New England First Amendment Coalition
@nefac.bsky.social
NEFAC is the region’s leading defender of First Amendment freedoms and government transparency — the foundation of a healthy democracy. How you can support our work: http://nefac.org/support
Judge Says Education Dept. Partisan Out-of-Office Emails Violated First Amendment | NPR www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
Judge says Education Dept. partisan out-of-office emails violated First Amendment
A federal judge says the Trump administration "overplayed its hand" by inserting partisan language into workers' out-of-office autoreplies.
www.npr.org
November 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Judge Says Education Dept. Partisan Out-of-Office Emails Violated First Amendment | NPR www.npr.org/2025/11/08/n...
McKee 'Reserves' State House Rotunda for State of the State speech. Why It's Controversial | The Providence Journal www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
McKee 'reserves' State House rotunda for State of the State speech. Why it's controversial.
The ACLU is suing the governor over a similar move this year, which blocked activists from protesting in the rotunda.
www.providencejournal.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
McKee 'Reserves' State House Rotunda for State of the State speech. Why It's Controversial | The Providence Journal www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...
Editing Federal Employees’ Emails to Blame Democrats for Shutdown Violated Their First Amendment Rights, Judge Says | CNN www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/p...
Editing federal employees’ emails to blame Democrats for shutdown violated their First Amendment rights, judge says | CNN Politics
A federal judge ruled Friday that the Department of Education violated the First Amendment rights of some agency employees when it sent out-of-office messages on their behalf that blamed Democrats…
www.cnn.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Editing Federal Employees’ Emails to Blame Democrats for Shutdown Violated Their First Amendment Rights, Judge Says | CNN www.cnn.com/2025/11/07/p...
NEFAC's Justin Silverman recently visited the University of Massachusetts Amherst to speak with several classes about the First Amendment and journalism. Big thanks to the faculty for coordinating our visit! Need an expert speaker for your class or event? Learn more here: nefac.org/1afreepress/
November 10, 2025 at 2:15 PM
NEFAC's Justin Silverman recently visited the University of Massachusetts Amherst to speak with several classes about the First Amendment and journalism. Big thanks to the faculty for coordinating our visit! Need an expert speaker for your class or event? Learn more here: nefac.org/1afreepress/
Maine Lawmakers Have a Second Chance to Ban AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Images | The Maine Monitor themainemonitor.org/ai-child-sex...
Maine bill targets AI-generated child sexual abuse images
The new bill comes after the BDN reported on how current law allows the computer-generated images to spread unchecked.
themainemonitor.org
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Maine Lawmakers Have a Second Chance to Ban AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Images | The Maine Monitor themainemonitor.org/ai-child-sex...
Supreme Court Soon to Hear a Religious Freedom Case That’s United Both Sides of the Church-State Divide | CT Insider www.ctinsider.com/news/article...
Supreme Court soon to hear a religious freedom case that’s united both sides of the church-state divide
Eds: This story was supplied by The Conversation for AP customers. The Associated Press does not guarantee the content.
www.ctinsider.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Supreme Court Soon to Hear a Religious Freedom Case That’s United Both Sides of the Church-State Divide | CT Insider www.ctinsider.com/news/article...
Massachusetts Gov. Healey Pressed for ‘Full Transparency’ on Hiring of Cocaine-Busted Aide | Boston Herald www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/05/m...
Massachusetts Gov. Healey pressed for ‘full transparency’ on hiring of cocaine-busted aide
Leading Massachusetts Republican lawmakers are joining the choir of calls for Gov. Maura Healey to provide “full transparency” on the hiring of her cocaine-busted aide.
www.bostonherald.com
November 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Massachusetts Gov. Healey Pressed for ‘Full Transparency’ on Hiring of Cocaine-Busted Aide | Boston Herald www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/05/m...
At Circuit Court, NH Parents Argue for the Right to Protest Transgender Athletes | New Hampshire Bulletin newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/11/05/a...
At circuit court, NH parents argue for the right to protest transgender athletes • New Hampshire Bulletin
On Wednesday, the 1st Circuit Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit brought by parents who showed up to a Bow soccer game in 2024 wearing armbands in support of barring transgender girls from…
newhampshirebulletin.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:53 AM
At Circuit Court, NH Parents Argue for the Right to Protest Transgender Athletes | New Hampshire Bulletin newhampshirebulletin.com/2025/11/05/a...
