• Home
• Welcome
• About Joe
• Joe's Hit Records
• Florida FOI news
• Seminars
• Handbook Orders
• Handbook Updates
• For Professors
• 100 Answers
• Resources
• Tips
• iDigAnswers About My Date! subscriber log in
Review Archives
• January 2010
• August 2009
• May 2009
• April 2009
• February 2009
• January 2009
• December 2008
• November 2008
• October 2008
• September 2008
• August 2008
• July 2008
• June 2008
• May 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• February 2007
• January 2007
• December 2006
• November 2006
• October 2006
• September 2006
• August 2006
• July 2006
• June 2006
• May 2006
• April 2006
• March 2006
• February 2006
• January 2006
• December 2005
• November 2005
• October 2005
• September 2005
• August 2005
• July 2005
• June 2005
• May 2005
• April 2005
• March 2005
• February 2005
• January 2005
• December 2004
• November 2004
• October 2004
• September 2004
• August 2004
• July 2004
• June 2004
• May 2004
• April 2004
• March 2004
• February 2004
• January 2004
• 2003
National FOI news
• Freedom Forum
• The FOI Advocate
|
Florida Sunshine Review
 Catch the new iDig!: Enjoy this iDigAnswers classic page. Then catch the new iDig Wordpress site and follow iDig on Facebook and Twitter! ...
See public records in action with Joe's Hit Records list!
Links and info to assist you with open records and meetings.
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.
February 27, 2004
 Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Robert Patrick and Mike Saewitz: As of Monday, some of the state's last county clerk Web sites that still allow public viewing of court documents online will end that access ...
Charlotte Sun-Herald, by Warren Richardson: Sarasota County Circuit Court Clerk Karen Rushing is terminating online access to criminal and civil court records due to a recent Florida Supreme Court edict …
Tampa Tribune, by Jerome R. Stockfisch: State criticized for closing records influencing utility rate increases …
Palm Beach Post, by Jeff Ostrowski: Florida’s chief executive officer backs bill to shield data from identity thieves …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Patty Allen-Jones: Genealogy group to hold workshop …
February 26, 2004
Associated Press: The News Herald in Panama City asks a judge to unseal records in “Girls Gone Wild” case …
Lake City Reporter, by Justin Lang: The Florida Crown Workforce executive director decided not to contest a civil infraction for aiding and abetting a Sunshine Law violation brought by the State Attorney's Office …
*New York Times, by Susan Saulny: Court records a click away? Yes, with some safeguards (*free registration required) …
Ocala Star Banner, by Bill Thompson: “Eat Me” will return to library shelves …
February 25, 2004
WKMV TV 6, Central Florida: Sex-splashed novel back on shelves in Marion County public libraries …
Miami Herald, by Noah Bierman: U.S. Supreme Court declines South Florida 9/11 case …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Scott Wyman: Library computer policy at issue …
*Orlando Sentinel, by Melissa Harris: Candidate's aide files records complaint (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Jaime Hernandez, Shannon O'Boye and Ann W. O'Neill: Broward Sheriff’s Office scrutinizes its crime data …
WTLV 12, Jacksonville, by Charlene Shirk: Postal workers and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement employee are among 15 charged with identify theft …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Steve Ellis: FSU is looking into how it can do more thorough background checks on its recruits …
February 23, 2004
Tampa Tribune, by Shannon Behnken: The state attorney's office is looking into whether the Tampa City Council broke the law by attending private lunches with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce …
Florida Today editorial: A recent state appeals court decision curbing freedom of speech for nonresidents at city council meetings in Cocoa could set a dangerous precedent …
Tampa Tribune, staff report: Carlie coverage taints grand jury, suspect’s attorney says …
St. Petersburg Times, by Brady Dennis: Station fires radio talk show host Bubba the Love Sponge …
Bay News 9, Tampa Bay: Fight over school board prayer in Manatee County heats up …
Ocala Star Banner, by Harriet Daniels: Heightened security fuels shredding industry …
February 23, 2004
Bradenton Herald, by Tim W. McCann: Manatee County School Board files a lawsuit of its own against the couple who sued the board because it continues to open meetings with prayer …
Naples Daily News editorial: Environmental panel ... working in the sunshine works best for all parties …
St. Petersburg Times, by columnist Robyn E. Blumner: A phony war defeats free speech …
The Island Packet, Hilton Head, S.C., by Noah Haglund: Stolen ID’s a growing trend …
