|
DEADLINE NEARS TO COMMENT ON BANNING UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS FROM STATE COLLEGES
FROM CENTRAL FLORIDA PUBLIC MEDIA VIA WUSF
A proposal from the Florida Department of Education would require the state's 28 public colleges to check that students admitted into an institution are "citizens of the United States or lawfully present in the United States." The department will hold a hearing on the rule at Miami Dade College on May 14. Written public feedback is due by Thursday. The rule only applies to public community and state colleges, not universities. Each college Board of Trustees would have to have "clear and convincing documentation" from applicants.
READ THE STORY HERE
AFTER 27 YEARS, THE LARRY THOMPSON ERA ENDS
FROM WSLR
After 27 years leading Ringling College of Art and Design, President Larry Thompson is stepping down this month, closing out a tenure that reshaped the small Sarasota art school into a nationally recognized institution with expanded academic programs, major campus growth and deeper ties to the local community. In an extended interview with WSLR News, Thompson reflected on Ringling’s transformation, the rising costs and demographic challenges facing higher education, and the growing role of technology and AI in the arts as the college prepares for new leadership under incoming president Davis Schneiderman.
READ/HEAR THE STORY HERE
'THEY JUST WANT TO GET IT DONE:' MORE FLORIDA WOMEN TURN TO MAIL-ORDER PILLS FOR ABORTIONS
FROM SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL VIA YAHOO! NEWS
When Florida’s six-week abortion ban went into effect two years ago, advocates expected a sharp rise in women traveling for abortion care to states with less restrictive laws. While many did travel, the surprising increase occurred in Florida women using medication from out-of-state telehealth providers to end their pregnancies. Newly released counts now show that in 2025, one in four abortions in Florida (28%) were women using medication from providers in states with laws that shield those who prescribe them.
READ THE STORY HERE
THE CITY OF SARASOTA IS EXPERIMENTING WITH SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY
FROM SARASOTA MAGAZINE
The City of Sarasota is expanding its use of surveillance technology through a partnership with Flock Safety, giving police broader access to license plate readers, live camera feeds and a new Real-Time Operations Center aimed at helping officers solve crimes more quickly. City officials say the system has already contributed to hundreds of arrests, but the technology’s growing reach has sparked concerns from privacy advocates and civil liberties groups who warn about the risks of expanded police surveillance, data sharing and the increasing use of AI-driven monitoring tools in public spaces.
READ THE STORY HERE
SCAMMER STOLE $350,000 FROM MANATEE COUNTY SENIOR WITH DEMENTIA, DEPUTIES SAY
FROM BRADENTON HERALD
A man entrusted with managing a woman’s finances after she developed dementia is accused of spending more than $350,000 on himself, investigators say. Richard James Meyers, 64, faces a charge of exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult involving $50,000 or more following an investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, court records show. Investigators say Meyers abused his authority as the woman’s power of attorney, siphoning off money for personal expenses while failing to pay for her care. The woman developed dementia nearly 10 years ago and granted Meyers control over her finances, according to court records.
READ THE STORY HERE
CONTROVERSIAL DOWNTOWN SARASOTA CONDO TOWER REJECTED AGAIN BY CITY
FROM SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE
For the second time in roughly a year, the Sarasota City Commission rejected a proposed site plan for a controversial downtown skyscraper on North Palm Avenue on a 4-1 vote. The vote, which came after more than four hours of public hearing, was a second consecutive victory for area residents who have organized to preserve the charm of Palm Avenue and the surrounding neighborhoods. Plans for the Obsidian call for 14 residential units with 14-foot floor-to-ceiling heights as well as 5,989 square feet of retail area.
READ THE STORY HERE
ASOLO REP'S 'FIDDLER' BUILDS A COMMUNITY WITH ACTORS/MUSICIANS
FROM ARTSBEAT
It took about a year of planning and logistical analysis before the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s much buzzed-about production of “Fiddler on the Roof” took the stage with most of the cast members playing instruments as well as playing characters, singing and dancing. Every production requires a lot of forethought as directors and designers create the concepts for the kind of show they show they want to stage, but director Peter Rothstein said “Fiddler” provided significant challenges that were almost like puzzles that needed to be solved along the way.
READ THE STORY HERE
A SECRET ICE DIRECTIVE IS TESTING ONE OF FLORIDA'S STRONGEST TRADITIONS: OPEN GOVERNMENT
FROM FLORIDA TRIB
A new directive from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, issued in secrecy, bars local law enforcement agencies across Florida from answering questions about their role in immigration enforcement, raising concerns about transparency and whether public records are being lawfully observed.
READ THE STORY HERE
A COMPANY RELEASED TOXIC GAS IN TAMPA BAY FOR YEARS. NO ONE STOPPED IT
FROM TAMPA BAY TIMES
The nondescript building near a quiet bend of the Hillsborough River started spewing toxic gas about a decade ago. Inside, workers cleaned medical tools by placing them in bags with a chemical called ethylene oxide, known to cause cancer. Slowly, the gas vented from the bags and out through the ceiling. Colorless, odorless, it drifted invisibly over Temple Terrace — one of Tampa’s closest neighbors. As early as 2019, regulators discovered American Contract Systems, the company that released the gas, had used more than one ton a year — a dangerous volume it could have almost completely absorbed and eliminated with filters. But the company failed to take those added precautions, a Tampa Bay Times investigation has found, and federal, state and local officials didn’t require the plant to curb its emissions.
READ THE STORY HERE
PLAY WRITTEN ON MANASOTA KEY WINS 2026 PULITZER PRIZE
FROM DAILY SUN VIA NEWSBREAK
Playwright Bess Wohl, who developed and began writing her play "Liberation" at the Hermitage Artists Retreat on Manasota Key, has won a Pulitzer Prize for her work, the Pulitzer Prize Board announced this week. The board announced this year's winners in 23 categories late Monday. Wohl’s play "Liberation" won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The prize comes with $15,000.
READ THE STORY HERE
| 
