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A controversial concrete crushing plant near downtown Sarasota apparently keeps operating, without permits. Noah Bookstein visited the plant to find out what’s going on. Then: The Sarasota Property Appraiser heads a PAC in support of gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds. What gives? Suncoast Searchlight brings us this report. Next: The Sarasota School Board yesterday passed a set of new policies, including one that punishes student protest during school hours. Ramon Lopez brings us the details. Speaking of Sarasota schools:  We are putting the focus on the race for the school board seat held by Bridget Ziegler. We begin our profiles of District 1 candidates with Jimmy Glover.    Then: It’s Earth Day, and Gretchen Cochran brings us the report about a merger between two non-profits that now cover the whole food cycle - from seed to compost. And our final tribute to Earth Day comes from WSLR staffer Reiña Phair: It’s a call to move away from bottled water.

A $250 million  land preservation deal is ahead of Sarasota voters. We will find out how the County Commission is going about it.  Next:  180 teachingl positions in Sarasota County schools are on the chopping block, due to a budget shortfall within the district. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story. After that: The one-year anniversary of the “Hands off our Social Security" protest. What has been accomplished in the past 52 weeks? Where do organizers see the movement going? Next: How did folks on the right side of the aisle feel about the nationwide “No Kings Protests”?  Finally: “Fish Fry & Fellowship”, a locally made documentary focused on late Palmetto icon Coach Eddie Shannon premieres this Saturday. 

The Sarasota County Sheriff is one of the most active Florida law enforcement agencies when it comes to ICE referrals. Kurt Hoffman suggests all the potential deportees are “criminals”. But are they? Ramon Lopez poured over hundreds of Sarasota County ICE referrals. Next: ICE is looking for office space in Florida, including in Sarasota. Suncoast Searchlight brings us this story. Then: Sarasota Senator Joe Gruters’ parting gift to his constituents is an insurance bill that could raise the cost of those living in condos, apartments and retirement homes. It also sets up a major contributor to Republican campaigns to make a windfall. Finally: ‘No Kings Day’ mobilized thousands in Sarasota County. A trio of WSLR News reporters bring us their observations.

Grady Judd has been an advocate of strict immigration enforcement. That’s why the Polk County Sheriff surprised many last week when he announced he would advocate with the Trump administration for a slowdown in mass deportations. Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman does not think much of Judd’s initiative. Ramon Lopez has that story. Next: Expect thousands of opponents of the Trump agenda to rally this Saturday along the Suncoast for another “No Kings Day”. Ed James III has a preview of local events.Then: The Sarasota School Board approved a new student protest policy. Ramon Lopez reports. Then: So the City of Sarasota committed to safeguarding the historic Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. But that’s a quite complex undertaking, and it’s not happening overnight. Gretchen Cochran talked to a city engineer. Next: Traffic calming in neighborhoods is high on the City of Sarasota’s agenda. Rhatia Murphy reports. Finally: Kelly Franklin and Ron Kashden’s community organizing has made an impact. This weekend, the Sarasota power couple was recognized for that.

The panel included immigration lawyer John Dubrule and UnidosNow co-founders Kelly Kirschner and CJ Czaia. Here is an edited recording of the event this week at the Bradenton Central Library.

Will the Historic Downtown Village on Fruitville Road soon be history? Ed James III brings us a report on a superblock development that could do away with yet another piece of Old Sarasota. Next: The State of Florida seems to have the power to shut down a controversial concrete crushing plant near downtown Sarasota. But will it? Jackson Rothman is looking for answers. Then: Mark Vengroff has become a household name on the Suncoast as a developer and manager of workforce housing. Suncoast Searchlight reporter Kelly Kirschner profiles Vengroff’s rise. Finally: Three years after the political takeover of New College of Florida, a documentary about the events and their impact on students and teachers is hitting the film festival circuit. Brice Claypoole brings us the details.

A controversial concrete crushing plant continues to grind near downtown Sarasota. But now the city is getting ready to sue. Next: On the board of New College, a culture war crusader is out, and a football coach is in. We’re taking a close look at what Urban Meyer has to say about education. Then: An agreement with a large commercial developer to run their golf courses is creating anxiety at one of Sarasota’s oldest planned developments.  Next: If you live in the City of Sarasota, you have rented one of those e-scooters at least three times. Statistically, that is. Ed James III puts the spotlight on our fast-growing micromobility and the conflicts that come with it. Finally: Our reporter Rhatia Murphy will take you on a stroll through the area’s farmers’ markets.

