News release

Texas news leader, free press advocate Diana Fuentes recipient of James Madison Award

2026-07-22T11:56:37-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2026 News leader Diana Fuentes named posthumous recipient of James Madison Award AUSTIN – Diana R. Fuentes, a veteran Texas journalist and news industry leader who was an ardent advocate for a free press and open government, is the posthumous recipient of this year’s James Madison Award. Bestowed by the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, the honor recognizes those who demonstrate their commitment to government transparency and First Amendment rights. The award will be presented to Fuentes’ family at the organization’s state conference Sept. 18 in Austin. Fuentes, known to many as “DeeDee,” was respected [...]

Texas news leader, free press advocate Diana Fuentes recipient of James Madison Award2026-07-22T11:56:37-05:00

NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Garrett Haake to keynote FOI Foundation conference

2026-06-22T09:55:07-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 22, 2026 AUSTIN - Garrett Haake, chief White House correspondent for NBC News, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas state conference. The FOI Foundation annual conference emphasizes the importance of government transparency and the First Amendment rights of free speech and a free press. It will take place Sept. 18, 2026, at the AT&T Hotel and Conference Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Haake, who has strong ties to Texas, earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism at Southern Methodist University. In addition to covering the White House, [...]

NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Garrett Haake to keynote FOI Foundation conference2026-06-22T09:55:07-05:00

Open Government Seminar set for June 18 in Dallas-Fort Worth

2026-05-26T16:10:26-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOI Foundation of Texas to hold Open Government Seminar on June 18 in Dallas-Fort Worth AUSTIN – The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas is holding an Open Government Seminar in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Thursday, June 18, 2026, featuring training in state open meetings and public records laws. The free seminar will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency DFW, Grapevine Room, 2334 N. International Pkwy, DFW Airport. The nonprofit FOI Foundation of Texas is conducting the seminar in cooperation with the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The Texas Press Association is [...]

Open Government Seminar set for June 18 in Dallas-Fort Worth2026-05-26T16:10:26-05:00

FOIFT announces Ralph Langer and Joel White scholarship recipients

2026-05-05T11:11:11-05:00

For Immediate Release April 30, 2026 FOI Foundation announces 2026-27 journalism and law school scholarship recipients  AUSTIN – Journalism student William Fry of Texas Tech University has been selected to receive this year’s Ralph Langer Scholarship awarded by the nonprofit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. The FOI Foundation also has selected Casey McKee of the University of Houston Law Center as the recipient of the Joel White Scholarship for law school students in Texas. “Both students have demonstrated a strong commitment to journalism and protecting free speech and free press rights. We salute their important work and their desire for [...]

FOIFT announces Ralph Langer and Joel White scholarship recipients2026-05-05T11:11:11-05:00

Attorney and former county judge Bill Aleshire to receive James Madison Award

2025-09-03T16:39:27-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 3, 2025 AUSTIN – Bill Aleshire, an attorney devoted to protecting the public’s access to government information, will receive the prestigious James Madison Award for his decades-long commitment to upholding Texas’ open meetings and open records laws. Aleshire, who initially made his mark in government transparency as a public official and served as Travis County judge, more recently has worked as a zealous attorney ensuring government compliance with the state’s Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act. The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas bestows the James Madison Award for dedication to the principles of the First [...]

Attorney and former county judge Bill Aleshire to receive James Madison Award2025-09-03T16:39:27-05:00

CONTACT INFO

  • Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas
    Kelley Shannon, Executive Director
    3001 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 302
    Austin, Texas 78705

  • (512) 377-1575

  • [email protected]

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