Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

Austin vs. Watauga? City claims competition to keep city manager candidates secret

2017-10-30T16:34:04-05:00

By Elizabeth Findell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Oct. 27, 2017 Austin can’t allow the public to know who might become its next city manager because it’s in competition with Watauga, Sachse and other small Texas cities for the best candidates, an assistant city attorney argues in a letter to the Texas attorney general. Austin begins interviews Tuesday in its nationwide search to replace former City Manager Marc Ott, who resigned more than a year ago. In March, City Council members voted unanimously to try to keep candidates for the job — even finalists — secret until they make a final decision. The council [...]

Austin vs. Watauga? City claims competition to keep city manager candidates secret2017-10-30T16:34:04-05:00

State Fair of Texas at center of public records battle

2017-12-04T21:00:39-06:00

By Dave Montgomery For 24 days every autumn, throngs of visitors stream into the State Fair of Texas in Dallas for shows, music, exhibits, livestock judging, carnival rides and gastronomic delights such as corny dogs and fried butter. Millions worldwide know it as the home of Big Tex, the fair’s 55-foot animatronic cowboy. But for more than two years, the 131-year-old Dallas institution has attracted attention for another reason. It has been at the center of a meandering legal battle involving the Texas Public Information Act, long regarded as a national gold standard for giving citizens access to the inner-workings of [...]

State Fair of Texas at center of public records battle2017-12-04T21:00:39-06:00

Garland Police keeping tight grip on documents two years after ISIS attack

2017-08-02T14:58:21-05:00

By Todd Shepherd Washington Examiner Originally published Aug. 1, 2017 Police in Garland, Texas, are refusing to release documents that could show an FBI agent allowed a terrorist attack to go ahead in 2015, in order to avoid blowing his cover. Police are still saying key documents can't be shared because the investigation is still "pending," even though the police chief said just days after the attack that they did not believe there were other suspects, and the two known assailants were killed on the scene. The 2015 attack was the first ISIS-backed act of terrorism on U.S. soil. The tight [...]

Garland Police keeping tight grip on documents two years after ISIS attack2017-08-02T14:58:21-05:00

Winners of 2017 Texas Gavel Awards announced

2017-07-20T19:57:38-05:00

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 in Austin were selected as winners of the Texas Gavel Awards, which honor journalism that deepens public understanding of the legal system. The State Bar of Texas will honor the winners [...]

Winners of 2017 Texas Gavel Awards announced2017-07-20T19:57:38-05:00

Nominate candidates for FOI Foundation’s James Madison Award

2017-06-26T20:56:38-05:00

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas presents its James Madison Award each year to a champion of open government and the First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. Do you know a worthy recipient? If so, make a nomination. The nomination deadline is Friday, June 30. Information and the nomination form can be found here, as well as a list of past winners. The award winner is honored at the FOI Foundation of Texas state conference, which takes place this year on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017, in Austin.

Nominate candidates for FOI Foundation’s James Madison Award2017-06-26T20:56:38-05:00

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]

TEXAS FOI NEWS

QUICK LINKS

MENU

RESOURCES

© Copyright 2024 | The Freedom of Information Foundation | All Rights Reserved | by HelixSEO

Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top