By Randy Evans President, Iowa FOI Council City leaders in Des Moines are making it difficult to understand why they selected the new police chief, considering how they have imposed a code of silence about their recent $975,000 payout to … Continue Reading
This column was written by Randy Evans, president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. It was Christmas Eve. The gifts were laid beneath the Christmas tree at the home of Merlin and Nelda Powers in Urbandale. But the … Continue Reading
This editorial is reprinted from the Sioux City Journal, a publication that is a member of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. The editorial was written by the newspaper’s editor, Dave Dreeszen, and was published on December 20, 2025. Over … Continue Reading
This column by Randy Evans, president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, was distributed last week to newspapers and news websites across Iowa. Days removed from the winter solstice, when Iowa’s nights are the longest, we have another example … Continue Reading
COUNCIL TO HONOR DES MOINES ACTIVIST AND ATTORNEY WITH ‘FRIEND OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT’ AWARDS Two Des Moines residents who have made important contributions to racial justice in the capital city will be recognized Wednesday, December 10, 2025, for … Continue Reading
This column by Randy Evans, president of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, was published by several newspapers and news websites across Iowa. * * * While the text of the Iowa Constitution lacks the prominence of that adopted by … Continue Reading
By Randy Evans, Iowa FOI Council president As Iowans headed to the polls this week to elect local school board members, they faced an issue beyond the usual ones of taxes, student achievement, teacher pay, curriculum and enrollment. This … Continue Reading
By Randy Evans I spoke to two groups in recent weeks, and people at both gatherings wanted to know about the work of the organization I lead, the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. If I had known then what I … Continue Reading
By Randy Evans The purpose for government regulations is to protect the health and safety of the public. That is the theory behind regulations, and it is a commendable mission. But sometimes that is not what occurs. Too often, it … Continue Reading
By Randy Evans Lyman Dillon resides in the dusty recesses of Iowa history for his role in 1839 in one of Iowa’s earliest infrastructure projects. Dillon’s work also figures indirectly in a modern-day lesson on how NOT to run a … Continue Reading