WSLR News
Local news and politics program, broadcasting from Sarasota's own WSLR 96.5 LP FM, every Wednesday & Friday at 6 pm (with a Week in Review on Saturday at Noon). Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or at www.WSLR.org.
- Update frequency
- every 3 days
- Average duration
- 31 minutes
- Episodes
- 117
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
Episode 376: WSLR News Fri., Aug. 29: Manasota Beach Road; Village of Art removal; Teamster victories; stagehand union
Coming up: The Sarasota County Commission approved Pat Neal’s road in South Sarasota County, giving residents at his fast-growing Wellen Park development a straight shot to the beaches. Dania Hefley …
00:30:39 |
Fri 29 Aug 2025
Episode 375: WSLR News, Wed. Aug. 27: Street art removal; new Manatee superintendent; Zenith redevelopment; private government trouble in Manatee; Van Wezel fixes
City of Bradenton and City of Sarasota work crews are sandblasting art off sidewalks, to the dismay of artists. What’s happening?Next up: Manatee County Schools have a new superintendent. Noah Vinsky…
00:30:52 |
Wed 27 Aug 2025
Episode 374: WSLR News, Fri., Aug. 22: Manatee showdown avoided; Q&A with Sarasota's stormwater czar; Sarasota County: tough talk, no cuts; local reactions to Alligator Alcatraz ruling
The Manatee County Commission was set for a showdown this week with state authorities and developers over controls for new development. It did not happen, and WSLR News reporter Dania Hefley explains…
00:30:41 |
Fri 22 Aug 2025
Episode 373: WSLR News Wed., Aug 20: City moves on Purple Cow; PGT fires deaf worker; life after deportation; deportation protest; Rob Lorei, RIP
The recently flooded Van Wezel got a few more years. The City of Sarasota is now taking steps to keep the historic performing arts hall in good shape, but there are many questions about the future of…
00:30:30 |
Wed 20 Aug 2025
Episode 372: WSLR News Fri., Aug 15: A dportation experience; SPAC fundraising falls behind; Westminster vote; vaccination lag; Newtown Family Center
After weeks of ICE detention, a young woman who grew up in North Port signed those deportation papers and walked across the Mexican border. She told WSLR News reporter Ramon Lopez what that was like.…
00:31:03 |
Fri 15 Aug 2025
Episode 371: WSLR News Wed., Aug. 13: Report from ICE detention; Sarasota School Board resignations; stormwater czar; DR Horton returns; Manatee superintendent finalists; outpriced renters
Lulu Martinez grew up in North Port and graduated from college there just last year. Last week, she walked across a bridge to Mexico, and WSLR News interviewed her about the weeks at an ICE detention…
00:31:08 |
Wed 13 Aug 2025
Episode 370: WSLR News Wed., Aug. 6: E coli in the Bay; right-wing restlessness in the GOP; Manatee lobbies against SB 180; Sarasota rejects synagogue project
A local non-profit has tested the water quality in seven new locations in the bay, and what they’ve found is a lot of e. Coli. They recommend avoiding swimming at these spots. Next up: At a recent Re…
00:30:44 |
Wed 06 Aug 2025
Episode 369: WSLR News, Fri., Aug. 1: Donors sue New College Foundation; paying taxes to developers; Alligator Alcatraz vs. the environment; Manatee superintendent search; North Water Tower Park
Following whistleblower complaints about lack of financial transparency, the New College Foundation is coming under more scrutiny: This time it’s about a donor who wants their money back. Mason Chamb…
00:30:35 |
Fri 01 Aug 2025
Episode 368: WSLR News, Wed., July 30: Manatee County vs. Florida; rural hospital squeeze; self deportation; twin tower project; Rage Against the Regime; yoga for houseless Sarasotans
The cold war between Manatee County commissioners and the DeSantis administration turned hot again at yesterday’s commission meeting. Noah Vinsky reports. Next up: A Trump administration budget cut m…
00:31:21 |
Wed 30 Jul 2025
Episode 367: WSLR News Fri., July 25: Teenage edition! Colson Hotel; Sarasota school troubles; a flooded city commissioner; neighborhood canopy program; Freedom School
