Episode 273: WSLR News Fri., July 26: Dark money; lawsuit continues to hold up megaproject; Rose vs. Barker; Hillsborough school vs. county and state

Developer campaign contributions play a key role in local politics. But much of this money is now circulating outside the public view. WSLR reporter Mark Warriner was at a presentation about "Dark Money", and we have his report. Next: The developers of Lakewood Ranch could start earthmoving on 4,100 acres of land right now, taking out a big chunk of rural Sarasota. But they would do so at their own risk, because a couple of residents in the Old Miakka area just went into a legal appeal. We have the details. Then: In this Sarasota School Board race, the incumbent downplays her culture war credentials. And the challenger wants school politics to be boring again. Florence Fahringer describes how Karen Rose and Liz Barker are positioning themselves. Finally: A neighboring school district in the Tampa Bay region is trying to take on the challenge of rock-bottom teacher pay. But it has been facing resistance from the county and, now, the state. WMNF's Lisa Marzilli reports.