February 21, 2004
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Peter Franceschina: Limbaugh: Prosecutors seek office staff records …
Charlotte Sun-Herald, by Warren Richardson: Internet access to Sarasota County court records to end March 1 …
St. Augustine Record, by Ken Lewis: Seminar sheds light on state's Sunshine Laws …
Baker County Standard: Just how public are public records? …
February 20, 2004
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Robert Patrick and Mike Saewitz: A recent Florida Supreme Court order may mean that online access to court files will be further limited …
Palm Beach Post, by Kathleen Chapman: Grand jury’s report on girls prison must be public, judge says…
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by columnist Eric Ernst: Unopened Murdock Village document falls under open records law …
WCJB TV 20 News, Gainesville, by Sarah Williamson: New device could help track dangerous criminals …
St. Augustine Record: The St. Augustine Record and the First Amendment Foundation are sponsoring a free seminar today on open records and meetings …
Bradford County Telegraph, by Gail D. Livingston: It will soon be a little more expensive to visit the circuit court clerk’s office in Union County …
Miami Herald, by Wanda J. DeMarzo: Broward Sheriff’s Office internal affairs investigators are given new jobs after a state attorney’s office inquiry into falsifying crime statistics is made public …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Diane C. Lade: Impact of state’s “Scarlet Letter” law lingers despite its repeal …
NBC 4, Columbus, Ohio: ACLU wants access to Matrix information …
Naples Daily News, by Marci Elliott: Get ready to tune in your radio for Alligator Alley information …
Wired News, by Kim Zetter: Outsourcing by banks and credit companies poses danger to privacy …
February 19, 2004
WFTV Channel 9, Orlando: Orlando city commissioner directs some constituent e-mails straight to the trash …
Palm Beach Post, by Kathleen Chapman: Florida asks court to withhold part of grand jury report on girls prison …
St. Augustine Record, staff: Free seminar on Sunshine Law this Friday …
Tallahassee Democrat, guest column: Rush Limbaugh and the ACLU: when donkeys fly …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Lois K. Solomon
and Marc Freeman: A panel of judges rules that the identity of all students named in a controversial report about a former school principal should remain secret …
*Orlando Sentinel, by columnist Scott Maxwell: Dozens of local officials attended the state attorney's workshop on open government laws last week, and here's some of the public officials who didn't ... (*free registration required) …
Palm Beach Post, by Kimberly Miller: Student names ordered cut from Dreyfoos report …
February 18, 2004
St. Petersburg Times editorial : Tampa City Council in the hot seat regarding secret meetings with chamber …
Florida Times-Union, by J. Taylor Rushing: Senate committee votes to move toward law that would eliminate old electronic firearm records and limit new ones …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Peter Franceschina and Christy McKerney: Limbaugh, ACLU file papers to keep medical records private …
Miami Herald, guest column: Revealing Limbaugh’s files will leave us all exposed …
Palm Beach Post, by Susan Spencer-Wendel: Limbaugh lawyer appeals for records, says privacy of all Floridians under attack …
Palm Beach Daily News, by Michele Dargan: Rush Limbaugh’s attorney says prosecutors showed bad faith by seizing the conservative commentator’s medical files without giving him notice and without a court hearing prior to the seizure …
Leesburg Daily Commercial, by John Huetter: Attorney says few laws protect worker privacy …
The Tampa Tribune, by Jerome R. Stockfisch: Married gays are barred from making name changes on driver licenses in Florida …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Ann W. O'Neill, Shannon O'Boye and Jaime Hernandez: Prosecutors looking into the misreporting of crimes at the Broward Sheriff's Office have been quietly interviewing deputies for weeks to learn how they gather and report crime statistics …
Miami Herald, by Michael Vasquez: A bill pending in the state Legislature would get tough on ''video voyeurism,'' something numerous other states are vowing to do as well …
Winter Haven News Chief, by Sandi Martin : Commissioner Randy Wilkinson admitted to sheriff's officials that he doesn't have the documents to back up some of his critical comments about the department …
February 17, 2004
Florida Today editorial: Legislature must defeat bills that weaken government-in-the-sunshine laws …
ABC 7, Fort Myers: “Ask a librarian” from anywhere through state program …
Winter Haven News Chief, by Sandi Martin: PGTV to show Polk County Commission meetings live …
