NASA paid $26.6 million to Columbia families: Jim Leusner of the Orlando Sentinel used a federal Freedom of Information Act request to break this story about NASA paying $26.6 million to the families of the seven astronauts who died on space Shuttle Columbia, a settlement kept secret for more than two years. The newspaper only receive seven pages of documents, but they revealed former FBI Director William Webster acted as a mediator and adviser in negotiating the out-of-court settlements, which officials say they are bound not to say much about because of privacy or other legal reasons. “The documents were released to the Sentinel last month after a reporter filed requests in 2005 and 2006. Stephen L. McConnell, NASA's principal FOIA officer, insisted the agency was not trying to delay the records release,” the story said.

April 28, 2007

Florida Sunshine Review:
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Tony Alanez: Supreme Court moves to put an end to secret court records …
Hernando Today: State attorney’s inquiry still open on Spring Hill Fire Rescue board’s possible Sunshine Law violation …
Pensacola News-Journal, by Derek Pivnick: Escambia County Commissioner Mike Whitehead cleared of violating the Sunshine Law …
Palm Beach Post, by Tony Doris: State Rep. Mary Brandenburg tried to keep her name out of a grand jury’s report about city politics …
*Miami Herald, by Dan Christensen and Patrick Danner: Broward judge fails to explain secret settlement …
South Florida Sun-Sentinel, by Tonya Alanez: Broward judge’s sealing of civil lawsuit is challenged as an apparent violation of new rules …
*Naples Daily News, by Don Farmer: E-mail to local government often becomes public record and can lead to spam (*free registration required)…
Hernando Today, by Tony Holt: Fire attorney insulted by billing records request …
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, staff report: State releases latest edition of Florida Black Heritage Trail Guide …
The Florida Bar Journal: Florida Supreme Court enacts interim rules for sealing civil records …
St. Petersburg Times, by Colleen Jenkins and Abbie Vansickle: Public records goof by Hillsborough County circuit court clerk’s office to cost taxpayers …
Florida Times-Union editorial: Some local governments do a better job than others when it comes to government TV …
Fernandina Beach News-Leader, by Peg Davis: Fernandina Beach seeks state’s opinion on its private meetings …
Florida Today, by Kate Brennan: Brevard school e-mails may violate Sunshine Law …
Associated Press, by Brendan Farrington: State archives are more than just papers and maps …
St. Petersburg Times, by Lori Helfand: Former Largo city manager told to return files that could include public records …
St. Petersburg Times editorial: The rules on open government apply to former Largo city manager like everyone else …
Ocala Star-Banner editorial: Newspaper praises two law makers for a change regarding their stands on open government …
Florida Times-Union editorial: State’s new Office of Open Government is taking shape …
Associated Press: Judge reverses own ruling in move to seal fired astronaut’s court papers …