The Colson Hotel is a special place, and after its first 100 years, this Sarasota building is getting a new lease of life. Amayia-Marie Gaspard braced spiders to find out how.Next up: On Tuesday, doz…
00:31:51 |
Fri 25 Jul 2025
Episode 366: WSLR News Fri., July 18: Florida's second detention camp; FPL undergrounding; Good Trouble protest; rainbow crosswalks; Pastor Gibbs;
WSLR News reporter Ramon Lopez is headed to Camp Blanding, where the governor wants to open a second camp to concentrate immigrant detainees. Ahead of his trip, Lopez brings us the latest news of thi…
00:30:10 |
Fri 18 Jul 2025
Episode 365: WSLR News Wed., July 16: Protest, vigil for Tampa man killed in West Bank; Floridians stand to lose health insurance; New College master plan; airport succession; gambling dens
A 20-year old man who grew up in Southwest Florida and ran an ice cream shop in Tampa was killed in the West Bank. His death created an international incident, and two local events are ahead this wee…
00:31:18 |
Wed 16 Jul 2025
Episode 364: WSLR News, Fri., July 11: Planned Parenthood merger; Sarasota stormwater redux; the Van Wezel's future; North Port finance crunch
The Sarasota-based Southwest Florida Planned Parenthood is no more. After a merger with the other regional chapter in Florida, it’s now part of a bigger, statewide organization. Kylee Worth looks at …
00:30:39 |
Fri 11 Jul 2025
Episode 363: WSLR news Wed., July 9: Sarasota budget woes; sports arena; stormwater czar; Adagio; city manager search reboot
Within just three years, Sarasota County will be facing a deficit, if spending continues to grow as it has. One of the biggest drivers has been the Sheriff’s Office, as a Suncoast Searchlight report …
00:30:38 |
Wed 09 Jul 2025
Episode 362: WSLR News Fri., July 4: Medicaid cuts and MCR Health; Manatee County vs Pat Neal; Clean Water campaign needs miracle; Pride Month in tough times
Donald Trump was expected to sign the big budget reconciliation bill on Fourth of July, and its Medicaid cuts are not good news for an already troubled MCR Health. That’s the biggest local provider o…
00:30:34 |
Fri 04 Jul 2025
Episode 361: WSLR News Wed., July 2: Neglected stormwater system; Sarasota stormwater reshuffle; Lulu a 'danger for community'; Alligator Alcatraz blowback; Purple Ribbon, one more episode
The damage to hundreds of homes in Sarasota after Tropical Storm Debby was not just the result of an epic natural disaster, but of neglect. That’s according to a joint investigation by Suncoast Searc…
00:31:16 |
Wed 02 Jul 2025
Episode 360: WSLR News Fri., June 27: New College finances; Martin Hyde on New College; Turning Point USA; deportation case; plants and flooding
The board of New College met on Thursday to talk about finances, amid growing enrollment. There was no discussion about murky accounting at the foundation that supports the college.Then: Martin Hyde …
00:30:58 |
Fri 27 Jun 2025
Episode 359: WSLR News Wed., June 25: Sarasota school cuts; Manatee denies Neal project; League of Women Voters protest; Florida cattle drive
For the first time, Sarasota Schools are recognizing the district is facing a financial crisis. In an email to employees, the superintendent announced a hiring freeze. WSLR reporter Noah Vinsky has t…
00:31:15 |
Wed 25 Jun 2025
Episode 358: WSLR News Fri., June 20: Private government; anti-abortion picketers; Planned Parenthood services; a stroll in the new Bay Park
For tens of thousands of homeowners in Sarasota and Manatee their annual tax bill includes more assessments by developers and their homeowners association than taxes to local governments. A Suncoast …
00:30:26 |
Fri 20 Jun 2025
Episode 357: WSLR News Wed., June 18: Florida budget losers; No Kings protest; immigrant protest; Sarasota Ballet dancer exodus
The Florida Legislature agreed on a budget Monday. Among the losers: The governor’s property tax cuts, New College’s expansion plans, and land preservation.Then: The No Kings demonstrations in this a…
00:30:56 |
Wed 18 Jun 2025
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