Hi Sarasota! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Organ-ized Pipes & Pops and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Who is taller, Mr Bigger or Mr Bigger's son? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Weather forecast:
1. Sarasota Democrats Apologize For Social Media Post Made After Trump Assassination Attempt (patch.com) — Sarasota residents are reacting after the Sarasota Democratic Party apologized for a Facebook post that appeared to mock the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Local Republicans condemned the post as disgraceful and demanded an apology, prompting party chair David Dean to remove the message, accept responsibility, and pledge tighter control over future communications.
2. Sarasota's ‘King of the Wire' Nik Wallenda to headline New College commencement (floridapolitics.com) — New College of Florida has tapped Sarasota high-wire star Nik Wallenda to deliver its 2026 commencement address on May 22 at the Sarasota campus. The longtime Sarasota resident will draw on his record-setting tightrope feats to talk with graduates about preparation, faith, and commitment, while highlighting the historic circus ties between New College and the Wallenda family.
3. Sarasota police: Crime down 18% in 2025 as Real-Time Operations Center marks one year impact (mysuncoast.com) — Sarasota police report overall crime dropped 18% in 2025, marking a third straight year of declines and just two homicides, both solved within a day. Leaders credit the new Real-Time Operations Center, which supported over 500 cases, with helping officers respond faster and strengthen evidence in investigations across the city.
4. Redeemer Receives $250,000 Match to Boost Aid for Sarasota Residents (srqmagazine.com) — A new $250,000 matching challenge could generate at least $500,000 in emergency aid for Sarasota County residents struggling with housing, utilities and food. Sarasota attorney and philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse Jr. is matching donations to Church of the Redeemer’s Culverhouse Benevolence Fund as rising costs and reduced government support drive more families to seek help.
5. 136 teachers, support staff removed across Sarasota County Schools (wfla.com) — Sarasota County Schools will remove 136 teachers and support staff by June 30 due to budget pressures and low enrollment, sparking a “Stop the Cuts” rally in Sarasota. District leaders blame state funding shifts and say unassigned employees can reapply as positions open, while parents worry about larger classes and reduced supervision for students.
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Ok Sarasota! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: His son; he's just a little Bigger. (Thank you Joe Y. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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