2025 SHOWCASE
Reports and Studies
2024 Freedom of Information Act Litigation and Compliance Report
U.S. Department of Justice, March 7, 2025
During 2024, the Office of Information Policy continued to provide comprehensive guidance and training to agencies concerning the FOIA and DOJ’s 2022 FOIA Guidelines. Additionally, OIP managed the submission of agencies’ Fiscal Year 2024 Annual FOIA Reports as well as their 2024 Chief FOIA Officer Reports, which are compiled based on guidance developed and issued by OIP each year … A highlight of 2024 was the addition of a new law enforcement user journey as part of the FOIA Search Tool on FOIA.gov. The incorporation of this pre-defined user journey was structured to help the public more easily locate commonly requested law enforcement records. In introducing the new user journey, the machine learning functionality used to power the Search Tool was retrained and benefitted from recent advancements. As a result, search results are anticipated to be more accurate and precise. As the public interacts with the search tool, OIP will use data analytics to better understand how the tool is being used and assess the quality of the results so that improvements can be made.
Stories, Columns and Editorials
Federal Enforcement Activity (and Disclosure) Grinds to a Near Halt
Good Jobs First, Washington, D.C., March 19, 2025
Sunshine Week shines light on need for transparency
The Daily Item, Sunbury, Pennsylvania, March 19, 2025
ROBERTS: More Colorado shadows than light during Sunshine Week in 2025
The Sentinel, Aurora, Colorado, March 19, 2025
Albany groups push for stronger FOIL laws during Sunshine Week for government transparency
WRGB CBS 6 News, Albany, New York, March 19, 2025
Sunshine Week Reminds Us That The American People Deserve Transparency
News/Media Alliance, Arlington, Virginia, March 19, 2025
Wired is dropping paywalls for FOIA-based reporting. Others should follow.
Freedom of the Press Foundation, Brooklyn, New York, March 18, 2025
Wired’s un-paywalling of stories built on public data is a reminder of its role in the information ecosystem
Nieman Lab, Cambridge, Massachusetts, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week closes out new lobbyist’s first session
The Journal, Crosby, North Dakota, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week: Reviewing the record of the right-to-know ombudsman hired by N.H. lawmakers. His office is now in jeopardy.
The Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor, March 18, 2025
OPINION: It’s Sunshine Week. But some bills in the Nevada Legislature threaten to keep the public in the dark.
The Nevada Independent, Las Vegas, March 18, 2025
EDITORIAL: Shedding light amid Trump’s public records blackout
Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, New York, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week: Outrageous Secrecy in Economic Development Needn’t Be So
Good Jobs First, Washington, D.C., March 18, 2025
Shining a light on Sunshine Week: Why small communities need local journalism
Royse City Herald-Banner, Greenville, Texas, March 18, 2025
SUNSHINE WEEK: Restoring trust in government with transparency
Huron Daily Tribune, Bad Axe, Michigan, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week: 990s shine a light on nonprofit finances
Cardinal News, Roanoke, Virginia, March 18, 2025
Tennessee coalition celebrates 20 years of Sunshine Week, promoting government transparency
Tennessee Lookout, Nashville, March 19, 2025
The Wayne County News, Waynesboro, Tennessee, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week shines light on transparency
Student Press Law Center, Washington, D.C., March 18, 2025
Missouri Sunshine Law allows government agencies to be held accountable
Missouri Independent, Jefferson City, March 18, 2025
SUNSHINE WEEK: Overdose deaths down across Region, state
The Times, Munster, Indiana, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week: 9 key takeaways from our reporting on government transparency
Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week: A tip led our reporters to a $3.4M hunting lodge in Sumter funded by taxpayer dollars
The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, March 18, 2205
Tanya Marshall: This Sunshine Week, access to government records and information are more important than ever
VTDigger, Montpelier, Vermont, March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week: Who’s Benefiting from the CHIPS & Science Act?
