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Douglas Soule

@douglassoule.bsky.social
203 followers 40 following 38 posts

Your Florida government reporter 🎤, working for WUSF, the Tampa Bay area’s NPR station 📻

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Reposted by Douglas Soule
WUSF @wusf.org · 22/07/2026
Can James Fishback stay in Florida's race for governor? A judge is weighing whether the Republican candidate meets the state's seven-year residency requirement after Lt. Gov. Jay Collins challenged his eligibility. Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
“You would think that… they would have the same courage a 7-year-old would.” A Florida school board deposed its own students in a book-banning lawsuit, including a 7-year-old. Now, those same board members are arguing they shouldn’t have to be deposed themselves. www.wusf.org/courts-law/2...
wusf.org
The Escambia school board deposed students. Now it says its own members shouldn't be deposed
The Escambia County School Board deposed student plaintiffs in a book ban lawsuit, including a 7-year-old who wanted access to a picture book. Now, board members are asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court...
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
WUSF @wusf.org · 14/07/2026
Florida Democrats believe they can win more seats this election. GOP leaders push back on their enthusiasm. Read more: wusf.org/politics-iss...
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
WUSF @wusf.org · 16/07/2026
A Florida school district that has already removed hundreds of books is questioning whether traditional high school libraries are needed. Read more: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
After removing hundreds of books, a Florida school district now questions the purpose of high school libraries. An official says there's few checkouts yet an “endless supply of stuff that's totally inappropriate." Advocates worry about fiction's future. My latest: www.wusf.org/politics-iss...
wusf.org
What comes after book bans? One school district questions traditional libraries
After removing hundreds of books, Clay County is debating the purpose of high school libraries. School officials called it modernization. Critics see it as the next phase of the book debate targeting ...
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
“They are here rigging maps to rig an election in support of Donald Trump.” I interviewed Nixon before her arrest.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
“I’ll wait on the governor.” The moment when Florida Rep. Angie Nixon, a Democrat, refused to leave Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office in a protest of the state’s new U.S. House map that creates more GOP-leaning districts. The press got booted out after, but the governor’s office says she’s been arrested.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
“The immigrant detention center in the Everglades, which Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, opened last July, may be too expensive to keep operating.” www.nytimes.com/2026/05/07/u...
nytimes.com
Federal and State Officials Discuss Closing Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
It's done. The Florida Legislature has agreed to scrap its current congressional map, which already gives Republicans 20 of Florida’s 28 U.S. House seats. Instead, it's passed a map erasing four more Democratic-leaning seats, which has huge nationwide implications.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The Florida House has passed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed congressional map that would create four more Republican-leaning U.S. House districts. Now eyes turn to the Senate, which is voting on it today, too.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
The Downballot @the-downballot.com · 27/04/2026
Notably, @douglassoule.bsky.social reports that DeSantis' new map was published by Fox News before he sent it to the legislature. x.com/DouglasSoule...
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Some disappointment in this Tallahassee parking lot when a group realized this was an airplane and not, in fact, Artemis II.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Found an excuse to go to Krispy Kreme: the Artemis II doughnut!
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
I’m back for real this time
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
"And Tango Makes Three" costs less than $8 on Amazon. But it's costing a #Florida school board more than $300,000 to keep that children's picture book off school library shelves. www.wusf.org/politics-iss... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
wusf.org
Despite budgetary pressures, this Florida school board spends big bucks on banning books
The Escambia County School Board has spent nearly $1 million on legal fees to keep certain books out of school libraries.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’s looking “very seriously” at a new congressional map. The current one already heavily favors Republicans. Here's what to know.
wusf.org
DeSantis 'very seriously' weighing new Florida congressional map in battle for GOP House control
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants an unprecedented mid-decade Census to boost Florida's congressional representation. Even if that doesn't happen, he's looking at how to rework the U.S. House map anyway.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Chuck E. Cheese has been arrested in Tallahassee, Florida.
tallahassee.com
Chuck E. Cheese employee in mouse costume arrested by TPD for credit card fraud
TPD spokesperson Jerome Maples confirmed the legitimacy of the photos and said that TPD arrested a man on three felonies.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
With the board overseeing Florida’s public universities set to vote Friday afternoon on whether to create a new accreditor, some say a massive shift is coming to higher education.
wusf.org
Friday vote in Florida could be higher education ‘foundation rocker’
With the board overseeing Florida’s public universities set to vote Friday afternoon on whether to create a new accreditor, some say a massive shift is coming to higher education.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
I’m back on Bluesky!
