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Denied: KXAN series reports on police withholding records when suspect dies

FOIFT2018-04-23T19:47:55-05:00

KXAN television in Austin is airing a series about a Texas law that gives police discretion to withhold information if a suspect dies in custody. Legislative efforts to close that loophole failed in 2017, but it has not stopped the families who have been denied video and other records detailing their loved ones' final moments from speaking out. Check out this KXAN report based on a year-long investigation and shining light on the need for police accountability, transparency and trust. http://www.kxan.com/denied

Denied: KXAN series reports on police withholding records when suspect diesFOIFT2018-04-23T19:47:55-05:00

Why Austin bomber Mark Conditt’s confession may be kept secret — forever

FOIFT2018-04-10T19:32:39-05:00

Read recent coverage by the Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV of the police investigation into the Austin bomber case: https://www.mystatesman.com/news/why-austin-bomber-mark-conditt-confession-may-kept-secret-forever/Irdwv4O8IZCYYSnwuXLSUK/ http://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/public-may-never-hear-austin-bombers-confession-experts-say/269-535953990

Why Austin bomber Mark Conditt’s confession may be kept secret — foreverFOIFT2018-04-10T19:32:39-05:00

Bail lawsuit accuses Dallas County of violating poor people’s rights in secret hearings

FOIFT2018-04-04T16:04:28-05:00

By Michael Barajas Texas Observer Originally published April 4, 2018 The Dallas County Jail books about 67,000 people every year, a population roughly equal to that of the Houston suburb Missouri City. The conveyor belt driving Dallas County’s hulking jail complex, the seventh largest in the country, operates in a courtroom deep inside the Lew Sterrett Justice Center downtown. That’s where magistrates hold around-the-clock hearings to determine bail. On any given day, about 70 percent of the jail’s roughly 5,000 inmates are there because they can’t afford the price tag placed on their pretrial freedom. Arrestees say that before they enter bail [...]

Bail lawsuit accuses Dallas County of violating poor people’s rights in secret hearingsFOIFT2018-04-04T16:04:28-05:00

Keep the public informed by releasing the video in Austin bombing case

FOIFT2018-04-03T21:56:07-05:00

By Paul Watler FOI Foundation Board Member April 3, 2018 As the investigation into the Austin bombings became increasingly urgent last month, police also worked to inform the public and enlist their vigilance. Interim Chief Brian Manley as well as state and federal law enforcement officials provided repeated news briefings on the hunt to identify and apprehend the serial bomber. When officers closed in, the bomber detonated a final device, taking his own life and deepening the mystery of his motives. Soon it emerged that the perpetrator made a video confession recorded on his cell phone. But the public was left [...]

Keep the public informed by releasing the video in Austin bombing caseFOIFT2018-04-03T21:56:07-05:00

Video: A conversation about Texas’ Public Information Act

FOIFT2018-03-30T14:16:33-05:00

Watch video of a policy primer on the Texas Public Information Act, a panel discussion hosted March 29 by the Texas Public Policy Foundation and co-sponsored by the FOI Foundation of Texas and an assortment of other organizations. This was one of several Sunshine Month activities in Texas. Texas Tribune Executive Editor Ross Ramsey moderated the conversation, which featured First Amendment attorney Laura Prather, an FOI Foundation board member; state Sen. Kirk Watson; state Rep. Todd Hunter; and James Quintero of the Texas Public Policy Foundation. https://www.texastribune.org/2018/03/29/livestream-conversation-about-texas-public-information-act/

Video: A conversation about Texas’ Public Information ActFOIFT2018-03-30T14:16:33-05:00

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