Douglas Soule
State Government ReporterTallahassee can feel far away — especially for anyone who’s driven on a congested Florida interstate. But for me, it’s home.
As WUSF’s state government reporter, I live in and report out of the capital city, so I can give you the firsthand flavor and facts from this news epicenter. I focus on Your Florida, a project connecting people with policies passed in Tallahassee.
I was already covering the Florida Capitol as a print journalist when I joined public radio, working for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida. As Florida’s first First Amendment reporter, I brought focus and clarity to complicated, contentious issues and held public officials accountable.
Before that, I worked as a state government reporter in my home state, West Virginia.
Outside of work, I love to read and write on top of a slew of other hobbies that are a testament to why I love living in Tallahassee: hiking, biking, kayaking, playing pickleball, and, of course, complaining about Florida traffic.
You can send me a message at douglassoule@wusf.org or follow me on X @DouglasSoule.
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Both citizens and lawmakers can put proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. This session, lawmakers are trying to create more ballot measures even as they attempt to make it harder for citizens to do the same. -
In 2026, middle schools won't be able to start before 8 a.m. and high schools before 8:30 a.m. But there's momentum in the Florida Legislature to repeal that mandate. -
Interns and others starting out in a new career could get paid less than minimum wage, under a proposal moving through the Florida Legislature. -
Last year, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis created a law banning minors under 16 from social media platforms, except for 14- and 15-year-olds with parental permission. Now, lawmakers want to allow parents to view messages and are targeting apps like Snapchat. -
GOP legislators say the bill would protect children from harmful content. Critics argue it would escalate challenges of books in schools. -
Un panel de la Cámara de Representantes de Florida votó para reducir la edad para comprar rifles a 18 años. Los legisladores habían aumentado previamente la edad mínima a 21 años tras un tiroteo masivo en la escuela secundaria Marjory Stoneman Douglas en 2018. El tirador tenía 19 años. -
At a Friday hearing, Florida lawmakers demanded answers from the former and current state insurance commissioners. They wanted to now why a worrisome report about insurance companies was kept confidential for years. -
Hay proyectos de ley para restringir aún más el uso de celulares por parte de los niños en las escuelas y para exigir la instrucción de cursiva para los estudiantes más jóvenes. Otra pieza legislativa eliminaría un próximo mandato para que algunas escuelas comiencen más tarde. -
A Florida House panel voted to lower the age to buy rifles to 18 years old. Lawmakers previously raised the minimum age to 21 following a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018. The shooter was 19. -
Legisladores republicanos quieren agregar restricciones al proceso que permite a los floridanos incluir enmiendas constitucionales en la boleta electoral. Demócratas y defensores del derecho al voto dicen que la propuesta silenciaría a los ciudadanos.
