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Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota area employees name the best places to work

Sarasota area employees name the best places to work

Energage and the Herald-Tribune reveal the 2026 Top Workplaces in Sarasota and Manatee based on employee feedback.
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Brevard County Voters to Decide Key School Board Elections Amid Challenges

Brevard County Voters to Decide Key School Board Elections Amid Challenges

Brevard County voters are set to decide three of the five seats on the Brevard Public Schools Board in the upcoming August 18 primary election. The elections are crucial as the district faces challenges such as declining enrollment, school consolidation, and teacher recruitment and retention. The district has maintained consecutive 'A' grades from the state despite these challenges. The races are nonpartisan, allowing all registered voters to participate. Board members oversee a $1.6 billion budget and make decisions on school safety, curriculum, and long-term planning. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in Districts 2 or 5, the top two finishers will advance to the general election on November 3.
Palm Beach Post Palm Beach Post
Mailing in your Florida ballot? How to make sure your vote is counted

Mailing in your Florida ballot? How to make sure your vote is counted

A returned vote-by-mail ballot must be received by the elections office no later than 7 p.m. local time on election day.
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ActBlue Faces Federal Scrutiny Amid Florida House Race Involvement

ActBlue Faces Federal Scrutiny Amid Florida House Race Involvement

ActBlue, a major Democratic fundraising platform, is under federal and congressional investigation for its donor-verification and compliance practices. This scrutiny comes as two ActBlue employees, Samuel Vilchez Santiago and Jose Gamboa, play key roles in a Florida House race. Vilchez Santiago is running for the Democratic nomination in Florida House District 43, while Gamboa serves as his campaign treasurer. The investigations focus on allegations of straw donations and potentially prohibited foreign contributions. Despite the investigations, there is no public evidence that Vilchez Santiago or Gamboa are targets of these inquiries.
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Cory Mills Faces Domestic Abuse Allegations Amidst House Ethics Investigation

Cory Mills Faces Domestic Abuse Allegations Amidst House Ethics Investigation

Cory Mills, the Republican incumbent for Florida's 7th Congressional District, is embroiled in controversy due to serious domestic abuse allegations and an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation. Mills has been accused of severe domestic violence, including incidents involving his wife and child. These allegations have intensified the primary race, with Mills facing competition from fellow Republicans Sarah Ulrich, Ryan Elijah, and Michael Don Johnson. Despite the controversies, Mills remains in the race, leading to a shift in the Cook Political Report's rating of his district from Likely Republican to Toss Up. The winner of the Republican primary will face a Democratic and a Libertarian candidate in the general election.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota County restaurant temporarily closed after live roaches found

Sarasota County restaurant temporarily closed after live roaches found

Sarasota County restaurant temporarily closed after inspectors found live roaches, then faced a complaint after its closure sign was removed.
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Thomas Chalifoux's Business Record Scrutinized Amid Congressional Campaign

Thomas Chalifoux's Business Record Scrutinized Amid Congressional Campaign

Thomas Chalifoux, a Republican congressional candidate from Central Florida, is emphasizing his business acumen as part of his campaign. However, his past business ventures have come under scrutiny, as four of his companies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy within two years. These businesses, all based in Kissimmee, Florida, faced significant financial challenges, including a $9.6 million mortgage debt. Chalifoux, a former Osceola County School Board member and retired Army colonel, has positioned himself as a political outsider and a proponent of fiscal responsibility. He attributes the bankruptcies to the economic climate at the time and asserts that he took necessary steps to protect his companies and employees.
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Four Gay Candidates Aim to Make History in Florida Congressional Races

Four Gay Candidates Aim to Make History in Florida Congressional Races

In Florida, four openly gay candidates are vying for congressional seats, potentially making history as the first out gay congressmen from the state. Among them are Democrats Elijah Manley, Shevrin Jones, and Kendrick Meek Jr., and Republican Keith Gross. Manley is running in Florida's 20th Congressional District, facing challenges due to redistricting and competition from established politicians like Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Jones and Meek are competing in the 24th District, a seat open due to Frederica Wilson's retirement. Gross, a self-funded candidate, is leading in the Republican primary in the conservative Panhandle.
Sarasota Herald-Tribune Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Sarasota-filmed ‘Spring Breakers’ is getting a new sequel

Sarasota-filmed ‘Spring Breakers’ is getting a new sequel

A new ‘Spring Breakers’ sequel is in the works more than a decade after the original movie filmed scenes in Sarasota and St. Petersburg.
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Catalina Lauf Leads in Florida House Primary Amid High Undecided Voter Rate

Catalina Lauf Leads in Florida House Primary Amid High Undecided Voter Rate

Catalina Lauf is leading the race to succeed Rep. Byron Donalds in Florida's 19th District, according to a poll conducted by Cygnal. The poll shows Lauf with 18% support, ahead of her closest rivals Jim Schwartzel and Jim Oberweis, who are tied at 14%. However, a significant 36% of likely GOP voters remain undecided. Lauf's campaign has gained momentum with endorsements from several Republican representatives, including Eli Crane. The race remains competitive with no candidate securing a decisive lead, and the high number of undecided voters could sway the outcome.
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Byron Donalds Highlights Longstanding Ties with Ron DeSantis at Rally

Byron Donalds Highlights Longstanding Ties with Ron DeSantis at Rally

At a recent rally in Niceville, Florida, gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds emphasized his longstanding relationship with Governor Ron DeSantis. Donalds, a Naples Congressman, recalled his involvement in DeSantis's 2018 gubernatorial campaign against Democrat Andrew Gillum. Despite a cooling of their relationship, Donalds remains hopeful for DeSantis's endorsement in his current campaign. The rally also featured other notable figures such as Richard Corcoran and Matt Gaetz, highlighting the interconnectedness of Florida's political landscape.
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State Sen. Shevrin Jones Leads Democratic Primary Race for Florida's 24th Congressional District

State Sen. Shevrin Jones Leads Democratic Primary Race for Florida's 24th Congressional District

The race to replace retiring Florida Rep. Frederica Wilson in the 24th Congressional District is intensifying, with State Sen. Shevrin Jones emerging as the frontrunner in the Democratic primary. According to a poll by National Victory Strategies, Jones has garnered 35% support among likely voters, followed by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver Gilbert with 28%, and Kendrick Meek Jr. with 9%. The district, which includes North Miami-Dade and parts of southern Broward County, is witnessing a competitive primary with seven Democratic candidates. The candidates are focusing on key issues such as affordability, healthcare, and economic development. Jones has proposed a ten-year plan to address poverty and promote economic growth through initiatives like affordable housing and AI training centers. The primary election is scheduled for August 18, with the winner set to face Republican candidate T.E. Brown in the general election.