Megan Rhyne
@opengovva.bsky.social
Director, Virginia Coalition for Open Government. No political party occupies the moral high ground on #transparency or #FOIA #GDTBATH
www.opengovva.org
www.opengovva.org
VCOG All Access News, 2/6/26: more time to comment; more money to litigate; more automated requests #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 2/6/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:50 PM
VCOG All Access News, 2/6/26: more time to comment; more money to litigate; more automated requests #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
To all my VA press corps friends, you may want to get involved in HB1029, which impacts access to criminal complaints.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
HB1029 - 2026 Regular Session | LIS
lis.virginia.gov
February 5, 2026 at 3:28 PM
To all my VA press corps friends, you may want to get involved in HB1029, which impacts access to criminal complaints.
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
Reposted by Megan Rhyne
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell
Somewhat devastating news today from the CIA: One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. There's not even a hint as to why they …
simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 12:25 AM
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub simonwillison.net/2026/Feb/5/t...
VCOG All Access News, 2/5/26: scripted events; Factbook; Sup. Ct.'s NDAs #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 2/5/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
February 5, 2026 at 1:46 PM
VCOG All Access News, 2/5/26: scripted events; Factbook; Sup. Ct.'s NDAs #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
This session, I've been giving my testimony/comments in committee without notes, but for some reason, I decided to use notes yesterday. And this is what it looked like:
youtu.be/oy_usvYW5z4?...
youtu.be/oy_usvYW5z4?...
did you grow up in the woods? are you nell from the movie nell?
YouTube video by JSAV
youtu.be
February 4, 2026 at 2:17 PM
This session, I've been giving my testimony/comments in committee without notes, but for some reason, I decided to use notes yesterday. And this is what it looked like:
youtu.be/oy_usvYW5z4?...
youtu.be/oy_usvYW5z4?...
VCOG All Access News, 2/4/26: water usage; get it from state sources; kudos to Danville; continued casino blackout #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 2/4/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
VCOG All Access News, 2/4/26: water usage; get it from state sources; kudos to Danville; continued casino blackout #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 2/3/26: FOIA bill background; cell phones; no pubic vote #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 2/3/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
February 3, 2026 at 1:43 PM
VCOG All Access News, 2/3/26: FOIA bill background; cell phones; no pubic vote #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 2/2/26: law firm urges opposition; agreement to be secret; late audit #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 2/2/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
February 2, 2026 at 2:31 PM
VCOG All Access News, 2/2/26: law firm urges opposition; agreement to be secret; late audit #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
The same subcommittee also rejected a bill to study transparency and best practices for NIL deals, allowing another year of exposing student-athletes to potentially predatory practices and denying public accountability.
February 2, 2026 at 2:19 PM
The same subcommittee also rejected a bill to study transparency and best practices for NIL deals, allowing another year of exposing student-athletes to potentially predatory practices and denying public accountability.
House higher ed subcommittee just tabled a bill requiring university bds to livestream meetings. "We look forward to working with you on this important issue in the future."
Hmmm. This idea has been on the table (by Rs and Ds) since 2021 & gets killed/postponed every year.
Hmmm. This idea has been on the table (by Rs and Ds) since 2021 & gets killed/postponed every year.
February 2, 2026 at 2:08 PM
House higher ed subcommittee just tabled a bill requiring university bds to livestream meetings. "We look forward to working with you on this important issue in the future."
Hmmm. This idea has been on the table (by Rs and Ds) since 2021 & gets killed/postponed every year.
Hmmm. This idea has been on the table (by Rs and Ds) since 2021 & gets killed/postponed every year.
Love to see @SandsAnderson actively encouraging its clients to oppose the pro-public access FOIA bills in the General Assembly, including the two that VCOG has proposed and two that went through a lengthy FOIA Council review.
www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/pe...
www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/pe...
Pending Virginia FOIA Legislation Threatens to Increase Costs and Reduce Protections for Public Bodies | JD Supra
Several bills currently pending in the Virginia General Assembly may significantly impact FOIA compliance for public bodies. These proposals reflect a...
www.jdsupra.com
February 2, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Love to see @SandsAnderson actively encouraging its clients to oppose the pro-public access FOIA bills in the General Assembly, including the two that VCOG has proposed and two that went through a lengthy FOIA Council review.
www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/pe...
www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/pe...
