regimes
  • By Joel Schleicher
  • May 15, 2026
It’s time to remove our own regimes

Our local, state and federal governments don’t slaughter citizens as they do in Iran, but there are similarities. We’ve become servants to our regimes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 13, 2026
Dog tired of spending money on Manatee County's animal shelters

After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren't satisfied with the conditions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Lessons on how not to do it
    By
  • 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
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College
  • 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
Commissioner George Kruse proved you can govern without letting special interests influence your decisions after substantial campaign donations.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 6, 2026
Don't judge Manatee County candidates solely on campaign contributions

Developers and builders have every right to contribute to candidates that represent their best interests.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?
  • 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
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
  • 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
Tax collector's money grab
    By
  • 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
City's free events need better organization
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • April 27, 2026
City's free events need better organization

The city of Sarasota's free events, held to benefit residents, need to be thought out better to actually serve them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Love local news? There's an app for that. The Observer recently rolled out a smartphone application that makes it even easier to stay connected.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 22, 2026
App makes local news even easier to find

The Observer rolls out a new digital feature to connect with the community.

  • East County
  • Opinion
New College is asking Florida taxpayers to pay more for less
  • 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
There are many pieces to the healthy brain puzzle, including proper diet, exercise and sleep.
    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
Steve Herrig, the owner of the Miakka Golf Club, which is expected to open in November, stands in front of a fairway and one of the many wetland areas formed by his course's construction.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 14, 2026
Miakka Golf Club's commitment to nature isn't enough for some neighbors

Steve Herrig says he has done everything possible to assure his Myakka City land is in better shape than when he brought it.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Readers responded to Jay Heater's column, asking if they enjoy the April Fools' edition. Were you fooled by the story about speed bumps on White Eagle Boulevard?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2026
East County Observer readers have last word on April Fools

Most of the readers who responded love the April Fools tradition.

  • East County
  • 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
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Latest News

1
School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines
2
An aerial view of Sarasota Orchestra's future Music Center, a 32-acre campus that will be located at 5701 Fruitville Road, near Interstate 75.
  • May 18, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra announces anonymous $12 million Music Center donation
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  • May 18, 2026
Deep Lagoon Seafood & Oyster House - Lakewood Ranch, FL
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  • May 18, 2026
Duff's Famous Wings
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Work is underway at 28 N. Boulevard of the Presidents in the first phase of Tom Leonard’s plan to bring the Shore Restaurant back to St. Armands Circle.
  • May 18, 2026
Shore’s return to St. Armands underway with gutting of building

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