By Joel CampbellSPJ Legislative Monitor While advocates for open government and a free press are likely to breathe a little easier this legislative session, there are still some issues to watch as the Utah Legislature begins Jan. 15. Gone, it is hoped, are protracted struggles over Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act seen last … More Preview: Open Meetings Act reform will continue in 2007 Legislature

Mark your calendars for the next meeting of the SPJ Board, Saturday January 13th at 9 a.m. at the SL Tribune building. Any items to be placed on the agenda, please contact Ben Winslow at bwinslow@desnews.com An agenda will be posted on this page next week.

This link comes from Ginger Bair, the webmaster at the Utah Dept. of Health’s Obesity in Utah site. She asked me to post this link for any reporter interested in obesity statistics. It is: http://www.health.utah.gov/obesity The website includes statistics and the state’s “blueprint” for combating obesity in the state. It could be useful to any … More Obesity resource for reporters

As you may be aware, there are some legal issues surrounding the Davis School Board’s closure of boundary committee meetings. It has been covered heavily in the Ogden Standard-Examiner. The Utah Headliners Chapter of the SPJ has been asked to weigh in on the issue. Below is a letter sent recently to the school board … More Letter to the Davis School Board.

Saturday.November 11.9 a.m.SL Trib building. The Agenda. 1- Regional Conference update (Ben, Linda, Allison)2- Financial report (Tom)3- DesNews vs. SL County update (Ben)4- Membership update (Welcome to our new members Kim, Angela and Les!)5- SPJ Contest 2007 (Sallie)6- Legislative Preview (Joel)7- Davis School District meeting (Joel)

Locked out of a government meeting? Has a judge issued a gag order? Having problems getting a government record? Call the Utah Freedom of Information Hotline!!! 1-800-574-4546 The hotline is a service for Utah Journalists by the law firm of Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee & Loveless in cooperation with the Utah Headliners Chapter of the … More Freedom of Information Hotline

The board of the Utah Headliners Chapter will hold its regular meeting on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. at the SL Tribune building. Agenda to be posted soon.

The annual SPJ Region 9 conference will be held March 23, 24 in Salt Lake City! The Utah Headliners Chapter will be hosting SPJ members from Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and of course, all over Utah. Details will be coming soon. -Ben