WSLR News

WSLR News
  • 5.0 (2)
  • DAILY NEWS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
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.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    WSLR News Fri., Feb. 28: Trucker strike; George Kruse q&a; sewage spills; economic storm

    That check in the mail could take a bit longer. Truckers in Tampa and Miami hauling much of the Postal Service’s mail are on strike. Then: George Kruse is a political survivor. The chair of the Manatee County Commission sat through a frank interview on WSLR’s The Detail, and we bring you excerpts. Next: The Suncoast Searchlight is bowing, and we are delighted to bring you a double feature today. First, Josh Salman tells us about sewage spills during last year’s epic storm season.Then: These same storms wrecked small businesses in this area, and that still makes economic ripples. Josh Salman of the Suncoast Searchlight brings us that story.

    30 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    WSLR News Wed., Feb. 26: Sarasota commisisoners slow down big project; resistance to The Ringling takeover; historic designation for the Purple Cow; Economic Blackout

    Yesterday, Sarasota County commissioners surprised their critics and campaign donors again. In a narrow vote, they postponed a decision on a key part of a major development, prompting the developer to huddle with neighbors who are trying to stop the project. Ramon Lopez reports. Then: The governor is setting in motion a takeover of yet another iconic institution in Sarasota. But the resistance is taking shape. Next: Next month, City of Sarasota commissioners are expected to take key decisions regarding the future of the Purple Cow. One of them is whether to seek a historic designation for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center. Gretchen Cochran reports.Finally: Activists are planning a nationwide economic blackout this Friday. We explain what’s behind the idea.

    31 min

  3. FEB 21

    WSLR News Fri., Feb. 21: Ukrainian immigrants in North Port react to Trump; Manatee County stormwater systems; SBA chugs on in Sarasota

    Some 5,000 Ukrainian immigrants live in South Sarasota County. And they’re not happy campers when it comes to the Trump administration’s and Rep. Greg Steube’s pressure campaign on Ukraine. Then: The Manatee County commission is trying to come to terms with the epic flooding during the last storm season, and what it may take to prevent an encore. Next: Amid Elon Musk’s cost-cutting and firing, the Small Business Administration is chugging on here in Sarasota, trying to help with disaster recovery.

    32 min

  4. FEB 19

    WSLR News Wed., Feb. 19: Federal workers; DOGE protests; LGBTQ star speaks at New College

    The firing of federal employees is happening not only in Washington. It’s making ripples here on the Suncoast, as Gretchen Cochran found. Speaking of DOGE: There is also pushback, in the shape of protests, against what many decry as executive overreach. There were 17 protests on President’s Day in Florida, including one in Bradenton and two in Sarasota. We have reports on those.Finally: New College hosted an academic with rock star status in the LGBTQ community. Judith Butler called on the newly conservative college to reinstate its gender studies program, to big applause from the audience.

    31 min

  5. FEB 14

    WSLR News Fri., Feb. 14: Super tall, for the super rich; political mini-quake in Sarasota; suburban farming

    The project to build a super tall and super exclusive condo tower in downtown Sarasota for the super rich survived one challenge. But it has to clear one more hurdle. We have that story. Then: There was a small earthquake in Sarasota County politics this week. Ramon Lopez puts the spotlight on two “no” votes that make a dent in the seemingly unstoppable suburban sprawl machine. Speaking of sprawl: In the middle of a decades-old suburb in Sarasota, a three-acre showcase for urban agriculture and composting is thriving. Sera Deniz put on her boots for this report.

    31 min

  6. FEB 12

    WSLR News Wed., Feb. 12: DR Horton plans die in county commission; city megaproject gets costlier; Florida may defund public arts; immigrant protest

    You could call it a political earthquake. Sarasota County Commissioners voted yesterday AND today against two major suburban development projects, both with 5-0 votes. Ramon Lopez has that report. Then: Tuesday was also a big day for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center project - the costliest undertaking yet in the history of the city. Gretchen Cochran is following it closely. Next: A St. Petersburg Republican filed a bill that could defund the public arts programs of Florida cities - including that of the City of Sarasota. Finally: A pro-immigrant protest brought hundreds of people to downtown Sarasota this weekend. And more is to come, including tracking of deportation action in the region, according to one of the organizers.

    31 min

  7. FEB 7

    WSLR News Fri., Feb. 7: Sarasota school administrators discuss ICE raids; civil rights photo exhibit; Great Florida Cattle Drive

    Donald Trump decreed that immigration enforcers can now enter churches, hospitals and schools. Sarasota School Board members and the superintendent discussed their response this week. Then: It’s Black History Month, and a photo exhibit at the Fogartyville celebrates the struggles of civil rights activists. Finally: Florida used to be the nation’s leading cattle state. Not anymore, as Florida’s head count of cows keeps shrinking. A new book puts the spotlight on the Great Florida Cattle Drive, and we have a report about that.

    30 min

  8. FEB 5

    WSLR News Wed., Feb. 5, 2025: New College expansion; cell phone use in Sarasota schools; funding freeze affects Sarasota Bay Estuary Program; Lakewood Ranch plaintiff interview;

    New College is land-hungry. But the administrators’ efforts to expand the small campus have yielded mixed results. This week they seem to have scored one win and one loss. Then: Cell-phone use at school is a thorny subject. The Sarasota school district waded into the controversy by polling students and parents. Ramon Lopez reports about the survey’s results. Next: The federal spending freeze this week affected at least one local program. We tell you how.Finally: The developer of Lakewood Ranch scored a major victory last week in a Tampa appeals court for their massive expansion plans in Sarasota County. We had an in-depth interview with the plaintiff about what’s next, and what this all means.

    31 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    WSLR News
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 WSLR News
  • Show Website
    WSLR News

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