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Manatee County Fair Continues Through Sunday

The Manatee County Fair continues through this Sunday, January 26. Enjoy live music, fair food, ag exhibits, and much, much more! Musical acts this weekend include: …
Staff Report
5 hours ago
opinion

The Social Security/Medicare Flimflam

This article endeavors to show how current Medicare and Social Security recipients are being duped by both political parties.  It would be wise for the generations currently supporting these …
by Ray Fusco
Yesterday at 11:14 AM

Trump orders withdrawal from Paris climate agreement, erases actions on LGBTQ+ equality

Just hours into his second term, President Donald Trump signed some of his first executive orders as an arena crowd of thousands cheered a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate …
by Ashley Murray
Yesterday at 10:58 AM

Trump issues pardons for 1,500 defendants charged in Jan. 6 attack on U.S. Capitol

President Donald Trump on Monday night issued sweeping pardons for nearly all Jan. 6 defendants, erasing accountability for those who violently tried to stop the certification of the 2020 ...
by Ashley Murray
Yesterday at 10:53 AM
More local news
Red Tide Status Update: 1/22/25
Over the past week, red tide was detected in 23 samples collected from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in four samples: one from Manatee County, …
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
5 hours ago
This Week in Local Government: 1/26/25
It will be a fairly active week in local governments with several meetings of note scheduled.  On Monday, the Palmetto City Commission will convene for regular and …
by Dawn Kitterman
11 hours ago
Video
Big Picture Manatee: New Year, New BOCC
In this episode, our hosts dive into the fresh start for our new Board of County Commissioners! We’re breaking down who they are, the priorities they’ve set for the upcoming term, and the changes ...
Yesterday at 11:22 AM
DeSantis declares state of emergency because of winter storm
Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm forecast to bring snow and ice storms to North Florida this week “to protect the communities, critical …
by Michael Moline
Yesterday at 10:49 AM
Donald Trump is sworn in as president of the United States
Donald Trump took the presidential oath of office for the second time Monday during an inauguration ceremony inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda. The swearing-in marked the …
by Jennifer Shutt and Shauneen Miranda
3 days ago
City of Bradenton Wastewater Facility Faces Challenges Following Last Year's Hurricanes
The City of Bradenton has reported a wastewater release that led to 450,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater being bypassed from the city’s reclamation facility …
by Dawn Kitterman
5 days ago
Opinions
EarthTalk: Jimmy Carter’s Environmental Legacy
Jimmy Carter, the 39th U.S. President, made a lasting impact on environmental policy. His robust initiatives to protect natural resources and advance clean energy established the foundation for …
11 hours ago
opinion
Ranked Choice Voting is Necessary to Save Democracy
Despite its broad, bi-partisan popularity, both the Democratic and Republican parties have fought tooth and nail to prevent municipalities from implementing ranked-choice voting. However, in …
by Mitch Maley
5 days ago
EarthTalk: Fast Growing Hardwood Alternative Wows Green Builders
Bamboo, one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, is well-known as a rudimentary building material used for many centuries. Today, although the resource is often limited to scaffolding or …
Wednesday, January 15
COMMENTARY
commentary
Chief's Corner: Tim Geer, BFD
Thanks to HME Ahrens-Fox, this February, two new mini pumpers will be added to BFD’s Stations #2 and #3. These new mini pumpers replace outdated fire engines, have 300-gallon tank capacities, …
City of Bradenton
Yesterday at 11:04 AM
Sunday Favorites: Haunting Tales from Tampa
Last weekend, I stepped into the eerie past on a ghost tour of Tampa, kicking off and wrapping up at the famously haunted Tampa Theatre. Along the way, I uncovered spine-tingling stories and fascinating pieces of the city’s history. From restless spirits to macabre mysteries, here are a few chilling tales that still linger in the shadows of Tampa’s streets
by Merab Favorite
4 days ago
Commentary
Council Corner: Jayne Kocher: Ward 1
As we begin the new year, we’re all relieved to leave behind the storms of 2024 and the challenges they brought. However, our work continues as we address and resolve their lingering effects. …
City of Bradenton
Friday, January 17
Obituaries
Robert Davis
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" Davis on January 15, 2025. Born in New York City in 1944, "Bobby D." was introduced to tennis at the age of 8. During the 1950 and …
4 days ago
Pamela Parmenter
Pamela Sue Kelly Parmenter, 73, of Clearwater, FL, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024, just one day shy of her 74th birthday. She was born on January 1, 1951, in Butler, PA, to the late Reid …
4 days ago
Keith Caldwell
Keith Caldwell, 85, of Bradenton, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. Family services will be private.
4 days ago
This week's reader poll

What grade would you give the new Manatee County Commission so far?

