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Minnesotans for Open Government

@mncogi.bsky.social
219 followers 119 following 62 posts

Minnesota's all-volunteer non-profit that advocates for public access to government information and meetings. We are here to help, if you need it! mnog.org Formerly known as Minnesota Coalition for Government Information (MNCOGI).

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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Our latest newsletter highlights several important public records lawsuits in Minnesota right now. minnesotans-for-open-government.beehiiv.com/p/mnog-news-...
minnesotans-for-open-government.beehiiv.com
MNOG News: Updates on several public records lawsuits
Read more to find out about upcoming MNOG meetings and other news we're paying attention to
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
MNOG got a "cheers" www.startribune.com/sen-amy-klob...
startribune.com
Cheers & Jeers: Klobuchar calls out corruption of Trump’s tax audit immunity deal
Columnist Rochelle Olson's weekly roundup covers bad Minnesota drivers, MPD’s secret coaching records, funding cuts to a youth Boundary Waters program and more.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Our latest newsletter is out! Read it here (or find out how to subscribe for future issues): minnesotans-for-open-government.beehiiv.com/p/mnog-news-...
minnesotans-for-open-government.beehiiv.com
MNOG News: Community observers and Jane Kirtley receiving awards
Read more about our May 27th annual award ceremony, plus what Minnesotans for Open Government is doing at the Legislature and what we found out about public meetings at the airport.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Join us May 27th at 5 pm to honor Jane Kirtley with the Borger Lifetime Achievement Award for her tremendous commitment to public access to government. www.mnog.org/latest-news/...
mnog.org
Jane Kirtley will receive Borger Award — Minnesotans For Open Government
MNOG will be awarding Jane E. Kirtley with the John Borger Lifetime Achievement Award. Kirtley, who is retiring from the University of Minnesota at the end of this academic year, has been a sterling c...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Join us May 27th at 5pm to honor Minnesota's community observers. www.mnog.org/latest-news/...
mnog.org
Finnegan Award goes to community observers — Minnesotans For Open Government
On May 27, 2026, Minnesotans for Open Government will honor all community observers who videotaped and documented federal immigration agent activity with the annual John Finnegan Freedom of Informatio...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
"The lawsuit ...accuses city officials of circumventing Minnesota’s open meeting laws by improperly closing three meetings and violating public records laws by defining public data as confidential." www.startribune.com/opposition-g...
startribune.com
Opposition group sues Hermantown, alleging data center project violates zoning restrictions
It is the second lawsuit against the city filed by the Stop the Hermantown Data Center group.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Our board member, Don Gemberling, will be part of a panel of speakers talking about open government and access to public records at an event in Mankato April 16. www.mankatofreepress.com/news/local_n...
mankatofreepress.com
Open government, journalism topic of public meeting
The Free Press
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 06/04/2026
www.startribune.com/minnesota-wa...
startribune.com
Walz wants legislators’ emails to be public. But it’s not up to him.
As the governor faces scrutiny over his administration’s handling of Medicaid fraud, he says the Minnesota Legislature should be subject to the same transparency requirements as his office.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Nominations are open for our annual freedom of information awards. Read more here: www.mnog.org/latest-news/...
mnog.org
Nominations open for freedom of information awards — Minnesotans For Open Government
Nominate a person or organization for their work promoting public access to government in Minnesota. Deadline is Sunday, March 8.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Our commentary about lack of transparency with ICE operations is in the Minnesota Star Tribune. www.startribune.com/readers-writ...
startribune.com
Readers Write: ICE’s lack of transparency, Trump’s mental state, elections, mining
We need transparency about “Operation Metro Surge.”
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
Did you know Minnesotans for Open Government is on Facebook? Follow us here: www.facebook.com/mncogi
facebook.com
Redirecting...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
Did you sign up for our new newsletter yet? MNOG's newsletter aims to warn you about dangers to public access in MN & to spotlight occasional victories. Check out the first edition here: minnesotans-for-open-government.beehiiv.com/p/mnog-news-...
minnesotans-for-open-government.beehiiv.com
MNOG News: Appeal in ‘coaching’ lawsuit; legal fight over 911 call transcript
Read more about what Minnesotans for Open Government is doing, including a free webinar next week on how to use the DPA.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Are you passionate about transparency in local govt? If so, please consider donating to Minnesotans for Open Government. This is Minnesota's all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit that is working to ensure we don't lose access to government records & public mtgs. www.givemn.org/organization...
mnog.org
Minnesotans For Open Government | News
Stay informed about efforts to promote government transparency and open records in Minnesota through news, legislative updates, and advocacy from Minnesotans for Open Government.
