Florida’s First Amendment reporter. Writing for the @USAToday Network-Florida 🌴// Last stop: @mtnstspotlight via @report4america ⛰// WV native
Articles by Douglas Soule
DeSantis announces $167.5 million in local infrastructure projects. Did your town make the list? Original
Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced $167.5 million for 34 local infrastructure projects across the state. The money comes from funds created to assist rural areas and places impacted by recent hurricanes. This is on top of more than $300 million communities received last month for infrastructure improvements. Here are the communities that benefited this time: City of Perry $12,000,000 – to construct a new parallel treatment train.
Governor calls late April special session on redistricting
Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation for a late April special session to change Florida’s congressional maps. The Wednesday proclamation calls lawmakers in from April 20 to April 24. The regular legislative session, which begins next week, is set to end March 13. DeSantis had previously said he wanted a special session in the spring, but this action further pits him against the Florida House on the redistricting issue. The chamber wants to take up redistricting in the regular session.
DeSantis says he's scheduling a late April redistricting special session Original
Gov. Ron DeSantis says he'll issue a proclamation on Wednesday for a late April special session to change Florida’s congressional maps. DeSantis had previously said he wanted a special session in the spring, but this action further pits him against the Florida House on the redistricting issue. The chamber wants to take up redistricting in the regular session that begins next week. Republican Rep.
DeSantis considera cargos estatales contra el venezolano Maduro
Maduro y su esposa enfrentan cargos federales por narcoterrorismo. Ambos se han declarado inocentes. DeSantis expresó su deseo de que los venezolanos logren "liberarse". Sin embargo, también señaló que el mandato de Maduro ha afectado de igual manera a los residentes de Florida. En una conferencia de prensa realizada el martes en Clearwater, el gobernador afirmó que Florida está "analizando muy de cerca" la posibilidad de presentar un caso estatal contra Maduro.
DeSantis respalda la prohibición de compra de acciones en el Congreso; propone plan de transparencia en Florida
Los estados tienen prohibido en gran medida regular a los miembros del Congreso como intentar prohibirles el intercambio de acciones individuales. Pero el gobernador DeSantis apoya dicha prohibición y propone una alternativa que, según afirma, ofrecería a los votantes de Florida mayor transparencia sobre las inversiones de sus representantes federales.
DeSantis calls late April redistricting special session
3 hours ago Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced new dietary guidelines for Americans focused on promoting whole foods, proteins and healthy fats. At a press conference Wednesday, the administration unveiled a new food pyramid with red meat, cheese, vegetables and fruits pictured at the …
DeSantis floats state charges against Venezuela's Maduro Original
With Nicolás Maduro behind bars in New York City, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he hopes the ousted Venezuelan president is “brought to justice.” Maduro and his wife face federal narco-terrorism charges. They’ve pleaded not guilty. DeSantis said he hopes Venezuelans are able to “liberate themselves.” But he also said Maduro’s reign affected Floridians, too. At a Tuesday press conference in Clearwater, the governor said Florida is “looking very closely” at bringing a state case against Maduro.
DeSantis backs congressional stock-trading ban, proposes Florida disclosure plan Original
States are largely barred from regulating members of Congress, such as trying to ban them from trading individual stocks. But Gov. Ron DeSantis supports a ban and is pitching a new workaround he says would at least give Florida voters more transparency on their federal representatives' investments.
Legisladores demócratas de Florida impulsan agenda de "asequibilidad" para la próxima sesión
Los legisladores demócratas representan una "superminoría" en el Capitolio de Florida, lo que significa que poseen mucho menos poder que los republicanos. Sin embargo, con el inicio de la sesión legislativa de 2026 (este link está en inglés) a pocas semanas, esperan que su agenda de "asequibilidad" logre ganar terreno.
