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.

June 30, 2004

Leesburg Daily Commercial, by Jacob Ogles: Ruling expected within a month in suit against state over list of felons …
St. Petersburg Times, by staff: Dentist files libel lawsuit against the St. Petersburg Times …

June 29, 2004

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Hernando Today, by Cliff Hightower: Grand jury report remains sealed at DCF’s request …
*Miami Herald, by Gary Fineout: More doubts are raised about the accuracy of the state’s central voter database (*free registration required) …
Palm Beach Post, by George Bennett: New fault in Florida’s felons list pointed out …
*Miami Herald, by Ashley Fantz: Doctor: Seal lawsuit files in Prozac dispute (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Missy Stoddard: One-time tennis player sentenced for ID theft …

June 28, 2004

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Palm Beach Post, by S.V. Date: Education department report omitted evidence backing critic …
*Miami Herald, by Wanda J. DeMarzo and Noah Bierman: Pompano Beach city commissioners met with Sheriff Ken Jenne to discuss police business without informing residents, even though the state's open meeting law requires discussing city business in public (*free registration required) …
Naples Daily News, by Dave Breitenstein: State Attorney's Office says allegations of violating state ethics and open meetings laws against the Lee County School Board were "uncorroborated and contradicting hearsay" …
Fort Myers News-Press, by staff: State attorney closes review of alleged Florida Sunshine Law violations by Lee County School Board members …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Lisa J. Huriash: Pompano Beach must improve the way it handles public documents and make sure unauthorized employees are not getting access to records, a city audit shows…
Associated Press: Miami Herald seeks to have Santos lawsuit dismissed …
St. Petersburg Times editorial: The Tampa Port Authority's credibility is in question after three board members abandoned their commitment to conduct a national search for a new port director …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Grant Boxleitner: DEP waives report rule in shooting …
Fort Myers News-Press editorial: Authorities should release shooting details …
The Boca Beacon, commentary by Gary Dutery: Community panel should follow the spirit and the letter of the Sunshine Law …
Lakeland Ledger, by Jeff Scullin: Higher court fees set for July 1 …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Paige St. John: State election officials work to fix voter rolls …
Leesburg Daily Commerical, by Jacob Ogles: Ex-felons must re-register to vote …
Florida Today, by Wayne T. Price: Cell-phone numbers might go public …

June 25, 2004

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Tallahassee Democrat, by Bill Cotterell: Poll: Voters want their records kept private …
*Miami Herald, by Erika Bolstad: Broward hires two to check felon purge list (*free registration required) …
Leesburg Daily Commerical, by Jacob Ogles: Legal issues are murky surrounding Leesburg’s city manager e-mails, communications …
St. Petersburg Times, by Bridget Hall Grumet: Court users absorb costs as of July …
Tampa Bay News 10, by Valerie Boey: E-mail scams can attack bank accounts, FDLE warns …
*Gainesville Sun, by Rachel Kipp: The Gainesville City Commission is seeking an independent probe of allegations that the city manager discriminated against and directed racial slurs toward a woman during a recent confrontation (*free registration required) …

June 24, 2004

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Tallahassee Democrat, by Paul Flemming: Some security information is private, attorney general says …
The Associated Press, by Susan Ladika: Judge won't release photos taken of slain girl in Sarasota abduction…
Charlotte Sun-Herald, by Renee LePere: Brucia photos will not be released for now …
Leesburg Daily Commerical, by Jacob Ogles: A pair of messages sent from Leesburg City Manager Ron Stock’s personal e-mail account hinted at potential compliance issues with Florida’s open government laws …
Boca Raton News, by Brenna Fisher: More online newspapers are requiring viewers to register and provide personal information …
Tampa Tribune, by Cliff Hightower: Media seeks to open DCF records …
Associated Press, by Bill Kazor: Mistrial declared in punitive damages phase of Pensacola newspaper lawsuit …
Leesburg Daily Commerical, by Jacob Ogles: State won’t budge on releasing felon voter list …
Florida Times-Union, by Paul Pinkham: Some court fees to double July 1 as the state takes control …
Palm Beach Post, by Thomas R. Collins: West Palm Beach to post lots for sale on its Web site …

June 23, 2004

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Robert Patrick: State Supreme Court panel that will decide fate of public online data visits circuit court clerk’s offices in Manatee and Sarasota counties …
St. Petersburg Times, by Steve Huettel: Critics wonder whether discussions at the Tampa Port Authority went on off the record that led to a contract offer for the interim director …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Michael Reed: Flagler Sheriff’s Office attorneys respond to court order regarding public records handover …
Boca Raton News, by Leslie Jones McCloud: New driver's license designed to cut down on fraud, underage drinking …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune editorial: Manatee Community College took wrong turn in shutting down student newspaper …
*Orlando Sentinel, by Chris Cobbs: Agencies open high-tech crime-fighting lab (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Karla D. Shores: Charter school’s lesson in protocol includes info on adhering to the state’s open meetings laws …

