A surveyor for the FOIArkansas Project was in and out of Heber Springs City Hall in two minutes, public record in hand.

SPRINGDALE — The most recent legislative scuffle over the Freedom of Information Act came early this year when a Northwest Arkansas lawmaker tried to amend the law to legalize private meetings between two members of a governing board.

It was the first week of school, and Green Forest School Superintendent James Johnston wondered if the man in his office had some problem with the small Carroll County district.

Some citizens take full advantage of FOI Act
Amy Sherrill, FOIArkansas Project

Public officials probably want to run when they see them.
But that doesn’t bother three Arkansans who have made a career — well, at least a full-time hobby — out of hounding government offices for information.

Vigilant Eureka Springs resident uses FOIA to make city better place
Elizabeth Caldwell, FOIArkansas Project

Carolyn Green, a Eureka Springs bed and breakfast owner, doesn’t remember how she first heard about the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Secret meetings of public bodies prohibited by law
Tom McDonald, FOIArkansas Project

CONWAY — On an August evening in 1998, Ed Babin opened the door to the Mayflower mayor’s office and discovered an illegal meeting in progress.

Son’s death makes McMahan thorn in side of district
Tom McDonald, FOIArkansas Project

BENTON — Johnny McMahan says “the worst thing that can happen to anyone has already happened to me.”

School district’s private meeting creates uproar
Tom McDonald, FOI Arkansas Project

BENTON — Ramifications of a graduation-day decision made in private by the Benton School Board have reverberated through thiscommunity for the past four months.

Officials react by requiring FOIA requests in writing
FOI Arkansas Project

BENTON — Benton School District Superintendent Diana Julian says a recent controversy over an illegal meeting by the district’s board has made officials more aware of requirements under the Freedom of Information Act.