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Scott A. Leadingham @scottleadingham.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Good overview of First Amendment (religion, speech, press, assembly, petition) issues popping up in this presidential term, and what various 1A groups are saying about them. by @douglassoule.bsky.social ⬇️ www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
tallahassee.com
First Amendment in Trump's second term: 'We're going to be busy,' free speech group says
Trump’s actions and rhetoric have served as a lightning rod of constitutional controversy, drawing concern from First Amendment advocates.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 11/01/2025
#Florida school district meets with blowback for banning LGBTQ+ book www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/p... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
palmbeachpost.com
'Anti-trans bias': Florida school district met with blowback for banning LGBTQ+ book
Escambia, Florida's westernmost county, has been a hot spot for book banning.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Some porn sites now blocked, but others ignore new #Florida law on age verification www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
tallahassee.com
Porn in Florida: As age verification takes effect, some sites ignore it, some block access
Pornhub, the most popular adult entertainment website in the world, is one of those barring access to those within Sunshine State lines.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
Florida Attorney Ashley Moody's office says it's already investigating porn websites for not complying with the age verification law that took effect Jan. 1.
tallahassee.com
Porn in Florida: As age verification takes effect, some sites ignore it, some block access
Pornhub, the most popular adult entertainment website in the world, is one of those barring access to those within Sunshine State lines.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
A Florida law requiring age verification to visit porn platforms online took effect on New Year's Day, but a number of websites are either just blocking access in the state or not complying at all.
tallahassee.com
Porn in Florida: As age verification takes effect, some sites ignore it, some block access
Pornhub, the most popular adult entertainment website in the world, is one of those barring access to those within Sunshine State lines.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Citing tax dollars spent, judge urges #Florida school district to settle book ban lawsuit www.tallahassee.com/story/news/l... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
tallahassee.com
Citing tax dollars spent, judge urges Florida school district to settle book ban lawsuit
The Escambia County School Board, meanwhile, has refused to budge.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
A Florida law requires pornographic websites to have age verification by New Year's Day, but a new federal lawsuit is trying to get that struck down.
tallahassee.com
Lawsuit filed against Florida law requiring age verification to access porn in 2025
A Florida law requires pornographic websites to have age verification by New Year's Day but a new federal lawsuit is trying to get that struck down.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
A federal judge is recommending that a Florida school board enter into a settlement with those suing it for book banning, citing how it's spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to cover legal fees.
tallahassee.com
Citing tax dollars spent, judge urges Florida school district to settle book ban lawsuit
The Escambia County School Board, meanwhile, has refused to budge.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Donations have poured into a GoFundMe account for a Lakeland woman, Briana Boston, who has drawn international attention for her arrest last week after she allegedly uttered the phase “delay, deny, depose” on a phone call with an insurance representative.
theledger.com
Lakeland woman accused of threatening insurance company receives donations, words of support
Briana Boston, accused of making a threat during a phone call with her insurance company, has received an outpouring of kind words and money for her defense.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
First Amendment or threat? #Florida woman's arrest after CEO shooting sparks online uproar www.theledger.com/story/news/l... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
theledger.com
First Amendment or threat? Florida woman's arrest after CEO shooting sparks online uproar
She said "healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil," police wrote in a Tuesday arrest affidavit.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
The arrest of a Lakeland, Florida, woman accused of threatening her health insurance provider following denied claims has sparked a national debate about when First Amendment-protected speech veers into illegal threats.
tallahassee.com
'You people are next': Social media reacts to Florida woman's alleged insurance threat
She said "healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil," police wrote in a Tuesday arrest affidavit.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
A Lakeland, Florida, woman whose medical insurance claims were denied has been arrested after allegedly telling her insurance company, “Delay, Deny, Depose. You people are next."
wfla.com
Lakeland woman threatens insurance company, says ‘Delay, Deny, Depose’: police
A Lakeland woman was charged Tuesday after police said she ended a call to an insurance company with the words, “Delay, Deny, Depose.”
