Many Web links are born to die. Even if that should happen with those below, this list can still be of value.

Use it to help locate important stories about freedom of information in Florida and sometimes elsewhere. Obtain the story through the archives or back issues of the news organization involved, try the headline or keywords in a search engine for another link, or use Lexis-Nexis or other databases that might be available to you or through your local library.

April 30, 2004

Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Mark I. Johnson: Public access to doctor records on life support …
Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial: Lawmakers leaving public in the dark through moves on open government …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, guest article by State Rep. Fred Brummer: The greatest threat to open records in Florida is the careless use by the media of personal information gathered from public information, state lawmaker says …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial: Privacy and government State should provide alternatives for identifying public employees …
*Orlando Sentinel, by Mark Hollis: Database for tracking drugs faces hurdles as Legislature comes to close (*free registration required) …
Boca Raton News, by Heather Johnson: In whose name should we pray? Controversial prayer makes waves at Senate meeting …

April 29, 2004

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*Orlando Sentinel, by Bob Mahlburg: House approves bills to close public records (*free registration required) …
Florida Today editorial: Scorched earth: Lawmakers should protect Florida’s open government laws, not trample them …
*Orlando Sentinel editorial: Awash in secrecy (*free registration required) …
Sarasota Herald Tribune, by Michael A. Scarcella: Federal judge orders the state Department of Corrections to release to plaintiffs in a lawsuit videotapes showing officers using pepper spray, tear gas and other chemical agents against inmates …
Bradenton Herald, by Carl Mario Nudi: Officials learn about Sunshine Laws from city attorney …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Mark Hollis: State-run Web sites will post information on individual hospital costs and performance as part of broader legislation …
Orlando Weekly, by Jame Akre: Doug and Doris Vanderlaan, defenders of the airwaves …
Lakeland Ledger, by Gary White: Lakeland investigator tracks down the living and the dead …

April 28, 2004

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Victor Hull: Late-session bill aims to protect Social Security numbers …
Palm Beach Post, by Sonja Isger: Jupiter council's retreat raises Sunshine Law concerns …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Mike Hoyem: Suing somebody or getting a divorce will cost a lot more when circuit court filing fees go up on July 1 …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Linda Kleindienst: Senate backs parent review of FCAT, answers …
Sarastoa Herald- Tribune, by columnist Tom Lyons: Education secretary says he had no choice on SS numbers, but he did …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Donna Callea: Books behind bars: Prison literacy escapes neglect …
Florida Today, by J.D. Gallop: Campaign notebook ignites exchange …
Florida Times-Union, by J. Taylor Rushing: Senate measure cuts into spam e-mail, sets up fines system …

April 27, 2004

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Victor Hull: A Herald-Tribune public records request has teachers angry and lawmakers looking to adjust Florida's public records laws …
St. Petersburg Times editorial: Not one senator found the voice Monday to object to one of the worst public records exemptions ever proposed to them …
Orlando Business Journal, by Eric Watt: School deals out of the sunshine …
WFTV, Channel 9, Orlando: Man says arrest warrant is a result of identity theft …
Gainesville Sun, by Lise Fisher: Seminars promote cybercrime prevention (*free registration required) …

April 26, 2004

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Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Mark I. Johnson: Legislature moves to restrict more records …
Fort Myers News-Press, column by Cindy McCurry-Ross: Newspaper will fight Lee County School District over cost of viewing public records …
Florida Today, by Tom Breen: Authorities are investigating whether corrections officers at the Brevard County Detention Center falsified records on the day of inmate William Gamez's apparent suicide in March …
Naples Daily News, by Larry Hannan: “Security breach” forces Collier government's Web site offline …
Palm Beach Post editorial: A required two-thirds majority approved by voters may be the only thing that keeps lawmakers from creating a record number of exemptions to the state's open-government laws …

