Records

Veterans Affairs Employee Sues Over Allegedly Inaccessible Electronic Health Records System

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WASHINGTON — A lawsuit has been filed by Laurette Santos, a Department of Veterans Affairs employee, against the VA concerning its implementation of a new electronic health record system which she claims is not accessible to users with disabilities, particularly affecting employees and veterans who are visually impaired. The litigation, initiated last month in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, centers on the system’s failure to integrate with screen readers and other assistive technologies. Santos, who has served as a licensed social worker at the VA for over a decade, currently works … Read more

Revival of Lawsuit Against Lexington-Richland Five School District Casts Renewed Spotlight on Public Records Access

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LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — A significant legal battle involving the Lexington-Richland Five School District and allegations of violating the state’s Freedom of Information Act has been revived by a South Carolina appeals court. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021 by a state newspaper editor, challenges the transparency of the district’s actions during a controversial period. The conflict began when the newspaper requested public records from the school district in May 2021, which they claim were never provided. The denial of these documents prompted the lawsuit, which seeks to address what the plaintiffs describe as clandestine … Read more

Louisiana Legislature Pushes Bills to Curtail Public Records Law, Threatening Transparency and Vigilance

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Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Public Records Law, which plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency and accountability in government, is threatened by a wave of bills currently being considered in the state legislature. If these bills pass, they could undermine the public’s access to vital information. Without a strong public records law, there can be no vigilance from citizens, leaving room for potential misconduct and secrecy. One bill of particular concern is Senate Bill 482, introduced by Sen. Heather Cloud. This bill seeks to revive and expand upon former Gov. Bobby Jindal’s “deliberative … Read more

Lawsuit Alleges Chicago Mayor’s Administration Withholding Public Records on Migrant Crisis, Impacting Public Trust

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Chicago, Illinois – NBC 5 Investigates has filed a lawsuit against the administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson, accusing the City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications of withholding public records related to the migrant crisis. The news organization has been reporting on the conditions inside migrant shelters and environmental concerns at proposed migrant base camps, as well as tracking the public funds spent on the crisis. In an effort to obtain more information, NBC 5 Investigates submitted several public records requests regarding the city’s operational response, strategy, and conditions within migrant shelters. These … Read more