VCOG All Access News, 1/30/26: VCOG's recognition; a plea for open discussion; mystery, rumor and speculation #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/30/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 30, 2026 at 12:36 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/30/26: VCOG's recognition; a plea for open discussion; mystery, rumor and speculation #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Reposted by Megan Rhyne
Alison Luchs, who has worked at the National Gallery of Art for 47 years, agreed to learn Gen Z slang and make videos because she wanted to raise interest in the museum’s art.
She never expected to slay. https://wapo.st/45BXc3S
She never expected to slay. https://wapo.st/45BXc3S
January 29, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Alison Luchs, who has worked at the National Gallery of Art for 47 years, agreed to learn Gen Z slang and make videos because she wanted to raise interest in the museum’s art.
She never expected to slay. https://wapo.st/45BXc3S
She never expected to slay. https://wapo.st/45BXc3S
VCOG All Access News, 1/28/26: legislative updates; budget unknowns; appointment opacity; be vague #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/28/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:24 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/28/26: legislative updates; budget unknowns; appointment opacity; be vague #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/27/26: subcommittee rundown; VCOG at 30; On Patrol Live?; VPAP's origins #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/27/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:31 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/27/26: subcommittee rundown; VCOG at 30; On Patrol Live?; VPAP's origins #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/26/26: recall petition; demand, demand, demand, demand; lawyer use of #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/26/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 26, 2026 at 1:56 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/26/26: recall petition; demand, demand, demand, demand; lawyer use of #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/23/26: look through past agendas; immediate resignation; indefensible
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/23/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 23, 2026 at 1:44 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/23/26: look through past agendas; immediate resignation; indefensible
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Don't mind if I do!
Happy 30th anniversary to VCOG, and many thanks to @jess4va.com for carrying this. HJ76: "Commending the Virginia Coalition for Open Government."
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
Happy 30th anniversary to VCOG, and many thanks to @jess4va.com for carrying this. HJ76: "Commending the Virginia Coalition for Open Government."
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
HJ76 - 2026 Regular Session | LIS
lis.virginia.gov
January 22, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Don't mind if I do!
Happy 30th anniversary to VCOG, and many thanks to @jess4va.com for carrying this. HJ76: "Commending the Virginia Coalition for Open Government."
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
Happy 30th anniversary to VCOG, and many thanks to @jess4va.com for carrying this. HJ76: "Commending the Virginia Coalition for Open Government."
lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...
VCOG All Access News, 1/22/26: video released to bolster police; better without the dig; Epstein overtime #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/22/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 22, 2026 at 1:26 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/22/26: video released to bolster police; better without the dig; Epstein overtime #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/21/26: what Flock data can tell us; public comments back on air; the people's budget #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/21/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 21, 2026 at 1:16 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/21/26: what Flock data can tell us; public comments back on air; the people's budget #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/20/26: Asking for your input and support of HB 159 #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/20/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/20/26: Asking for your input and support of HB 159 #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/19/26: NIL workgroup; settlement must be released; finally, legal bills #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/19/ – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 19, 2026 at 1:41 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/19/26: NIL workgroup; settlement must be released; finally, legal bills #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/16/26: it's only 20 words; minutes fight; NILs in SC; raiding journo's house #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/16/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 16, 2026 at 2:05 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/16/26: it's only 20 words; minutes fight; NILs in SC; raiding journo's house #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/15/26: wetland credit website; firing not on agenda; in favor of judicial transparency #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/15/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:24 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/15/26: wetland credit website; firing not on agenda; in favor of judicial transparency #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
VCOG All Access News, 1/14/26: no pause; 1-hour redaction tone; closed-door termination; is this really a transparency committee? #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...
Transparency News, 1/14/26 – Virginia Coalition for Open Government
opengovva.org
January 14, 2026 at 1:30 PM
VCOG All Access News, 1/14/26: no pause; 1-hour redaction tone; closed-door termination; is this really a transparency committee? #FOIA
opengovva.org/transparency...
opengovva.org/transparency...