Minnesotans for Open Government

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.

Nominations are open for our annual freedom of information awards. Read more here: www.mnog.org/latest-news/...

Readers Write: ICE’s lack of transparency, Trump’s mental state, elections, mining We need transparency about “Operation Metro Surge.”

Our commentary about lack of transparency with ICE operations is in the Minnesota Star Tribune. www.startribune.com/readers-writ...

Did you know Minnesotans for Open Government is on Facebook? Follow us here: www.facebook.com/mncogi

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.

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 | 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.

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...

Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act Defending press freedom for the next generation

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.

We'd appreciate any donation amount, even $20! If money is tight for you, we'd also welcome your time. We have open seats on our board and we regularly have volunteer opportunities. Reach out if you're interested!

THANK YOU!

We are working to do more training for journalists & members of the public about how to file public data requests. We also are always available to answer questions or help you troubleshoot (we can't offer legal services). Your donation will help us tackle these new initiatives!

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.

MNOG has been around for a long time, but this past year we changed our name. It used to be Minnesota Coalition on Government Information (MNCOGI). We just launched a new website, www.mnog.org, & next month we are starting a monthly newsletter!

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.

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...

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.

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

We hope to increase this work in the coming year!

Our work includes: Actively participating at the Legislature when public access issues come up; helping journalists and members of the public with data requests; holding training sessions; filing amicus briefs and, when necessary, filing lawsuits.

Over the past couple years, we've been evaluating our work and figuring out what we should focus on. This has led to changing our name and we are about to launch new website and a monthly newsletter! These efforts take time -- and some money -- so we'd appreciate the support.

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...

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...

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.

MNOG board members weighed in on this: www.startribune.com/mayor-jacob-...

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.

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...

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.

Opinion piece from the attorneys fighting for access to "coaching" records for Minneapolis police. www.startribune.com/opinion-five...

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 ..."

Commentary from MNOG: Minnesota's Open Meeting Law damaged in rush to legislative finish line. www.wctrib.com/opinion/colu...

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.

Commentary from our very own Don Gemberling in the Strib today: www.startribune.com/opinion-what...

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.

"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...

www.house.mn.gov/sessiondaily...

Using FOIA for emails Requesting emails can be extremely insightful, but also a bit of an exemptions minefield.

Tips for filing requests for emails by @muckrock.com
www.muckrock.com/news/archive...

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...

MNOG in the news....

www.publicnewsservice.org/2025-03-28/b...

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...

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.

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.

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

Republican-backed bill fails in first floor vote in Minnesota House Measure seeks to open more records in state Attorney General’s Office

Vote to open access to more Minnesota Attorney General records fails in House. www.twincities.com/2025/02/20/r...

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.

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-...