Daily News Roundup: April 8, 2025
Early Preparations Begin for Sea Turtle Hatching Season Amid Post-Storm Challenges
Local organizations along Manatee County’s coastline are ramping up efforts to protect sea turtles as hatching season approaches, even though the official start date isn’t until May 1. This year’s preparations come with new challenges, particularly in Bradenton Beach, where last year’s hurricanes significantly altered the shoreline landscape.
Former Manatee Teacher Pleads No Contest in Restraint Case Involving Special Needs Student
A former Manatee County exceptional student education teacher has pleaded no contest to a charge of false imprisonment in connection with a February 2024 incident involving the restraint of a 7-year-old nonverbal student with autism.
Manatee School District Eyes Expansion of AI Weapons Detection to All Middle Schools
Manatee County School District is preparing to take another step in its ongoing effort to enhance campus security by expanding its AI-powered weapons detection system to include all traditional middle schools by the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Booked for Lunch: Jenna Bush Hager Headlines Manatee Library Fundraiser with Heartfelt Tribute to Literacy and Family 📚
BRADENTON, FL — The Library Foundation of Manatee County hosted its signature annual fundraiser, Booked for Lunch, welcoming author, journalist, and Today with Jenna and Friends host Jenna Bush Hager as the featured speaker. The event drew a full house in support of the Manatee County Public Library System, raising both funds and awareness for the essen…