New England First Amendment Coalition

In this month's Community newsletter:

- Meet NEFAC's 2025 Negri Institute Fellows
- Learn About Our 2025 New England First Amendment Award Honorees
- View: How to Start a Non-Profit Newsroom
- Register: How to Start Your Own Podcast

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/4mYqxeD

YouTube video by New England First Amendment Coalition Starting a Non-Profit Newsroom

Miss our recent lesson on Starting a Non-Profit Newsroom with attorney Brian Lynch at Eckert Seamans? Catch up now: youtu.be/FOIcjqqNda0?... #journalism

Immigration Lawyer Critical of ICE Has Phone Seized at MA Airport, Lawsuit Says | Miami Herald www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...

New Bedford police are investigating how a man who was arrested last week came into possession of an officer’s firearm. The initial police report, however, lacked any information about the weapon's connection to the officer. youtu.be/snoDCj-yQjg?... @wpri12.bsky.social #opengov

A firefighter has been sanctioned by his department after making a Facebook post about the death of Charlie Kirk. NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spoke with Brooke Kushwaha at @newbedfordlight.bsky.social about public employees and free speech.

newbedfordlight.org/new-bedford-...

Supreme Court appears to favor Christian counselor in conversion therapy case The U.S. Supreme Court appears to be leaning towards a Christian counselor challenging bans on LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy” for minors.

Supreme Court Appears to Favor Christian Counselor in Conversion Therapy Case | WCAX www.wcax.com/2025/10/07/s...

Rhode Island and Mass. Students to Attend 15th Annual Gloria L. Negri First Amendment Institute nefac.org/news/rhode-i...

👏 👏 👏 Sadie Brandt, Luke Macannuco, Addison Mason, Adam Nuñez, Anna Rubenstein, Emily Spatz and Timothy Yean 👏 👏 👏

New Hampshire debates right-to-know law changes - Monadnock Ledger-Transcript New Hampshire's right-to-know law faces challenges as budget cuts and debates over press access threaten public access to government records.

Ongoing Legislative Debates Over New Hampshire’s Right-to-Know Law | Monadnock Ledger-Transcript ledgertranscript.com/2025/10/07/b...

Right-to-know 101: How you can request public records, and why it matters - Concord Monitor Learn how the public can hold government accountable in New Hampshire by requesting local and state records. Right-to-know laws ensure transparency.

Right-to-Know 101: How You Can Request Public Records, and Why It Matters | Concord Monitor www.concordmonitor.com/2025/10/07/p...

NEFAC Executive Director Justin Silverman recently spoke to @nancyklavin.bsky.social at the Rhode Island Current about the benefits — and pitfalls — of reporting leaked information.

rhodeislandcurrent.com/2025/10/06/a...

The First Amendment and Restrictions on Gathering Information by Drone From Sixth Circuit Judge John Bush's very interesting opinion Friday respecting denial of rehearing en banc in Yoder v. Bowen:…

The First Amendment and Restrictions on Gathering Information By Drone | The Volokh Conspiracy reason.com/volokh/2025/...

Apple and Google block apps that crowdsource ICE sightings. Some warn of chilling effects. - The Boston Globe Even though it has been removed from the app marketplace, those who have already downloaded the app should still be able to use it.

Apple and Google Block Apps That Crowdsource ICE Sightings. Some Warn of Chilling Effects | Associated Press www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/03/b...

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

- First Amendment, Charlie Kirk
- New Hampshire Right-to-Know Law
- Non-Citizen Student Speech, Detention
- Future of Free Speech
- Trump Administration, Press Freedom

Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/46ze8Jg

A Boston federal judge recently upheld the First Amendment rights of noncitizen protestors. NEFAC President Gregory V. Sullivan explained to The Daily Free Press why the opinion is a “brilliant and courageous” vindication of First Amendment rights. dailyfreepress.com/10/05/20/214...

Apple removes ICE tracking apps amid safety concerns Apple has removed a controversial immigration enforcement tracking app from its App Store after the Justice Department raised alarms.

