Local Government

Latest reporting from the Local Government desk.

Metal stormwater drain grate embedded in red brick pavement with a small fish plaque below.

Local Government

Manatee approves $125 million for flood, stormwater projects

Manatee County commissioners approved more than $100 million in federal disaster recovery funding for 22 stormwater and flood-mitigation projects, including a $24.9 million automated outfall project at Pearce Drain that officials say could reduce repeated flooding in Center Lake.

October 8, 2026 · 2 min read

A young man in a navy suit and red tie posing outdoors near a pond.

Local Government

Three candidates compete for Manatee County school board seat covering Lakewood Ranch schools

Three candidates — Camden Bedinghaus, Jonathan Mullis, and Chantal Wilford — are competing for the open Manatee County School Board District 5 seat covering Lakewood Ranch-area schools, with the primary set for Tuesday, August 18 and voter registration closing Monday, July 20.

July 23, 2026 · 3 min read