Tuesday, January 14

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TBT Podcasts
In this week's episode, Mitch & Dawn discuss the county's new ADU policy, dry January, the frigid Florida weather, and much more!
Wednesday, January 15
podcast
Fresh off the holiday break, Mitch & Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's reversal on wetland policy, new board chair George Kruse's significant proposals regarding board business, and …
Wednesday, January 8
COMMENTS FROM OUR READERS
Local Events and More...
Calendar of events
Sports & recreation

Ode to Spring Training

Anything (theoretically) is possible in Major League Baseball when spring training camps swing open their gates in February. Count me in among the optimists. Baseball keeps me young. The sound …
by Don Laible
Thursday, January 16

Manatee County’s Robinson Has Pitching Pedigree

Don Robinson never tires of talking baseball, especially pitching. When you are fortunate enough to come across someone who has spent a lifetime in the game, and your time is limited with them, …
by Don Laible
Thursday, January 9

Pirates Strengthen Lineup With Horwitz Trade

Spencer Horwitz needs the Pittsburgh Pirates as much as they need him. In about six weeks, MLB spring training camps are scheduled to open. For the Pirates, for the third time in as many seasons, the …
by Don Laible
Friday, January 3
Arts & Entertainment
Hot Cheetos Pickle Nachos!

Manatee County Fair Adds Unique Culinary Delights for "Midway Menu Makeover"

The Manatee County Fair welcomes fairgoers with a fresh lineup of classic carnival foods reinvented for 2025. The Strates Shows Midway, known for its iconic fair fare, has added …

Staff Report
Friday, January 17

Manatee County Fair Opens in Palmetto

The Manatee County Fair opened Thursday and runs through Sunday, January 26. All of your favorite fair events are back, including live music, fair food, ag exhibits, and much, …
Staff Report
Friday, January 17

Rock N The Sand Announces Music Festival to Benefit Anna Maria Island

Rock N The Sand Musician Community will present a unique music festival to benefit the recovery efforts on Anna Maria Island from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene …
Staff Report
Thursday, January 16

Hilarity Ensues in Island Players Latest Production

Birthday Suite, a comedy in two acts, recently opened at the Island Players playhouse in Anna Maria, FL.  Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 PM and …
Staff Report
Thursday, January 16
ICYM - In Case You Missed It
opinion
I’ve long assured both readers and those who hold elected office that I much prefer to write about the things government is doing right than bemoan its many shortcomings. This week provided an …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, January 11
Popular dish soaps often claim to easily tackle grease, leave dishes sparkling clean, and uphold commitments to sustainability and safety. But these promises are often misleading. These products may …
Thursday, January 9
opinion
In last week’s column , I suggested that the Manatee County Commission reevaluate its posture toward our state delegation. This week, Senator Jim Boyd and Representative Will Robinson took a …
by Mitch Maley
Thursday, January 9
Opinion
In recent years, the relationship between Manatee County Commissioners and our delegation in the state legislature has been chummy, to say the least. That’s not surprising since both were …
by Mitch Maley
Saturday, January 4
Guest Commentary
Manasota 88 recently released its list of 2025 environmental priorities for Southwest Florida.
by Glenn Compton
Friday, January 3
Interesting News

These are the best jobs of 2025, according to Indeed

Indeed put together a list of the best jobs for 2025 to help identify the high-demand roles offering the most promise in today's dynamic job market.

Jocelyne Gafner
10 hours ago

Super Bowl by the numbers

OLBG explores the rich fan engagement history of one of the biggest sporting events in the U.S., the Super Bowl.
Dan Tracey
10 hours ago

10 tips to help you recover from holiday spending

Experian shares 10 ways to help trim back spending, bring in extra cash and shape up finances for the year ahead.
Gayle Sato
11 hours ago
Florida report

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Bob Delaney - Undercover Film "Hiding in Plain Sight" Working Undercover in New Jersey as a State Trooper

Emmy Award winning director, Nick Nanton, interviews Bob Delaney. Former undercover New Jersey state trooper and NBA referee. Bob Delaney talks with Nick Nanton about his incredible careers in two vastly different fields, from infiltrating the Mafia in the 1970s to becoming one of the NBA's most respected referees. In this episode, Bob opens up about his experience with post-traumatic stress and his passion for helping others overcome it.

State News
Two months after a proposal to repeal Florida’s six-week abortion law and enshrine abortion rights into the state constitution failed to gather the 60% required for passage, more than 100 people …
Mitch Perry (via Florida Phoenix)
4 hours ago
Florida immigrant advocacy groups are amping up efforts to help people without legal status prepare for encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Two days into office, …
Jackie Llanos (via Florida Phoenix)
7 hours ago
Tuesday and Wednesday delivered a winter wonderland for some and delayed travel plans for others as an unusual layer of snow and ice coated North Florida. Preliminary storm data from the National …
Jay Waagmeester (via Florida Phoenix)
8 hours ago
WASHINGTON — Republican congressional leaders huddled with President Donald Trump on Tuesday in search of a clear path forward to make sweeping changes to the country’s border security, energy …
Jennifer Shutt (via Florida Phoenix)
9 hours ago