Records show FBI provided assistance to local law enforcement at least twice in 2016 to monitor Black Lives Matter protests

In July of 2016, following a series of high-profile police shootings, Black Lives Matter protests erupted in cities all over the country. Some local police departments, ostensibly fearing for the safety of both protestors and officers, reached out to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for help in monitoring upcoming demonstrations. According to documents recently obtained by MuckRock, the FBI provided assistance in the form of social media surveillance and on the ground threat monitoring.

California lawmaker halts controversial transparency bill amidst public outcry

After stern opposition from transparency groups, Assemblymember Laura Friedman has decided to halt AB 700 for this year’s legislative session in California. The bill would have exempted information relating to a researcher or their research at a state university or community college.

A guide to the FOIA exemptions in the newly-released version of the Mueller Report

Yesterday, in response to FOIA lawsuits by BuzzFeed News and the Electronic Privacy and Information Center, the Justice Department released a new version of the Mueller Report, replacing the much-mocked ersatz exemption categories with actual FOIA exemptions. Here’s what those exemptions are, and what they mean.

Massachusetts lawmakers continue to limit access to financial interest records

At least 29 states post Statements of Financial Interest online, making it easy to peruse your local official’s financial ties. But under the Massachusetts Financial Disclosure Law, those wanting to get a closer look at their lawmaker’s finances have to be okay with not only showing some identification, but having their name shared with the official in question.

J. Edgar Hoover’s lieutenant was not impressed with the FBI Director’s “X-Files” cameo

Recently, in response to Emma Best’s 2017 FOIA request for files on former Federal Bureau of Investigation Deputy Associate Director Cartha “Deke” DeLoach, the FBI released an additional 137 pages. As fellow MuckRock user Paul Galante was quick to point out, those new pages include a 1998 letter by DeLoach to one of the producers of the “X-Files,” offering his thoughts on the script of the fifth season flashback episode “Travelers.” To put it mildly, he was not a fan.

Release Notes: Large checks now sent certified, easier API key access, and more

MuckRock’s new feature updates include an easier way to get an API key, improvements on request purchasing, eliminating emojis in mailed requests, fixed email submission warning, and a new process that has all checks over $150 now being sent via certified mail.

This week’s FOIA roundup: taxpayers covered Trump’s bar tab, USA TODAY debuts police misconduct records database, and the D.C. Metro is sued over customer satisfaction survey records