PODCAST · news
WSLR News
by 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.
Episodes
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Episode 476: WSLR News Thu., Oct. 22: Gruters vs Kirschner fundraising; Ashley Moody on Flock cameras; Julie London; Sarasota Charter Review Board candidates; faith vs. zoning
Polls indicate that the U.S. House race between Sydney Gruters and Kelly Kirschner will be a close call. But in fundraising, it’s lopsided. A look at the latest numbers shows why. Then: In his run for the Sarasota County Commission, Republican Jim DeNiro feels confident he’ll win. But Julie…
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Episode 475: WSLR News Tue, Oct. 20: Florida Attorney General; Nixon and Sanders whirlwind tour; Jim DeNiro; Dengue
The Hope Florida scandal and the state’s legal efforts to shut down talk about it put a big, bright spotlight on the race for Florida Attorney. WSLR interviewed the Democratic contender for the job. Then: Angie Nixon plugged into the rock star status of Bernie Sanders, for a joint weekend…
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Episode 474: WSLR News Oct. 15: Erika Donalds; Steube vs Montavon; Gaza hostage ripples; 2D animation returns
A couple of weeks before the elections, New College President Richard Corcoran offered a publicly funded stage to Erika Donalds, possibly Florida’s next First Lady, to talk about the need to privatize schools. Then: Sarasota Congressman Greg Steube has ignored his Democratic opponents while...
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Episode 473: WSLR News Thu., Oct. 8: Built for Belonging fund drive; Hi Hat Ranch; Ziegler and school libraries; Sarah Towle and immigrant advocates
And there go another few thousand acres of farmland in east Sarasota County. We have a report from yesterday’s county commission discussion and vote on Hi Hat Ranch. Next: The state of Florida is pushing school superintendents to keep “inappropriate” books out of school libraries. But culture...
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Episode 472: WSLR News Thu., Oct. 1: State targets Pine View history teacher; Haiti TPS; District 16 still 'in play'; Banned Book Week
The Sarasota school district responded to the Florida Attorney General’s demand to investigate a Pine View history teacher. We have the details. Next: An estimated 2,000 Haitians in this area lost their temporary protected status two months ago and have become deportable. An event in Sarasota put...
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Episode 471: WSLR News Thu., Sep. 24: Lakewood Ranch Southeast; Manasota Beach Road; Congressional candidate debate; Newtown development
The planning commission had recommended denial of two big rezone asks for the Lakewood Ranch Southeast megaproject. Even so, the Sarasota County Commission granted them. One commissioner said his hand was forced. Meanwhile, the developer behind Wellen Park is trying to get taxpayers to fund an...
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Episode 470: WSLR News Tue., Sep. 22: Sarasota student enrollment drop; Uthmeier wants Sarasota Schools to fire a teacher; city park zoning; lowriders
Public schools in Sarasota are going through a bigger than expected drop in student enrollment. We bring you the numbers. Then: Florida’s attorney general just told the Sarasota school district to fire a teacher who allegedly bullied a conservative student. We have some reactions. Then: In the…
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Episode 469: WSLR News Thu., Sep. 17: Embattled librarians; SeaSpray; party line crossers; reactions to radio documentary
A documentary about embattled librarians just won an Emmy Award. We talk to one of the main protagonists. Then: Developer Carlos Beruff’s SeaSpray project in west Bradenton would erase one of the last natural stretches of Sarasota Bay’s coastline. We’re reporting on a regulatory hurdle the...
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Episode 468: WSLR News Tue., Sep. 15: African American Cultural Center; Manasota Beach Road; bear hunt; Suncoast Women of Action; Comicon
The Sarasota African American Cultural Center project is taking the next step. We have the details. Then: Developer Pat Neal asked for, and got from the Sarasota County Commission, his Manasota Beach Road. But opponents will now have their day in court. Next: Do you want to save Florida black…
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Episode 467: WSLR News Thu., Sep. 10: Palmer Ranch East; Newtown brownfield project; People's Radio documentary; Comicon
It was not surprising that the Sarasota County Commission approved yet another 5,000-plus home development. But the unanimous vote and the commissioners’ enthusiasm about the megaproject was. Then: Sarasota County’s possible purchase of a golf course has drawn the attention of the two contenders…
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Episode 466: WSLR News Tue., Sep. 8: 9-11 and Newtown; North Port data center rebellion; Gulf Gate golf course; The Bay park rocks; youth movement
It’s been 25 years since 9-11, a quarter century of endless wars. Our reporter talks to some who were second-graders at Emma E Booker Elementary when President George W Bush was at the school that morning. Next: In North Port, the probably most conservative area in this conservative county,...