June 22, 2004

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Florida Times-Union, by J.T. Rushing: Ban limiting gun records upsetting some …
ABC Channel 7, Fort Myers: Lee County unveils new Web site that allows users to check the status of a building permit …
*Gainesville Sun, by Bob Arndorfer: Region faces wait for new state driver’s licenses (*free registration required)…
Associated Press: A sharply divided Supreme Court rules that people who refuse to give their names to police can be arrested, even if they have done nothing wrong …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Anthony Man: Palm Beach County sheriff candidates spar on flier sent to Jewish voters …
Associated Press: Tampa Tribune names Poynter faculty dean as managing editor …

June 21, 2004

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Vero Beach Press-Journal editorial: Paper wins one on records but Legislature slams door on public’s right to know …
Palm Beach Post, by Cynthia Kopkowski: New security rules at Palm Beach County school administration headquarters could conflict with public access to records, meetings …
Associated Press: Bill puts opt-out option in cell phone directory …
Stuart News, by Bob Betcher: Homebuilder sues WPEC-Ch. 12 and one if its reporters, accusing the station of using a news story about a Port St. Lucie couple to suggest the company discriminates against minorities …
*Orlando Sentinel, by Henry Pierson Curtis and Pedro Ruz Gutierrez: Twelve suspects accused of identity theft in connection with the stealing papers used to buy cars and homes (*free registration required) …
Osceola News-Gazette, by Marvin G. Cortner: Osceola County expected to adopt higher court fees …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Jeff Burlew: A Tallahassee man is facing a new round of voyeurism charges after police found video images of female co-workers he reportedly recorded during an office meeting …

June 18, 2004

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Florida Today editorial: The state insults everyone by hiring pricey lawyers to oppose your right to open records …
Bradenton Herald, by Dana Sanchez: Manatee Port Authority to give more notice on its public meetings …
Palm Beach Post, by Cynthia Kopkowski: School district security rules may conflict with open records law provisions …
Newsmax.com: Florida Court's Decision Backs Limbaugh's Medical Privacy Case …
WPBF News Channel 25, West Palm Beach: State to issue new driver’s license with more anti-fraud features …
Associated Press: The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is outfitting patrol cars with a camera system that will allow deputies to take digital photos of people, whose faces will then be matched against a database of felons and fugitives …
WFTV Channel 9, Orlando: Huge I.D. theft bust allegedly involved car salesman …

June 17, 2004

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Robert Eckhart: The Herald-Tribune wins its lawsuit against the Florida Department of Education in bid to obtain state databases that include the Social Security numbers of every Florida teacher …
Associated Press, by Jackie Hallifax: State to appeal release of teacher records, Social Security numbers …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by Mike Saewitz: Joseph Brucia asks a judge to restrict who can view pictures of his slain daughter’s body …
St. Petersburg Times, by Steve Huettel: Open meetings law issues raised as Tampa Port Authority makes job offer to interim director …

June 16, 2004

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Palm Beach Post, by Jeff Ostrowski: Judge rejects suit over driver records …
Florida Times-Union, by Mary Kelli Palka: Jacksonville library system sticks with Internet filters …
Palm Beach Post, by Vanessa Maltin: Official says terrorism threat is tied in to identity theft …
Palm Beach Post editorial: Election establishment still missing the message …

June 15, 2004

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The Independent Florida Alligator, by Jared Leone: Voter rolls to be purged of felons; Alachua County election officials target 600 names …
USA Today, by Jon Swartz: Is the future of e-mail under cyberattack? …

June 14, 2004

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Stuart News editorial: Release list of convicted felons for publication before voting day …
Palm Beach Post editorial: Release the felons’ list …
Lakeland Ledger editorial: Open voter purge list …
St. Petersburg Times, by columnist Howard Troxler: Felons list poses a risk to rights of lawful voters …
*Orlando Sentinel editorial: Taxpayers deserve full access to names of felons purged from voter registration rolls (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Bob Mahlburg: Lawyers enlisted in voter record battle …
Bradenton Herald, by Roberta C. Nelson: The Florida House Democratic Caucus receives the Pete Weitzel/Friends of the First Amendment Award for defending the public's right to access information …
Associated Press: Winners of annual Florida Society of Newspaper Editors contest named …
*Miami Herald: Writer earns first amendment honor (*free registration required) …
*Orlando Sentinel, by Mark Schlueb: Agents seize Orlando City Hall computers (*free registration required) …
St. Petersburg Times, by Leonora Minai: Flaming words or just free speech? …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Susannah Bryan: Deerfield City Hall prayer offends resident …

