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PUBLIC WINS ACCESS TO ZIEGLER INVESTIGATION RECORDS; APPEALS COURT REVERSES SECRECY ORDER
FROM FLORIDA TRIDENT
Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal today reversed a Sarasota circuit court ruling that had barred the public from seeing records gathered by the Sarasota Police Department during its 2023 criminal investigation of Christian Ziegler, the former chair of the Republican Party of Florida, and had ordered most of those records destroyed.
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MEDIAN RENT IN SARASOTA COUNTY IS $2,249. THAT'S HIGHER THAN MIAMI-DADE
FROM SARASOTA MAGAZINE
Late last year, Sarasota County median overall rental rates skyrocketed past an average of $2,000 a month — and that growth hasn’t slowed. Across the country, rents are still on an upward trend, too — but traditionally more affordable and sunny destinations like Arizona, Texas and, of course, Florida, are seeing the fastest growth rates of all, according to the latest report by Apartment List, a national online marketplace for long-term residential rentals.
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AI PILOT PROGRAM SAYS IT CAN SAVE MANATEE COUNTY UP TO $110 MILLION
FROM EAST COUNTY OBSERVER
An AI pilot program identified between $14.5 million and $49.5 million worth of annual “opportunities” for Manatee County to cut costs, but the program indicated those savings could rise up to $110 million. Robert Salvador, founder of DigiBuild, said at the Aug. 25 Manatee County Commission meeting that he was there to talk about “efficiency opportunities, not waste or a bad job that Manatee County is doing.” In October 2025, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia claimed Manatee County “overspent” $112.4 million in fiscal year 2025.
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ONCE A POWERHOUSE, MOMS FOR LIBERTY EXPECTED TO HOLD MAJORITY ON JUST 2 FLORIDA SCHOOL BOARDS
FROM FLORIDA TRIB
That is a drastic decrease in public support for right-leaning competitors since 2022, when nearly three times as many candidates won their seats and the group spent thousands on over 50 Florida school board campaigns. Although Moms for Liberty Florida PAC records don’t show any contributions to candidates for any office this cycle, a spokesperson said $25,000 has been spent on endorsed Florida candidates. The Florida-based PAC has recently received funds from campaign committees of Florida House candidate Monique Miller and Florida Senator Debbie Mayfield.
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LOCAL UKRAINIANS FLEEING WAR FACE UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN U.S.; PROTECTED STATUS EXPIRING SOON
FROM NORTH PORT SUN
More than 5,000 people from Ukraine or of Ukrainian descent live in North Port, including some who fled Russia’s invasion. Now, Ukrainians who came to the U.S. seeking refuge face uncertainty as their Temporary Protected Status is set to expire Oct. 19, potentially putting their ability to live and work in the country at risk.
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NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA SPENDING NEARLY $1 MILLION ON OUTSIDE PR CONSULTANTS
FROM TAMPA BAY 28
New College of Florida has paid approximately $800,000 to two outside public relations consultants since 2023 — both hired through no-bid contracts — even as the school maintains a 13-member in-house marketing and communications team, public records show. The spending comes as Governor Ron DeSantis has defended more than $60 million in state funding to transform the small liberal arts college of about 1,000 students away from what he calls ‘woke indoctrination.’
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AI SKIN CANCER DETECTION TOOLS ARE GETTING BETTER — BUT ONLY FOR PEOPLE WITH LIGHT SKIN
FROM THE CONVERSATION
AI tools are getting better at spotting skin cancer — but they have a troubling blind spot. Researchers say many perform far less accurately on darker skin, raising concerns as AI-powered screening becomes more widely available.
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BEFORE DESANTIS NIXED FLOCK CAMERAS, HE APPROVED FUNDING THEM
FROM NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA VIA WGCU
Gov. Ron DeSantis, critical of license plate readers, has blocked their use on state roads, warning the cameras could create a “surveillance state.” But in the past year, DeSantis has approved approximately $4.6 million in requests from local law enforcement agencies for license plate readers in connection with their illegal immigration enforcement efforts. Not all of the money has been disbursed.
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MANATEE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTE TO END ICE RINK NEGOTIATIONS
FROM ABC7
Manatee County commissioners voted to end negotiations with the developer of a proposed ice rink in Lakewood Ranch on Tuesday, citing missing information and unanswered questions. Commissioners said Tuesday’s decision was not about whether they wanted more sports opportunities in Manatee County. They said it was about whether the proposal had enough information behind it to move forward. Commissioners reached the decision that it did not
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RETIRING RINGLING MUSEUM DIRECTOR RECALLS 15 YEARS OF CHALLENGES AND FUN
FROM ARTSBEAT
As he walks across the 66-acre campus of The Ringling to show a visitor a building restoration nearing completion, Executive Director Steven High smiles as he points out some of the projects, additions and renovations he oversaw during his 15 years of leadership. High, who wasn’t looking for a job when he came to The Ringling in 2011 from the Telfair Museums in Savannah, Ga., announced in June that he would retire whenever his successor is ready to start work.
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