Welcome to Sunshine State News.

We're committed to shining a light on Florida politics and business in a fair and balanced way. You can get the latest happenings in Tallahassee, find out the good and bad of what our elected officials are doing and catch up on the latest news around the state. We also deliver up-to-the-minute political blogs and popular columns.

In a nutshell, Sunshine State News brings you compelling stories covering the business of politics and the politics of business.

Thank you for visiting.

Meet Our Team

Nancy Smith - Executive Editor
A Connecticut native, Nancy Smith began her journalism career at The Daily Mirror and The Observer newspapers, both in London, England. She served as city editor, managing editor and associate editor at The Stuart News/Port St. Lucie News for 28 years, retiring from Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers in 2005. More impressive than her wall of awards, she found a way to be stepmother to seven children and still write one of the most compelling and controversial columns on the Treasure Coast. She brought her long-suffering husband Mick and the children back from England in 1974. "Some people go to London and bring back an ashtray," she says. "I came home with a much better souvenir."  Contact Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or (850) 727-0859.

Kenric Ward - Chief Political Correspondent
Kenric Ward is a veteran journalist and author who most recently served as editorial writer with Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers in Vero Beach. Prior to his arrival in Florida in 2003, the native Californian was editor of the Columbus (Ind.) Republic and assistant managing editor of the Las Vegas Sun. He also was an editorial writer with the San Jose Mercury News and executive news editor of the Fort Wayne (Ind.) News-Sentinel -- both Pulitzer Prize-winning newspapers. Ward has garnered several journalism awards, including first-place honors from the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Education Reform, Indiana's Hoosier State Press Association, the Nevada State Press Association, the Las Vegas Urban Chamber of Commerce and United Press International. While in Las Vegas, Ward authored two books: "Saints in Babylon: Mormons and Las Vegas" and "The Insiders' Guide to Las Vegas." He also wrote regularly for the Las Vegas Business Journal and Gaming Today. The Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA also earned a master's in business administration from California Pacific University in San Diego. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to write about the business of Florida and its politics," Ward said. "There are so many issues and decisions that can make or break this state. I look forward to digging into them."  Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or (772) 801-5341.

Lane Wright - Assistant Editor/Multi-media Journalist
Lane Wright began his professional journalism career in Richmond, VA as a reporter for the local ABC affiliate, WRIC. After three years, he was asked to help start up an innovative broadcast news operation for WTVX in West Palm Beach. He handled the dual responsibilities of managing the newsroom's local operations and reporting on multiple stories daily for the evening newscasts. Aside from journalism, Wright enjoys traveling, mountain biking and pretty much anything that involves the ocean.  Contact Lane Wright at lane@sunshinestatenews.com or (561) 247-1063.

Kevin Derby - Reporter
Originally from Jacksonville, Kevin M. Derby serves as a political reporter for Sunshine State News. Formerly an articles editor for the Sayfie News Group, Kevin's work has appeared in Taki's Top Drawer, Big Think and Examiner. Kevin spends his free time following the Jaguars and working on an 11-volume study of Francis P. Fleming's term as governor of Florida.  Contact Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or (850) 727-0859.

Nathan Spicer - Web Editor
Nathan graduated from Flagler College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in communications and creative writing. He then attended FSU to obtain a certificate in publishing and editing. Through all the writing, he stayed connected to web and graphic design, which he began following at 13. His work has appeared in Tallahassee Magazine, FSU's Scroll, Scribe & Screen and Southeast Review, TopTenReviews.com, Atlantic Publishing and more. He spends most of his free time playing guitar, (trying to) sing, playing basketball, writing, and experimenting with Photoshop. Sunlight greatly improves his mood, so it's only fitting that he is the web editor for Sunshine State News.