Shrinking student enrollment means less money, and that translates to tough decisions ahead for the Sarasota School District. Then: The Sarasota City Commission gave a nod to a scaled-down proposal for a new performing arts center, but it’s happening under a cloud of bigger financial uncertainty. Then: Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been disaster-free since 2000. But is SRQ ready when planes crash? Finally: "Through Womens Eyes" will kick off Friday. We focus in on that film festival.

As early as July 1, the Sarasota-Manatee campus of the University of South Florida could be gone. USF boosters are trying to prevent that, and a rally on the campus is underlining their intent. Ed James III has the details. Then: On Monday, City of Sarasota Commissioners will be presented with an updated and scaled down proposal for a new performing arts center. Parking should be a key part of that presentation, but it probably will not, as Gretchen Cochran reports. Next: The Torch troubles started with a bang and ended in a whimper this week. Our reporter Klaus Obermeit interviewed Pine View high school journalists who put together the Torch student newspaper, to find out what they learned from their principal’s incrimination of two articles. Finally: Sarasota’s Booker schools are home to Scratch Made. That’s a program that steers students to professional kitchens and careers in gastronomy. Jackson Rothman gives us a taste.

Sarasota County is in the process of buying two high-profile properties for what could be upwards of $40 million. We have the details. Next: Owning a home in a developer-controlled neighborhood can come with hidden costs and other pitfalls. A pending bill in the Florida legislature seeks to rein in these private governments. Suncoast Searchlight brings us that story. In young Sarasota, the Leonard Reid House is among the oldest. The non-profit that runs the cultural center in that building in Newtown will be celebrating its centennial this weekend. Finally: Sarasota - meet the Freedge. Community fridges that are stocked with fresh food for the taking are a national phenomenon, and one of them just opened in one of Sarasota’s food deserts.

The community member with Somali immigration background describes how - even though most of them have U.S. citizenship - she feels the Somali community in Minneapolis was a key target of ICE enforcement during the soon-to-be concluded Operation Metro Surge. She also describes the community response around Signal neighborhood groups.

Coming up: The Trump administration’s EPA wants to gut wetland protections. Brice Claypoole explores what that could mean for Sarasota. Next: Who will be the next Sarasota city manager? The commissioners boiled down the field of applicants to six, and a front runner has emerged. Next: A controversial affordable housing project run by the City of Sarasota is back. Suncoast Searchlight brings you the details. Finally: Immigration enforcement is on everyone’s mind. A WSLR panel this Saturday will feature two sheriffs and an immigrant advocate.

Operation Metro Surge put Minneapolis in the national headlines, and the Somali immigrant community is at the center of that ICE storm. We interviewed a Somali immigrant who a couple years ago decided to move her family from Bradenton to Minneapolis. Here is our full-length interview with Lul Kassim.

It’s a first for Sarasota, the city of arts: A sizable apartment complex offering long-term, affordable housing for artists. We have the details of the Artscape project. Next: In the race for District 4, the recent past chair of the Sarasota County Commission, Joe Neunder, will be facing a Republican opponent in the primaries. Jim DeNiro is a cop.  Then: A Florida tip line that is supposed to provide leads about law enforcement not doing a good job on immigration has turned into a snitch line for neighbors. Finally: Minneapolis is making national headlines with Operation Metro Surge, and Somali immigrants are at the center of that ICE storm. Lul Kassim decided to move from Bradenton to Minnesota, because she believed it was a better place to raise her children. We have her story. 

On Tuesday, the Sarasota County Commission slammed the brakes on a 9,000-home development that could have eviscerated the last big chunk of rural land in the area between North Port and Englewood. Next: Last week, the Sarasota School Board narrowly passed a resolution promising full cooperation with ICE. But what does this actually mean? Alice Herman with Suncoast Searchlight tries to find answers. Then: An investigative report by Suncoast Searchlight and the Bradenton Herald showed a trend of rising abuses by teachers in the Manatee County school district. Josh Salman brings us a follow-up report about how the district pledges improvement. Finally: Trump is imposing an energy blockade on the island to our south. Massive blackouts in Cuba are becoming increasingly likely.