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WSLR News: Stories

Individual pieces from the reporters and volunteers at WSLR News on WSLR 96.5 FM - Sarasota"s own community radio

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All Episodes

6:28

Episode 329: Committee's recommendation: Keep the Van...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/12

After two years, the panel created to advise the City of Sarasota what to do with its Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall made its recommendations. Gretchen Cochran reports.

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6:10

Episode 328: Suncoast Searchlight: County public...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/12

Two weeks ago, two nonprofit newsrooms exposed missteps and neglect in the county’s response to Tropical Storm Debby. Within one week, county commissioners created a standalone stormwater department and hired a director. This was followed by a longtime administrator’s resignation. However, before those moves, Public Works Director Spencer Anderson pushed back on the findings during a press conference on July 1. Derek Gilliam with Suncoast Searchlight follows up on the Florida Trident and

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6:31

Episode 327: Sarasota Planned Parenthood merges with...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/12

Amid rising political pressures and threats to reproductive healthcare, Planned Parenthood is making a historic move to combat it all. The strategy? Merge. Kylee Worth reports.

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2:50

Episode 326: Sarasota City Commission starts over...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/10

It’s reboot time for Sarasota’s city manager search. WSLR News reporter Kylee Worth is following the journey.

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5:38

Episode 325: Developer files 18-story Adagio condo...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/10

A developer from Naples is trying to leverage a new state law to go big and tall in downtown Sarasota. Ramon Lopez has the details on the Adagio project.

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5:38

Episode 324: Flood 'czar' takes the helm of...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/10

Within barely than a week of creating its new stormwater department, Sarasota County found the flood czar to head it. Ramon Lopez got the inside track from the County Administrator.

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3:53

Episode 323: Sarasota County reallocates tourism...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/10

In a public-private partnership, Sarasota County will help build an indoor sports arena and boathouse at Nathan Benderson Park, the public park with a competitive rowing facility. But how to pay for the county’s share of $20 million at a time of tightening budgets, dropping tourism tax revenues and rising costs of borrowing? The county commission on Tuesday and Wednesday voted to shuffle tourism tax dollars, as Ozzy Konez reports.

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6:15

Episode 322: Suncoast Searchlight: Sarasota's budget...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/09

The value of properties in Sarasota County is not increasing like it used to. In fact, we are witnessing dips. But spending by the county—particularly the Sheriff’s Office—continues to balloon. And that, if things don’t change, will lead to deficit spending in just three years from now, if projections are correct. Derek Gilliam with Suncoast Searchlight reports. To read the full report, go to suncoastsearchlight.org/sarasota-county-budget-growing.

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3:40

Episode 321: Suncoast Searchlight: Suncoast LGBTQ+...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/05

Across Florida and much of the country, Pride Month has unfolded under a growing shadow. Many of the older LGBTQ+ residents lived through the AIDS crisis, prosecution for who they are, and decades of political hostility. For them, the political tide of the past few years has brought an eerie sense of déjà vu, as Alice Herman with Suncoast Searchlight found. To read the full report, visit suncoastsearchlight.org/lgbtq-suncoast-silver-pride-sarasota.

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3:50

Episode 320: State restrictions put Right to Clean...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/05

The Florida Right to Clean Water campaign is in Round 2 of trying to get the right to clean rivers, lakes, bayous and bays enshrined in the Florida constitution. After it failed two years ago to reach the 900,000 signatures state law requires to put amendments on the ballot, the volunteer-driven organization revived its effort last year, aiming for the 2026 election. But in June, the Fort Myers-based campaign suspended signature gathering in response to new state restrictions. The

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6:52

Episode 319: Florida SB 180 blocks Manatee County's...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/05

Neal Communities has built over 23,000 homes in Southwest Florida, mostly in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. On June 19, a plan to build 440 more in Manatee County was shut down. The unanimous vote by a county commission on Pat Neal’s home turf is more than a rare occasion. It was just the latest incident in escalating tensions between Manatee County on one side and developers and the State of Florida on the other. Noah Vinsky reports about a recent battle won by developers.

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6:22

Episode 318: Tough times ahead for MCR Health as...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/05

Last fall, MCR Health declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, entering a lengthy restructuring process that includes job cuts. More than 100,000 low-income and under-insured patients depend on the Manatee County-based non-profit for basic healthcare services. But MCR’s bankruptcy restructuring was made more complicated by two political developments this week. Johannes Werner has the details.

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4:21

Episode 317: Purple Ribbon Committee needs more time...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/03

After two years, this was supposed to be the last meeting, advising Sarasota city commissioner what to do with the historic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. But the Purple Ribbon Committee will need another session to come up with a conclusive set of recommendations. Gretchen Cochran reports.

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3:38

Episode 316: Sarasota company faces controversy over...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/03

Last week, a video surfaced online, tying a Sarasota company to the building of the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention site. U.S. Tent Rental says its involvement was just marginal and “humanitarian.” Mason Chambless reports.

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5:21

Episode 315: Texas judge denies bond for North Port...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/03

Maria “Lulu” Martinez is a danger to her community, a judge ruled, and that’s why she continues to be stuck in an ICE detention camp in Texas, rather than return home to North Port. Ramon Lopez reports.

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6:15

Episode 314: Sarasota County Commission votes to...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/03

The next storm season is approaching, and Phillippi Creek, which flooded many homes last year, will not be dredged. And it’s reshuffle time in Sarasota County’s stormwater management, as Ramon Lopez reports.

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7:09

Episode 313: Suncoast Searchlight: Sarasota's...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/07/03

When Debby hit, the stormwater system was unprepared when it mattered most—not because the system was overwhelmed but because those in charge neglected to protect it. That’s according to an investigation by Florida Trident and Suncoast Searchlight. Derek Gilliam reports. To read the full investigative report, go to suncoastsearchlight.org/sarasota-county-stormwater-shakeup-new-department or floridatrident.org/sarasota-county-stormwater-crisis-sparks-major-shakeup-after-public-trust-erodes.

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7:34

Episode 312: How the Bay Park fortifies against...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/06/28

Flooding and the historic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is on everybody’s mind. But what about the park surrounding that historic building? Gretchen Cochran talked with an expert about the effects of saltwater intrusion on the plants in the Bay Park and what to do about it.

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7:16

Episode 311: Court hearings approach for North Port...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/06/28

Lulu Martinez made a wrong U-turn in her hometown of North Port and ended up in an ICE detention camp in Texas. Meanwhile, charges over her traffic violation are piling up here at home. Our reporter Ramon Lopez caught up with her lawyer, as Lulu will be facing two court hearings next week.

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3:18

Episode 310: Trustees approve New College...

WSLR News: Stories ·

2025/06/27

Two and a half years after the New College takeover by the state, the new administration is pointing at rising student enrollment. But alumni donors and former foundation board members keep asking questions about academic freedom, financial mismanagement, and lack of transparency. WSLR News reporter Reece Helmick was at a New College Board of Trustees meeting Thursday.

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814 results

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