April 23, 2004

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St. Petersburg Times, by Chris Tisch: Disbarred lawyer gets prison term for ID theft of a client …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by special correspondent Stephen J. Makler: Patricia Wilson has cheerfully spent 47 years looking up documents for the public at the Palm Beach County Courthouse …
Palm Beach Post, by Jim Ash: Push for statewide drug database renewed …
Tampa Tribune, by The Associated Press: Man gets 27 months for stolen Puerto Rican birth certificates …

Today, April 22, 2004

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St. Augustine Record, by Ken Lewis: Approval of a development at the Ponce de Leon Golf Course in St. Augustine should be reversed because of Sunshine Law violations, a lawsuit says …
St. Petersburg Times, by Bill Varian: Hillsborough officials plan to ban vocal gladfly from meetings for life …
Tampa Tribune, by Andy Reid: Man proposes Sunshine Law settlement …
Associated Press, by Jennifer Portman: Bills seek to rid state maps of ethic slurs in place names …
ABC-7, Fort Myers: Collier County government Web site is hacked …
St. Petersburg times, by Alex Leary: Port Richey building official's records under scrutiny …

April 21, 2004

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Naples Daily News, by Alan Scher Zagier: ESPN sports mogul whose failed plans for a golf stadium mushroomed into a sweeping probe of public corruption in Collier County is suing the Naples Daily News and three of its employees for libel …
St. Petersburg Times editorial: Abuse of process, such as keeping the public in the dark about what's about to happen, has become a daily event in with the state Legislature in Tallahassee. …

Today, April 20, 2004

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Tallahassee Democrat, by Bill Cotterell: Porn filter bill finds new life …
Vero Beach Press-Journal, by Lamaur Stancil: Attorney warns trustees not to violate open government laws …
St. Petersburg Times, by Colleen Jenkins: City manager on records chase in Citrus County …
Florida Times-Union, by J. Taylor Rushing: A bill requiring police in Florida to record suspect interrogations has died in the Legislature …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Nancy L. Othón: Sheriff's office bans inmates' free calls …

April 19, 2004

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*Orlando Sentinel, by Bob Mahlburg: Legislature touts privacy while state sells drivers' data (*free registration required) …
St. Petersburg Times, by Joni James and Jennifer Liberto: Legislative leaders sneak policy into budget during closed-door meetings …
*Miami Herald, by David Ovalle: North Bay Village officials accused of Sunshine Law violations resign (*free registration required) …
St. Petersburg Times, by Candace Rondeaux: Group barred from Tarpon Springs library to move on …
Fort Pierce Tribune editorial: Legislature turning back on libraries …
Palm Beach Post, by Linda Rawls: After the taxes are done, be careful when discarding old documents …

April 16, 2004

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WFTV, Channel 9, Orlando: State attorney gives Orlando mayor stern warning about open meetings and records …
Pensacola News-Journal, by Steve Mraz: Former Escambia County commissioner ousted from his seat for a Sunshine Law violation wants his old job back …
St. Petersburg Times, by David Karp: Tampa city resolution doesn’t support federal Patriot Act …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Mike Hoyem: Teenager vows to keep fighting school policy on passing out anti-abortion material …
Hernando Today, by Cliff Hightower: Third suspect caught in identity theft ring …

April 15, 2004

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*Miami Herald, by John Dorschner: Officials shut down a state website that had made it possible for private nursing-home information to be accessed by any visitor (*free registration required) …
Palm Beach Post, by Kimberly Miller: New Web site by Florida Department of Education to show parents how efficient schools are …
Naples Daily News, by Kristen Zambo: A federal judge says a 14-year-old Lee County girl cannot pass out anti-abortion literature at school …
Stuart News editorial: Libraries taking a beating in state Legislature …
St. Petersburg Times, by Brady Dennis: Investigative reporter accused of doctor shopping …
Associated Press: Pirate radio station shut down because of airport concerns …
Miami Today, by Samantha Joseph: Freedom Tower appraised, but county won't reveal its value …