June 11, 2004

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Associated Press: Floridians sue DMV workers over release of driver records …
*Orlando Sentinel, by Henry Pierson Curtis: Maali's defense team wins release of records (*free registration required) …
*Orlando Sentinel editorial: Taxpayers deserve full access to names of felons purged from voter registration rolls (*free registration required) …
Palm Beach Post, by Kimberly Miller: School president censured for asking questions …
Boca Raton News, by Dale M. King: Web site attacks charter school planned at FAU Research Park …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Lyda Longa: Judge jails paralegal for not giving his real name in court …

June 10, 2004

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Charlotte Sun-Herald, by Rene LePere: The Bradenton Herald files a motion with the Sarasota County Clerk of Courts to gain access to documents in the Carlie Brucia murder case that were accidentally released to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune …
St. Petersburg Times, by Colleen Jenkins: Crystal River staff and council members face off over an $18.45 invoice issued for a formal records request …
Online Journalism Review: States’ shield laws might not cover online journalists …
Associated Press, by Rachel La Corte: FDLE offers supervisors guidance on voter list purge …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Paige St. John: Judge agrees to hear case on voters list …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Nancy Cook Lauer: Lawsuit on voter lists stays alive …
*Miami Herald, by Gary Fineout: Purging of voter registration rolls to go slowly … (*free registration required) …
Palm Beach Post, by Jim Ash: A single word in the Florida Constitution could be enough to block journalists from investigating a controversial list of 47,000 suspected felons on the state voter rolls…
Palm Beach Post, by George Bennett: Elections chiefs preparing to purge felons from their voter rolls cautioned by a top law enforcement official that the list they are working from isn't perfect…
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Joe Crews: Pierson Town Council becomes Spanish-friendly …
Associated Press: A state appeals court heard arguments Wednesday in the case of a Muslim woman who wants to wear a veil in her driver's license photo so as not to violate her religious beliefs …
St. Petersburg Times, by Stephen Hegarty: Tampa Bay area drivers this summer will be able to call 511 from their cars and find highway trouble spots before it's too late …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, by L.W. Kong: New 211 dial-up system links Sarasota and Manatee residents to food, shelter and other services …

June 9, 2004

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Florida Today editorial: Hiding voter information undermines confidence in the democratic system …
Palm Beach Post, by Jim Ash and George Bennett: Felons voting list getting scrutiny in court, in Keys …
New York Times, by Amy Goodnough: In Florida, wrestling again over felons and voting …
*Miami Herald, by Gary Fineout: A New York group has questioned the accuracy of Florida's voting database, which is being used to come up with a list of potential felons ineligible to vote … (*free registration required) …
*Miami Herald, by Gary Fineout: A New York group has questioned the accuracy of Florida's voting database, which is being used to come up with a list of potential felons ineligible to vote … (*free registration required) …
Associated Press: State responds to CNN lawsuit seeking list of names …
Naples Daily News, by Dave Breitenstein: Lee County students' records to be filed electronically …
Associated Press: Former editor named Northwest Daily News publisher in Fort Walton Beach …
Associated Press: FDLE keeping database of criminals’ tattoos …
*Miami Herald: People could find out more about doctor mistakes under proposed amendment … (*free registration required) …
TheSmokingGun.com: Tampa Tribune mistakenly runs “Lightning Lost” editorial after the hockey team won …
Ohio News Network: Internet allows quick access to public records …
Ohio News Network: Survey finds officials in Ohio provided about one of every two public records sought …
Ohio News Network: Many agencies nationwide do not comply with open records laws …
Ohio News Network: Ohio lawmakers outraged that only half of public records requests honored …
Ohio News Network: Public records help Ohioans make decisions about lifestyles …
Ohio News Network: How the Ohio public records audit was conducted …
Ohio News Network: Questions and answers about Ohio’s public records law …

June 8, 2004

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Tallahassee Democrat, by Bill Cotterell: U.S. Sen. Nelson joins suit to open records …
Tampa Tribune, by Jerome R. Stockfisch: Nelson objects to secrecy of voter list …
Fort Myers News-Press, by Paige St. John: Groups file suit for release of voter rolls …
*Miami Herald, by Mary Ellen Klas: Lawyers for the Florida Dental Association object to a constitutional amendment requiring, among other things, access for patients and their families to all adverse-incident reports involving a hospital or doctor … (*free registration required) …
Tallahasee Democrat, by Nancy Cook Lauer: Proposed malpractice amendments reviewed …
The Associated Press, by Rachel La Corte: Elections supervisor to discuss voter roll perge …
*Miami Herald, by Adriana Cordovi: Two Miami-Dade high school journalism teachers who worked for freedom of the press in the classroom are now leaving the school system – together … (*free registration required) …
Boca Raton News, by by Brenna Fisher: There is a growing trend toward keeping animals' medical records private …
Associated Press: Montana's Web site lists ''bald'' as an option when applying online for a fishing license …

