So far: 20 states, 8,933 miles, 39 sessions, 690 people (see schedule)

New York, N.Y. — In the anonymous feedback forms today, someone from the New York Deadline Club chapter session suggested we start a FOI listserv. Great idea!

But someone’s already beat us to it.

Tip No. 39: Join the FOI-listserv. This listserv is run by Barbara Fought of Syracuse University. You’ll find people who have problems getting records, with experts willing to provide thoughts. You’ll also see the breadth of the FOI community, including some people who are watchdogging certain agencies or out for specific causes (e.g., exposing records documenting proof of UFOs). I find the listserv helpful. For more details, check out the NFOIC Web site with how to sign up. Also, if you are into government data, check out the NICAR listserv (National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting).

Today I had a great session with journalists in East Brunswick, N.J. It’s a Gannett paper, and I have to tell you, I’ve been impressed with Gannett lately. The emphasis on watchdog journalism appears to be paying off. I’m seeing some outstanding FOI work at these places. Thanks to Caryn Shinske for organizing it.

Then, tonight, I drove to NYC to speak to the SPJ chapter Deadline Club. I’m not a big fan of the 15-mile backups on the freeways, but I do have to say that driving in Manhattan is pretty fun. It’s like a school of minnows sliding through streets in an odd someone coordinated flow (minnows that honk their horns a lot). The Deadline Club session was hosted by The Associated Press and coordinated by Tricia Couture. It was a pleasure talking with them.

Thursday: I do a session in Worcester, Mass., and then for the Maine SPJ pro chapter in Portland. I’ve never been to New England, so I’m looking forward to the drive!