February 16, 2004
Naples Daily News, by Dave Brietenstein: Lee schools may sell surplus items on the Web …
Lakeland Ledger, by Tom Palmer: Polk County’s local version of C-SPAN debuts on Wednesday …
Hernando Today editorial: Training needed to ensure public records are public …
Tampa Tribune editorial: Another side to the public records request made to Gov. Jeb Bush’s office …
St. Petersburg Times, letter from Gov. Jeb Bush: Governor says newspaper's editorial left an incorrect impression about his office's handling of public records requests and his commitment to open government in Florida …
Florida Times-Union editorial : Obtaining public records in Florida shouldn't be a hassle for the public …
February 15, 2004
Lakeland Ledger, by Jeff Scullin: Court files online are at center of debate …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Tony Bridges: Access to public records examined …
Tallahassee Democrat editorial: Citizens must protect right to open records …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, guest column: In Sarasota, try the Web for accessing public records …
Naples Daily News, column by Phil Lewis: Media foes turn friends for freedom …
Palm Beach Post, by Randy Schultz: A time when lobbyists didn’t rule …
Palm Beach Daily News, by William Kelly: Private talks lead to vote by council president …
February 14, 2004
*Orlando Sentinel, by Bob Mahlburg: The Florida Supreme Court said Friday that it's OK to show routine court records online or to e-mail individual records to the public (*free registration required) …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, staff report: Judge rejects gag order in Carlie Brucia case …
St. Petersburg Times, by David Karp: The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce has held regular meetings in private with the entire City Council without following laws created to keep the public informed …
Winter Haven News Chief, by Sandi Martin: County tells Polk County commissioners that Sheriff Lawrence Crow could sue Commissioner Randy Wilkinson for not complying with Florida's open records laws, and the whole board could be liable for it …
Lakeland Ledger, by Tom Palmer: Wilkinson, Crow to meet Monday with county attorney in effort to settle public records feud, avoid legal action …
St. Petersburg Times, by Colleen Jenkins: City attorney opens annexation records …
February 13, 2004
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Shannon O’Boye: Two Broward deputies face state investigation for falsifying case reports …
Miami Herald, by Wanda J. DeMarzo and Daniel de Vise: Prosecutor probes claims of falsified crime records at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office …
*Orlando Sentinel editorial: Orlando City Commissioner Daisy Lynum went too far in her outburst at a public meeting against a man who annoyed her (*free registration required) ...
*Orlando Sentinel, staff reports: Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary turns over soda contract records to a political opponent who sued the sheriff for failing to give him the public documents (*free registration required) ...
Williston Pioneer Sun News, by Kathy Richardson and Mike Bowdoin: Levy County results mixed on public records test …
Williston Pioneer Sun News, by Kathy Richardson and Mike Bowdoin: Training, education are key to public records compliance …
Naples Daily News, by Abhi Raghunathan: Lee Memorial Hospital panel endorses continuing to cloak some hospital practices from the state's open records law …
Local 6 News, Orlando, by Wendy Saltzman: Medical records found trashed in Titusville dumpster …
February 12, 2004
*Orlando Sentinel, by Beth Kassab: An Orlando city commissioner who yelled at a man tape-recording a public meeting and pulled the plug on his machine has some colleagues wishing she had kept her cool (*free registration required) ...
St. Petersburg Times, by Leanora Minai: Suspect's attorney in Carlie Brucia murder case asks a judge for a blanket gag order ...
*Orlando Sentinel, by Scott Powers: A former road chief is under investigation by Orlando police after he resigned as executive director of Orlando's toll-road agency in the wake of a scandal surrounding an erased audiotape of a staff meeting (*free registration required) ...
Gainesville Sun editorial: Public records seekers should not be getting the brush-off from government officials ...
Florida Keys Keynoter, by Alyson Matley: A measure aimed at improving the public's access to the state's court system might very well end up doing just the opposite ...
Naples Daily News, by Eric Staats: An informal advisory group that recommends rules for wildlife protection in Collier County faces criticism for not having to comply with part of the state's open meetings law ...