June 7, 2004

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Sarasota Herald-Tribune, guest column by Manatee County Clerk of Courts R.B. “Chips” Shore: Manatee County clerk of courts sees both benefits and drawbacks under new laws …
Charlotte Sun-Herald, by Warren Richardson: Rising court costs …
Daytona Beach News-Journal editorial: Saving the vote: Florida must get it right this time …
Tampa Tribune, by William March: Delays, purge hit voter rolls …
Vero Beach Press-Journal editorial: Where’s the plan? …

June 5, 2004

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*Miami Herald, by Gary Fineout: Conference of Florida's 67 election supervisors will be dominated by talk of the possible purging of nearly 48,000 voters from the voter rolls before the 2004 presidential election … (*free registration required) …
St. Petersburg Times editorial: The law restricting the news media's access to Florida's voter purge list should be declared unconstitutional and the list made available for verification and analysis …
Lakeland Ledger, by Bill Rufty: Purging of voter lists confuses and frustrates elections officials statewide …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Brittany Wallman: Fort Lauderdale city manager rescinds staff’s gag order …
*Miami Herald, by Christine Armario: Five South Floridians will be honored Sunday by the People for the American Way Foundation for safeguarding the right of free speech … (*free registration required) …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Diane C. Lade: Delray Beach police say three men found pawing through post office trash bins were paid recruits in an identity theft and credit fraud ring with more arrests expected …
Naples Daily News, by Larry Hannan: Collier County judge hears arguments about court clerk’s rights to sue county …

June 4, 2004

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South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Bob Mahlburg: Lawmakers defend refusal to provide felon list …
St. Petersburg Times, by Colleen Jenkins: Citrus County election office urged to ignore felons list …
Florida Times-Union, by Mary Kelli Palka: “Joke” e-mail ends Jacksonville advisory panelist’s work as mayor gives him the boot …
Naples Daily News, by John Henderson: The Taxpayers Action Group of Collier County is criticizing a private lunch among high-ranking city and county officials …
Associated Press, by Jill Barton: Limbaugh, prosecutors accuse each other of misleading court …
Palm Beach Post, by Susan Spencer-Wendel: Prosecution may bolster Limbaugh team …
Associated Press: Grand jury finds Escambia County Commissioner Janice Gilley and a volunteer firefighter task force technically violated Florida's open-government law by failing to advertise meetings but cleared them of criminal wrongdoing …
Tallahassee Democrat, by Aetna Smith: Four people, including two girls who attended middle school, are accused of stealing the identities of a dozen substitute teachers to pay for phones, clothes, food and toys …

June 3, 2004

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Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Jim Saunders: Cable News Network sues state over list of felons barred from voting …
Associated Press, by David Royse: Cable News Network sues Florida’s Division of Elections over lists of possible felons on voter rolls …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Brittany Wallman: Fort Lauderdale bars city workers from talking to public without official OK …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Ellen Zaffiro: Ormond Beach city commissioners “unofficially” OK goodwill ambassadors who would be subject to the state’s open government laws …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, guest column by Manatee Circuit Court Clerk R.B. "Chips" Shore: Manatee clerk of courts readies for a shift in funds, services with new law …
St. Petersburg Times, by Ron Matus: New state Web site will track Florida schools' progress …

June 2, 2004

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Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Scott Wyland: Elections supervisor clears air about conversation …
Lakeland Ledger editorial: Use care in voter purge …

June 1, 2004

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St. Petersburg Times editorial: Gov. Jeb Bush and the federal government should provide solid privacy assurances to the public before continuing to use the MATRIX computer database …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Cindi Brownfield: ID theft prompts changes at Stetson University …
St. Petersburg Times, by Kris Hundley: A Florida company is a leader in the technology of scanning fingerprints …
Palm Beach Post, by Pat Moore and Kelly Wolfe: New home buyers and those refinancing mortgages will be among the to feel the impact of a controversial new law that raises county court fees …
CNN.com, by Robert Yoon: CNN asks Florida court for ineligible voters list …
St. Petersburg Times, by Kris Hundley: Naming rights deal pits chain vs. longtime newspaper family …
Daytona Beach News-Journal, by Ron Hurtibise: Costs of court services to rise July 1 …
Tampa Tribune, by Valerie Kalfrin: Tampa testing terror software …