FOIFT, Author at Freedom of Information Foundation Texas

Open Government Seminar planned for May 19 in El Paso

FOIFT2026-04-16T10:50:58-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 15, 2026 FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on May 19 in El Paso AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is holding an Open Government Seminar in El Paso on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, featuring training in state open meetings and public records laws. The free seminar will take place from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the El Paso Community Foundation, 333 N. Oregon St., on the first floor. The nonprofit FOI Foundation of Texas is offering the seminar in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. “The training sessions [...]

Open Government Seminar planned for May 19 in El PasoFOIFT2026-04-16T10:50:58-05:00

Journalism, FOI leader Diana Fuentes remembered as force for free press, open government, optimism and compassion

FOIFT2026-03-30T15:34:49-05:00

Updated March 29, 2026 DEL RIO, Texas - FOI Foundation of Texas board member and past president Diana "DeeDee" Fuentes, who died unexpectedly after an accidental fall in Washington, D.C., was remembered at her Texas memorial service March 28 as an ardent advocate for a free press and open government and for her compassion for others. "Each interaction mattered to her. You felt special in her presence," said Josh Hinkle, president of Investigative Reporters & Editors Inc., where Fuentes was executive director. "She was this tiny giant in Texas journalism." Fuentes knew that journalists must proceed without fear in doing their [...]

Journalism, FOI leader Diana Fuentes remembered as force for free press, open government, optimism and compassionFOIFT2026-03-30T15:34:49-05:00

Sunshine Week Column: An eye on government can track taxpayer money, expose wrongdoing

FOIFT2026-03-16T14:44:01-05:00

By Kelley Shannon As we watch over our government, it’s often about the money. Are taxpayer dollars being spent wisely on social programs, road projects and employee pay? Can we view government contracts with outside organizations? What are the details of bond proposals on the election ballot? Long-established state open government laws – the Texas Public Information Act and the Texas Open Meetings Act – help us answer these questions and root out malfeasance. As we celebrate national Sunshine Week March 15-21 let’s recognize our transparency laws and learn how to keep them strong. Beyond detecting financial waste and fraud, journalists [...]

Sunshine Week Column: An eye on government can track taxpayer money, expose wrongdoingFOIFT2026-03-16T14:44:01-05:00

Families frustrated by secrecy over Fort Worth ISD’s future leadership

FOIFT2026-02-25T14:51:33-06:00

By Jacob Sanchez and Matthew Sgroi Fort Worth Report Originally published Feb. 24, 2026 Nearly 300 people want a seat on the Texas-appointed board replacing FWISD’s nine locally elected trustees, but none of their names are publicly known. The Fort Worth Report requested the list of applicants seeking to serve on the board of managers through Texas’ open records law. Agency officials declined to release it, requesting an opinion from the Texas attorney general’s office. That lack of transparency frustrates Fort Worth parents and residents as Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath prepares to appoint the managers in the coming weeks. The [...]

Families frustrated by secrecy over Fort Worth ISD’s future leadershipFOIFT2026-02-25T14:51:33-06:00

FOI scholarship deadline for law students extended to March 6

FOIFT2026-02-25T14:55:43-06:00

UPDATE: The Joel White Scholarship application deadline is extended to March 6. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas soon will award scholarships to journalism, photojournalism and law students for the 2026-27 academic year. The Ralph Langer Scholarship is a $6,000 award presented to an undergraduate journalism or photojournalism student attending a Texas college or university. It honors Ralph Langer, who was executive editor and vice president of The Dallas Morning News and a leader of the FOI Foundation of Texas in its early years. His wife, Kathy Langer, created the scholarship. The deadline to apply was Feb. 13. The Joel [...]

FOI scholarship deadline for law students extended to March 6FOIFT2026-02-25T14:55:43-06:00

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