Winter Haven News Chief, by Sandi Martin: Tension grows between sheriff, commissioner as Crow's letter urges Wilkinson again to comply with open-records laws ...
Florida Times-Union, by Tia Mitchell: A Duval County Clerk's Office employee is accused of selling a document that allowed dozens, and possibly hundreds, of suspended drivers to fraudulently renew their licenses ...
Palm Beach Post, by editorial writer Jac Wilder VerSteeg: Guns don't kill; records do? ...
Florida Today, by Brian Monroe: Harris tries for federal archives contract ...
February 11, 2004
Florida Times-Union, by Mary Kelli Palka: Jacksonville has initiated a new open records policy after a recent newspaper audit revealed city officials aren't always quick about getting public records to those who request them ...
*Orlando Sentinel editorial: It's outrageous that some governments are ignoring the public's right of access to public records (*free registration required) ...
Lakeland Ledger editorial: Public records, public trust: Some public officials still don't understand why the public needs access to public records ...
*Kansas City Star: Missouri editorials on open government as part of the state's first combined effort by newspapers (similar to Florida's annual "Sunshine Sunday") to celebrate the state's open government sunshine laws (*free registration required) ...
Associated Press, by Matt Apuzzo: Connecticut's top police official tells lawmakers that a multistate crime database represents the future of law enforcement, despite the heavy criticism privacy activists are heaping on the system ...
February 10, 2004
Tampa Tribune editorial: The citizens of Florida have a right to inspect public records with no questions asked ...
St. Petersburg Times editorial: The recent statewide audit by 30 newspapers shows not all public agencies think Florida's public records law applies to them ...
Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial: Public records investigation reveals flaws ...
Lakeland Ledger, by Tom Bayles: People who use public records all the time are often considered pests by government employees, and sometimes the officials strike back in any way they can ...
New York Times Regional Newspapers: Know your rights and how to obtain public records ...
Lakeland Ledger, by Chris Davis: Some ways to protect yourself when giving information to state and local government ...
Lakeland Ledger: How Florida's first statewide audit on public records access was done ...
Tallahassee Democrat, by Bill Cotterell: Measure would allow parents to view students' FCAT answers ...
South Florida Sun-Sentinel editorial: Require donor disclosure for committees of continuous existence ...
Tallahassee Democrat, by Bill Cotterell: Free-speech proposal for state lawmakers is likely a no-go ...
February 9, 2004
Ocala Star-Banner, by Bill Thompson: Public-private partnerships dull government in the sunshine ...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Tom Bayles: People other than journalists, lawyers and private detectives use public records. But often the records aren't easy to get ...
February 8, 2004
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Ron Hurtibise: Citizens face hurdles over public records ...
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Henry Frederick: Education is key to open records ...
St. Augustine Record, special from Matthew Doig: A Sarasota Herald-Tribune reporter posing as a member of the public as part of a statewide public records audit was nearly arrested last month after he asked to see the school superintendent's cell phone bill ...
The Gainesville Sun, by Rachel Kipp: Officials in Alachua County committed more violations of Florida's open government laws than almost anywhere else in the state during a survey examining how agencies responded to routine requests to inspect public records ...
Associated Press: Study finds that officials don't always follow public records laws ...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial: Florida should renew its commitment to open records ...
Ocala Star-Banner, by Steven Ray Haberlin: Marion County scores well on public records audit ...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: A timeline of Florida public records developments from Pete Weitzel of the First Amendment Foundation ...
St. Petersburg Times, by Colleen Jenkins: Squabble flares in Crystal River over access to public records ...
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Mark Hollis: Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C., and other groups have filed massive public-records requests to examine operations of a Florida faith-based prison and have hinted at lawsuits ...
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Linda Kleindienst: Supreme Court sides with Sun-Sentinel in ruling that public can request DCF records in county courts ...
February 7, 2004
Sarasota Herald-Tribune: ACCESS DENIED: Thirty Florida newspapers in January visited 234 local agencies in 62 Florida counties to test how officials responded to a routine request to inspect records. The findings: The public is often denied access to records that the law says they can see. See the results here with links to comments by the reporters who made the requests ...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Chris Davis and Matthew Doig: Public officials, ignorant of the law or paralyzed by suspicion, regularly thwart citizens exercising their constitutional right to inspect public records, a statewide audit has found ...
