"Zika Cases in Puerto Rico Are Skyrocketing"
"The Zika epidemic that has spread from Brazil to the rest of Latin America is now raging in Puerto Rico — and the island’s response is in chaos."
Source: NY Times, 08/01/2016
Government
News Media Groups Complain About Convention Restrictions
Authorities in both Cleveland and Philadelphia placed new restrictions on media covering the Republican convention, including banning gas masks, backpacks and bags bigger than 18" x 13" x 7" — which severely cramps broadcast journalists' ability to carry electronic gear.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
"The Fate Of Britain's Environment Rests On A Cabinet Tug Of War"
"The cast has changed following Theresa May’s reshuffle, but the play remains the same. It’s a struggle pitching free-market red tape slashers against those backing a clean, green economy as the UK’s best long term bet. The big question is whether this performance will have a different ending."
Source: Guardian, 07/18/2016
Open Government Victory: President Obama Signs FOIA Reform Into Law
President Barack Obama signed reforms to the Freedom of Information Act into law Thursday, just in time for the 50th birthday of the nation's landmark open government law on July Fourth. The bill capped years of work by ovocates in Washington.
Source: Sunlight Blog, 07/01/2016
"U.S. Water Utilities Not Prepared for Catastrophe"
"Federal government should have more active role in preparing for natural disaster and cyberattack, report argues."
Source: Circle of Blue, 06/24/2016
Some Steps Forward on Open Data
Don't get us wrong: the U.S. federal government's openness to public scrutiny leaves much to be desired. Still, it's worth noting that some improvements have taken place. Here are a few prominent ones. Image: Clipart.com.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
What Will Next President Do For (or Against) Freedom of Information?
Some commenters say Donald Trump has declared "war on the press." But Hillary Clinton has herself given little access to the news media during the campaign so far. Worse yet, parts of the news media seem to be making the problem worse, by not advocating for press freedom and open information. Profits and ratings have trumped the First Amendment.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
"NPS@100: Park Service Grapples With 'Frustrated' Workforce"
"As the Park Service approaches its centennial, it is grappling with a puzzle: Why are employees so unhappy, even while they love the work they do? And how can the agency fix it?"
Source: Greenwire, 06/01/2016
Texas: "State Removes Oil Spill Photos From Public View"
"AUSTIN, Texas — The state has removed aerial-surveillance photos taken during severe floods from a public website. The decision comes after the El Paso Times earlier this month published a story with dozens of such photos showing apparent oil spills in different river systems over the past few years."
Source: El Paso Times, 05/30/2016
Early Departure of FOIA Ombud Stirs Unresolved Concerns
Jim Holzer, head of the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS), a post often called the FOIA Ombudsman, has decided to step down after less than a year on the job. Some Freedom of Information Act advocates are seeing this as a discouraging sign.
SEJ Publication Types:
Topics on the Beat:
Visibility:
Pages
Advertisement 
