Anna Maria Island might be small but it's big enough to have two newspapers. Eat your heart out New York and LA. Both are weekly and if you're coming to stay on vacation both are vital to enjoying your stay to the maximum. With listings, a map (in The Islander) and valuable news and information. And all for competitive price of, er, nothing.
Pick one up at restaurants, shops and other outlets across the island.

The Islander
Launched in 1992 as The Islander Bystander, it carried just 12 pages for the first two weeks of production, before its popularity and the sheer volume of advertising pushed it up to 40 in its first season. The Islander staff now boasts many contributors from an assortment of former Island papers and has since dropped the 'Bystander' part of its name.
The newspaper has earned numerous Florida Press Association awards for writing, photography, special sections, editorials and editorial cartoons and a coveted First Amendment Defense award. It has also earned more than 50 advertising awards from FPA. The paper is distributed free locally, but for those who want to stay in touch while away The Islander is mailed weekly more than 1,400 paid subscribers. The Islander also has an excellent website, where you can keep up to date with all the goings-on on the island.
http://www.islander.org/

Anna Maria Island Sun
First published in September 2000, the Island Sun is published each Wednesday, featuring news, business, entertainment, real estate and sports from the community with an average distribution of 16,000 copies. As well as bringing Anna Maria residents all the news, the Island Sun also reflects the importance of fishing to this community, with regular captains reports and features and advice for the pleasure angler.
The Island Sun's website also has a section for reader comments, where residents can discuss the issues affecting them. There is also a service to receive the paper by mail.
http://www.amisun.com