Do vague “reasonable” copy fee laws let agencies overcharge? A new study says yes, and even stricter laws may not stop it. Some countries have banned copy fees entirely. Should the U.S. do the same? 📝 brechner.org/2025/08/14/s... #FOIA #OpenGovernment #Transparency #PublicRecords

A Wisconsin appeals court ruled July 29 that public officials can’t hide their government-related text messages on private cell phones. midwestadvocates.org/legal-victor... #FOIA #FOI #lawsuit #wisconsin

🚨 Washington lawmakers are auto-deleting emails again. Under a new policy, emails not from a bill’s prime sponsor can be erased after 30 days, limiting the public's ability to track how laws are made. brechner.org/2025/08/12/w... #FOIA #SunshineLaws #Transparency

📞 A new FOI hotline just dropped in Indiana Call 260-ASK-ICOG for help with public records, open meetings, or figuring out what to do if your request gets denied. Free. Volunteer-run. Here to help. 🔗 www.indystar.com/story/news/l... #FOIA #Transparency #PublicAccess #Indiana

🗞️ New @BrechnerFOI study finds fewer newspapers per capita = more violations of public records laws. “Government transparency is never guaranteed.” – Brett Posner-Ferdman 📖 brechner.org/2025/08/05/d... #FOIA #Transparency

Florida pulled contract details for its $250 million ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention camp after reporters started asking questions. 📰 Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/29/b...

240,000+ pages of FBI files on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have been released. Originally sealed until 2027, the documents include records of surveillance and disinformation efforts. King’s children opposed the early release. www.pbs.org/newshour/pol... #FOI #FOIA

🗂️ FOI Tip: Use people skills to get records. Let officials vent. Listen and repeat what you heard. Use “I” not “you” statements. Talk informally, side-by-side, to avoid creating opposition. #FOI #FOITips #PublicRecords

📲 Ronald Capaldi’s new article in the Journal of the National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary urges mandated algorithmic audits and clearer FOIA trade secret rules to ensure transparency in government AI use. Read more: brechner.org/2025/07/24/s...

🚨 New Brechner Report out now! This edition features a powerful new collab: MuckRock, NFOIC, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press & the Brechner FOI Project are teaming up to support local journalists. Read it here: brechner.org/resources/br... #FOIA #opengov #transparency

📲 New @MuckRock guide on requesting text messages as public records. Learn what counts and how to request them. Read it here: www.muckrock.com/news/archive... #FOI #FOIA #openrecords

🗂️ Remember: Secrecy Tracker is free Find bills in any state or Congress that could limit access to records or meetings. Stay informed: secrecytracker.org

Getting access to public docs is getting harder, particularly at the local level. I'm excited for @muckrock.com @nfoic.bsky.social @rcfp.org and the @brechnerfoi.bsky.social to work together to to fight for information more effectively all across the country: www.muckrock.com/news/archive...

🗞️ Watchdog sues DOJ for records on judicial nominee Emil Bove. FOIA lawsuit seeks emails about deportations, NYC Mayor Adams’ case, and other controversies as Bove’s confirmation vote nears. Details: brechner.org/2025/07/15/w...

💊 FDA proactively releases 200+ drug rejection letters explaining initial non-approvals for medicines later approved. www.reuters.com/business/hea...

🗞️ Did you miss this in the Brechner Report? 📌 69% of investigative journalists say limited access to records is the biggest barrier to accountability. Frequent delays, denials, high fees, and political pressure are worsening the problem. Read more: brechner.org/resources/br...

Gov. DeSantis signed SB 1652, shielding some stricken court records from public release. 🧾 The law applies to noncriminal filings deemed defamatory or irrelevant by a judge—aimed at curbing “vexatious litigation.” 📄 floridapolitics.com/archives/744... #foi #foia #florida

KY AG says City of Union violated Open Records Act 📄 The city failed to respond on time, explain redactions, or conduct a full search. No court action expected, but new phones for officials coming July 1. 🔗 linknky.com/news/2025/06... #foi #foia

Environmental group sues U.S. Department of Energy for records pertaining to potential clean-energy developments that could further delay cleanup at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state. 🔗 Read the full story: www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/h...