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Freedom of the Press Foundation @freedom.press · 18/11/2025
Trump’s decimation of FOIA offices across the federal government is unacceptable. Americans deserve access to the records of the government they fund. Use our new action center tool to tell Congress to keep FOIA offices open.
freedom.press
Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act
Defending press freedom for the next generation
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Are you passionate about transparency in local govt? If so, please consider donating to Minnesotans for Open Government. This is Minnesota's all-volunteer, non-partisan, non-profit that is working to ensure we don't lose access to government records & public mtgs. www.givemn.org/organization...
mnog.org
Minnesotans For Open Government | News
Stay informed about efforts to promote government transparency and open records in Minnesota through news, legislative updates, and advocacy from Minnesotans for Open Government.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Check out our new website! And sign up for a monthly newsletter, which will be coming soon! The newsletter will keep you informed about issues related to access to government information or meetings in Minnesota. mnog.org
mnog.org
Minnesotans For Open Government | News
Stay informed about efforts to promote government transparency and open records in Minnesota through news, legislative updates, and advocacy from Minnesotans for Open Government.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Give to the Max Day is coming up next week! If you're passionate about ensuring Minnesotans have good access to government records & meetings, please consider any size donation to Minnesotans for Open Government. www.givemn.org/organization...
givemn.org
Support MNOG: Advocating for public access on GiveMN
Minnesotans for Open Government (MNOG) is Minnesota's advocate for public access to government data, documents and meetings. We changed our name in 2025. Previously, we were Minnesota Coalition on Gov...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
MNOG board members weighed in on this: www.startribune.com/mayor-jacob-...
startribune.com
Political group accuses Frey of improperly deleting texts. Some advocates and media lawyers agree.
The Minneapolis City Attorney’s Office says Mayor Jacob Frey is in compliance with state transparency laws.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 14/06/2025
Minnesotans for Open Government board members are deeply saddened by the violent actions & tragic loss of life today.  Political violence has no place in our civic life.  We extend our sympathies to the families of the legislators who have suffered these terrible acts.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
MNOG board members Don Gemberling, MaryJo Webster & Brandon Stahl were guest speakers on a webinar hosted by the Minnesota Journalism Center. Here's the replay: hsjmc.umn.edu/news/2025-06...
hsjmc.umn.edu
Webinar replay: How to access open records – and how to fight back when you're denied | Hubbard School of Journalism
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Opinion piece from the attorneys fighting for access to "coaching" records for Minneapolis police. www.startribune.com/opinion-five...
startribune.com
Opinion: Five years after the murder of George Floyd, city still only paying lip service to transparency
Why we’re litigating to make police “coaching” records public.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Commentary from MNOG: Minnesota's Open Meeting Law damaged in rush to legislative finish line. www.wctrib.com/opinion/colu...
wctrib.com
Matt Ehling: Minnesota's Open Meeting Law damaged in rush to legislative finish line
From the commentary, "The legislature should move to repair the damage that has been done to the Open Meeting Law.  It can repeal or sunset the change that was just made ..."
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Commentary from our very own Don Gemberling in the Strib today: www.startribune.com/opinion-what...
startribune.com
Opinion: What’s on file in your AG’s office?
No other government entity in Minnesota enjoys near-total control over public access to its data.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
"Minnesotans for Open Government, which fights to keep government open and transparent, supports the bill. Ellison testified against the bill in committee earlier this year, saying it would interfere with investigations." www.startribune.com/attorney-gen...
startribune.com
GOP scrutinizes Keith Ellison meeting with Feeding Our Future figures before FBI raids
Minnesota Attorney General Ellison says the 2021 meeting was unplanned and he didn’t know participants were under investigation.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily...
house.mn.gov
Bill aims to increase public access to state attorney general data - Session Daily - Minnesota House of Representatives
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
Tips for filing requests for emails by @muckrock.com www.muckrock.com/news/archive...
muckrock.com
Using FOIA for emails
Requesting emails can be extremely insightful, but also a bit of an exemptions minefield.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 28/03/2025
MNOG in the news.... www.publicnewsservice.org/2025-03-28/b...
publicnewsservice.org
MN watchdog sees promise in fraud control efforts at State Capitol
Minnesota lawmakers this session are emphasizing new protocols to shield state agencies from fraud. A watchdog group says so far, it appears they're on the right track. The motivation to address this...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Today we honored the late Ramsey County District Court Judge Patrick Diamond with the John Finnegan Freedom of Information Award. His 2024 ruling in a public records case set a valuable legal precedent that contributes to open government in Minnesota. mncogi.org/2025-freedom...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Today, we honored @startribune.com reporter Randy Furst with the John Borger Freedom of Information Lifetime Achievement Award. Last month, he retired after an impressive 52-year career. He's been a fierce defender of the First Amendment & govt transparency.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Deadline next week! Do you know someone (or an organization) in Minnesota who has made a substantial contribution to freedom of information? Nominations are open for our annual awards. Read more on our website, www.mncogi.org
mncogi.org
MNCOGI - Minnesota Coalition on Government Information
The Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI) is the state’s all-volunteer freedom of information council, dedicated to the fight against secrecy.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Vote to open access to more Minnesota Attorney General records fails in House. www.twincities.com/2025/02/20/r...
twincities.com
Republican-backed bill fails in first floor vote in Minnesota House
Measure seeks to open more records in state Attorney General’s Office
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Greta Kaul @gretakaul.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Met Council forecasts project the Twin Cities region will tack on approx. the population of Vermont by 2050. Where's that growth expected? Look up the forecast for your city here: www.startribune.com/twin-cities-...
startribune.com
Met Council forecasts where population will grow across Twin Cities: Look up your city
Plus four things to know, including which cities are expected to grow the fastest or not much at all through 2050.
