#ICYMI Senator Grassley Advocates for #Whistleblowers at #SunshineWeek: “Whistleblowers Are Treated Like Skunks at a Picnic” https://ow.ly/oYJZ50YzKZK
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![Statements from Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward and Office of Information Policy Director Sean Glendening:
Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr.
“This is the most transparent Department of Justice in our nation’s history. Unlike prior administrations, we are dedicated to improving FOIA processes and prioritizing citizens’ access to information about their government. This Sunshine Week, I want to recognize the efforts of each and every FOIA professional across the government. Despite the ever-increasing burden placed on these professionals by a small group of prolific requestors and litigants, they remain steadfast and diligent. Our FOIA professionals are the unsung heroes of democracy, and we honor them today.”
Stanley E. Woodward
Associate Attorney General
Chief FOIA Officer
Department of Justice
Staff Profile Picture of Sean Glendening
The primary mission of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is to keep the American people apprised and knowledgeable of the activities of their government. James Madison famously stated “[a] popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps, both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” The dedicated FOIA professionals across the government work tirelessly every day to accomplish this important mission, and today we recognize and celebrate their efforts.
On July 4, 1966, the 190th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the FOIA. This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, the government’s commitment to the FOIA’s twin values of government transparency and the protection of sensitive governmental and private interests remain as strong as ever. The FOIA encapsulates the democratic ideal that transparency should be the general rul…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:nvcdncwptloiqkfucqicx2hp/bafkreibsdddamirxiud7sswkm6tnuqnt5niqrp32iydzpxmrl2rram3fgu)
Statements from Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward and Office of Information Policy Director Sean Glendening: Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. “This is the most transparent Department of Justice in our nation’s history. Unlike prior administrations, we are dedicated to improving FOIA processes and prioritizing citizens’ access to information about their government. This Sunshine Week, I want to recognize the efforts of each and every FOIA professional across the government. Despite the ever-increasing burden placed on these professionals by a small group of prolific requestors and litigants, they remain steadfast and diligent. Our FOIA professionals are the unsung heroes of democracy, and we honor them today.” Stanley E. Woodward Associate Attorney General Chief FOIA Officer Department of Justice Staff Profile Picture of Sean Glendening The primary mission of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is to keep the American people apprised and knowledgeable of the activities of their government. James Madison famously stated “[a] popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or, perhaps, both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.” The dedicated FOIA professionals across the government work tirelessly every day to accomplish this important mission, and today we recognize and celebrate their efforts. On July 4, 1966, the 190th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the FOIA. This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, the government’s commitment to the FOIA’s twin values of government transparency and the protection of sensitive governmental and private interests remain as strong as ever. The FOIA encapsulates the democratic ideal that transparency should be the general rul…
*Prior administrations* did make real progress in “improving FOIA processes & prioritizing citizens’ access to information about their government."
The Trump administration has not.
It is downright Orwellian to claim the inverse to be true on a Department of Justice website during #SunshineWeek.
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The Department of Justice misled Americans about the true causes and costs of growing delays to Freedom of Information Act requests during #SunshineWeek.
I was sufficiently sad (& angry) enough to compose this email about their falsehoods, which is now a blog post: groups.google.com/g/us-open-go...
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"As a C.D.C. employee, you get annual trainings on FOIA & record keeping. All of a sudden it was like a complete withdrawal of that. It was really frightening & eerie." www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
That's "authoritarian blindness," but @nytimes.com won't call it that, yet.
#OpenGov #SunshineWeek
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ICYMI: I wrote about transparency at the #Iowa legislature for #SunshineWeek.
The House has much better access for the media.
But the Senate's subcommittee and committee meetings are more accessible to the public & media.
More thoughts here:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/22/h...
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Who's up early?
For Sunshine Week, I looked at public and media access at the Iowa legislature, and what each chamber could learn from the other to make #ialegis more transparent. #SunshineWeek
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/03/22/h...
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Most agencies fared well in our review during #SunshineWeek, but we found room for improvement, too. Several cities told us they are working to implement changes, while others have already made updates. Will you help us continue this work?: donate.inewsource.org?campaign=701...
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Open government helps communities stay informed. #SunshineWeek highlights the importance of access to public records and decision-making.
The Trust Indicators® help you know when reporters have checked government documents and explained the impact.
#TheTrustProject #CheckThe8
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During #SunshineWeek, Trust Project founder Sally Lehrman urges you to protect the public’s right to know in her op-ed, “Celebrate a free press by guarding your right to open government and accurate information.”
