COUNCIL TO HONOR DES MOINES ACTIVIST AND ATTORNEY WITH ‘FRIEND OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT’ AWARDS Two Des Moines residents who have made important contributions to racial justice in the capital city will be recognized Wednesday, December 10, 2025, for … Continue Reading

This column by Randy Evans, president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, was published by several newspapers and news websites across Iowa. * * * While the text of the Iowa Constitution lacks the prominence of that adopted by … Continue Reading

  By Randy Evans, Iowa FOI Council president As Iowans headed to the polls this week to elect local school board members, they faced an issue beyond the usual ones of taxes, student achievement, teacher pay, curriculum and enrollment. This … Continue Reading

By Randy Evans I spoke to two groups in recent weeks, and people at both gatherings wanted to know about the work of the organization I lead, the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. If I had known then what I … Continue Reading

By Randy Evans The purpose for government regulations is to protect the health and safety of the public. That is the theory behind regulations, and it is a commendable mission. But sometimes that is not what occurs. Too often, it … Continue Reading

By Randy Evans Lyman Dillon resides in the dusty recesses of Iowa history for his role in 1839 in one of Iowa’s earliest infrastructure projects. Dillon’s work also figures indirectly in a modern-day lesson on how NOT to run a … Continue Reading

This column was written by the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, and appeared  in newspapers and on web sites around the state. By Randy Evans The Iowa Supreme Court gave citizen engagement and accessibility to public … Continue Reading

This column was written by the executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. The column appeared in newspapers and on news web sites across Iowa.   By Randy Evans At least one member of the Iowa House appears … Continue Reading

The following column was written by the executive director of the Iowa FOI Council.   It appeared in newspapers and news web sites across the state.   By Randy Evans Important lessons about “executive privilege” are coming to Iowa. These teachable … Continue Reading

The following column was written by Randy Evans, executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. The column appeared in newspapers and on news web sites across Iowa.   By Randy Evans As we approach the second anniversary of … Continue Reading