The Bradenton Times Podcast

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss Manatee County developers' reaction to the BOCC's attempt to raise impact fees, the further deregulation of digital currencies and what that means for the president's new cash cow, and some troubling detentions and deportations made by ICE over the past week.

This week, TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman discuss the Manatee School Board's surprise 3-2 vote to terminate the district's superintendent, Dr. Jason Wysong.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss Manatee County's struggles to enact sustainable growth policies in light of the state's increasing array of efforts to supersede home rule.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's vote to purchase a large office complex in Lakewood Ranch, where the county will move much of its administrative operations.

This week, Michael Barfield, an investigative journalist with the Florida Trident, Director of Public Access Initiatives with the Florida Center for Government Accountability, and an expert in Florida public records law, joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss recent attacks on press freedoms and what dangers they pose to our democracy.

Brice Claypool is a 17-year-old Manatee County resident, environmental activist, political history buff, and author of the blog The Kid Who Cares. He joins Mitch and Dawn this week to discuss how someone his age perceives our current state of political chaos.

This week, Bradenton City Councilwoman Lisa Gonzalez Moore joins the podcast to discuss post-Hurricane redevelopment and sewage treatment challenges,  workforce housing needs, downtown connectivity, and traffic gridlock. 

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the controversy over New College hosting right-wing podcaster Russell Brand, who was recently charged with rape and sexual assault, a judge's ruling temporarily reinstating the AP into the White House Press pool, fallout from Trump's trade war and his comments about wanting to deport U.S. citizens to a concentration-camp-like prison in El Salvador.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's upcoming vote on wetland policies, Signalgate, ICE deportations and more.

Manatee County District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard joins the podcast this week to discuss several county issues, including the upcoming Fresh Start program that will use opioid settlement funds to target addiction-related homelessness.

TBT Publisher and 22-year Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash joins Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman for a discussion on the lawsuit filed against six Manatee County Commissioners by "Lectern Guy," a pardoned J6 participant, and the increasingly alarming rate at which our democratic institutions are being dismantled.

This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's decision to move forward with the demolition of Annie's Bair & Tackle and revoke the school zone speed camera program entirely. They also react to the President's Congressional address and the evolving situation regarding our support for Ukraine's efforts to repel a Russian invasion.

Link to give FDOT feedback on the bridge replacementhttps://www.swflroads.com/project/444843-1

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's compromise on moving forward with a retail pet sale ban, the ethics of breeding, and Mitch's weekend getaway to Tarpon Springs.

This week, Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman discuss D.O.G.E.'s "move fast and break things" approach to government and the Manatee Port Authority's decision to walk away from a shady land acquisition deal.

This week, Manatee County Commissioner Carol Felts joins the podcast to discuss her first months in office after being elected to the seat in November, touching on a host of issues regarding how Manatee County can best implement sustainable growth policies.

Manatee County Commission Chair George Kruse joins the podcast this week to discuss a wide range of issues, including the debate over issuing final plats, the future of Annie's Bait & Tackle, the county animal shelter, and much, much more.

In this week's episode, Mitch & Dawn discuss the county's new ADU policy, dry January, the frigid Florida weather, and much more!

Fresh off the holiday break, Mitch & Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's reversal on wetland policy, new board chair George Kruse's significant proposals regarding board business, and much more.

In our final episode before the holidays, Mitch & Dawn discuss the controversial supervisor of elections satellite office, Carlos Beruff's "Field of Dreams," planning commission and historic preservation committee appointments, and a potential affordable housing project near U.S. 41 and Cortez Road.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss rumors that Gov. Ron DeSantis may replace Pete Hegseth as President-elect Trump's pick for Secretary of Defense, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister's decision to step down as the DEA director nominee, President Biden's flip-flop on pardoning his son, and much more.

This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the new Manatee County Commission, the sale of the "old City Hall" property, Richard Tatem being reappointed to the school board seat he resigned from to run for House seat 72, and the Floridians nominated to cabinet positions by the president-elect.

Herb Donica is the court-appointed receiver for Piney Point. Jeff Barath is the site manager. They join Mitch and Dawn this week to discuss the status of the ongoing process of draining the former phosphate processing facility's gyp stacks, the deep well injection, and the ultimate closure of the site.

In this week's episode, TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman discuss the local results of Tuesday's election.

In our final candidate interview before Election Day, Sari Lindroos-Valimaki joins Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss her campaign for Manatee County Commission District 7 (At-Large).

In a special bonus episode, Mitch & Dawn discuss the Amendment 4 resolution passed by Manatee County Commissioners on Tuesday, along with other issues from the meeting.

