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Opinion

Siesta Key legal arguments based on longstanding laws
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • August 11, 2024
Siesta Key legal arguments based on longstanding laws

A reader weighs in on the upcoming Sarasota County Commission election and development on Siesta Key.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Enough of the smearing
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 7, 2024
Enough of the smearing

Dishonest tactics and dirty falsehoods disgust voters. One Manatee candidate decided not to take it anymore.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Observer recommends
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 31, 2024
Observer recommends

Republican voters have solid choices to replace Rep. Tommy Gregory for House District 72. One candidate’s qualifications stand above the others.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Lion and the ostrich
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 31, 2024
Lion and the ostrich

The contrast between the speeches of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress and that of Vice President Kamala Harris after meeting with Netanyahu was frightening, demoralizing and distressing.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Commission cuts will affect at-risk children
  • By Christine Robinson
  • July 29, 2024
Sarasota County Commission cuts will affect at-risk children

When county commissioners cut $510,000 from early learning, they created devastating, far-reaching negative effects.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Keep politics out of medicine, SMH
  • By Patricia Maraia
  • July 29, 2024
Keep politics out of medicine, SMH

The Medical Freedom movement has morphed into polarizing agendas that present an imminent threat to the quality and longevity of our valued community hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Stop the roundabout madness
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 26, 2024
Stop the roundabout madness

A Longboat resident writes that a roundabout isn't needed on the north end of the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Correcting your mischaracterization of Manatee County District 5 candidates
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 26, 2024
Correcting your mischaracterization of Manatee County District 5 candidates

District 5 candidate Robert McCann sets the record straight.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Source of Manatee's strife
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 24, 2024
Source of Manatee's strife

The Manatee County Commission primary races are not elections between liberal and conservative. They are about whether to eliminate antagonizing behavior.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Observer recommends: Manatee
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 24, 2024
Observer recommends: Manatee

Recommendations for the Manatee County Commission, School Board, Supervisor of Elections and Property Appraiser races.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Finding the right sunscreen often means checking labels and researching ingredients.
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • July 22, 2024
How to have a sun-safe summer

Sunscreens are not created equal, and the most expensive isn't necessarily the best.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Can Buchanan be beaten?
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • July 17, 2024
Can Buchanan be beaten?

Vern Buchanan is 12-0 in elections. But Eddie Speir, another little-known challenger, believes Buchanan’s RINO-ish voting record makes him vulnerable.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Direct library funds to foster care children
  • By Letter to the Editor
  • July 15, 2024
Direct library funds to foster care children

A Longboat resident writes that libraries are redundant in 2024 thanks to technology.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Fireworks are the highlight of Fireworks on the Lake at Nathan Benderson Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 11, 2024
Lowering the boom on my love of fireworks

The fuse is lit every year on social media regarding the love/hate of fireworks.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Unite with shared vision that puts kids ahead of politics
  • By Liz Barker
  • July 10, 2024
Unite with shared vision that puts kids ahead of politics

Public schools are the foundation of our democracy. How we respond to vouchers and charter schools is crucial.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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