Gainesville Sun, by Tom Bayles: Public records debate intensifies amid privacy and terrorism concerns ...
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Bob Mahlburg: Almost half of local government agencies tested in a statewide study for compliance with state public records laws either imposed unlawful conditions before providing such information or refused to turn over records at all ...
Palm Beach Post, by S.V. Date: State education officials slow to answer public-records requests ...
St. Augustine Record, staff report: Barbara Petersen, president of the First Amendment Foundation, Tallahassee, will speak Thursday in St. Augustine about Florida's open government laws ...
Tampa Tribune, by Elaine Silvestrini: Aisenberg transcripts to stay sealed ...
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by David Fleshler: The car wash security camera that captured the abduction of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia in Sarasota County this week is typical of the video surveillance systems that sweep across the space in which we conduct our lives ...
Bradenton Herald, by Duane Marsteller: Sarasota firm that ignored Florida's do-not-call list slapped with a record $109,500 state fine ...
WFTV, Channel 9, by Josh Einiger: ID theft ring found operating out of Central Florida car dealership ...
February 6, 2004
Winter Haven News Chief, by Sandi Martin: Public records requests continue to be a key feature of the public feud between Polk County Commissioner Randy Wilkinson and Sheriff Lawrence Crow ...
Palm Beach Post, by columnist Emily J. Minor: Group touts proposed law calling for the state to set up a $2.2 million computer system to track prescriptions of the most commonly abused narcotics, depressants and stimulants, with only doctors and pharmacists to have access. ...
February 5, 2004
Tampa Tribune, by Joe Humphrey: Hillsborough County commissioners withhold $1.3 million to county's transportation authority as independent auditor says she or her assistant have twice been refused entry to review the authority's records ...
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Gary Fineout: Gov. Jeb Bush and top Republican legislators pledge to end election law loopholes that have allowed political groups and committees run by legislators to keep secret their contributors ...
Tampa Tribune, by Shannon Behnken: Sunshine law rains on Tampa Housing Authority member's party ...
St. Augustine Record, staff report: The First Amendment Foundation and the St. Augustine Record team up to sponsor a free Feb. 12 seminar in St. Augustine on Florida's open government laws for members of appointed and elected government boards ...
Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, by Laura A. Bischoff: Ohio joins Florida, other states in signing up to use controversial MATRIX anti-terror database ...
February 4, 2004
Daytona Beach News-Journal, staff report: Daytona Beach newspaper sued over open government coverage ...
Palm Beach Post, by John Pacenti: Limbaugh case fuels privacy debate ...
Associated Press: A Manatee County couple sued the School Board in federal court Monday over what they say has been the persistent use of Christian prayers at board meetings, in violation of the district's own policy and the U.S. Constitution ...
WCJB TV 20 News, Gainesville, by Tera Williams: Homeless advocates say the new anti-panhandling ordinance proposed by Gainesville's Public Safety Committee violates First Amendment rights ...
Ocala Star-Banner, by Bill Thompson: Decision expected soon in Marion County on whether to ban a controversial book in the library ...
February 3, 2004
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, columnist Tom Lyons: Some prosecutors wouldn't have released the plea negotiation documents that ignited the Rush Limbaugh public records controversy ...
Pensacola News Journal, by Steve Mraz: Yard signs touting ex-commissioner Smith may be campaign violation ...
February 2, 2004
Miami Herald, by Daniel de Vise: Limbaugh case polarizes experts regarding the bounds of privacy ...
Naples Daily News editorial: Two Collier County School Board members are backing away from a training regimen that they say is being conducted too privately for an elected, public agency spending the public's money ...
Fort Myers News-Press, by Don Ruane: Cape Coral Councilman Paul Asfour wants better enforcement of public input rules during city council meetings ...
February 1, 2004
Lake City Reporter, by Justin Lang: A pre-trial hearing date has been set in the state's civil trial of Florida Crown Workforce Executive Director John Chastain ...
|
Save money,
save time ...
find answers!
With the second edition of The Florida Public Records Handbook, the ultimate guide to finding public information in the Sunshine State.
Research it yourself at the courthouse, city hall, state agencies and online! Discover the records to help you find people, research property, check out doctors and nursing homes, monitor government, do your own background checks, scope the competition and much more!
Order your copy!
|