Attorney for Bow’s Ban on Wristband Protests Compares Free Speech to ‘Poison’ | NH Journal nhjournal.com/attorney-for...
Attorney for Bow's Ban on Wristband Protests Compares Free Speech to 'Poison' - NH Journal
New Hampshire - Attorney for Bow's Ban on Wristband Protests Compares Free Speech to 'Poison' - NH Journal - Politics
nhjournal.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Attorney for Bow’s Ban on Wristband Protests Compares Free Speech to ‘Poison’ | NH Journal nhjournal.com/attorney-for...
Court Hears Arguments on Bow Protest Against Transgender Athletes in School Sports | New Hampshire Public Radio www.nhpr.org/2025-11-05/b...
Court hears arguments on Bow protest against transgender athletes in school sports
A federal appeals court heard from parents in Bow looking to overturn a ruling that allowed the school district to bar the parents wearing "xx" armbands in protest of a transgender athlete during a…
www.nhpr.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Court Hears Arguments on Bow Protest Against Transgender Athletes in School Sports | New Hampshire Public Radio www.nhpr.org/2025-11-05/b...
In this month's First Amendment and Sunshine News newsletter:
- Open Government in Connecticut
- Public Records and Schools
- Social Media, Free Speech
- Immigration Transparency
- Federal Threats to Press, Right to Know
Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/47ZFlVZ
- Open Government in Connecticut
- Public Records and Schools
- Social Media, Free Speech
- Immigration Transparency
- Federal Threats to Press, Right to Know
Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/47ZFlVZ
November 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
In this month's First Amendment and Sunshine News newsletter:
- Open Government in Connecticut
- Public Records and Schools
- Social Media, Free Speech
- Immigration Transparency
- Federal Threats to Press, Right to Know
Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/47ZFlVZ
- Open Government in Connecticut
- Public Records and Schools
- Social Media, Free Speech
- Immigration Transparency
- Federal Threats to Press, Right to Know
Read more and subscribe: conta.cc/47ZFlVZ
Anti-Trans Protest at School Soccer Game Goes to First Circuit | Courthouse News Service courthousenews.com/anti-trans-p...
Anti-trans protest at school soccer game goes to First Circuit
The judges struggled to draw the line between the First Amendment and schools’ need to maintain order at athletic contests.
courthousenews.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Anti-Trans Protest at School Soccer Game Goes to First Circuit | Courthouse News Service courthousenews.com/anti-trans-p...
Trump Administration Tells Vermont to Change Foster Parent Policies Aimed at Protecting LGBTQ Youth | Valley News vnews.com/2025/11/05/v...
Trump administration challenges Vermont's LGBTQ policies - Valley News
Vermont's policies supporting LGBTQ foster youth may violate federal law, potentially threatening federal funding, warns Trump administration.
vnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Trump Administration Tells Vermont to Change Foster Parent Policies Aimed at Protecting LGBTQ Youth | Valley News vnews.com/2025/11/05/v...
Judge Upholds New Britain School District’s Decision to Place Teacher on Leave for Refusing to Remove Crucifix in Classroom | WTNH www.wtnh.com/news/connect...
Judge upholds New Britain school district’s decision to place teacher on leave for refusing to remove crucifix in classroom
The video above aired Sept. 2025. NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — A federal judge Monday ruled that the Consolidated School District of New Britain was justified in placing a teacher on administrative …
www.wtnh.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Judge Upholds New Britain School District’s Decision to Place Teacher on Leave for Refusing to Remove Crucifix in Classroom | WTNH www.wtnh.com/news/connect...
Charter Schools are Public. Their Records Should Be, Too | The Boston Globe www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/05/o...
Charter schools are public. Their records should be, too. - The Boston Globe
The Supreme Judicial Court should reject Mystic Valley charter school’s attempt to evade public records law.
www.bostonglobe.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Charter Schools are Public. Their Records Should Be, Too | The Boston Globe www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/05/o...
Can RI Police Mute Body Camera Footage? It Comes Down to 'Should' and 'Shall' | Providence Journal www.providencejournal.com/story/news/c...
November 5, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Can RI Police Mute Body Camera Footage? It Comes Down to 'Should' and 'Shall' | Providence Journal www.providencejournal.com/story/news/c...