DeSantis provides update on Florida's immigration enforcement actions Original
At his first press conference of the New Year, Gov. Ron DeSantis focused on immigration — one of his signature issues. "There's no other state that has been able to do anything approaching what the state of Florida has been able to do," DeSantis said on Monday, speaking at the so-called Deportation Depot immigrant detention facility in Northeast Florida. DeSantis gave an update on Operation Tidal Wave, an immigration enforcement effort between Florida and the federal government that began in April.
Aquí están las cinco leyes de Florida que entran en vigor en el 2026
El año nuevo trae consigo nuevas legislaciones. Aunque la mayoría de las leyes aprobadas durante la sesión legislativa de 2025 ya están activos, presentamos cinco leyes notables que los floridanos deben saber que entrarán en vigor el 1 de enero. La ley HB 255 (este link está en inglés) ya ha entrado en vigor en su mayor parte.
Flamingo vs. Mockingbird: Is it bye-bye birdie for Florida’s state bird? Original
Florida's state bird has been the Northern Mockingbird for nearly 100 years. "It's been three years I've been trying to change the state bird," said Republican Rep. Jim Mooney of Islamorada, the sponsor of a bill to change it. It's been a long-running (or long-flying) controversy. The Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of four other states. "So it's time for Florida to have a new state bird," he said. The Florida Lottery logo. Notice the flamingo! His pitch: the American flamingo.
Flamingo vs. mockingbird: Is it bye-bye birdie to Florida's state bird?
Florida's state bird has been the northern mockingbird for nearly 100 years. "It's been three years I've been trying to change the state bird," said Republican Rep. Jim Mooney of Islamorada, the sponsor of a bill to change it. It's been a long-running (or long-flying) controversy. The northern mockingbird is the state bird of four other states. The Florida Lottery logo. Notice the flamingo! "So it's time for Florida to have a new state bird," he said. His pitch: the American flamingo.
A look at Florida Democratic lawmakers' affordability agenda for the 2026 session Original
Democratic lawmakers have a super-minority in the Florida Capitol, meaning they have a lot less power than Republicans. But, with the 2026 legislative session starting in a couple of weeks, they hope their affordability agenda takes hold.
Here are five Florida laws going into effect on New Year’s Day
Douglas Soule / WUSF The 2026 Florida legislative session begins on Jan. 13. The new year brings new laws. While most bills passed during the 2025 legislative session are already active, here are five notable bills Floridians should know take effect on Jan. 1. HB 255, has already mostly taken effect. It’s called Dexter’s Law, named after a dog that was adopted from an animal shelter but was found beheaded shortly after in a Pinellas County park.
Here are five Florida laws going into effect on New Year's Day Original
The new year brings new laws. While most bills passed during the 2025 legislative session are already active, here are five notable bills Floridians should know take effect on Jan. 1. HB 255, has already mostly taken effect. It's called Dexter's Law, named after a dog that was adopted from an animal shelter but was found beheaded shortly after in a Pinellas County park. Provisions of the bill increasing criminal penalties for serious cases of animal cruelty became active over the summer.
What comes next in Florida’s budget-making process?
@GovRonDeSantis / X account Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing his 2026-2027 budget proposal on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Orlando. Gov. Ron DeSantis has released a $117 billion budget proposal. It’s around $2 billion larger than the current fiscal year’s budget, including increased pay for law enforcement officers and teachers. It would also transfer the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College, the university where DeSantis launched a conservative takeover.
What comes next in Florida's budget-making process? Original
Gov. Ron DeSantis has released a $117 billion budget proposal. It's around $2 billion larger than the current fiscal year's budget, including increased pay for law enforcement officers and teachers. It would also transfer the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College, the university where DeSantis launched a conservative takeover. This is despite a state audit finding the school is far outspending others in the state while having low graduate outcome rankings.
