Ryan Ballogg

Florida banned street art. Bradenton responds with a colorful new festival The WonderWall Mural Fest launches this weekend in Bradenton with live painting, music, food and more.

The WonderWall Mural Fest launches this weekend in Bradenton with live painting, music, food and more.

‘Oysters galore.’ Palmetto boosts local water quality with award-winning project Three years after the city installed reef balls along the Manatee River, they are a hotspot for oysters and other marine life.

Three years after the city installed reef balls along the Manatee River, they are a hotspot for oysters and other marine life.

Where would Manatee County port for cruise ships go? Take a closer look See the undeveloped corner of Tampa Bay where two companies want to create a cruise ship hub.

See the undeveloped corner of Tampa Bay where two companies want to create a cruise ship hub.

‘Serious harm.’ Environmental advocates oppose Manatee County cruise port plan A cruise port could be devastating for wildlife, water quality and businesses that depend on a healthy environment, opponents say.

A cruise port could be devastating for wildlife, water quality and businesses that depend on a healthy environment, opponents say.

Is growth draining Manatee’s drinking water? Officials look to tap new sources Rapid population growth is making an impact on the water supply, county officials say.

Rapid population growth is making an impact on the water supply, county officials say.

New Rattlesnake Key owner plans cruise terminal development near Skyway Bridge The “Knott-Cowen Cruise Port” could bring new, larger cruise ships to Tampa Bay by docking on Manatee County land, the company says.

The “Knott-Cowen Cruise Port” could bring new, larger cruise ships to Tampa Bay by docking on Manatee County land, the company says.

Mega developments in Manatee County? What to know about new Florida bills Several new bills in the Florida Legislature this year could have a major impact on growth in Manatee County.

Several new bills in the Florida Legislature this year could have a major impact on growth in Manatee County.

Florida bill could restore local control over development. Does it go far enough? A new bill aims to address the controversial SB 180 bill that became law earlier this year.

A new bill aims to address the controversial SB 180 bill that became law earlier this year.

‘The future of homes.’ Why this Bradenton development is earning national praise A Southwest Florida neighborhood is on the cutting edge of surviving hurricanes and saving energy — and more homes like it are on the way.

Solar-powered? ✅ Hurricane-resistant? ✅ Smart tech? ✅ Here's how one Florida developer is leading changes in home design to adapt to climate change.
With @tiffanytompkins.bsky.social 🌊🏡☀️🌪️

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New Florida law a ‘gift to developers.’ Critics sue to block it The bill’s sponsor vowed to correct ‘unintended consequences’ this legislative session.

New lawsuits are flying over Florida's Senate Bill 180, which critics call a ‘gift to developers’ and an attack on home rule. As they sue to block it, the bill's sponsor now says the law needs to be fixed. With @harrisalexc.bsky.social

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Manatee County officials join lawsuit challenging developer-friendly law Manatee County joins a growing list of cities and counties challenging Senate Bill 180 in court.

As a new Florida law strips away local control over development, community planning and protecting the environment, cities and counties are preparing to fight back in court. Manatee County is the latest to join the upcoming lawsuit:

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Annual report ranks Manatee’s land conservation. Experts say it’s not enough “The landscape is changing faster than you can blink,” one conservationist said.

Annual report ranks Manatee County’s land conservation. Experts say it’s not enough:

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Are Gulf sharks really an ‘overwhelming problem’? It’s complicated, experts say Scientists are using everything from angler surveys to videos to DNA testing to study shark populations in the Gulf.

Scientists are studying a seeming increase in shark-angler conflicts in Florida waters.

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A Florida bill that slashes red tape for hurricane recovery efforts also has some provisions that local govs say will make it more difficult to rebuild stronger -- and higher -- after a hurricane.

With @rballogg.bsky.social, who's been watching this already unfold in Manatee

Are wetland changes illegal? Manatee sets up showdown with Florida officials Angry commissioners said they would fight state efforts to stop the return of local environment protections.

As Manatee County leaders prepared to take a final vote to restore local wetland protections, they were shocked by last-minute opposition from Florida officials:

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‘Getting our act together.’ Experts share good news for Manatee’s water quality Estuary program scientists say local efforts to cut pollution are paying off.

Seagrass is rebounding for the first time since 2016 in Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay:

www.bradenton.com/news/local/a...

Manatee County looks to protect Florida panther, Myakka land with $5 million purchase It’s part of a statewide plan to protect endangered species from development.

Manatee County looks to protect Florida panther, Myakka land with $5 million purchase:

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Johnson, who lives in the area, argues that commissioners should have used a developer-friendly Florida law to seek over $250K from a resident who challenged the rollback of local wetland protections.

Jan 6. Capitol riot ‘Lectern Guy’ sues Manatee County officials over wetlands lawsuit Johnson’s lawsuit claims that county leaders destroyed a “public asset.”

NEW: Adam Johnson, aka "the Lectern Guy" from the Capitol riot, is suing Manatee County commissioners. It's the latest twist in a long and heated battle over local wetland protections:

www.bradenton.com/news/local/a...

‘We’re not playing anymore.’ Manatee County officials planning big development changes Some commissioners have begun to consider a building moratorium in some parts of Manatee County.

Manatee County leaders look to dial back on growth with new measures aimed at development:

Manatee County reveals fluoride already missing from water as scientific debate begins Manatee County first began adding fluoride to its water in the early 90s.

Manatee County joins the list of Florida communities considering an end to water fluoridation.

But in a surprise, staff reveal the system has been broken for years:

When will Manatee County wetland protections be restored? Officials look for faster way Newly elected commissioners are trying to get the protections back on the books sooner.

In Manatee County, Florida, restoring wetland protections that commissioners removed in 2023 is proving to be a complicated process:

Will a developer-friendly Florida law saddle a Manatee County man with a $250K fee for challenging the removal of wetland protections? Board decides:
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Bradenton man contracts flesh-eating bacteria while fishing, loses leg, family says
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