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.

WSLR News is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts WSLR News, a news show with 100 episodes published.

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  Episode #460

  Episode 460: WSLR News Tue., Aug 18: Election night special edition. Obsidian lawsuit; city candidate eligibility near-fail; Livel Local Act project; candidate anti-PAC press conference; polling station mood

  Aug 18, 20261h 58m

  The Obsidian is probably the most controversial project in downtown Sarasota. It would be the tallest condo tower, planners sent it back to the drawing board, and the city commission rejected it repeatedly. Now, there’s a lawsuit. Ramon Lopez reports. A Sarasota City Commission candidate withdrew from the race this summer, citing reasons unrelated to her eligibility. But records show she wasn't eligible to run in the first place — and the system almost didn’t catch it. Noah Bookstein looks at whose job it was to verify her residency, and how the election safeguard nearly failed. Live Local Act affordable housing projects have made waves, after a recent rush of applications that prompted the Sarasota County Commission to vote ‘no’ on seven of them. The rejection triggered lawsuits that are now unfolding in the courts. Community activists are now looking at how many Live Local project applications are pending in the county, as Ramon Lopez reports. A PAC campaign most likely funded by local developers has attacked two Republican incumbents on the Sarasota County Commission. Ramon Lopez has a report from a press conference held by those two commissioners. And on to election day. Ramon Lopez was at a precinct voting place in Sarasota this morning, and he brings us a few impressions.

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  Episode #459

  Episode 459: WSLR News Fri., Aug. 14: Florida Panthers; Neunder's cease-and-desist; profile Pearson; Indian Beach Park

  Aug 14, 202628 min

  The Black Panthers are back - we have a report on the newly created Florida chapter. Then: Republican primaries in this area feature the most heated battles this electoral cycle. Case in point: The two Republican candidates in the Sarasota County Commission District 4 race are whacking each other with PACs and cease-and-desist orders. Then: We continue with candidate profiles in the crowded District 16 congressional race. Today, we feature the Democratic candidate endorsed by the environmental and progressive caucuses. Finally: Our reporter admired the sunset through a fence at the Indian Beach Park. The City of Sarasota is two years and $17 million behind in repairs to its parks after storm damage dating back to 2024.

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  Episode #458

  Episode 458: WSLR News Wed., Aug. 12: Candidate residency doubts; Congressional candidate forum; Tamika Lyles profile; Manatee County finances

  Aug 12, 202629 min

  The Sarasota County Commission District 4 race gets heated, as candidate Jim DeNiro faces questions about his residency. Next: Candidates Allen Spence and Matthew Montavon face off in a forum ahead of the primary for Florida’s 17th Congressional District. Then: We profile Tamika Lyles, who is running for Florida’s 16th Congressional District. Finally: Manatee County has been under the microscope following a recent state audit. We spoke with Commissioner George Kruse about the county’s spending and the findings of a local review.

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  Episode #457

  Episode 457: WSLR News Fri., Aug. 7: Laurel Meadows, New Booker High Coach, Where Are County Dems?, City Wastewater, and Sydney Gruters

  Aug 7, 202631 min

  Sarasota County is facing a lawsuit from Laurel Meadows homeowners who say a decades-old, unrepaired breach in a county-maintained dike is to blame for the catastrophic flooding that filled their homes with up to two feet of water during Hurricane Debby. Then: Booker High has a new football coach after the abrupt dismissal of its previous coach and an uproar in the community. Next: The Sarasota County Commission has experienced over five decades of continuous Republican dominance. Where are the Democrats? Next: The City of Sarasota’s wastewater treatment facility is under construction. We spoke with utilities director Verne Hall about the project. Finally: We profile Sydney Gruters, who is running for US House on the Trump endorsement in a heavily gerrymandered District 16.

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  Episode #456

  Episode 456: WSLR News Wed., Aug. 3: HOA pilot project; Sarasota parking; concrete crushing; Manatee County budget increases

  Aug 5, 202628 min

  It’s quite likely that the place you live in is subject to an HOA. But HOAs are often problematic, and a bipartisan law is trying to fix that. Our reporter was at a town hall in Sarasota. Then: There is a long history of flip-flopping when it comes to paid parking in the City of Sarasota. Well, the city is apparently about to change its mind again. Next: A controversial concrete crushing plant near downtown Sarasota has a new owner. We have the details. Finally: A state audit made Manatee County’s growing budgets look bad. Now, an internal report adds more detail - and it puts the spotlight on one county department’s finances in particular.

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