Good Jobs First, Washington, D.C. March 18, 2025
Sunshine Week shines light on right to know
The Mon Valley Independent, Monessen, Pennsylvania, March 18, 2025
In blue California, local officials embrace Trumpian qualities of anti-press secrecy | Opinion
San Luis Obispo (California) Tribune, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week: Searchable database of what Concord city employees were paid in 2024
The Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor, March 18, 2025
American Oversight Urges Transparency on 20th Anniversary of Sunshine Week
American Oversight, Washington, D.C., March 17, 2025
Who requests public records in Colorado and what do they want to know?
Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, March 17, 2025
Public records make journalism possible. Here are 4 stories we couldn’t do without them.
Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Journal Sentinel, March 17, 2024
Sunshine Week comes amid darkening clouds for open gov advocates
Federal News Network, Washington, D.C., March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week: Let the sun shine and prevent government mildew
Chronicle-Independent, Camden, South Carolina, March 17, 2025
It’s Sunshine Week, and Kentucky is going backwards on government transparency | Opinion
Lexington (Kentucky) Herald Leader, March 17, 2025
Devin Scillian: Gretchen Whitmer, state lawmakers must accept transparency laws | Opinion
Detroit (Michigan) Free Press, March 17, 2025
Tackett: Sunshine, Scotch and the power of a free press
Aspen (Colorado) Daily News, March 17, 2025
Looking for federal data? Go local.
The Contrarian, Miranda S. Spivack, March 17, 2025
Five things I learned from a year of FOIAFridays
Muckrock, Boston, Massachusetts, March 17, 2025
David Slade explains how open government isn’t just a journalism concern
The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, March 17, 2025
Missourians can face years-long waits for records requested from some state agencies
Missouri Independent, Jefferson City, March 17, 2025
Granite Geek: You paid for useful data to be gathered, so why is it being hidden from you?
The Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor, March 17, 2025
Stecklein: OSU’s obfuscating governing board showcases why we observe Sunshine Week
The Journal Record, Oklahoma City, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week: Track political spending with VPAP
Cardinal News, Roanoke, Virginia, March 17, 2025
Temple ISD officials get ahead of public information
Temple (Texas) Daily Telegram, March 17, 2025
ABC15 Investigators dig into Arizona public record transparency during Sunshine Week
KNXV-TV—ABC15 Arizona, Phoenix, March 17, 2025
Belton officials work for speed, transparency with public records
Kileen (Texas) Daily Herald, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week: After we dug into a North Charleston program, the FBI swept in
The Post and Courier, Charleston, S.C., March 17, 2025
Secrecy gives the government control. FOIA can restore the power imbalance
Michigan Advance, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025 | Fast Facts
Texas Public Policy Foundation, Austin, March 17, 2025
Happy Sunshine Week 2025
Texas Public Policy Foundation, Austin, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week finds some light in a partly cloudy South Dakota
South Dakota Searchlight, Rapid City, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025: Shining Light on Iowa’s Press Freedom Challenges
Decorah (Iowa) News, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week stirs push for better government transparency
The Carolina Journal, Raleigh, North Carolina, March 17, 2025
Oklahoma State’s obfuscating governing board showcases why we observe Sunshine Week
Oklahoma Voice, Oklahoma City, March 17, 2025
This is Sunshine Week, March 16-22
Editor & Publisher, Hendersonville, Tennessee, March 17, 2025
What to know about Sunshine Week and why open records are so important | Opinion
The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, March 17, 2025
Column: News reporters still face obstacles in doing their jobs
My Horry News, Conway, South Carolina, March 17, 2025
Marking the importance of Sunshine Week
The Alpena (Michigan) News, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week
Fort Bend Herald, Rosenberg, Texas, March 17, 2025
PNPA National Sunshine Week
The Derrick, Oil City, Pennsylvania, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week cartoon
Citrus County Chronicle, Crystal River, Florida, March 17, 2025
Wisconsin law entitles you access to government records. Here’s how to get them.
Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Journal Sentinel, March 17, 2025
Opinion: Shining light on government brings together all kinds of Texans
El Paso (Texas) Times, March 17, 2025
SUNSHINE WEEK: Public backlash to data center proposal reveals need for Sunshine Week | Davich
The Times, Munster, Indiana, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week stirs push for better government transparency
Carolina Coast Online, Morehead City, North Carolina, March 17, 2025
Belton officials work for speed, transparency with public records
Temple (Texas) Daily Telegram, March 17, 2025
Tackett: Sunshine, Scotch and the power of a free press
Aspen (Colorado) Daily News, March 17, 2025
Sunshine Week: Overtime, bonuses boost half of Concord public safety employees above $100K
The Concord (New Hampshire) Monitor, March 16, 2025
The Foilies 2025: Recognizing the Worst in Government Transparency
Electronic Frontier Foundation, MuckRock and AAN Publishers, March 16, 2025
Opinion: It’s Sunshine Week. But some bills in the Nevada Legislature threaten to keep the public in the dark
This is Reno (Nevada), March 16, 2025
Letter from the Editor: Let the sunshine in (and keep lottery winner names public)
The Oregonian, Portland, March 16, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025: National Press Foundation Urges Access to Government Data
National Press Foundation, Washington, D.C., March 16, 2025
We continue to hammer away for you and for open government
Oklahoma City Free Press, March 16, 2025
It’s Sunshine Week. But some legislative bills threaten to keep the public in the dark
Reno (Nevada) Gazette-Journal, March 16, 2025
The strongest argument for openness: Facts quell rumors.
South Carolina Press Association, Columbia, March 16, 2025
Aitkin Age, Isle, Minnesota, March 15, 2025
Clerk of Courts reminds the public of their right to know
The Apopka (Florida) Voice, March 16, 2025
Angel: Michigan needs greater transparency in how it conducts its business
Lansing (Michigan) State Journal, March 16, 2025
Support transparency. Support truth. This Sunshine Week, support PublicSource.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 16, 2025
Renee Radcliff Sinclair: ‘Sunshine’ an essential part of a functional democracy
The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Washington, March 16, 2025
The Times of Northwest Indiana celebrates Sunshine Week 2025, the public’s right to know
The Times, Munster, Indiana, March 16, 2025
Tennessee coalition celebrates 20 years of Sunshine Week, promoting government transparency
Cheatham County Exchange, Pleasant View, Tennessee, March 16, 2025
National Sunshine Week offers people a window into public information
Killeen (Texas) Daily Herald, March 16, 2025
Sunshine Week: Join The Post and Courier in celebrating journalism dedicated to the public interest
The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, March 16, 2025
Nominations being accepted for SD open government award
South Dakota Searchlight, Pierre, South Dakota, March 16, 2025
Shine a Light on Your Community: Navigating Public Records in York County During Sunshine Week
WHRI AM/100.1 FM, Rock Hill, South Carolina, March 16, 2025
It’s Sunshine Week, at a time when sunlight is needed more than ever
Monterey County Now, Seaside, California, March 16, 2025
Support transparency. Support truth. This Sunshine Week, support PublicSource.
PublicSource, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 16, 2025
Opinion: Tennessee coalition celebrates 20 years of Sunshine Week, promoting government transparency
Chattanooga (Tennessee) Times Free Press, March 15, 2025
Sunshine Law reporting changes how citizens understand government
West Plains (Missouri) Daily Call, March 15, 2025
Editorial: Sunshine Week highlights the need to keep defending transparency in government
myRGV.com, (Rio Grande Valley, Texas), The Brownsville Herald, The Monitor and Valley Morning Star, March 15, 2025
Everybody can take advantage of Wisconsin’s public records law. Ask us how on Reddit
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 15, 2025
OGE Celebrates Sunshine Week (March 16-22, 2025)
U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2025
Rob Walters: SRM celebrates Sunshine Week with a public records audit
Six Rivers Media (Tennessee), Johnson City Press, Kingsport Times News, Erwin Record, Jonesborough Herald & Tribute and the Tomahawk in Mountain City, March 14, 2025
Restoring trust with transparency
Tri-County times, Fenton, Michigan, March 14, 2025
Borowski: We use and fight for open records. When we do, we’re fighting for you as well