April 14, 2004

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Robert Patrick: A state panel has begun a process that could drastically change the way the public accesses court records in Florida …
*Miami Herald, by David Ovalle: North Bay Village's mayor and a commissioner are charged with Sunshine Law violations after allegedly plotting to have the city manager fired (*free registration required) …
St. Petersburg Times, by Letitia Stein and Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler: Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority keeps some public records private Tuesday that it is expected to release today …
Tampa Tribune, by staff and wire: The Senate Education Committee approves a plan that would allow parents to request copies of their children's Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Bill Hirschman and Jamie Malernee: Broward School Board to give superintendent public job evaluation …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Joan D. Laguardia: Fort Myers coalition accepts sheriff’s apology about e-mail …
*Gainesville Sun, by Cindy Swirko: Gainesville aims to curb the posting of fliers at apartment complexes and homes (*free registration required) …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Mark Krzos: War over words: Debate rages about decency rules …
First Coast News, Jacksonville, by Cathleen O’Toole: Religious billboard in Jacksonville attracts attention …
WFTV.com, Channel 9: Librarians protest mandated internet filters for library computers …
Lakeland Ledger, by Amy L. Edwards: Six arrested in Polk County I.D. theft/fraud ring …
Tampa Tribune, by William March: Ad draws big notice to little newspaper .…

April 13, 2004

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Orlando Sentinel, by Ludmilla Lelis: Newspapers drop challenge of law restricting Earnhardt autopsy photos …
Winter Haven News Chief, by Jeremy Maready: Davenport residents nabbed on charges of organized fraud, ID theft …
Palm Beach Post editorial: Open hospitals’ records …
Naples Daily News, by Kristen Zambo: Judge weighs girl's request to pass out anti-abortion material at school …
Palm Beach Post, by S.V. Date: Test scores stay private under voucher bills …
Lakeland Ledger, by Bill Bair: Controversy lingers over how school superintendent selected …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Joe Kollin: Residents petition for safeguards against condo and homeowner associations …
St. Petersburg Times, by Steve Bousquet: License plan for illegals totters …
*Miami Herald, by Roberto Santiago: Broward earns national recognition for violating free expression (*free registration required) …
WBBH Channel 2, Fort Myers, by Jessica Ritter: Student schools Lee County school district over free speech …

April 12, 2004

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Palm Beach Post, by Phil Galewitz: State curtailing public's access to hospital violations …
Associated Press, by Jackie Halifax: People who use state courts will pay more for filings after July 1 as system fights for funding …
St. Petersburg Times editorial: Medical prescriptions are ordinarily highly personal information, not for government's prying eyes …
Bradenton Herald, by Nevy Kaminski: Lawyer decries lack of arrest videos taken from patrol car cameras …
Venice Gondolier Sun, by Tommy McIntyre: FDOT responds to no-response claims …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Joseph Mann and Sandra Ewon Kim: Florida lawyer's complaint prompted FCC fine of clear channel …

April 9, 2004

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South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Brittany Wallman: Unusual Fort Lauderdale “executive volunteer” squad idea aims to dodge open government laws …
Florida Times-Union, by Mary Kelli Palka: Jacksonville library board members debate access to porn …
Florida Today editorial: Open the records: State Attorney General must rule to release Brevard inmates' medical information …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Joan D. Laguardia: Lee County sheriff, worker apologize for racist e-mail cartoon …
Palm Beach Daily News, by Michele Dargan: Appeals court grills both sides in Limbaugh medical records case …
Winter Haven News Chief, by Sandi Martin: Polk commissioners get crash course on public records law …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Ron Hurtibise: State targets fake IDs with new license format …
*Miami Herald, by Beatrice E. Garcia: Howard Stern kept off the air; firm fined (*free registration required) …
Naples Daily News, by Mireidy Fernandez: Fire commissioner urges apology for “deranged” remark …
The Tampa Tribune, by Mark Douglas: Woman says car loan application was falsified …
Naples Daily News, by Brigid O’Malley: Unwary patrons targeted by identity thieves at gas pumps …
Lakeland Ledger: The judge who presided last year over the trial of suspended Escambia County Commissioner W.D. Childers on charges of violating the state's open-government "sunshine" law is off to Afghanistan as a reconstruction adviser.…