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Episode 465: WSLR News Thu., Sep. 3: Angie Nixon; Ziegler investigation; concrete crushing lawsuit
We are running excerpts of an interview with Angie Nixon who stopped at WSLR - again - yesterday. Her primary win was a big upset, and just two weeks later, the progressive U.S. Senate candidate was in Sarasota - where registered Democrats voted for her opponent in a landslide. Our reporter was…
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Episode 464: WSLR News Tue., Sep. 1: Parking; Kyle Rittenhouse; Newtown Nation
The City of Sarasota is subsidizing its parking division, but it shouldn’t be that way. After it took back expanded paid parking, a workshop yesterday gave indications where the city might be headed. Then: Kyle Rittenhouse, who was in the national limelight after the 2020 Kenosha shootings, moved...
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Episode 463: WSLR News Thu., Aug. 27: Hope Florida; Lakewood Ranch Southeast; vote by mail; flood resilience projects
A year and a half ago, it looked like Lakewood Ranch Southeast was a done deal. But last week, the 5,000-acre development plan hit a road block. Then: On Monday, the U.S. Supreme partially sided with a Trump plan to rein in vote-by-mail. What does it mean to local voters? Finally: $30 million....
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Episode 462: WSLR News Tue., Aug. 25: Sarasota goes for Vindman; the shifting Sarasota School Board; Sarasota Dem chair comments; non-profit's PAC actions trigger IRS complaint; homelessness set to rise again
Angie Nixon staged a big upset in the race for US Senate - but not in Sarasota, which was one of the major hubs of support for her primary opponent Alex Vindman. Our reporter Noah Bookstein talked to local Democrats. Then: Speaking of local Democrats, reporter Ramon Lopez interviewed the chair of...
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Episode 461: WSLR News, Thu., Aug 20: DeNiro; Villa Ballada; immigrant dragnet; Glover; Montavon
On Tuesday, Jim DeNiro beat the incumbent for the Sarasota County Commission District 4 seat. Our reporter talked to the retired cop about what’s next. A new luxury condo building has gone up near downtown Sarasota. That’s not news. The news is, it has been built where it’s not supposed to be…
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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
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...
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Episode 459: WSLR News Fri., Aug. 14: Florida Panthers; Neunder's cease-and-desist; profile Pearson; Indian Beach Park
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...
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Episode 458: WSLR News Wed., Aug. 12: Candidate residency doubts; Congressional candidate forum; Tamika Lyles profile; Manatee County finances
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...
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Episode 457: WSLR News Fri., Aug. 7: Laurel Meadows, New Booker High Coach, Where Are County Dems?, City Wastewater, and Sydney Gruters
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...
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Episode 456: WSLR News Wed., Aug. 3: HOA pilot project; Sarasota parking; concrete crushing; Manatee County budget increases
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…
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Episode 455: WSLR News Fri., July 31: Sydney Gruters vs Eddie Speir; Hi Hat Ranch; historic preservation; Breakfast House move; YouthThrives
Friday was the first time the Trump-endorsed candidate for the U.S. House seat being vacated by Vern Buchanan appeared in a public forum. Our reporter was there to observe Sydney Gruters - but most of the spotlight was taken by a competitor. Next: Hi Hat Ranch is set to be the biggest planned...
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Episode 454: WSLR News Wed., July 29: Booker High football; Bay Park rezone; Aug. 18 primaries; City of Sarasota PAC politics; New College Alumni Association
National sports media has been covering the Booker High School football drama. We have more details. Next: The makers behind the Bay Park project want a rezone. We explain why. Then: Confused about the upcoming primary election? We have an explainer. Then: The political vehicles that produce...
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Episode 453: WSLR News Fri., July 24: Florida DOGE; Gracewater Midtown; Live Local lawsuit; US Garage; Rob Rominiecki
A Washington event reveals extremist ties to the Florida program that is pushing to cut local spending. We have a Suncoast Searchlight report. Next: Bulldozers are rolling on Gracewater Midtown, a big development - not in the boonies, but right next to historic Newtown. Ed James III is gathering...
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Episode 452: WSLR News Wed., July 22: North Port data centers; Live Local lawsuit; Sarasota School Board meeting times; water treatment plant; Brad Baker
The City of North Port has received an application for construction of a data center - but the commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to slam the brakes on any project, including this one. Next: This developer lawsuit against Sarasota County is different - it actually tries to hold individual...
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Episode 451: WSLR News Fri., July 17: Gunshot patients; end of TPS for Haitians; undocumented student ban; Sarasota Motor Club; Desmond Meade
If you have a gunshot wound and no insurance, you’re likely to spend significantly less time at Sarasota Memorial Hospital than insured patients. The hospital explains what’s behind the discrepancy. Next: Expect worker shortages at rehab facilities, in homecare, and retirement homes soon. Next...
