A ProPublica Lawsuit Over Military Court Access Moves Forward propublica.org/article/propub…

Despite Major Reform to Military Justice System, Navy Still Leaves Public in Dark propublica.org/article/despit…

NEW: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press is out with a special analysis examining two Florida defamation bills that, if passed, would collide with long-established Supreme Court precedent. Find out how these bills would harm journalism in the Sunshine State.
rcfp.org/fla-defamation…

Lawmakers have just added a provision to the National Defense Authorization Act protecting Supreme Court spouses from having to reveal any outside employer, in the name of security. If it passes, Ginni Thomas’s professional entanglements would effectively be state secrets.

Following my investigation into missing search warrant records, a Mississippi Delta judge now faces a complaint for keeping search warrant records in his own possession.

See more from @djournalnow and ProPublica

djournal.com/news/state-new…

As you prepare to cover Election Day on Tuesday, make sure to check out Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press’s Election Legal Guide.

It covers key things journalists need to know about accessing voter rolls, election returns, ballots, initial count and recount processes, and more. rcfp.org/resources/elec…

VERDICT: Not Guilty.

The sailor accused of setting a billion dollar warship on fire was found innocent of arson today in military court.

Read more about Navy's prosecution of him here.

propublica.org/article/bonhom…

We've filed a motion for a temporary restraining order & preliminary injunction to prevent the Navy from continuing to withhold military court records and filed in the case against Ryan Mays.
propublica.org/atpropublica/p…

This is made all the more troubling by the Navy's attempt to prosecute Mays effectively in secret, denying the public virtually all access to the court record. propublica.org/article/navy-b…

The civilian lawyer who used to represent Mays said he thought the Navy's prosecution was political. 'You have a ship totally consumed by a fire that could have been prevented, and they're trying to hang someone for it -- and that scapegoat is Mays,' Gary S Barthel

New: After the USS Bonhomme Richard fire, investigators found missing fire hoses, a broken sprinkler system and other systemic failures. The Navy is still accusing a sailor of arson, against the advice of a military judge. propub.li/3r0h8se

ProPublica and Other News Orgs Urge Defense Dept. to Ensure Public Access to Military Court Records propublica.org/atpropublica/p…

The U.S. Navy accused a sailor of setting the 2020 fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard, but it refuses to release records in the case as the law requires. propub.li/3BqLVEO

In 2016, Congress passed a law requiring the military to be transparent in court martials. The U.S. Navy still refuses to turn over records in an arson case. propub.li/3RNKxBr

U.S. Navy Congress told the military in 2016 it had to be more transparent with court martials.

The Navy decided the law doesn't apply until they're finished prosecuting someone.

The U.S. Navy has pinned the blame for the massive USS Bonhomme Richard fire on a junior sailor.

But the service is refusing to release court records in his prosecution.

propublica.org/article/navy-b…

More than a dozen news organizations, including ProPublica and Texas Tribune, are suing the Texas Department of Public Safety for withholding public records about the school shooting in Uvalde.
Zach Despart
propublica.org/article/news-o…

For journalists covering abortion rights, there are fast-evolving digital security risks for yourself and your sources. Some suggestions for understanding and minimizing them: freedom.press/training/blog/…