Nonprofits file amicus brief defending Florida public records law
March 09, 2021
MIAMI The First Amendment Foundation, ACLU of Florida and the Southern Poverty Law Center have filed an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs in the case Human Rights Defense Center v. Armor Correctional Health Services Inc.
The brief was filed due to the organizations’ longstanding interest in preserving an open and transparent government and protecting the public’s right to access public records, including public records held by private companies that provide services to Florida’s incarcerated population.
The Human Rights Defense Center filed a public records request with Armor Correctional Health Services, which provides medical care in Florida prisons, seeking details of its treatment of incarcerated people. The trial judge dismissed the case because Armor is a private company and any request for information needed to go through the Florida Department of Corrections. Hum
REGINA A member of Team Saskatchewan is living out her dream of playing in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, following several years of curling taking a back seat so she could focus on her life outside of the sport. Breanne Knapp turned down some offers and opportunities before joining Team Sherry Anderson in 2020. “I focused on family a lot, I focused on post-secondary education and I think those things for me, I value highly and I don’t regret anything,” Knapp, who is a registered dietician, said. Knapp, originally from Manitoba, was a junior curling phenom. In 2009, she won a Canadian Junior National Junior Championship with Kaitlyn Lawes – now a two-time Olympic gold medalist and member of Team Manitoba. At the World Junior Championships, the team won a silver medal.
A federal judge ruled Monday there was “credible testimony” of harassment and threats by Florida corrections staff against inmates taking part in a civil rights lawsuit against the state over solitary confinement conditions and practices, issuing an order to help protect the incarcerated men and women against such real and perceived retaliation.
Five Coronado Island hotels generously offered complimentary stays to incentivize shoppers to make the most of the Holiday Sidewalk Sale on Dec 5 and 6, and now the lucky contest winners have been announced!
âCalling prize winners is definitely a perk of the job,â said the Chamberâs Communications Manager Belinda Jones. âThe surprise and delight from the recipients is the good kind of contagious and it was encouraging to hear just how dedicated Coronado residents are to shopping local. Emily Pender - who won a two-night stay at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa - made sure even her Christmas cards were designed by a local artist!â