Sebastian County's prosecutor wants the Arkansas AG to investigate possible criminal FOIA violations in Fort Smith. Officials allegedly deleted public records. More: www.nwahomepage.com/news/sebasti...

🚨 A Connecticut city violated the state’s open record law by requiring written requests for public records. insideinvestigator.org/ansonia-viol... #FOIA

In Lawton, Oklahoma, a $30K open records request has city officials calling for changes to state law. Council members say they’ll talk to lawmakers about the cost of compliance. 📰 www.swoknews.com/news/council... #FOIA

A new lawsuit claims DHS failed to respond to FOIA requests about its DNA collection program for noncitizens. 🔎 www.newsweek.com/dhs-cbp-ice-... #FOIA #lawsuit

“Didn’t really move the needle.” Brechner Director David Cuillier comments on Alabama’s low FOI compliance in Al.com latest report. He points to delays, fees and vague rejections. brechner.org/2025/06/03/b... #FOI #openrecords

📄 Goldwater Institute asks Arizona Supreme Court to review two public records cases: 📌 City of Phoenix 📌 University of Arizona www.goldwaterinstitute.org/goldwater-de... #FOI #openrecords #lawsuit

Penncrest School District is asking the PA Supreme Court to keep board emails from personal accounts private. Lower courts say they must be released under the PA Right-to-Know Law if they involve public business. www.tricountyindependent.com/story/news/e... #foi #lawsuits #openrecords

Meet Julia Roeder, a Sunshine Week FOI Champion! 🌞 In high school, she tackled her first FOI challenge, learning the power of transparency & holding those in power accountable with the help of @SPLC. Read her story here: sunshineweek.org/our-right-to... #SunshineWeek #FOI

A new bill in Wisconsin could make the WIAA subject to public records & open meetings laws! Will it pass? brechner.org/2025/02/04/w...

🚨 FOI Research Competition Alert 🚨 Submit your one-page proposal on freedom of information research for a chance to win cash prizes and have your paper published! 🏆 Proposals due May 5, 2025! brechner.org/2025/02/03/f...

🚨 Registration is NOW OPEN for Sunshine Fest 2024 in Washington, D.C.! Join us March 19-20 for a two-day celebration of transparency and open government. 🔗 Register here: sunshinefest.eventbrite.com #SunshineWeek2025 #SunshineFest #BrechnerFOI

Launch alert! We’re excited to introduce Secrecy Tracker, a free tool that helps you track state and federal legislation impacting your right to know. Powered by machine learning and designed for transparency! 👉 Explore now: secrecytracker.org #OpenGov #SecrecyTracker #BrechnerFOI

📱Pennsbury School District's use of Google Chat raises concerns about transparency & public access to records. Ephemeral apps harm public trust & may violate the law, says media law expert Melissa Melewsky. brechner.org/2024/12/17/p... #BrechnerFOI #transparency #education

Sunshine Week is coming back in a big way next March! For the first time in a long time, there’s an official Sunshine Week conference in DC on March 19-20, organized by @brechnerfoi.bsky.social . Mark your calendars! sunshineweek.org

🌞 Celebrate 20 years of National Sunshine Week at Sunshine Fest 2025 in D.C.! 🏛️ 📅 March 19-20, 2025 📍 Hosted by @brechnerfoi.bsky.social, @sunshineweek.bsky.social & @nfoic.bsky.social 🎟️ Registration opens Jan. 2025 Learn more: sunshineweek.org/sunshine-fest #SunshineFest25 #NationalSunshineWeek

Michigan is moving to expand FOIA to include the governor’s office and state legislature—one of only two states with this loophole. Big transparency moves in the works! 👀 Reported by Detroit Free Press: brechner.org/2024/12/10/m...

At the Joseph L. Brechner FOI Project, we’re making sure journalists and citizens have the info they need to hold the government accountable and protect democracy. Want to learn more about our efforts? Visit our website - brechner.org/foi 🌍✨ #brechnerfoi #transparency #foia

📢 Exciting news for journalists! The 2025 Brechner Freedom of Information Award is now open! 🏆 If your work uncovered important stories using public records in 2024, you could win a $3,000 prize! Entries are free—submit your work today! brechner.org/2024/11/22/2... #FOIA #Journalism #Transparency