ACLU of RI Sues Gov. McKee, State Employees Over Alleged First Amendment Violation | The Brown Daily Herald www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025...
ACLU of RI sues Gov. McKee, state employees over alleged First Amendment violation
The State House Rotunda was shut down before Gov. Dan McKee’s State of the State address.
www.browndailyherald.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:31 PM
ACLU of RI Sues Gov. McKee, State Employees Over Alleged First Amendment Violation | The Brown Daily Herald www.browndailyherald.com/article/2025...
Join us tomorrow to discuss ways journalists (and journalism students) can best position themselves for a successful career or professional transition. Comment below with any questions or topics you would like Kevin to address👇 and remember to register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism
November 5, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Join us tomorrow to discuss ways journalists (and journalism students) can best position themselves for a successful career or professional transition. Comment below with any questions or topics you would like Kevin to address👇 and remember to register: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... #journalism
SJC Considers Whether Charter Schools Must Obey Public Records Laws | CommonWealth Beacon commonwealthbeacon.org/courts/sjc-c...
SJC considers whether charter schools must obey public records laws - CommonWealth Beacon
The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, in rebuffing at least 10 public records requests for information on various aspects of its operations, insists that it is not covered by the sweeping…
commonwealthbeacon.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM
SJC Considers Whether Charter Schools Must Obey Public Records Laws | CommonWealth Beacon commonwealthbeacon.org/courts/sjc-c...
Oral Arguments in XX Wristband Lawsuit Appeal Set for Wednesday | Union Leader www.unionleader.com/news/courts/...
Oral arguments in XX wristband lawsuit appeal set for Wednesday
Oral arguments are scheduled for Wednesday in a Massachusetts courtroom in the appeal of a ruling by a federal judge in New Hampshire denying a request from parents for a
www.unionleader.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Oral Arguments in XX Wristband Lawsuit Appeal Set for Wednesday | Union Leader www.unionleader.com/news/courts/...
Freedom of Information Under Threat | CT Insider www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/op...
Editorial: Freedom of Information under threat
Whether through legislation on bureaucratic flouting, Connecticut's FOI law has come under threat by those in power.
www.ctinsider.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Freedom of Information Under Threat | CT Insider www.ctinsider.com/waterbury/op...
From Boise to Burlington: UVM’s New Leadership Team and the First Amendment, Public Record Controversies That Followed Them | Compass Vermont www.compassvermont.com/p/from-boise...
From Boise to Burlington: UVM’s New Leadership Team and the Controversies That Followed Them
A federal lawsuit, a First Amendment violation, and sworn allegations of evading public records laws defined the tenure of UVM’s new president and her top aides at Boise State.
www.compassvermont.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
From Boise to Burlington: UVM’s New Leadership Team and the First Amendment, Public Record Controversies That Followed Them | Compass Vermont www.compassvermont.com/p/from-boise...
New Hampshire Bakery's Mural is Safe; Town Won't Enforce Sign Code | WGME wgme.com/news/local/n...
New Hampshire bakery's mural is safe; town won't enforce sign code
Leavitt's Country Bakery has a mural that features doughnuts with the White Mountains in the background.
wgme.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:30 PM
New Hampshire Bakery's Mural is Safe; Town Won't Enforce Sign Code | WGME wgme.com/news/local/n...
Miss our #publicrecords lesson today with John Marion at @commoncauseri.bsky.social? Catch up now: youtu.be/-kvzXdhoygw #opengov #journalism
Rhode Island Public Records (Update)
YouTube video by New England First Amendment Coalition
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Miss our #publicrecords lesson today with John Marion at @commoncauseri.bsky.social? Catch up now: youtu.be/-kvzXdhoygw #opengov #journalism
R.I. Public School Quotes $117k Fee for Records Request Involving Teacher Who Criticized Charlie Kirk | The Boston Globe www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/m...
R.I. public school quotes $117k fee for records request involving teacher who criticized Charlie Kirk - The Boston Globe
A local mom and transparency advocate asked for nearly 10 years of emails and 15 years of curricula to see what the Barrington, R.I., educator was teaching students. The district proposed a $5,500…
www.bostonglobe.com
November 3, 2025 at 10:30 PM
R.I. Public School Quotes $117k Fee for Records Request Involving Teacher Who Criticized Charlie Kirk | The Boston Globe www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/31/m...