Apple Removes ICE Tracking Apps Amid Safety Concerns | The National News Desk wgme.com/news/nation-...

Legal experts condemn Apple bowing to White House's request to remove ICE tracking app It's the latest example of tech giants bowing to pressure from the Trump administration. Legal experts say the developer of the app has free speech rights that may have been violated.

Legal Experts Condemn Apple Bowing to White House's Request to Remove ICE Tracking App | NPR www.mainepublic.org/npr-news/202...

Judge grants preliminary injunction blocking state law restricting DEI programs in NH schools A federal court is once again pausing a state law aimed at restricting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in New Hampshire public schools.

Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction Blocking State Law Restricting DEI Programs in New Hampshire Schools | WMUR www.wmur.com/article/new-...

Nashua Resident Laurie Ortolano to Receive NEFAC’s Antonia Orfield Citizenship Award nefac.org/news/nashua-... #opengov

I'm incredibly honored to be receiving special recognition from NEFAC.

Medford community calls for transparency on Tufts’ financial contributions to city - NewsBreak Efforts to access a Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement between Tufts and Medford have reignited discussions over the university’s role in its surrounding c

Medford Community Calls for Transparency on Tufts’ Financial Contributions to City | The Tufts Daily www.newsbreak.com/the-tufts-da...

NEFAC to Honor Connecticut @insideinvestigator.bsky.social's krevellowrites.bsky.social for #OpenGov Reporting nefac.org/news/nefac-t... #journalism

Appeals court offers no immediate decision in Mahdawi, Öztürk cases The Second Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday from attorneys representing Rümeysa Öztürk and Mohsen Mahdawi.

Appeals Court Offers No Immediate Decision in Non-Citizen Student Detention Cases | NBC www.mynbc5.com/article/appe...

Our 15th annual Negri Institute is almost underway. All our fellows met last night via Zoom to introduce themselves before local #opengov workshops begin next week. If you haven't met our 2025 fellows, you can learn about them here: nefac.org/news/meet-ne... #journalism

The Boston Globe to Receive NEFAC’s Michael Donoghue FOI Award for ‘State Secrets’ Series nefac.org/news/the-bos... #opengov #journalism 👏👏👏

Judge finds Trump administration unconstitutionally targeted noncitizens over Gaza war protests A federal judge ruled that deporting noncitizens for protesting the Gaza war violates the First Amendment

Judge Finds Trump Administration Unconstitutionally Targeted Noncitizens Over Gaza War Protests | Associated Press www.wmur.com/article/fede...

How to spot trustworthy local news — and know when it’s not It’s happened to all of us. You’re scrolling through your social media feed and see a link to what appears to be a news story, with a startling headline about

How to Spot Trustworthy Local News — and Know When It’s Not | Granite State News Collaborative www.laconiadailysun.com/news/local/h...

Lawsuit against Brown University sparks debate on campus police secrecy at private colleges A new lawsuit against Brown University has sparked debate over the secrecy of law enforcement at private colleges. Unlike public institutions, private universities often don't have to disclose arrest...

Lawsuit Against Brown University Sparks Debate on Campus Police Secrecy at Private Colleges | Associated Press www.greenwichtime.com/news/article...

Federal appeals court hears arguments over Rumeysa Ozturk, Mohsen Mahdawi arrests by ICE A court heard arguments in cases involving two graduate students who claim they were unlawfully detained part of the crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.

Federal Appeals Court Hears Arguments Over Rumeysa Ozturk, Mohsen Mahdawi Arrests By ICE | ABC News abcnews.go.com/US/oral-argu...

Feds put Mass. on notice: Don’t discriminate against Christian foster parents - The Boston Globe On Tuesday, the Trump administration warned state officials that a DCF policy requiring foster parents to “affirm” transgender identities violates the First Amendment.

Feds Put Mass. on Notice: Don’t Discriminate Against Christian Foster Parents | The Boston Globe www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/30/o...

CNN’s John King to Receive Stephen Hamblett First Amendment Award; Boston Native a Defender of Free, Accountable Press nefac.org/news/cnns-jo... #journalism