WSLR News

It was not what many in the community - and two men on the dais - wanted: This week, the Sarasota County Commission voted for what looks pretty much like the beginning of the end for the last volunteer fire district in the county. Ramon Lopez reports.
Then: The news desert keeps growing, but new wells are springing up. We report about the second version of a million-dollar news project on the Suncoast a non-profit is about to launch.
Next: Progress dies in isolation. Preventing that is what an event about coalition building this week in Sarasota was about, and we have a report with hands-on advice.
Finally: You have a chance this weekend to see John Lennon up close. WMNF tells you how.

Some 5,000 Ukrainian immigrants live in South Sarasota County. And they’re not happy campers when it comes to the Trump administration’s and Rep. Greg Steube’s pressure campaign on Ukraine.

Then: The Manatee County commission is trying to come to terms with the epic flooding during the last storm season, and what it may take to prevent an encore.

Next: Amid Elon Musk’s cost-cutting and firing, the Small Business Administration is chugging on here in Sarasota, trying to help with disaster recovery.

This ain’t the Moran commission anymore: The Sarasota County commissioners yesterday voted to strip builders of funding for an education program.

Next: Homeowners in a posh subdivision near North Port are learning the hard way that developers wield a lot of power - even after they sold you the home they built. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story.

Then: How did New College hire a politically connected figure after he appeared in three local police reports? Suncoast Searchlight is trying to find out.

Next: Four hundred people crowded into a town hall organized by opponents of a takeover of the Ringling Museum of Art by New College. Farah Vallecillo was there.

Next: It took Venice city councilmembers barely five minutes to decide how to fill the seat abandoned by Joan Farrell two weeks ago. Ramon Lopez reports.

Finally: A decision on a controversial skyscraper project has been delayed - because of a missing green-yellow sign. Gretchen Cochran explains.

You could call it a political earthquake. Sarasota County Commissioners voted yesterday AND today against two major suburban development projects, both with 5-0 votes. Ramon Lopez has that report.

Then: Tuesday was also a big day for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center project - the costliest undertaking yet in the history of the city. Gretchen Cochran is following it closely.

Next: A St. Petersburg Republican filed a bill that could defund the public arts programs of Florida cities - including that of the City of Sarasota.

Finally: A pro-immigrant protest brought hundreds of people to downtown Sarasota this weekend. And more is to come, including tracking of deportation action in the region, according to one of the organizers.

Yesterday, Sarasota County commissioners surprised their critics and campaign donors again. In a narrow vote, they postponed a decision on a key part of a major development, prompting the developer to huddle with neighbors who are trying to stop the project. Ramon Lopez reports.

Then: The governor is setting in motion a takeover of yet another iconic institution in Sarasota. But the resistance is taking shape.

Next: Next month, City of Sarasota commissioners are expected to take key decisions regarding the future of the Purple Cow. One of them is whether to seek a historic designation for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Gretchen Cochran reports.

Finally: Activists are planning a nationwide economic blackout this Friday. We explain what’s behind the idea.