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Sahan Journal @sahanjournal.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
What do you want to know about immigration right now? Come ask your questions to immigration experts on Sahan Journal’s Instagram Live from 1-2 p.m. TODAY.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Do you know someone (or an organization) in Minnesota who has made a substantial contribution to freedom of information? Nominations are open for our annual awards. Read more on our website, www.mncogi.org
mncogi.org
MNCOGI - Minnesota Coalition on Government Information
The Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI) is the state’s all-volunteer freedom of information council, dedicated to the fight against secrecy.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 01/02/2025
Anoka County looking to streamline public records requests. www.hometownsource.com/abc_newspape...
hometownsource.com
County to streamline handling of data requests
Anoka County will streamline how it handles data requests.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
www.startribune.com/minnesota-po...
startribune.com
Minnesota police association sues POST Board for releasing IDs of ‘at least’ 257 undercover officers
A data request of employment history of Minnesota police officers led to the release of private data on undercover law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.
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MaryJo Webster @maryjowebster.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
7 reasons journalists need data skills. (and all those reasons also should tell you that you should attend NICAR in Minneapolis March 6-9) www.ire.org/seven-reason...
ire.org
Seven reasons you need data skills as a journalist - Investigative Reporters & Editors
Journalists today need to have a grasp on dealing with numbers and data, regardless of beat or experience level.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
www.startribune.com/new-tool-wil...
startribune.com
New tool will allow anyone to look up Minnesota police officers’ employment history
A national police index set up by journalists and attorneys will now include Minnesota data.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0...
mprnews.org
Judge grants media requests to record Minnesota senator’s burglary trial
Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell is set to stand trial later this month on a burglary charge. A Becker County judge on Tuesday ruled that the proceedings can be recorded by media organizations with some...
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
"Sahan Journal reviewed hundreds of emails sent and received by MPCA staff in 2023 relating to Smith Foundry, which showed that the agency knew of the violations for months, but had no plans to share the news with residents."
sahanjournal.com
MPCA ill-equipped to respond to Smith Foundry, emails show
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) was ill-equipped to respond to community concerns about violations found by the EPA at Minneapolis’ Smith Foundry.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
www.thebulwark.com/p/open-gover...
thebulwark.com
Open-Government Nonprofits Are Dying Off Just When They’re Needed Most
Why it’s happening and what can be done about it.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
News about our lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis: www.startribune.com/judge-rules-...
startribune.com
Judge rules Minneapolis police ‘coaching’ records not public, sends narrow case to trial
The decision comes after a watchdog group waged a three-year legal battle to expose how the police force used the secretive coaching process.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Minnesota charter school regulators refuse to turn over records to @startribune.com www.startribune.com/charter-scho...
startribune.com
Charter school regulators refuse to turn over records involving troubled Minnesota schools
Nonprofits that oversee charter schools argue that they don’t need to comply with state law requiring disclosing public records.
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Iowa FOI Council @iowafoi.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
The Iowa Freedom of Information Council, a 48-year-old nonprofit, nonpartisan education and advocacy organization, is now at home on Bluesky. Follow us for news and commentary on matters involving government transparency.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Give to the Max Day is Thursday! www.givemn.org/organization... We'd like to encourage you to donate to MnCOGI, Minnesota's freedom of information coalition. We are working to increase our reach. This thread shows the kind of important work we do (on a volunteer basis!):
givemn.org
GiveMN | Ignite generosity. Grow giving.
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Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition @coloradofoic.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
I created an FOI and Open Government starter pack and will add to it when I see more FOI warriors on Bluesky.
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Jason Leopold @jasonleopold.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
I am very excited about the docs that will anchor this week's FOIA Files newsletter, which I have been fighting to liberate for nearly 8 years. Even though they're dated, the docs have a ton of relevance today Sign up for a free subscription so you don't miss it! www.bloomberg.com/account/news...
bloomberg.com
FOIA Files
Come behind the scenes as Bloomberg's FOIA expert uncovers interesting documents never seen before.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Give to the Max Day is Thursday! www.givemn.org/organization... We'd like to encourage you to donate to MnCOGI, Minnesota's freedom of information coalition. We are working to increase our reach. This thread shows the kind of important work we do (on a volunteer basis!):
givemn.org
GiveMN | Ignite generosity. Grow giving.
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Minnesotans for Open Government @mncogi.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
We're excited to be on BlueSky! What is MnCOGI? We are an all-volunteer non-profit that advocates for public access to government data & meetings in Minnesota.
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