Guest Commentary: Government becoming more transparent in modern era
Government transparency has been the focus of many news stories as of late. In this modern age of sophisticated technology, social media platforms and watchdog reporters, it is now easier than ever to keep up with the inner workings of government. ...
Ports’ secret meetings face court challenge
An open government advocate said Thursday he is filing suit in King County asking a judge to declare a series of secret meetings between the port commissions of Tacoma and Seattle illegal. Arthur West, an Olympia resident who has made a career of c ...
Editorial: Nothing to crow about
President Obama made some commendable speeches at the United Nations last week, but his self-serving remarks to a panel on open government wonít win any plaudits from supporters of an independent news media. They were an astonishing example of ...
Opinion: Little agency a strong defender of open government
Who are you going to call? A county commissioner refuses to let you speak at a public meeting. Who are you going to call? A local sheriff refuses to give you access to public records. Who are you going to call? The city is willing to give you the ...
Ferguson, Missouri, demands high fees to provide government files after Michael Brown shooting
Officials in Ferguson, Missouri, are charging nearly 10 times the cost of some of their own employees' salaries before they will agree to turn over files under public records laws about the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. Missouri's attorney general on Monday, after the AP first disclosed the practice, contacted Ferguson's city attorney to ask for more information regarding fees related to document requests, the attorney general's spokeswoman said. read more ...
Suit: CPD refused to turn over cell phone data collection records
A privacy activist is suing the Chicago Police Department after officials denied his Freedom of Information Act request seeking departmental records regarding cell phone data collection. Southwest Side resident Freddy Martinez filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court. The suit claims the police department “has willfully and intentionally violated FOIA by refusing to produce records that would show the full extent to which it has secretly used 'IMSI catcher' or 'stingray' equipment.” read more ...
Why do governor, Legislature operate in secret?
When asked whether he would support broadening Michigan's Freedom of Information Act laws to include his office and the Legislature, Gov. Rick Snyder told the Free Press: "As governor, it's good to have people you can talk to ... when you're coming up with brainstorming ideas or thought processes, talking about difficult issues." read more ...
Grizzly Bear Activist Loses FOIA Challenge
Though a lawsuit prompted the disclosure of dozens more records on grizzly bear preservation efforts, it is hard to prove intentional government stonewalling, a federal magistrate ruled. Today there are between 1,400 and 1,700 grizzly bears on 2 pe ...
Code for America partners with Miami-Dade to develop apps
Miami-Dade County will work with three Code for America app developers to solve civic problems, the county announced Tuesday. The developers will create apps to help the county's Regulatory and Economic Services department make more data available to residents and streamline its services. The county was one of seven governments chosen from 40 applicants. The Miami-based John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invested $75,000 to help the program launch in Miami. read more ...
Knight Foundation announces new journalism division
The Knight Foundation will split its journalism and media innovation division into two separate teams, adding a vice president for journalism, the nonprofit announced Wednesday. read more ...