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 14, 2025
The light – and dark – of Sunshine Week
The Ranger, Riverton, Wyoming, March 14, 2025
Sunshine Week: Access to government records and information more important than ever
Vermont Biz, South Burlington, March 14, 2025
VOICES: It’s up to us, as citizens, to be vigilant watchdogs
Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, March 14, 2025
Joyce Davis | Sunshine Week shines light on need for transparency
The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, March 14, 2025
GoErie.com, Erie, Pennsylvania, March 16, 2025
Column: Public service fund helps support investigative journalism
Aiken (South Carolina) Standard, March 14, 2025
Publisher’s Note | Celebrating Sunshine Week and Our 5th Birthday
Mississippi Free Press, Jackson, March 14, 2025
This Sunshine Week, empower yourself with the tools you need to hold government accountable
Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, March 14, 2025
Commentary: Shining light on government brings together all kinds of Texans
Denton (Texas) Record-Chronicle, March 14, 2025
OGE Celebrates Sunshine Week (March 16-22, 2025)
U.S Office of Government Ethics, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025
MDDC (Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C.) Press Association, Baltimore, March 14, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025: Celebrating Open Government and the Public’s Right to Know
New England Newspaper & Press Association, Woburn, Massachusetts, March 14, 2025
It’s Sunshine Week: You need to know | PennLive Editorial
Patriot News, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, March 14, 2025
Shining a light on the vital role of Sunshine Week
The Riverdale Press, Bronx, New York, March 14, 2025
What is Sunshine Week and Why Does it Matter?
State Affairs, Miami, Florida, March 14, 2025
Sunshine Week: Shining a Light on Our Government
Common Cause, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2025
Newsletter: Destruction at the Highest Level
American Oversight, Washington, D.C., March 14, 2025
Keep the people’s business where the people can see it
Missouri Press Association, Columbia, March 14, 2025
SUNSHINE WEEK: Celebrate Sunshine Week MARCH 16-22, 2025
Wyoming Press Association, Cheyenne, March 14, 2025
Keeping government in the light
The Enquirer-Gazette, La Plata, Maryland, March 13, 2025
Transparent, open government is vital. That’s why Sunshine Week still matters.
The Tennessean, Nashville, March 13, 2025
National Archives to Host Annual Forum on Transparency and Access to Government Records
National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C., March 13, 2025
Collier County Clerk Office Celebrates Transparency and Open Access to Public Information
Coastal Breeze News, Marco Island, Florida, March 13, 2025
Our view: Time for sunshine to disinfect secrecy in Cogswell administration
Charleston (South Carolina) City Paper, March 13, 2025
2025 S.C. Sunshine Week Toolkit
South Carolina Press Association, Columbia, March 13, 2025
Sunshine Week is March 16 – 22, 2025
Michigan Press Association, Lansing, March 12, 2025
Sunshine Week kicks off March 16
The Daniel Island (South Carolina) News, March 12, 2025
WNA encouraging Sunshine Week participation
Wisconsin Newspaper Association, Madison, March 12, 2025
Sunshine Law allows government agencies to be held accountable
Missouri Press Association, Columbia, March 12, 2025
18 Groups Urge Legislature to Pass Priority FOIL Reform Bills for Sunshine Week
Reinvent Albany (New York), March 11, 2025
Panel talks open government ahead of “Sunshine Week”
The Oldham Era, LaGrange, Kentucky, March 11, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025
Video by the staff of The Post and Courier, Charleston, South Carolina, March 11, 2025
Sunshine Week 2025
PHL (Philadelphia) Watchdog, March 10, 2025
City of Stillwater to celebrate Sunshine Week
The O’Colly, Stillwater, Oklahoma, March 10, 2025
Join to celebrate Sunshine Week this March
Santa Fe New Mexican, March 8, 2025
Don’t throw shade — demand sunshine
NowKalamazoo (Michigan), March 7, 2025
NC Democrats push for budget transparency ahead of Sunshine Week with new legislation
The Carolina Journal, Raleigh, February 28, 2025
Dead Or Alive? With A Week To Go, Some Sunshine Bills Are Teetering
Honolulu (Hawaii) Civil Beat, February 23, 2025
Push back on the preliminary drafts exemption
CT Investigative Insider, Hartford, Connecticut, January 28, 2025
Check out Sunshine Week 2024 studies, stories, columns at editorials here.