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Florida is spending millions on a “statewide, centralized, easily accessible” system for the public to review and object to school instructional materials and books. DeSantis’ administration says it’s a transparency tool. But it has raised concerns about censorship.
tallahassee.com
Florida to spend up to $15 million on school material review technology for DeSantis laws
Transparency or censorship? Florida is spending millions on a new tool for the public to review and object to school instructional materials and books.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
At a Moms for Liberty event, Jessie Thompson — the new Volusia County School Board chair in Florida — made a disparaging remark about a local high school's students and admitted to feeding false data to the board to get agenda items passed.
news-journalonline.com
Deltona mayor calls for Volusia School Board chair's removal after disparaging remarks
The new chair spoke about falsifying information to get agenda items passed and made derogatory remarks about students and fellow board members.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
"Nothing's going to stop me": #Florida's No. 1 book banner interviewed by "The Daily Show" www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/p... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
news-journalonline.com
'Nothing's going to stop me': Florida's No. 1 book banner interviewed by 'The Daily Show'
"In the last two years, I've challenged more than one book every calendar day," said Bruce Friedman, a conservative activist who says he's filed more than 900 objections.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" interviewed the "No. 1 book banner" in Florida, the state that has more books pulled from public schools than any other in the nation. "Nothing's going to stop me," he said. www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
tallahassee.com
'Nothing's going to stop me': Florida's No. 1 book banner interviewed by 'The Daily Show'
"In the last two years, I've challenged more than one book every calendar day," said Bruce Friedman, a conservative activist who says he's filed more than 900 objections.
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Reposted by Douglas Soule
Craig Pittman @craigtimes.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Want to read "Wicked" after seeing the movie? You can't in some #Florida schools -- it's been banned www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p... via @douglassoule.bsky.social
tallahassee.com
Too 'Wicked'? Novel that spawned movie is often removed from Florida school shelves
The “Wicked” movie is popular, but the "Wicked" book has been pulled in some Florida school districts.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
"Wicked” is popular. It had the biggest opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway musical ever and continues to defy gravity in the box office. But the book version has been removed from multiple school districts in Florida. I explored where and why: www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
tallahassee.com
Too 'Wicked'? Novel that spawned movie is often removed from Florida school shelves
The “Wicked” movie is popular, but the "Wicked" book has been pulled in some Florida school districts.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Today I’m not thankful for the NYT Spelling Bee. Why’d they make it so hard?!
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
A Florida school district wouldn't let a “Playboy” or a book about bomb-making sit in its libraries. That's why the Escambia County School Board says it should be able to remove an award-winning children’s picture book about a same-sex penguin pair. www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
tallahassee.com
Was a Florida school district's ban of a penguin book against the First Amendment?
The case in question has high-stakes constitutional consequences.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
A Florida school district's defense of its ban on a children's book about a same-sex penguin pair: If a "school library included a Playboy magazine or a book depicting how to make a homemade bomb, a reasonable observer likewise would hold the Board accountable for such an oversight in judgment."
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Back again.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
In yet another case, Florida's government is arguing that book removals in public schools are "government speech," meaning they are unrestricted by the First Amendment. It's a controversial legal argument, which free speech advocates have called "authoritarian.” www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
tallahassee.com
Florida again argues books ban are 'government speech,' not prohibited by First Amendment
"The selection of public-school-library books is government speech and therefore not subject to the First Amendment," it said in a Friday filing.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Got the full front page today!
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Answering questions about its list of book removals in Florida, which undercounts them but still includes classics like "The Handmaid's Tale" + "Slaughterhouse-Five," the state Department of Education said, “Sexually explicit materials do not belong in schools." www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
tallahassee.com
It's famous and among the most-removed books in Florida school districts. What is it?
A large number of books fall in the category in Florida of unchallenged but still removed by districts.
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Douglas Soule @douglassoule.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Happening now: A federal lawsuit hearing in Pensacola about Escambia County Public Schools' book removals. It's pulled a load of books from its shelves pending reviews. But books like "The Handmaid's Tale" have awaited a review for more than two years. www.tallahassee.com/story/news/p...
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