Joseph Di Bartolomeo is an NPA candidate for Manatee County Commission District 5. He joins Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss his qualifications, critical issues facing the county, and what he would like to do if elected. 

Glenn Pearson is the Democratic candidate for Manatee County Commission District 1. He joins TBT's Mitch Maley to discuss critical issues facing the county and why he'd like to represent D1 on the board.

This week, Manatee County Commission D3 candidate Diana Shoemaker joins TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss issues facing the community and what she would like to do if elected. Shoemaker, a Democrat, faces Republican Tal Siddique in the November election.

Jennifer Hamey is a local attorney and NPA candidate for Manatee County Commission District 1, a seat that is currently vacant. Hamey joins TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss her vision for a rural, resource-rich district that is rapidly changing because of rampant development.

Lesa Miller is a Democrat running for the Florida House District 72 seat in November. She Joins Mitch & Dawn this week to discuss a wide range of state issues she hopes to tackle if elected.

This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the presidential debate, Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting, and the meltdown of the local Republican Executive Committee.

This week, Adriaan DeVilliers joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss his campaign to represent Manatee County in the Florida House of Representatives District 71 seat. DeVilliers, a former Republican turned Democrat, is challenging incumbent Republican Will Robinson on the November ballot.

This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss big news from the first post-election Manatee County Commission meeting and east county residents' unanswered questions regarding persistent flooding.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the historic results of the August 20 Manatee County primaries, in which grassroots candidates executed a clean sweep over those backed by developers.

In this special bonus episode, Mitch and Dawn discuss the frustration many residents had regarding the county's recent response to Hurricane Debby and the changes in county leadership that likely impacted its outcome.

Perri Ann Parkman is a candidate for the Dist. 3 Manatee County School Board seat, who was recently endorsed by the Christian Family Coalition of Florida. She joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss what inspired her to run for the seat and which issues she'd most like to tackle if elected. She also discusses the Mac Parkman Foundation for Adolescent Concussive Trauma, which she founded after the tragic death of her son. You can learn more about Perri at https://www.perriannparkman.com/

Former Manatee County School Board member Charlie Kennedy is seeking to return to the board in August's D3 race, which will fill the seat being vacated by Mary Foreman. Kennedy joins Mitch & Dawn to discuss his campaign and major issues facing the district.

This week, Manatee County Property Appraiser Charlie Hackney joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss his more than three decades of service in the office and his campaign for reelection in this August's open primary.

Carol Felts is a Republican candidate for Manatee County Commission District 1. She joins TBT's Mich Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss the challenges of running a grassroots campaign in the age of big developer PACs and why she believes that community engagement and education are the key to Manatee County's Future

Manatee County District 1 School Board candidate Heather Felton joins TBT Editor Mitch Maley to discuss why she decided to leave teaching to seek a seat on the board in this August's election. Learn more about Heather at https://heatherformanatee.com/

Scott Farrington joins Mitch & Dawn this week to discuss his candidacy for Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. Farrington faces former Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher in next month's Republican primary. 

This week, Mitch and Dawn are joined by TBT publisher and former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash to discuss his unsuccessful challenge of the county's change to its wetland polices, as well as the importance of the August primaries for local races.

Doctor Robert McCann is a candidate for Manatee County Commission District 5. He faces appointed incumbent Ray Turner in August's Republican primary. He joins TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss his background and his position on the issues facing Manatee County.

Tal Siddique is a candidate for Manatee County Commission District 3. He joins TBT's Mitch Maley and Dawn Kitterman to discuss why he is running for the office and his positions on key issues associated with the board. You can learn more about Tal's candidacy at https://www.votetal.com/.

This week, Mitch & Dawn discuss the SOE's ruling on the District 5 School Board Race and update listeners on the status of Manatee County Commission and School Board Races as we approach Friday's qualifying deadline.

This week, Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse joins Mitch and Dawn to discuss the upcoming vote on impact fees, as well as Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge becoming his new opponent in the upcoming District 7 Republican primary.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the Manatee County Commission's decision to give recently appointed Supervisor of Elections James Satcher an enormous current-year budget increase despite being given very little information as to why it is needed.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss the latest numbers in the presidential polls, Manatee County's latest code enforcement scandal, the withdrawn challenge over Manatee County's wetland policy, and more.

This week, Mitch and Dawn discuss Biden's poor polling numbers, the Manatee County Commission's Israel/Gaza theater, the "baby at the dais" controversy, and more.