Sunshine in Wyoming

By Joel Campbell
FOI Committee Chairman
SPJ had a great weekend in Cheyenne, Wyo., where a revived pro chapter is getting on its feet.  About 40 journalists, both students and pros,  partcipated in two sessions on Saturday about document-driven newsrooms and ethics.

They also got to hear SPJ President Christine Tatum and SPJ Region 9 Director Deb Hurley. During the FOI session, we learned about the ins and outs of Wyomings Sunshine laws and then talked about ways journalists could use documents to be better reporters. 

The story ideas and sources generated during the FOI sessions were impressive. Here's a list:
Look at inspections of campus eating establishments
 Bond issue for a new college campus building
Where the money will come from?  Look at  contracts
Political background on college board of trustees
Foundation records 501(c)3 www.guidestar.org
Non-profit arms of organizations
Faith-based initiative records
Sexual health – school curriculum in Wyoming, STD reports from health department
State park – criminal activity, reports
Check e-mails of  city officials
Use of vehicles by city officials, look at  logs, records
Candidate backgrounds for board of trustees
Records for county-subsidized hospitals
Loss of doctors from Wyoming
Non-smoking in bars in Cheyenne – possible DUI increase because smokers are going to  bars outside of city
Publically owned cars – fuel receipts
AOL instant messenger records
Police blotters
Condition of student housing -- inspection reports
Contracts with  officials
Board of Trustees – look into secret blog
Health issues of tattoos
Associated Student Government, examine how they spend money
Make sure spending is consistent with guidelines and statutes
College – credit card solicitations. Check how colleges sell addresses of students.

Special thanks to Brian K. Martin, assistant managing editor at the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, which sponsored the event. Brian has also agreed to sign on as our new SPJ Sunshine Chair for Wyoming.