The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Sarasota began free testing for COVID-19 in late March. However, in an evaluation of their testing approach, the community pushed to ensure everyone in Sarasota had access to testing, including Newtown. The concerns of the public, motivated by historical…
After days of mounting pressure from politicians, public health experts and constituents, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statewide order to stay at home on Wednesday, April 1. The order, effective through April 30, directs the elderly and high-risk individuals—those who suffer from diabetes, obesity,…
As of Sunday, March 29, there have been three deaths related to Coronavirus in Sarasota-Manatee County. With the number of those infected reaching 4,038 by the evening of March 28, Sarasota has issued temporary shutdowns and extensions of deadlines that would be affected by Coronavirus. …
Sarasota County has begun upgrading the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility, which is the County’s largest wastewater facility which has been blamed for spilling hundreds of millions of gallons of polluted water and potentially contributing to water quality issues in the area for years. The…
In the face of fierce opposition from environmental groups and citizens in rural areas, Florida is planning a major expansion of its highways with a series of toll roads that would open new parts of the state to development. The Florida Legislature passed a bill…
On Sunday, Gov. Ron Desantis issued an executive order declaring a public health emergency and directing statewide response protocol for the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after learning about what were then viewed as two “presumptively” positive cases in Florida. The governor, along with public health officials,…
My interview with founder of Sarasota’s grassroots anti-homelessness coalition Streets of Paradise (SOP) Greg Cruz kept getting interrupted. “Buenas noches,” a man called out as he passed by us on the sidewalk. “Oye, ¿cómo estás?” Cruz responded warmly, then continued explaining SOP’s ethos— “The people…
As the Florida Primary–set to take place on March 17–approaches, students question how and where their vote will be counted. Some students may not have their permanent addresses listed in Sarasota-Manatee County, preventing them from being able to cast their vote in Sarasota-Manatee voting locations.…
Ninety percent of the fish consumed in the U.S. is imported from other countries. In turn, the U.S. exports around 65 percent of its fish and the global demand is growing. However, the ocean cannot be fished sustainably to meet these numbers. One solution is…
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Florida House Education Committee passed a proposed bill that would merge New College with Florida State University (FSU) and Florida Polytechnic University with the University of Florida (UF). The details and potential outcomes of this legislation remain unknown, but Rep.…
