Today I asked to file an amicus brief in Energy Transfer v. Unicorn Riot at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. After a judge rejected the Dakota Access Pipeline owner’s subpoena for @UnicornRiot's unpublished journalistic material, the pipeline company is appealing, making this a big press freedom case.
Dispatch tells Minnesota cop there’s no dogs available, so he lets a driver go. Then cop learns there *is* a dog, catches up to driver, “continues” first stop. Dog alerts; 76 grams meth.
Judge: This is fine. 11 years prison.
Court of Appeals: Nope. Reversed. https://mncourts.gov/mncourtsgov/media/Appellate/Court%20of%20Appeals/Standard%20opinions/OPa220459-022723.pdf
Police discipline files are public in Minnesota—but about a decade ago, Minneapolis Police came up with a new word to describe discipline they didn’t want to be public: “coaching.” Paul Ostrow’s commentary in the @mnreformer: https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/02/16/public-needs-access-to-police-discipline-records-legislature-needs-to-end-coaching-loophole/
Here’s the Star Tribune’s story on my public records settlement: DEED commissioner, incoming Star Tribune publisher Steve Grove settles journalist's lawsuit https://m.startribune.com/deed-commissioner-incoming-star-tribune-publisher-steve-grove-settles-journalists-lawsuit/600251882/
My thoughts on the Star Tribune’s new CEO. https://tonywebster.com/journalism/steve-grove-star-tribune-deed
I just reached a settlement in my public records lawsuit against the Minnesota Dept. of Employment and Economic Development and its Commissioner Steve Grove. They’ll provide me all the data I requested and pay $17,000. When government agency heads use their social media for government purposes, who they block is public data.
On the upside of being pretty overwhelmed with school right now, I am developing an excellent ADHD playlist of songs suitable for repeating on loop for six hours. Today’s addition is this indie-folk-pop gem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJbCsIreQas
The lowest ever recorded temperature in the US was hit today in Mount Washington, New Hampshire windchill of -78°C (-108°F)! It even *looks* cold!
Video via: https://www.mountwashington.org/
I’m a journalist and photographer. I cover civil rights, policing, and surveillance technology, usually with the help of a FOIA lawsuit or ten. From Minneapolis, Minnesota – currently back at school in Laramie, Wyoming. 🏳️🌈