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Opinion

    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • September 9, 2020
Once again, I-4 is the key

Winning Florida’s electoral votes has been determined along Florida’s I-4 corridor. In this year’s election, the rise of independents and Pinellas and Seminole counties will be linchpins to victory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • September 3, 2020
How do the city and county of Sarasota stack up?

No municipality is in an entirely different world than the others. Things that work in one of them can work in others.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • September 2, 2020
How Longboat compares

The Florida House’s transparency project lets Floridians see how their local governments compare to their peers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 26, 2020
It won’t be a ‘V’ recovery

The $8.3 billion going to Florida counties for COVID-19 relief will do little to trigger a quick recovery. Visitors will need to know Florida is safe again.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Tommy Gregory
  • By Rep. Tommy Gregory
  • August 20, 2020
My View: Florida Democrats target black incumbents

Three Democrat lawmakers who dared to support school choice and limits on teen abortions are being labeled as no longer Democrats.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
    By
  • Matt Walsh
  • August 20, 2020
Sad kiss goodbye?

No. Say it won’t be so. Unconditional Surrender sets Sarasota apart. Keep it on the bayfront.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Shaina and Kevin Swan are appearing in social media videos to answer questions about living with ALS.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2020
A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries videos to raise ALS awareness

A Life Story Foundation of Lakewood Ranch tries YouTube videos to raise ALS awareness.

  • East County
  • Opinion
    By
  • Guest Author
  • August 17, 2020
Letters to the editor: readers sound off on beach parking

Letter writers ask for public lots to reopen .

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Corey DeAngelis and Adrian Moore
  • August 12, 2020
Lockdown highlights why we should fund students instead of school systems

Funding students directly allows less advantaged families to afford various schooling options.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The Knights worked on a project Aug. 8 at the church. In the back row are Rick Kuebel, Mike Mahan and Vin Misciagna.  In the front row are Gordon Shellhaas, Paul Palmeri and Rich Macklin.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2020
Knights representing Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church of Lakewood Ranch hammer out volunteer efforts

Knights representing Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church of Lakewood Ranch hammer out volunteer efforts.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Christine Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, hopes Manatee County voters understand what's involved when they vote on a referendum to create a fund to buy environmentally significant land.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2020
Manatee County has some explaining to do in terms of hefty reserves

Columnist Jay Heater writes about the probably Manatee County will get questions about tax reserves as elections approach.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By The Observer
  • July 29, 2020
The Observer's 2020 primary election recommendations

With absentee ballots sent out and early voting starting Aug. 8, here are some insights and opinions to consider on the region’s candidates.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner
  • By Ron Turner
  • July 27, 2020
Vote-by-mail is not ‘all-mail voting’

Absentee voting — or voting by mail — has been a part of Florida’s election process since 2002. Every signature is checked for security.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center CEO Andy Guz said the hospital isn't near capacity yet due to COVID-19.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 22, 2020
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center busy, but not maxed out because of COVID-19

  • East County
  • Opinion
Brian Lipton
  • By Brian Lipton
  • July 21, 2020
My View: Graffiti attacks bolster resolve to assertively attack antisemitism

Improve hate-crime reporting, commit resources to bring those responsible to justice.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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