DeSantis floats getting rid of tolls for Florida residents
Do Florida tolls take a toll on your wallet? There's a chance a change could leave you with more change. Gov. Ron DeSantis is floating freeing Florida residents from roadway tolls. He thinks tourists could cover the cost. "You could charge the visitors, and they could probably support it all and give our Florida residents a break," he said at Wednesday's Florida Cabinet meeting. Tolls are used to maintain and operate certain highways. They also pay off bond debt from construction.
Florida Democrats say the 'pendulum' is moving their way. Republicans don't agree. Original
Florida Republicans outnumber Florida Democrats by nearly one and a half million voters. They also raise a lot more money. But Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried thinks her side has momentum. "Democrats are ready to fight for our state, build a coalition of Democrats, Republicans and independents, and that is how we're going to take back our state, city by city, brick by brick, voter by voter," she said at a Wednesday virtual press conference.
Florida's infrastructure grade improves to a C+ Original
Florida's infrastructure gets a C+. That's according to a report released by the Florida Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The group releases a report card every four years. The new grade marks an improvement over 2021's C, and the C+ is tied for the highest grade seen in any state. Kathleen Ruvarac, the report card chair, says it's a big deal considering what the state's gone through, such as multiple hurricanes. "To see our state bounce back from that and improve ...
¿Cuándo iniciar el proceso de redistribución de distritos? La Cámara de Representantes, el Senado de Florida y DeSantis no están de acuerdo
Los líderes de Florida no logran ponerse de acuerdo sobre cuándo iniciar el proceso de redistribución de distritos. Aquellos en la Cámara de Representantes que impulsan un cambio en el mapa congresional de Florida dicen que debería hacerse (este link está en inglés) durante la sesión legislativa, que comienza a mediados de enero y finaliza a mediados de marzo. El gobernador Ron DeSantis quiere una sesión especial en primavera para hacerlo.
Florida House holds first redistricting meeting as opponents allege partisan motives
A Florida House redistricting committee held its first meeting on Thursday — in a room packed with opponents who were concerned state leaders plan to manipulate the U.S. congressional map for political gain. And the committee wasn't just out of sync with those opponents. Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated he wants a new map created next spring via a special session. But Republican Rep.
When to start the redistricting process? Florida House, Senate and DeSantis not on the same page
Florida leaders can't agree on when to start the redistricting process. Those in the House pushing for a change in Florida's congressional map say it should be done during the legislative session, which starts in mid-January and ends in mid-March. Gov. Ron DeSantis wants a spring special session to do it. Talking to reporters on Monday, Senate President Ben Albritton doubled down on also wanting to wait.
Florida Democrats want to rein in DeSantis' emergency immigration powers
Gov. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly extended a state of emergency order on immigration since 2023. His team says it'll keep happening until there's no undocumented immigration in Florida. Such orders last up to 60 days without renewal.
Florida House holds first redistricting meeting as opponents allege partisan motives Original
A Florida House redistricting committee held its first meeting on Thursday — in a room packed with opponents who were concerned state leaders plan to manipulate the U.S. congressional map for political gain. And the committee wasn’t just out of sync with those opponents. Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated he wants a new map created next spring via a special session. But Republican Rep.
Florida Democrats want to rein in DeSantis' emergency immigration powers Original
Gov. Ron DeSantis has repeatedly extended a state of emergency order on immigration since 2023. His team says it'll keep happening until there's no undocumented immigration in Florida. Such orders last up to 60 days without renewal.
‘Peligroso y fundamentalmente antidemocrático’: Defensores de los Derechos Electorales condenan esfuerzo de redistribución de distritos en Florida
A medida que los líderes estatales barajan la redistribución de distritos, los defensores alzan la voz. "Estamos aquí porque el gobernador de Florida y los líderes legislativos están intentando algo sin precedentes, peligroso y fundamentalmente antidemocrático", afirmó Genesis Robinson, director ejecutivo de Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund, una organización de derechos electorales liderada por personas afroamericanas.
