New England First Amendment Coalition

From Bibles to prayer groups: What Trump's new religion memo for federal workers means Trump's administration previously touted guidance Clinton's administration issued in 1997 on federal employees' right to religious expression at work.

From Bibles to Prayer Groups: What Trump's New Religion Memo for Federal Workers Means | USA Today www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...

Vulgar Signs Condemning City Official, ~1200 Feet from Official's Home, Constitutionally Protected Some excerpts from today's long decision by Judge Stacey D. Neumann in Roussel v. Mayo (D. Me.): Plaintiff Joseph…

Vulgar Signs Condemning City Official, ~1200 Feet from Official's Home, Constitutionally Protected | The Volokh Conspiracy reason.com/volokh/2025/...

A new Supreme Court case asks whether children still have First Amendment rights The Court recently limited access to porn. It is unclear whether that was a one-off decision or the start of a new regime.

A New Supreme Court Case Asks Whether Children Still Have First Amendment Rights | Vox www.yahoo.com/news/article...

In this month's First Amendment and Sunshine News newsletter:

- ICE, Anonymity and Protest
- Police Transparency
- Student Free Speech, Immigration
- Trump Administration, Higher Education

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/4ljVOIf

Join us this morning to discuss public record strategies in Maine. Hear from Sawyer Loftus at the @bangordailynews.bsky.social about how he obtained documents despite his requests being denied. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism #opengov

InDepthNH.org - The New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism The New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism

Hantz Marconi May Seek Pretrial Review By NH Supreme Court, Whose Justices are Witnesses | InDepthNH www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/2...

We're looking for #opengov all-stars who are demanding information and improving their communities. Know a New Englander deserving of this year's Orfield Award? Nominate them here: nefac.org/news/nominat...

JOIN US 👉 Learn the basics of immigration reporting with Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio at The Boston Globe. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism

The case that saved the press – and why Trump wants it gone A landmark 1964 Supreme Court ruling protects the press in lawsuits by public officials angry about how they’ve been covered. It’s being targeted by President Donald Trump.

The Case That Saved the Press – and Why Trump Wants It Gone | The Conversation theconversation.com/the-case-tha...

Our Opinion: Unlike most other states, Massachusetts doesn't have a shield law. This legislation could and should change that The 41 other states (plus D.C.) that have passed similar shield laws have not seen any major disruption to court systems, criminal investigations or public safety as a result. The

Unlike Most Other States, Massachusetts Doesn't Have a Shield Law. This Legislation Could and Should Change That | The Berkshire Eagle www.berkshireeagle.com/opinion/edit...

NEFAC to Nashua: Reconsider Proposed Restrictions on Banners, Flags and Signs nefac.org/news/nefac-t... #FirstAmendment #FreeSpeech

An advisory committee in Penobscot County is secretly meeting to decide how millions in opioid settlement money should be spent. NEFAC's Justin Silverman recently spoke to Annie Rupertus at the @bangordailynews.bsky.social about the need for more transparency. www.bangordailynews.com/2025/08/04/p...

The @nefac.bsky.social New England First Amendment Coalition launched in 2025 a legal fund to provide support for journalism and open government cases. The fund was established with a new investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“https://nefac.org/nefac-legal-fund/

In this month's Advocacy newsletter:

- NEFAC Launches Regional Legal Fund
- NEFAC Testifies in Support of Mass. Shield Law
- Working Group on Maine Court Records Retention Needs More Public Access Representation

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/4lY0xQG

Somerville Tax Collector Sues Fellow Officials Over Records Request | Morning Sentinel www.centralmaine.com/2025/07/31/s...

Report: CT colleges restrict speech Read More at Inside Investigator >>

Report: CT Colleges Restrict Speech | Connecticut Inside Investigator insideinvestigator.org/report-ct-co...

2nd Circ. Hands Clerk Another Shot At Free Speech Firing Suit - Law360 Pulse A Second Circuit panel reinstated a suit Wednesday from a court clerk who claimed she was fired for aiding an investigation into an ethics complaint against her former boss, ruling the lower court…

2nd Circ. Hands Clerk Another Shot at Free Speech Firing Suit | Law360 www.law360.com/pulse/daily-...

Montpelier police contract isn't ready for release MONTPELIER — More than a week after city councilors ratified a new labor agreement with unionized members of the city’s police department, repeated requests for copies of that contract have

Montpelier Police Contract Isn't Ready for Release | Times Argus www.timesargus.com/news/local/m...

YouTube video by New England First Amendment Coalition 2025 Rhode Island Open Government Summit - NEFAC Remarks

Colleen Cronin, a reporter at @ecorinews.bsky.social and a member of NEFAC's Rhode Island team, helped deliver introductory remarks at this year's Open Government Summit. Here's what she had to say: youtu.be/snmBji0um2U #opengov

Register now for our upcoming #publicrecords class with Annmarie Timmins at @nhpr.org us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #opengov

NEFAC Seeks Nominations for 2025 Michael Donoghue Freedom of Information Award www.nefac.org/news/nefac-s... #opengov #journalism

Bow School District Calls Wristband Protest ‘Targeting and Intimidation’ of Transgender Athletes as Parents Appeal for Free Speech Rights | Concord Monitor www.concordmonitor.com/Bow-NH-Schoo...

Federal Employees Can Pray and Preach in the Workplace Under New Trump Rules | Politico www.politico.com/news/2025/07...

New Hampshire rejects Trump request to release voter database (The Center Square) – New Hampshire's top election official has rebuffed a request from the Trump administration to turn over a statewide voter list, citing a state law declaring the

New Hampshire Rejects Trump Request to Release Voter Database | The Center Square www.thecentersquare.com/new_hampshir...

REGISTER NOW 👉 What can you do when your state's public records law doesn't work in your favor and you find yourself out of options? Learn how @sawyerloftus.bsky.social at @bangordailynews.bsky.social got the records he needed when all else failed. us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism

Bow schools argue speech amounting to 'targeting and intimidation of students' not protected Attorneys for the Bow School District say a group of parents appealing a federal judge’s decision denying their demands for a preliminary injunction on free speech claims don’t have an

Bow Schools Argue Speech Amounting to 'Targeting and Intimidation of Students' Not Protected | Union Leader www.unionleader.com/news/courts/...

Somerset County Sheriff Deputies: AI Saves Time Writing Reports | Morning Sentinel www.centralmaine.com/2025/07/27/s...

Judge issues temporary injunction against Trump administration cancellation of humanities grants A district court judge in New York has issued a preliminary injunction stopping the mass cancellation of National Endowment for the Humanities grants to members of the Authors Guild on the grounds...

Judge Issues Temporary Injunction Against Trump Administration Cancellation of Humanities Grants | Associated Press www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article...

Trump Admin Making Another EO Appeal, Targeting WilmerHale - Law360 Pulse The Trump administration is appealing a D.C. federal judge's ruling that President Donald Trump's executive order targeting WilmerHale amounts to a "staggering" assault on the First Amendment,…

Trump Admin Making Another EO Appeal, Targeting WilmerHale | Law360 www.law360.com/pulse/modern...

Travis, Council Have Immunity In Cote Free Speech Suit - WarwickPost.com WARWICK, RI — Frmr. City Council member Donna Travis & other members are shielded from a free speech suit asking damages for blocking his speech

Travis, Council Have Immunity in Cote Free Speech Suit | Warwick Post warwickpost.com/travis-counc...