@dallasnews.com @thecurrentga1.bsky.social
buff.ly/h7HcOLi
buff.ly/z7j8b8m
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Screengrab image from the St. Louis City YouTube channel, showing Alderwoman Keys (Ward 11) speaking on B.B. 169. Video of 3.20.26 meeting of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen: https://youtu.be/L92YNNdUXj8?si=wFkVnU1ia7UZMv3c Board Bill 169. Modifies the terms of tax abatement for the 2601 Market Street redevelopment area. Starts at 1:37:05; runs to 1:50:00.
Happy final day of #SunshineWeek 🌞
Yesterday the BOA voted 14-1 to perfect #BOAbb169, increasing the tax abatement for the #2601MarketHotel
At 1:46:42, Ald. Keys states “they’ve done some foundational work, like roughing in the plumbing..”
Who will fact check Keys before the final vote in April?
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As we draw to the end of this #SunshineWeek, please consider a donation to @kansasreflector.com to keep our journalism strong. Not just during the #ksleg session, but throughout the whole year. Thanks! (1/3)
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Hopefully they don't have to file a FOIA request. IYKYK.
#FOIA #SunshineWeek #SunshineWeek2026 #government #recordsrequest #FOIARequest
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Happy #sunshineweek from our local government
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It's the end of #sunshineweek and I am substack.com/@mirandaspiv... taking the Substack plunge to unmask the Government-Corporate-Secrecy-Industrial Complex and to track how your tax dollars are being used to keep you in the dark. I hope you will subscribe!
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⚫️SPJ has named the State of Massachusetts the 2026 Black Hole Award recipient, a national dishonor recognizing a troubling lack of transparency in government.
☀️During #SunshineWeek, it’s a reminder: open government matters.
🔗Read more: bit.ly/4sY57S6
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We've nearly reached the end of #SunshineWeek, ☀️ an annual celebration of some of our favorite things here at EPIC: public records, open government, and freedom of information. (1/7)
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We’re nearing the end of #SunshineWeek, but our work holding Alaska's government accountable continues every day.
If you haven’t had a chance yet, can you chip in to power
@alaskabeacon.com journalism?
alaskabeacon.com/donate/
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March 15-21 marks #SunshineWeek — an annual drive to promote government transparency across the United States.
In New Hampshire, the commemoration comes as that state’s right-to-know ombudsman position remains vacant.
via @newhampshirebulletin.com
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/its-...
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All levels of government are cracking down on press freedoms — and in turn, your right to know what’s going on in your government.
Join the fight for transparency by supporting independent media this #SunshineWeek.
Donate now: giving.coloradosun.com/page/sunshin...
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Image of the U.S. Capitol with bright sunshine behind it.
To close out #SunshineWeek, we pulled together some of our favorite articles by journalists and open government advocates.
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Humming along to this banger as I go through my CORA request responses.
Happy #SunshineWeek to all that celebrate!
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Want to learn more about the Open Meetings Act (OMA)? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about notices, meeting requirements, and more. Read more about government transparency in my office’s annual PAC report: tinyurl.com/4247bpzu
#SunshineWeek
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In case you missed it, MuckRock has teamed up with @eff.org for our annual Foilies awards highlighting the most absurd government transparency fails. #SunshineWeek
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Graph showing 1,202 public records requests in 2025, a 44% increase since 2020, with upward arrows and a green trend line.
In 2025, we received 1,202 public records requests, which is 44% more than in 2020 and double the requests received in 2015. We do everything we can to get requestors the information they want. #SunshineWeek
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Over the past two decades, ICE’s contract obligations have more than doubled even while the number of unique contractors fell by 71%, our recent report revealed. Here's how we did this painstaking research:
#SunshineWeek
goodjobsfirst.org/sunshine-wee...
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Industry titans have long used secrecy to extract public resources to push profits to a select, small group. Big Tech in their data centers push are just the latest.
The good news is, sunlight can play a vital role in curbing their scope. #SunshineWeek
goodjobsfirst.org/the-same-sec...
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Unfortunately for John Roberts, no amount of cosplaying as aristocracy gives the Court’s right-wing justices the right to attack Americans’ rights and freedoms without scrutiny.
Happy #SunshineWeek! As a gift, we have a new Tilted Scales: courtaccountability.substack.com/p/this-sunsh...
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FOIA and Find Out tshirt
Celebrating the end of #SunshineWeek the way James Madison intended! #foia #opengov
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