'Dangerous and fundamentally undemocratic': Voting rights advocates decry Florida redistricting effort Original
As state leaders float redistricting, advocates are speaking out. "We're here because Florida's governor and legislative leaders are attempting something unprecedented, dangerous and fundamentally undemocratic," said Genesis Robinson, the executive director of Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund, a Black-led voting rights organization.
Florida bill would provide legal protections to owners of former phosphate mining land Original
A bill is making its way through the Florida House that could impact Floridians’ houses — if they live on or near former phosphate mines, at least. Those mines — from extracting the phosphate rock commonly used in fertilizer — create pollution concerns like elevated radiation levels. Supporters say the proposal will address the legal fallout and health concerns from where the mining occurred, predominantly in phosphate-rich Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee and Manatee counties.
Propuesta de DeSantis apunta a criaderos de perros de Florida
El gobernador Ron DeSantis quiere tomar medidas contra los criaderos de perros. Anunció el martes una propuesta que exige que los criadores de perros tengan licencia, diciendo que esto le permite al estado "hacerlos responsables de condiciones abusivas como el hacinamiento de varios perros en jaulas pequeñas, la limitación de su acceso al agua, la sobreproducción o dejarlos a la intemperie y expuestos a elementos extremos".
DeSantis proposal targets Florida puppy mills Original
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to take action against puppy mills. He announced a proposal on Tuesday requiring dog breeders to be licensed, saying it allows the state to "hold them accountable for abusive conditions like cramming multiple dogs in small cages, limiting their access to water, overbreeding, or leaving them out and exposed to extreme elements." DeSantis is calling for the state to develop ethical dog breeding guidelines, too.
Florida House committee approves a slew of property tax reduction plans
Against Gov. Ron DeSantis' wishes, Democratic denunciations and local governments' concerns, a Florida House committee on Thursday approved a long list of proposals to reduce property taxes. "These proposals create instability, increase taxpayer inequities, and risk the quality of life for the residents who choose to live in cities," Charles Chapman from the Florida League of Cities told lawmakers before the votes.
El comité de la Cámara de Representantes de Florida aprueba una serie de planes de reducción de impuestos a la propiedad
En contra de los deseos del gobernador Ron DeSantis, las denuncias demócratas y las preocupaciones de los gobiernos locales, un comité de la Cámara de Representantes de Florida aprobó el jueves una larga lista de propuestas para reducir los impuestos a la propiedad.
Florida House committee approves slew of property tax reduction plans Original
Against Gov. Ron DeSantis' wishes, Democratic denunciations and local governments' concerns, a Florida House committee on Thursday approved a long list of proposals to reduce property taxes. "These proposals create instability, increase taxpayer inequities, and risk the quality of life for the residents who choose to live in cities," Charles Chapman from the Florida League of Cities told lawmakers before the votes.
¿Podría regresar la letra cursiva? Legisladores de Florida consideran instrucción escolar y requisitos de evaluación
¿Podría regresar la cursiva? Un proyecto de ley que está ganando impulso en la Cámara de Representantes de Florida requeriría la enseñanza de la letra cursiva a los estudiantes de escuelas primarias públicas a partir del segundo grado. Lea esta historia en español "La letra cursiva es más que solo caligrafía", afirmó el representante republicano Toby Overdorf de Palm City, uno de los patrocinadores del proyecto de ley.
Floridanos se manifiestan en el capitolio estatal para protestar contra la caza de osos negros
Por primera vez en una década, vuelve una cacería de osos negros a Florida. Sin embargo, algunos residentes están tratando de detenerla. Más de 100 de ellos acudieron al Capitolio estatal el lunes para manifestarse contra la cacería, que está programada para iniciar el 6 de diciembre y durar hasta el 28 de diciembre.
Cursive writing could make a comeback in Florida
Could cursive make a comeback? A bill gaining traction in the Florida House would require cursive instruction for public elementary school students starting in second grade. "Cursive is more than just penmanship," said Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf of Palm City, a bill sponsor.
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