WSLR News - Episode 324: WSLR News Fri., Feb. 21: Ukrainian immigrants in North Port react to Trump; Manatee County stormwater systems; SBA chugs on in Sarasota

Episode 324: WSLR News Fri., Feb. 21: Ukrainian immigrants in North Port react to Trump; Manatee County stormwater systems; SBA chugs on in Sarasota

02/21/25 • 31 min

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.

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.

Previous Episode

Episode 323: WSLR News Wed., Feb. 19: Federal workers; DOGE protests; LGBTQ star speaks at New College

The firing of federal employees is happening not only in Washington. It’s making ripples here on the Suncoast, as Gretchen Cochran found.

Speaking of DOGE: There is also pushback, in the shape of protests, against what many decry as executive overreach. There were 17 protests on President’s Day in Florida, including one in Bradenton and two in Sarasota. We have reports on those.

Finally: New College hosted an academic with rock star status in the LGBTQ community. Judith Butler called on the newly conservative college to reinstate its gender studies program, to big applause from the audience.

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undefined - Episode 325: WSLR News Wed., Feb. 26: Sarasota commisisoners slow down big project; resistance to The Ringling takeover; historic designation for the Purple Cow; Economic Blackout

Episode 325: WSLR News Wed., Feb. 26: Sarasota commisisoners slow down big project; resistance to The Ringling takeover; historic designation for the Purple Cow; Economic Blackout

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.