Multicultural Festival Returns To Palmetto; MLK Parade Canceled

The Multicultural Festival in Palmetto returns Saturday after being canceled due to COVID-19 last year. Singer Freddie Jackson will perform.

Reward offered after damage to local student memorial

Vandals deface a plaque honoring a local student

Bradenton-Area Unemployment Still Low: New Data

The Manatee County unemployment rate improved recently, according to the newest figures.

Red Cross Declares ‘Blood Crisis’; Where To Donate In Bradenton

Dire blood shortages are forcing doctors in Florida to delay blood transfusions for those who need them.

Goodwill Manasota provides free room for dance program

Local community member organizes and funds dance class for children with disabilities; Goodwill provides free space at Honore location

COVID-19 Cases On The Rise At Manatee County Schools

Since schools reopened after winter break, more than 130 COVID-19 cases have been reported among Manatee County Schools students and staff.

Murder Suspect In Bradenton Sought: Manatee County Sheriff

An up to $8,000 reward is available for info about a suspect that investigators say shot and killed a man Dec. 16 in Bradenton, MCSO said.

Latest Hospital Capacity In Bradenton Area

Here's an update on how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has affected hospital capacity in Manatee County and across FL.

Staff Shortages Plague Bradenton’s Recycling Pick-Up: City

The city of Bradenton is looking to fill 14 staff openings in the solid waste division. A handful of workers are also out with COVID-19.

Bradenton Job Fair Planned Jan. 20 To Fill City Openings

The city has numerous positions open, including solid waste drivers. A shortage in drivers has impacted garbage pick-up in Bradenton.

Watch: Gator Carries Large Fish Across Bradenton Golf Course

Check out this video of a hungry gator walking across Tara Golf & Country Club in Bradenton with a large fish in its mouth.

Christmas Eve Shooting Suspect Turns Himself In: Palmetto Police

The suspect in a shooting at Rodney’s Jamaican Grill on Christmas Eve night turned himself in, Palmetto police said.

Lakewood Ranch student writes $10K essay

A local student wins a Sons of the American Revolution award

FL COVID-19: 1 Million Tests Expired Last Month, 67K New Cases

Also: 400K cases in 7 days, hospitalizations climb, testing in demand, FL updates testing guidance, how to report at-home test results.

Four Injured In 5-Vehicle Crash In Manatee County: FHP

Five vehicles, including two parked cars, were involved in a crash on State Road 684 near 101st Street West Tuesday, FL Highway Patrol said.

Christmas Trees, Staff Shortage Impact Bradenton Garbage Pick-Up

The city is behind on yard waste pick-up this week because it’s short 23 solid waste workers and Christmas trees are slowing down trucks.

Latest: Check Hospital Capacity In Bradenton Area

Updated federal data shows how many hospital beds are currently filled in Manatee County.

Manatee County To Give Away 7,500 At-Home COVID Testing Kits

Free COVID-19 testing kits will be distributed at all six Manatee County libraries Wednesday. Each person can take home 4 testing kits.

Manatee County Fair Opens Jan. 13 In Palmetto

106th annual Manatee County Fair will run from Jan. 13-23 and features arts and crafts, livestock shows, rides, fair food, entertainment.

COVID Testing Site Opens For Manatee County Students, Staff

A new coronavirus testing site for school staff and students, Manatee County staff will open at Marble Park Tuesday during COVID-19 surge.

$900K Available For Housing Upgrades, Assistance: Manatee County

Low- and very low-income homeowners in Manatee County have until Jan. 28 to apply for housing rehabilitation, replacement assistance.

Vandals Damaged Plaque Dedicated To Lakewood Ranch Student: MCSO

A plaque dedicated to Lakewood Ranch High School student Matthew Ryan Powers, who was killed in a 2018 crash, was damaged by vandals.

Horror-Themed Circus Rings In 2022 With Palmetto Show

Paranormal Cirque mixes traditional circus acts with horror themes. Tickets are still available for its New Year's Eve show in Palmetto.

Abortion Ban, Piney Point, Vax Clinic: Top 2021 Manatee News

Other top 2021 stories: the Stanley Cup at Anna Maria Island dive bars, Ringling Bros. circus to return, Bradenton golfer wins Olympic gold.

FL Polar Plunge 2022 Events Celebrate New Year

Cities throughout FL have scheduled polar plunge events on New Year’s Day and other weekends this winter. Are you ready to take the plunge?

FL Reports 58K COVID Cases, Smashing Single-Day Record —​ Again

The CDC has slashed its omicron estimate for the U.S., though the variant is driving Florida’s record surge in coronavirus cases.

How Close Are Bradenton Area Hospitals To Capacity? Latest

Updated federal data shows how many hospital beds are currently filled in Manatee County and across FL.

Bradenton Convention Center Testing Site Will Remain Open: County

As COVID-19 cases increase in Florida, demand for testing has more than doubled in Manatee County over the past week.

47K New COVID Cases Reported Wednesday, Breaking FL Record: CDC

New coronavirus cases and COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to surge in Florida as residents struggle to find at-home and in-person tests.

What’s Open, Closed On New Year’s Day 2022 In Manatee County

See how the New Year’s holiday will affect government offices, transportation schedules and school hours in the Bradenton area.

How To Recycle Christmas Trees In Manatee County In 2022

Manatee County residents and business owners should dispose of their Christmas tree with their yard waste collection. Here are some tips.

Find COVID-19 Testing Locations In Manatee County

As COVID-19 cases surge in Florida, here’s where you can get tested in the Bradenton area ahead of your New Year's Eve celebration.

Ring In 2022 At These Bradenton New Year's Eve Parties, Events

Astro Skate, Whiskey Joe’s, Bishop Museum, Motorworks Brewing, Pier 22, Cottonmouth Soul and Old Main Street host New Year’s Eve events.

Publix, Sprouts, Walmart: Christmas 2021 FL Grocery Store Hours

Find out when you can pick up those last-minute Christmas dinner additions from Winn Dixie, Target and Costco in Florida.

What’s Open, Closed In Manatee County On Christmas 2021

Here are some closures and schedule changes for government offices, facilities and services over the holiday weekend.

COVID-19 Testing In Manatee County: Find Locations

With new COVID-19 cases on the rise in Florida, here’s where you can get tested for the holidays in Bradenton.

Christmas Eve Mall Hours 2021 Near Bradenton

If you forgot a gift this season, see which malls and stores are open on Christmas Eve, Christmas 2021 in Bradenton.

How Close Are Bradenton Area Hospitals To Capacity? Latest

Here are updated numbers on hospital capacity in Manatee County.

20K New COVID-19 Cases Reported In FL Wednesday: CDC

The 20,194 cases reported Wednesday marks the highest number of new cases FL has seen in a single day since Sept. 1, according to the CDC.

Manatee Power Plant Makes Toxic Emissions List: ProPublica

A ProPublica report looked at 1,000 hot spots for toxic emissions across the country, including Florida Power & Light’s Manatee Power Plant.