Readers of this site know that the senator in question is Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), who has become a one-man roadblock to the passage of the OPEN Government Act of 2007. "With just one objection, the bill went from 'hot line' status to a legislative black hole," Cox News reports. "It is a shocking story that goes far beyond this particular bill," says Steven Aftergood, director of the Project on Government Secrecy at the Federation of American Scientists. "It really illustrates how Congress has become dysfunctional." Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has not responded to a request to allow two hours of debate on the measure. Without McConnell's blessing, the bill will not see debate -- or a vote -- in the Senate. AAN encourages you to contact your senators' offices and urge them to tell McConnell to allow the OPEN Government Act to get to the floor for debate and a vote. For other ways to help get these important FOIA reforms passed, click here.

Continue ReadingOne Senator Stands in Way of FOIA Reform Bill

In the 2007 Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards, Cleveland's Scene won in the Best Non-Daily Newspaper: Alternatives category, with Cincinnati CityBeat coming in second. Other first place finishes: Cleveland Free Times' Michael Gill in Essays; The Other Paper's Karen E. Graves in Reviews/Criticism; and the Scene's Pete Kotz in Column Writing. The awards, sponsored by the Press Club of Cleveland, were presented at a reception on Friday.

Continue ReadingAlt-Weeklies Win Four Ohio Journalism Awards

The Knoxville News Sentinel Media Group, a division of Scripps, has purchased AAN member Metro Pulse, the News Sentinel reports. "Metro Pulse will keep their editorial and advertising independence. At some point in the future, we will be printing our new weekly product," News Sentinel publisher Bruce Hartmann says in a memo. "Brian Conley will remain as the publisher of Metro Pulse but will only be involved in the editorial direction of the paper."

Continue ReadingE.W. Scripps Company Buys Knoxville Alt-Weekly

At the Worcester's Stars dance benefit for Centro Las Americas held Saturday night, Allen Fletcher won the cha-cha category, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports. Fletcher beat out Police Sgt. Miguel Lopez and Worcester County Food Bank executive director Jean McMurray. The benefit, which took its format from the TV show Dancing With The Stars, paired local celebs with dance instructors, and gave the team a few weeks to get ready for the competition.

Continue ReadingWorcester Magazine Publisher is Cha-Cha King