April 8, 2004

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Palm Beach Post, by Susan Spencer-Wendel: Appeals court grills both sides in Limbaugh medical records case …
Associated Press, by Jill Barton: Court of appeals hears Limbaugh case to keep records sealed …
*Miami Herald, by Sara Olkon: An appeals court hears arguments to seal Rush Limbaugh's medical records in a closely watched case that pits privacy concerns against needs of law enforcement. (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Christy McKerney and Peter Franceschina: Limbaugh medical records case spurs a media frenzy …
St. Petersburg Times, by Jeffrey S. Solochek: Hernando County school superintendent opts for public meetings …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Lee Melsek: Two Lee County School District employees deny knowing anything about alleged private meetings among a school board member and three board candidates during the 2002 elections …
WKMG TV-6, Orlando: Identity thieves target tax refunds …

April 7, 2004

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Associated Press, by Jill Barton: Appeals court hears Limbaugh's case to keep records sealed ...
Florida Today, by Scott Blake: Federal privacy laws slow jail probe of dead inmates …
*Orlando Sentinel, by staff: Orange County support builds for lawmaker’s FCAT revisions (*free registration required) …
Lakeland Ledger, by Bill Bair: Questions raised about the validity of school superintendent vote …
Boca Raton News, by Ashley Harrell: Controversial sign bearing Star of David redesigned, redisplayed…
Fort Pierce Tribune, by Robin Campbell: St. Lucie County court clerk won’t seek a fourth term …

April 6, 2004

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St. Petersburg Times, by Lucy Morgan: A lawyer for the Florida Bar will research whether the group's mailing list must be given to all …
St. Augustine Record, by Lisa Miller: St. Johns County School Board member questions vote on high school site …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Henry Frederick: Volusia County lawsuit seeks to halt arts center grant due to alleged open meetings law violations …
*Orlando Sentinel, by staff: Lawsuit in Volusia County alleges county council vote is invalid because council members broke public meetings laws (*free registration required) …
Lakeland Ledger, by Andrew Dunn: How Polk County school officials have tried to evade open records laws during search for new superintendent …
Florida Today, by Enrique Heredero: Driver’s licenses get verticle for underage divers…

April 5, 2004

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Palm Beach Post, by Susan Spencer-Wendel: Limbaugh records case opens this week …
Naples Daily News, guest column by Ken Paulson: Inside the First Amendment: Supreme Court places a premium on privacy …
*Orlando Sentinel, by staff: Developer’s divorce files to be sealed (*free registration required) …
Orlando Business Journal, by Jill Krueger: Lawyers’ ads are in crosshairs of a bill in Legislature …
St. Petersburg Times, by Kelly Virella: Lawyer sues to get denied bail records …
Palm Beach Post editorial: Felon-friendly gun bill exemplifies why newspaper rallies for open records …
Naples Daily News, by Marci Elliott: Lely journalism teacher didn't mean to create First Amendment flap over student's column…
Florida Keys Keynoter, by Christie Phillips: Attorney general says Key West Citizen Review Board can seal records …
Tallahassee Democrat, column by Mary Ann Lindley: Land of the free …
Hernando Today, by Fred Hiers: Gag imposed during interviews …
Winter Haven News-Chief, by Jeremy Maready: Four arrested in identification theft …

April 2, 2004

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Bradenton Herald, by Brian Haas: Sheriff’s office goes on the air …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, staff report: Police say missing surfer’s friend filed a false report …

April 1, 2004

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St. Petersburg Times, by columnist Howard Troxler: Defending our privacy, except when they abuse it …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Nancy Cook Lauer: House legislation aims to combine watchdog agencies …
St. Petersburg Times, by Jeffrey S. Solochek: Hernando County School Board rethinks book inquiry policy …
Stuart News, by Robin Campbell: Fort Pierce police change how tickets are dismissed …