Sarasota-Area Unemployment Rate Improves: Latest Data

The Sarasota County unemployment rate improved somewhat during the late summer.

New FL Laws Take Effect Oct. 1: Minimum Wage, Smoking Age, DNA

A group of new Florida laws will go into effect Oct. 1. They address various issues, including smoking age, minimum wage, child welfare.

Back Rent Up In Sarasota County: Analysis

More than 1 out of every 10 Sarasota County rental households are behind on rents as of early August, according to a new analysis.

Sarasota Passes 21-22 Budget, Eliminates Parks & Rec Special Fund

The Sarasota City Commission approved a $233 million budget, which dissolved a separate revenue source for the city's parks.

Sarasota-Area Unemployment Rate Decreased In July: Feds

The Sarasota County unemployment rate improved somewhat during the summer.

Sarasota-Area Unemployment Rate Increased In June: Feds

But national figures point to a rebound when local data for July becomes available next month.

Sarasota Republicans To Honor DeSantis As ‘Statesman Of The Year’

DeSantis will be honored, speak at an October dinner. “You don’t want to miss Governor DeSantis’ deep political insights,” Sarasota GOP said

Coronavirus Transmission 'High' In Sarasota County: CDC

The CDC recommends indoor public mask use for vaccinated and unvaccinated Sarasota residents.

'A Time Bomb Ticking': See Rental Arrears In Sarasota County

Many in the Sarasota area behind on rent. A national eviction moratorium is set to expire Saturday.

Reduced Millage Rate Gets Preliminary City Commission Approval

Sarasota commissioners approved a rollback rate of 3.1372 mills for the city’s preliminary operating millage.

Unemployment Rate Improves In Sarasota Area: Feds

The unemployment rate in Sarasota County decreased recently.

City Commission Meeting Canceled Because Of Tropical Storm Elsa

Sarasota city commissioners were scheduled to meet Tuesday evening. Their meeting has been canceled.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Cancels Appearance At Trump Rally: Report

As DeSantis focuses on rescue efforts at a South FL condo collapse, he won't appear at Donald Trump’s Sarasota rally Saturday, reports said.

Sarasota County Ahead Of Biden's Coronavirus Vaccine Goal

Here is how the Sarasota area is doing in the race to vaccinate its population.

City Encourages Comments At Public Meetings With New Online Tool

The city of Sarasota is launching eComments, an online tool designed to make it easier for the public to share their opinions at meetings.

Trump To Speak At Save America Rally In Sarasota July 3

The Fourth of July weekend rally featuring former President Donald Trump will take place at the Sarasota Fairgrounds.

Steube Among House Reps Voting Against Honors For Capitol Police

Sarasota’s Greg Steube voted against awarding Capitol officers working during the Jan. 6 insurrection Congressional Gold Medals.

FL Rejects Pride Lights For Ringling Bridge, Sunshine Skyway

With Pride lights turned back on at a Jacksonville bridge, Sarasota’s mayor is hopeful the FDOT will change its mind for Ringling Bridge.

Unemployment Decreases In Sarasota Area: Feds

There are a record number of job openings in the U.S. labor market; Sarasota County's unemployment rate decreased recently.

Broadband Speed In Sarasota Area: See How It Compares To Rest Of U.S.

More than 150 million Americans don’t use the internet at broadband speeds. See how the Sarasota area compares.

Mayor’s Anger Over Vaccination Video Focus Of Complaints: Report

City employees filed HR complaints after Mayor Brody cursed, yelled at city manager over video from Van Wezel vaccine event, reports said.

Mask Ordinance Public Hearing Canceled Tuesday In Sarasota

After DeSantis'executive order banning emergency orders related to COVID-19, the Sarasota City Commission canceled its mask public hearing.

Venice City Councilor To Run For County Commission: Report

Venice City Councilor Joe Neunder, Sarasota County Planning Commission Vice Chair Mark Hawkins are running for Sarasota County Commission.

Florida Firm Oversees AZ’s Controversial 2020 Election Audit

Cyber Ninjas, the Sarasota-based firm hired to lead Arizona’s 2020 election audit, was founded by a “Stop the Steal” advocate, reports said.

After YouTube Removal, DeSantis Hosts Second COVID-19 Roundtable

Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a coronavirus roundtable Monday after YouTube removed a video of his previous discussion for “misinformation.”

Mayor Poses Maskless At School After Fighting City Mask Ordinance

While Mayor Hagen Brody said he supports wearing masks, he’s opposed to reviving Sarasota’s citywide mask mandate.

Face Mask Mandate Reinstatement Moves Forward In Sarasota

After letting the citywide face mask mandate lapse in February, the Sarasota City Commission voted 3-2 to potentially revive it Monday.

Federal Tax Payments And Refunds: How Do Yours Stack Up?

Compare your federal tax payments and refunds to state and national averages.

Sarasota Planning Board Member Resigns Over Mask Ordinance

While Patrick Gannon expressed concerns for “public health,” Mayor Hagen Brody said he has no time “for advisory board drama or nonsense.”

Gruters Quarantines In Sarasota After COVID-19 Exposure: Report

Sarasota Republican state Sen. Joe Gruters went home from Tallahassee Tuesday after his wife tested positive for coronavirus, reports said.

Steube Votes Against Congressional Medal For Capitol Police

A bill to honor police for their efforts in the Jan. 6 riots passed the House, but Steube was 1 of 12 Republicans who voted against it.

Candidate With Past Election Law Issues Challenges Vern Buchanan

Sarasota's Martin Hyde — accused of racially charged incidents, fined for election law violations — will run against Vern Buchanan in 2022.

Mask Mandated Nixed A Second Time By Sarasota City Leaders

A motion to bring back the citywide mask mandate failed in a 3-2 vote by the Sarasota City Commission on Monday.

Sheriff Attended Sarasota Patriots For Trump Events With QAnon

Sarasota County Sheriff Hoffman defended the Sarasota Patriots for Trump after attending three of their events with QAnon, fringe speakers.

Sarasota Sheriff Explains Photo With QAnon Follower, Blames Media

In a public letter, Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman explained how he took a photo with a QAnon follower, blamed media for divisiveness.

Charles Hines Won’t Pursue Manatee County Administrator Position

The former Sarasota County commissioner has withdrawn his name from consideration as Manatee County selects a replacement for Cheri Coryea.

Upscale Developer Uses Vaccine As Perk For Homeowners: Report

The developer of Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood offered the vaccine to homeowners, their family and members of the club.

Stephen King Says DeSantis Used Vaccines For ‘Political Gain’

Horror writer Stephen King, who lives in Sarasota, slammed Florida’s governor on Twitter for a Lakewood Ranch pop-up vaccination clinic.

Say Goodbye To Sarasota’s Citywide Mask Mandate: Report

The Sarasota City Commission voted 3-2 to eliminate its face mask mandate. Arroyo, Battie and Brody voted against masks, reports said.

Ziegler Has Harsh Words For Democrats After Trump’s Acquittal

A Sarasota County commissioner and MAGA supporter celebrated former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment acquittal on social media.