FOI Foundation calls on health officials to identify nursing homes where COVID-19 is confirmed
April 29, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas called on state and local officials Wednesday to reveal the names and locations of nursing homes where cases and/or deaths from COVID-19 have been confirmed. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission and some local government health officials have refused to say which nursing homes have experienced coronavirus outbreaks, though they acknowledge numerous cases have [...]
POSTPONED: FOI Foundation’s Open Government Seminar in San Antonio to be rescheduled
The FOI Foundation's Open Government Seminar in San Antonio, previously scheduled for April 8, has been postponed amid coronavirus concerns and stay-at-home orders. Please stay tuned for the reschedule date, tentatively planned for June. The Open Government Seminar is part of a series of regional educational sessions the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting this year in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. It is open [...]
Lawmakers file bill to repair Texas Public Information Act, help citizens track spending
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 21, 2019 AUSTIN – Two Texas lawmakers filed bipartisan legislation Thursday to strengthen the state’s Public Information Act and give Texans the ability to once again track the spending of taxpayer money. Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, filed Senate Bill 943 and House Bill 2189, respectively. The identical pieces of legislation address citizens’ access to information contained in and surrounding state and [...]
Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards
For Immediate Release Sept. 21, 2018 Austin American-Statesman, KBTX-TV receive Spirit of FOI Awards for open government reporting AUSTIN - Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing the secrecy behind Austin’s city manager selection process and the peculiar lack of information following the resignation of the Bryan Independent School District superintendent. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of [...]
FOI Foundation joins media coalition brief on Texas anti-SLAPP law in federal court
Reporters Committee and media coalition argue Texas anti-SLAPP law should apply in federal court Evan Popp | September 12, 2018 A Texas law aimed at making it easier to dismiss meritless lawsuits intended to chill speech should apply in federal court, the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and 39 media organizations argued in a friend-of-the-court brief filed last week in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In the brief filed [...]
First Amendment attorney Laura Prather to receive James Madison Award
Aug. 27, 2018 For Immediate Release AUSTIN – First Amendment attorney Laura Lee Prather, a champion of free speech and government transparency, is the recipient of the 2018 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. Prather will receive the award Sept. 21 at the John Henry [...]
Spirit of FOI Award – Call for Entries 2018
The FOI Foundation of Texas is pleased to announce 2018 guidelines for the Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award contest. The contest is open to newspaper, broadcast and online media. The Spirit of FOI Award recognizes outstanding work in promoting open government and the public’s right to know. The deadline for submission of entries is Thursday, May 31, 2018. Nominations must be for work published or broadcast in calendar year [...]
FOI Foundation to host Open Government Seminar, First Amendment Institute in Arlington
For Immediate Release AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is hosting an Open Government Seminar in Arlington on April 17, featuring training in public meeting and public records laws. A First Amendment Institute session also offered that day will instruct journalists on free press rights. The non-profit FOI Foundation, in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office, is organizing the one-day Open Government Seminar on Tuesday, April [...]
FOI Foundation state conference set for Sept. 21, 2018
The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is pleased to announce that its annual state conference will take place Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Road. This one-day conference features journalists, First Amendment attorneys, government officials and others who share information on the latest activities and trends in open government and the rights of free press and free speech. Speakers and details will be confirmed soon, so [...]
Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Dallas Morning News receive Spirit of FOI Awards
For Immediate Release Sept. 14, 2017 AUSTIN _ Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for reports exposing problems with the state’s child welfare system and with one city’s police response to domestic violence. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, highlights journalism that upholds First Amendment principles and promotes or uses open government laws such as [...]
A.H. Belo president, Dallas Morning News publisher Jim Moroney to receive James Madison Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 16, 2017 AUSTIN – Jim Moroney, publisher of The Dallas Morning News and chief executive officer of the A. H. Belo Corporation, is the recipient of the 2017 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The prestigious award honors those who demonstrate outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented [...]
