The Florida Sunshine Review spotlights the latest news on Florida open government laws and freedom of information (FOI) issues, with special emphasis on open records and open meetings developments. For similar Florida items plus mass media news, see the monthly Brechner Report from the Brechner Center for Freedom of Information at the University of Florida.

December 28, 2005

Palm Beach Post, by Stephen Pounds: Prison Legal News sues to see records of Geo Group, a private company that builds prisons and manages them for the state …
*Miami Herald, by Darron Simon: Federal Communications Commission ban silences illegal radio station in Miramar that didn’t act like a pirate station (*free registration required) …
Bradenton Herald, by Duane Marsteller: Florida Department of Transportation decides to continue releasing information about dangerous roads, intersections and railroad crossings to the media and the public …

December 22, 2005

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Bradenton Herald, by Erika Rodriguez: Another first in public records for Manatee County Circuit Court Clerk Chips Shore …
Florida Today editorial: Palm Bay City Council should promptly address claims by Councilman Andy Anderson that other members of the council may have violated Florida's open meetings laws …

December 19, 2005

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Tom Arthur: Florida Attorney General Crist backs off fight over the media's right to view evidence presented to jurors during Joseph P. Smith's murder trial …
*Vero Beach Press-Journal editorial: Limited information is available through the federal Freedom of Information Act (*free registration required) …

December 9, 2005

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Lakeland Ledger, Rick Rousos: State charges 10 Polk County Opportunity Council Board of Directors with violating open government laws and face a $500 maximum fine if convicted …
Lakeland Ledger editorial: No surprise that Polk County Opportunity Council members charged with open government law violation …
The Tampa Tribune, by Mike Salinero: New Web site offers information about the health of Tampa Bay …

December 8, 2005

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South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Robert Nolan and Sean Gardiner: Sun-Sentinel argues case in court for release of Federal Emergency Management Agency records on disaster relief …

December 6, 2005

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*Naples Daily News editorial: An important principle on public access regarding evidence in court trials is at stake in Brucia case (*free registration required) …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by columnist Michael Pollick: Identity theft protection gives Florida circuit court clerks a big challenge …

December 2, 2005

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Associated Press: Appeal to full U.S. Supreme Court in works in Brucia photo dispute …
Associated Press: States tighten laws regarding access to autopsy photos …

December 1, 2005

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Associated Press, by Bill Kaczor: U.S. Supreme Court justice rejects effort to bar the news media from viewing photos and videotapes used as evidence against the man who killed 11-year-old Carlie Brucia …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Jeff Cull: News-Press and two sister papers in Florida appeal a federal court judge's ruling that the names and addresses of hurricane aid recipients are not public records. …
St. Petersburg Times, by Candace Rondeaux: Defense attorney for the Wharton High School coach accused of having sex with a student says his client won't get a fair trial if the media attention continues …
Ascribe Newswire: National Society of Professional Journalists president from Florida condemns censorship of Tennessee high school student newspaper …