|
File a Freedom of Information Act request with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and you can now expect a response to that request online. This is the latest expansion of the agency’s new Freedom of Information Act Immigration Records SysTem (FIRST) — a system that will “eventually” allow requesters to navigate the entire FOIA process digitally. FIRST is being rolled out in “phases,” though, so currently any initial FOIA requests still need to be made via fax, mail or e-mail. After that first contact, though, “requesters can track the status of their FOIA cases and will receive email notification when USCIS has uploaded their records” through an online account with myUSCIS.
FedScoop
Montana's Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock on Tuesday said he is suing the Trump administration over its decision to stop collecting information about donors to politically active nonprofit groups. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin last week announced that certain tax-exempt organizations, ranging from trade associations to the National Rifle Association, would no longer have to include donors' names and addresses on the annual tax returns they file with the IRS. Mnuchin said the IRS doesn't need that information to enforce tax law. Bullock, who had made limiting corporate influence in elections a top issue in his state, said Tuesday the change could open the door to foreign influence.
USA TODAY
At a mid-July news conference at the Pentagon, AP reporter Lolita Baldor asked Gen. Mark Milley, the Army chief of staff, about an attack in Afghanistan that had led to the death of an American soldier. But before he could reply, a Defense Department press officer cut in to say that Milley and the three officials flanking him would be answering questions only about the intended topic for the news conference: the announcement of the location of a new command. The next question went to Jennifer Griffin from Fox News. Again, the press officer cut off the question before Milley could answer. The incident, which left Pentagon reporters furious, was the latest flash point in what has become an increasingly adversarial relationship between Defense Secretary James Mattis’ Cabinet department and the reporters who cover it. Chief among the complaints, according to defense reporters who spoke to POLITICO, are declining access to Mattis and other military officials, as well as a sense that reporters are not receiving the information they need to keep the public informed about America’s military activities.
Politico
Victoria City (Minnesota) Council members who violated the state Open Meeting Law dozens of times can’t be removed from office, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. That’s because the infractions occurred as part of a single trial, the high court said, and not as three separate, sequential violations as required under the law to unseat public officials. The ruling upholds a previous decision by the Minnesota Court of Appeals, as well as the original district court ruling.
Star Tribune
|
|
