Weekly Newsletter

Friday, June 20, 2025

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We’re here to keep you informed on the local issues that matter most. Each week, we share our latest in-depth reporting, along with the most important stories from around the region, so you stay connected and up to date with what’s happening in your community.

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THANK YOU!

This week, Suncoast Searchlight crossed an important milestone: More than 1,000 people now subscribe to this newsletter.

We couldn’t have done it without you.

Your support — reading our work, sharing our stories, forwarding this newsletter to a friend — is what made this possible.

To those of you who are new here: Welcome! We’re so glad you’re part of the Suncoast Searchlight family. By signing up, you’ve shown that you value high-quality, independent journalism in Florida’s Suncoast region. We’re here to deliver it.

And since our family is growing, we thought this would be a good time to pause and remind everyone (or share for the first time) what Suncoast Searchlight is all about:

Our mission is to produce investigative and explanatory journalism that serves and empowers the residents of Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. We shine a light on critical issues affecting our community. Through independent reporting and collaboration with diverse media partners, we foster transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the public has access to the information they need to drive meaningful change.

We were founded on the belief that a strong, independent press is essential to a thriving community. And there’s never been a greater need for this kind of journalism.

Traditional newsrooms have been shrinking nationwide, and that impact is felt here in the Suncoast region, as well. Journalists are doing their best with fewer resources. But too often, what falls through the cracks are the stories that take the most time — the deep dives that go beyond the what and explore the how and why. That’s the coverage gap Suncoast Searchlight was created to fill.

Our stories are never behind a paywall. And we work with local media partners to make sure our journalism reaches as many people as possible. You may have seen our work in the Bradenton Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Venice Gondolier, or heard it on WUSF or WSLR. We’re grateful to these partners for sharing our work with their readers and listeners.

This is a great moment to look back at some of the stories we’ve published — and to introduce our newsroom team to those of you who are just joining us. You’ll find both of those things below.

Thank you, as always, for being here.

Fuel independent journalism in the Suncoast.

Together, we’re building something that matters.

MEET THE SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT STAFF

Josh Salman

Senior Investigative Reporter/Deputy Editor

Josh is a Sarasota native whose investigative reporting has exposed tax loopholes, sparked federal probes and helped change state law. He’s worked locally at the Bradenton Herald and Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and nationally for GateHouse Media and USA TODAY. His award-winning work, including the 2017 Bias on the Bench investigation, has prompted new laws and helped hold powerful institutions accountable.

At Suncoast Searchlight, Josh has focused on how developers use tax breaks and special districts to shape growth across the Suncoast. He’s also reported on stormwater failures, post-hurricane infrastructure issues, and economic pressures facing the region.

Email Josh.

Alice Herman

Watchdog/Investigative Reporter

Before joining Suncoast Searchlight, Alice covered democracy and disinformation for the Guardian US. She has reported on politics, labor and religion across Florida, Wisconsin and Michigan. Her work has exposed pandemic-era abuses by temp agencies, anti-union tactics by major corporations, and Uline’s use of tourist visas to pay foreign workers below minimum wage.

At Suncoast Searchlight, Alice has focused on New College of Florida — reporting on its finances, land acquisitions, leadership controversies and a staffer's off-campus misconduct. She’s also covered federal budget cuts to NOAA and the Florida Highway Patrol’s use of license plate readers in immigration enforcement.

Email Alice.

Kara Newhouse

Investigative Data Reporter

Kara came to Sarasota from Washington, D.C., where she was an editor and podcast producer for KQED. As a reporter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, her award-winning work led to board resignations and restored art and music in schools. She holds a master’s from the University of Maryland and has reported on housing, labor, youth sports and racial justice.

At Suncoast Searchlight, Kara has lent her data skills to investigations on developer tax breaks and immigration enforcement, and reported on school-based mental health programs and economic hardship across the region.

Email Kara.

Derek Gilliam Watchdog/Investigative Reporter

Derek has covered courts, crime, mental health, and real estate across Florida. At the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, he focused on growth and development and uncovered a real estate scam that led to a new state law. He studied at the University of Florida, has earned multiple statewide journalism awards and has lived in Sarasota since 2021.

At Suncoast Searchlight, Derek has reported on Sarasota’s real estate market, high-stakes development battles, and accountability issues in local government, including ethics probes, public spending and the future of the Van Wezel & Bay Park.

Email Derek.

READ SOME OF OUR MOST TALKED-ABOUT STORIES

Sarasota, Bradenton developers score big tax breaks with 'Rent-a-Cow' loophole

Developers in Sarasota and Bradenton are claiming agricultural tax breaks by grazing cows on land slated for development. The "rent-a-cow" loophole costs local governments millions in lost revenue and faces little oversight.

Gran Paradiso battle reveals how developers control Florida’s fastest-growing communities

A bitter fight over a 100-year water deal in a Sarasota County neighborhood is exposing a deeper issue — how developers use obscure special districts to keep power long after the homes are sold.

Power and profit: Developers gained government status, then got bonds to build big

Developers across Sarasota and Manatee are using obscure government entities called Community Development Districts to issue public bonds. They profit upfront—while homeowners are left repaying the debt for decades, often without knowing the risks.

New College fires Chinese professor under controversial Florida ‘countries of concern’ law

New College’s firing of a Chinese professor with asylum status under Florida’s “countries of concern” law, reported first by Suncoast Searchlight, drew national attention and raised concerns about discrimination and academic freedom.

Delayed ID, missed arrest, downgraded charge: How Piccolo avoided jail for months

Fred Piccolo, New College’s communications director, avoided jail for months despite multiple exposure charges due to a delayed identification, a missed arrest, and a downgraded charge by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

Inside New College’s unraveling financial oversight: Staff ousted, board critics removed

New College quietly fired two top financial officers during a period of mounting instability — a move first reported by Suncoast Searchlight. Missing audits, dwindling reserves, and costly expansion plans point to deeper financial and leadership troubles.

Sarasota Schools to end on-campus therapy program that helped hundreds of kids

Sarasota County Schools is ending an on-campus therapy program that served hundreds of students, citing cost concerns. Parents and providers say the decision removes a vital lifeline for kids struggling with anxiety, trauma, and other challenges.

Challenging new development in Sarasota? Be ready to spend a small fortune

Challenging a development project in Sarasota can cost residents thousands in legal fees. One group spent over $200,000 fighting a high-density project — highlighting how public participation often comes with a steep financial barrier.

Florida troopers tapped surveillance network for immigration searches, raising alarm

Florida Highway Patrol used Flock Safety license plate readers to search for undocumented immigrants. An analysis of millions of scans revealed targeting patterns that raised concerns about profiling, privacy violations, and expanding surveillance powers.

GOT A TIP OR STORY IDEA?

Share your tips and story ideas using our online form. Your name and contact info will be kept confidential.

Suncoast Searchlight is a 501c3 nonprofit news organization whose mission is to produce investigative and explanatory journalism that serves and empowers the residents of Florida’s Suncoast region (Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties). We shine a light on critical issues affecting our community. Through independent reporting and collaboration with diverse media partners, we foster transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the public has access to the information they need to drive meaningful change.

CONTACT US:

Suncoast Searchlight

PO Box 99 Sarasota, FL 34230

(941) 724-4450