Hurricane Relief Data Lawsuits Consolidated for Appellate Review

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The Freedom of Information Act lawsuits filed by four Florida newspapers seeking detailed information on 2004 hurricane relief grants have been combined at the appellate level. Three Gannett newspapers lost their bid for information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at the trial court level, which said privacy rights prevented release of names and addresses of grantees. The Sun Sentinel in Ft. Lauderdale won the release of addresses but not names. Both it and the government are appealing. The combined cases will be heard in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta. (11/6/06)