Two recent studies reveal that when local newspapers disappear, the ability to access public records declines. News deserts—areas lacking robust local news coverage—are shown to correlate with poorer compliance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and public-record requests.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has filed a FOIA lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to uncover details surrounding the Biden Administration’s cancellation of Operation Talon. FAIR’s legal action focuses on promoting government accountability and transparency, aiming to “pierce the veil of secrecy.”