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Episode 450: WSLR News Wed., July 15: State pre-emption; school meals; PACs; Done with Gun; Kelly Kirschner
The Florida legislature has recently produced more than 50 laws that restrict local decisionmaking. The Suncoast’s state legislators approved all of these unpopular bills - yet most of our local representatives and senators seem to be cruising to re-election. Next: School districts are in a…
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Episode 449: WSLR News Fri., July 10: CD 16 'in play' for Dems; profile Eddie Pope; Maley's Fish Kill; WW2 Jeep
The national Democratic fundraising arm for congressional candidates declared a local district “in play”. We explain what that means. Next: We continue our series of candidate profiles. Today, we’re focusing on Eddie Pope, a Republican running for Congress in District 16. Then: Journalists...
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Episode 448: WSLR News Wed., July 8: Sarasota slams brakes on data centers; rural stormwater fees; dropping school enrollment; Eddie Speir
Today, Sarasota joined the fast-growing ranks of Florida counties slamming the brakes on data centers. Next: One rural resident has an issue with being charged by the county for rainwater that does not end up in the county’s ditches, channels or canals. She may have a case. Then: Like many...
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Episode 447: WSLR News Fri., July 3: Airbnb and Byron Donalds; employees take over roofing business; Treatment First ripples; oyster bed restoration; turtle recovery
Today, WSLR News is going underwater, with a report on turtle rehab at Mote Marine and another one about restoring oyster beds in the Manatee River. But before that, we have a report on how the world’s biggest vacation rental company is helping fund Byron Donald’s campaign for governor. Then, we...
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Episode 446: WSLR News Wed., July 1: Canadian at Alcatraz; New College budget; Yevgheni Khodorkovsky
In a WSLR exclusive, our reporter Ramon Lopez interviewed a Canadian businessman who spent time at the now-shuttered Everglades immigrant detention center before he was deported. One of the moments Doug Dixon would rather like to forget: He witnessed the suicide of a 19-year old fellow detainee....
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Episode 445: WSLR News Fri., June 26: Canadian at Alcatraz; The Real KVO; concrete crushing; stormwater system update
The notorious immigrant detention center in the Everglades is shutting down for good. In a WSLR exclusive, our reporter Ramon Lopez interviewed a Canadian businessman who spent time at Alligator Alcatraz before he was deported. Next: The foul-mouthed blue cartoon character that made a big...
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Episode 444: WSLR News Wed., June 24: Protect Siesta Key endorsement; Julie London; administrative review; Bridget Ziegler; laughter yoga
Being seen as tied to developers is a big no-no in this election cycle. One of the most active anti big-development groups in Sarasota County just endorsed one candidate, and it’s being taken to task for it. Next: Julie London is the sole Democrat in this election cycle running for a seat in the...
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Episode 443: WSLR News Fri., June 19: Hospital board elections; moratorium petition; Sarasota County Commission candidates; Juneteenth
Sarasota Public Hospital Board elections made headlines in 2024, when a slate of “Medical Freedom” activists was on the verge of taking control of Sarasota Memorial Hospital. They failed. But what about vaccination and mask skeptics in the upcoming elections? Nic Steinig reports. Then: A local...
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Episode 442: WSLR News, Wed. June 17: DeSantis signs Gruters' insurance bill; 1899 Fruitville; Angie Nixon; Newtown candidate forum; Jim DeNiro
The governor signed into law a Joe Gruters-sponsored insurance bill that will likely raise costs for condo dwellers and retirement home residents. The insurance industry had urged DeSantis to veto it, because it seems to heavily favor just one particular insurance business. Then: 1899 Fruitville…
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Episode 441: WSLR News Fri., June 12: Last-minute candidates; data center water use; USF shutdown ripples; Juneteenth
Friday, high noon, was the candidate filing deadline for the upcoming elections. We were looking for last-minute drop-outs and add-ons, as well as at who is NOT running in Sarasota. Then: Investors want to build Planet Earth’s biggest data center just 40 miles from Sarasota. But they might have…
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Episode 440: WSLR News Wed., June 10: John Oliver and New College; historic teardown; CONA; candidate profiles: Flo Entler and Joe Neunder
New College got national exposure again - but not the kind it wants. Next: Half a year ago, a buyer spent more than $1 million on a historically designated home in the Hudson Bayou neighborhood near downtown Sarasota. Now, they are asking the city to allow a tear-down. What gives? Then: Do you…
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Episode 439: WSLR News, Fri, June 5: New College financial collision; Christian Nationalism; candidate profiles: Jen Ahearn-Koch and Kristina Sargent
New College is facing what looks like a financial head-on collision. Nic Steinig brings us this story. Then: Four out of 10 Floridians support or sympathize with Christian Nationalism, and we have a U.S. administration that is pushing the envelope. An event in Sarasota is trying to raise…
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Episode 438: WSLR News Wed., June 3: Neighborhood workshops; biking deaths; school board candidate; measles; women of power
In-person neighborhood workshops are back in Sarasota County - developers who ask for exceptions from zoning rules now have to present their projects to actual neighbors again. Then: Two recent, high-profile road deaths of bicyclists in the region have stirred up biking activists. Next: Frank...
