Off the grid, but here's a recent podcast
Take a listen: Geopolitics & Empire, And U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (CT, NY, VT) ruled for recording visible police activity
Miranda Spivack
Independent journalist focusing on government secrecy/lack of transparency and its impact on everyday life. @fundfij @reveal @fulbright @nytbusiness formerly@washingtonpost
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Latest episodes
Ignoring FOIA, gathering data on Americans, icing out the Pentagon reporters - an update on Trump Administration actions and inaction
Here is some new information about old stories
Disappearing messages should disappear
State and local governments need to get a grip on this, and stop chats and messages from evaporating after only a few days
When everyone's federal taxes are supporting states and cities, why are they allowed to withhold public information from out-of-staters?
The Internet knows no such boundaries; why is this still happeing in 2026? (Photo credit: Al.com)
A lobbying firm works for and against an issue - and often doesn't have to reveal that to the public
Yet another way more transparency might help our democracy
What happens when two branches of the same government agency follow different playbooks?
Why would one set of planners provide documents and data and another group said absolutely not? A weird saga from Montgomery County, Md., that could happen anywhere.
Unmasking the surveillance state in the U.S.
A setback but some cause for hope
Michael Steele talks with Miranda
For your listening pleasure while I am off the grid with my family
When the federal government lets you down, don't hesitate to go local
Jeff Hagan of In the Public Interest helps me deconstruct state and local secrecy
How did police misconduct become a national secret?
State by state, the willingness of officials to protect officers who mess up is very varied.
When you seek help from your local government, officials erect information blockades
But now, with the Trump administration taking a sledge hammer to the federal government, getting help locally is more important than ever
Why is the Trump administration building a database about people in the US?
Could be a great tool for surveillance.; data from states also are being collected.
Florida can secretly designate terrorists
Will other states follow? Will the courts say it's legal?
When you contact the government, your communication is part of the public record
Governments should make clear that your emails, letters and survey responses are public documents that can be released without identifiers to protect privacy
Seeking reader feedback always!
Please be in touch! and support local news close to home
Governments keep tax-funded studies and surveys secret, but claim they back official conclusions
But sometimes, there are errors and misrepresentations
When members of a public body use private devices, should their work be public?
The Kentucky Supreme Court doesn't think so
Can Hegseth insist that reporters cover DoD only with government minders?
He won on appeal but will it stick?
Bright spots (at least a few) in the state transparency darkness
Victories now and then for transparency about schools, police and aerial photography
Yet another way corporate America keeps the public in the dark
And this happens when they are getting state and local tax breaks that you are subsidizing
Who is in charge here?
Pete Hegseth continues to defy federal judge on Pentagon press access