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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • March 4, 2021
The Legislature’s agenda

In their opening speeches to members of the Florida House and Senate, Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Wilton Simpson and Speaker Chris Sprowls spelled out what we can expect the Legislature to do.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Bryson DeChambeau leads some invited fans up to the ninth fairway at The Concession.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 3, 2021
Will Lakewood Ranch-area golf event at The Concession pay off for Manatee County?

World's best players loved The Concession in Bradenton, but no PGA Tour event is planned for the future.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 24, 2021
Good might come from bad

Vanessa Baugh’s handling of the pop-up vaccine clinic might just be what the Manatee County commissioners needed to get on track.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Letters rip, praise Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh.
    By
  • Guest Author
  • February 22, 2021
Lakewood Ranch area letters hammer, support Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh

Some call for Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh's resignation, others praise her work to get a vaccination site in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 18, 2021
Strife on the SMH board

When a member of the Sarasota Hospital Board challenged the majority, he became persona-non-grata. The board’s response raises curiosity: Is it a board for taxpayers or management?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Rex Jensen
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 16, 2021
Whirlwind effort delivers 3,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in Lakewood Ranch

State delivers three days of 1,000 vaccinations to Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Marc Joffe, Adrian Moore and Vittorio Nastasi
  • February 10, 2021
Improving and speeding up COVID-19 vaccinations

Government officials should focus on delivering vaccines as quickly as possible to those who want them.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • February 3, 2021
HB 35: Bad for Floridians

Florida’s GOP lawmakers say they’re the champions of less government, more transparency and free enterprise. Their actions don’t show it.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 27, 2021
Leave your state’s misery behind

Will people moving to Florida bring with them the habits and policies of the places they are fleeing?

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 27, 2021
The threat to democracy

The sick irony: The winners are shutting down speech. Now we know who the fascists are.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Adrian Moore and Vittorio Nastasi
  • January 20, 2021
Nursing home reform is needed in response to COVID-19

The evidence indicates that CON laws are counterproductive to the goals of reducing costs and improving quality.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Boat captain Denise Kleiner said the $25 sunset tours at Jiggs Landing offer incredible sights.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 13, 2021
Jiggs Landing concession in Bradenton fights to survive pandemic

Did you know Jiggs Landing of Bradenton offers live music, food and beer along the waterside?

  • East County
  • News
  • By Adrian Moore and Vittorio Natasi
  • January 13, 2021
Florida’s response to COVID-19 could help address the looming physician shortage

Hospital staffing shortages and burnout are cause for concern.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • January 6, 2021
We’ll probably never know

For the 74 million who voted for Trump, they want one thing for sure: to know the truth.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • December 30, 2020
Word for 2021: Anthem

Taken from Ayn Rand’s 1937 novella, it’s a warning to reject the spread of collectivism and the state and fight for the principles that made the U.S. exceptional.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
2
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
3
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
4
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee

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