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Episode 437: WSLR News Fri., May 29: Bradenton mayor change; cemetery neglect; US Garage; hurricane season
The City of Bradenton is trying to change the role of its mayor, limiting re-election and stripping them of a vote on the city council. But will it result in a weakened mayor? We’re having a close look. Then: One of the area’s oldest Black cemeteries has been in a state of neglect, and some…
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Episode 436: WSLR News Wed., May 27: USF Sarasota-Manatee shutdown; data center; school tax settlement; candidate profile Harshman; candidate profile Pozzie
USF Sarasota-Manatee is no more. Republican state legislators made a deal that will close down the campus in a matter of months, even after thousands of area residents, students, and four chambers of commerce expressed their opposition. Then: Planet Earth’s biggest data center may be built some…
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Episode 435: WSLR News Fri., May 22: Vandalized cemetery; data center; ¡Pleibol!; Braver Angels
A historically Black cemetery in Palmetto may have been vandalized months ago, but efforts to make the city aware of it went nowhere. Next: Developers are pushing a massive data center project in rural DeSoto County. Will the pushback stop it? Next: A Bradenton museum exhibition celebrates the...
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Episode 434: WSLR News Wed., May 20: New Booker principal; school taxes; church parking; Bay Park Phase 3; Phillippi Creek dredging
Booker High School is an anchor of Sarasota’s African American community. Our reporter is gathering reactions to the appointment of a new principal. Next: The Sarasota County Commission yesterday took back part of its recent surprise vote to cover expenses of school tax collections, conditioning…
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Episode 433: WSLR News Friday May 15: Water violators: Zander debater: Steube: Mark Smith
The drought has produced water restrictions. But they are not equally enforced. We have a Suncoast Searchlight report. Zander Moricz is at it again. This week, the youth organizer and viral debater was in Oxford to discuss the prompt “Youth activism is primarily performative”. We were at the…
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Episode 432: WSLR News, Wed. May 13: USF Sarasota-Manatee vote; Allen Spence; cemetery vandalism; The Bay dirt pile; Suncoast Jewish Alliance
Despite a shift in voting by local legislators yesterday, the future of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus still hangs in the balance. Then: Two Democratic challengers are trying to take the U.S. House seat held by Greg Steube in the Sarasota district. Today, we bring you a profile of Allen Spence....
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Episode 431: WSLR News Fri., May 8: School tax fees; Booker High principal; US House candidates: Montavon; hurricane hunters
The Sarasota County Commission surprised everyone Tuesday when it took back a vote from last year, picking up the collection fee tab for school taxes. But the debate of what to do with the fees is not over. Next: Booker High School is an institution in Sarasota’s African American Community, and...
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Episode 430: WSLR News Wed., May 6: Schools v Moran; Live Local; Obsidian; Larry Thompson Q&A
Yesterday, led by Tom Knight, the Sarasota County Commission surprised everyone by taking back a vote it made last year to charge the school district for tax collections. The $2 million in fees withheld by the Sarasota Tax Collector had prompted the school district to sue Mike Moran and his…
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Episode 429: WSLR News Fri., May 1: Live Local clash; Obsidian, round 3; new concrete crushing operator; Sarasota schools sue tax collector; community choir
A Florida law that promotes affordable housing has put the Sarasota County Commission on a collision course with the state and developers. Suncoast Searchlight brings us a report about the apartment complex project that has prompted outrage and the commission’s strong reaction. Next: It’s Round 3...
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Episode 428: WSLR News Wed., Apr. 19: DR Horton sues; Democrats apologize; new concrete crushing plant operator; youth mental health; affordable legal help
Today's news: DR Horton is suing Sarasota County over their denial of a planned subdivision near the Celery Fields. Then: Sarasota County Democrats are apologizing for a viral social media post following an gunman opening fire at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Next: An event held by...
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Episode 427: WSLR News Fri., Apr. 24: New College master plan challenge; school board candidates: DeWitt, Brandt; Regional Scan; Bending the Arc
In August, New College will be facing hearings before a state administrative judge over its campus plans, tree cutting, and more. Six neighbors have petitioned the state to look into what they believe are violations of plans and rules. Then: We continue our dive into the District 1 race for...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does WSLR News have?
WSLR News currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is WSLR News 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.
How often does WSLR News release new episodes?
WSLR News has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to WSLR News?
You can listen to WSLR News on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts WSLR News?
WSLR News is created and hosted by WSLR News.
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