Winners of 2017 Texas Gavel Awards announced
State Bar of Texas For Immediate Release July 19, 2017 Contact: Amy Starnes Public Information Director, State Bar of Texas (800) 204-2222, ext. 1706, or (512) 427-1706 [email protected] AUSTIN — In-depth stories on potential abuse in Texas’ guardianship system and whether a border-spending surge resulted in arrests of “high-threat criminals” are among the winners of the 2017 Texas Gavel Awards. Journalists representing the Texas Observer, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, and KXAN-TV [...]
Legislative Update: 2017 session
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUSTIN — Major open government proposals to enhance the public’s right to know failed to pass the Texas Legislature this year in a disappointing anti-transparency display during the final days of the session. Fortunately, open government advocates worked to block several bills that could have hindered the free flow of information. And, under resolutions approved by the House and Senate, lawmakers will study ways to improve the [...]
Call for entries: 2017 Spirit of FOI Awards
The FOI Foundation of Texas is pleased to announce 2017 guidelines for the Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award contest. The contest is open to newspaper, broadcast and online media. The Spirit of FOI Award recognizes outstanding work in promoting open government and the public’s right to know. The deadline for submission of entries is Thursday, May 18, 2017. Nominations must be for work published or broadcast in calendar year [...]
State Bar seeks entries for 2017 Texas Gavel Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 9, 2017 Contact Amy Starnes, State Bar of Texas (800) 204-2222, ext. 1706, or (512) 427-1706 [email protected] AUSTIN — Submissions are sought for the 2017 Texas Gavel Awards, which honor outstanding journalism that fosters public understanding of the legal system. Entries published or broadcast during the 2016 calendar year will be accepted for print, broadcast, and online categories until 5 p.m. April 3. There is no [...]
FOI Foundation offers Nov. 16 Open Government Seminar in Denton
AUSTIN _ The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas will host an Open Government Seminar in Denton in November featuring training in public meetings and public records laws. The non-profit FOI Foundation, in cooperation with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office and the Mayborn School of Journalism at UNT, will offer the one-day seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 16. It is designed for government employees, journalists, attorneys and members of the [...]
Headliners Foundation of Texas announces FOI grants program
Headliners Foundation of Texas Sept. 6, 2016 AUSTIN - The Headliners Foundation of Texas has embarked on a one-year pilot program of grants to reimburse small-market and community news organizations in Texas for extraordinary expenses charged by governmental bodies for Open Records searches. The grant application process will open September 6, 2016, and will continue until the 2016 Foundation funding for the grants is awarded. Click here for the Foundation’s media release [...]
KXAN, Victoria Advocate receive Spirit of FOI Awards for open government work
AUSTIN _ Two Texas news organizations have won the Spirit of FOI Award for investigations into law enforcement actions based on documents obtained using the Texas Public Information Act. The Nancy Monson Spirit of FOI Award, presented Thursday by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas at its state conference, was awarded to the Victoria Advocate in the Class A market category for an in-depth look at questionable hiring [...]
News veteran, journalism educator Wanda Cash to receive James Madison Award
AUSTIN – Texas newswoman Wanda Garner Cash, an educator who has led multiple newspapers and long worked for the public’s right to know, is the recipient of the 2016 James Madison Award presented by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to upholding the principles of the First Amendment and open government. It will be presented Sept. 8 at the John [...]
Texas Gavel Award winners announced
State Bar of Texas News Release, July 6, 2016 AUSTIN — In-depth stories exploring life under Texas’s sex offender laws, the use of civil asset forfeiture funds, and the mishandling of child-support dollars by an employer are among the winners of the 2016 Texas Gavel Awards. Journalists representing Texas Monthly, Victoria Advocate, KPRC-Houston, KLTV-Tyler, and The Texas Lawbook were selected as winners of 2016 Texas Gavel Awards, which honor journalism that [...]