Through the Freedom of Information Act, PRM is seeking legal opinions from the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) regarding the constitutionality of the (now expired) Federal Assault Weapons Ban.  PRM is seeking opinions written during both the Clinton and G.W. Bush administrations. Find the request here.

Hmong veterans of the CIA’s secret war in Laos are seeking U.S. military burial honors.  Read the full story here.

Production of episode one of PRM’s public affairs show “Open Source” recently wrapped with a panel discussion on citizen participation in policy making.  Several Minnesota-based advocates and citizen lobbyists participated, including privacy advocate Rich Neumeister, Dai Thao from Take Action Minnesota, and Twila Brase from the Citizens’ Council on Health Care.  Minnpost journalist Eric Black moderated.

PRM has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the Central Intelligence Agency, seeking records pertaining to CIA payments to citizens of Laos during the Vietnam War era.  See the request here.

PRM’s Matt Ehling hosted two evenings of conversation on constitutional issues and current events in early May.  One discussion focused on civil liberties controversies and the executive branch, and the other provided an overview of the U.S. Constitution and major case law.  Both events were held at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis.

PRM’s Matt Ehling had a commentary published in Minnpost.com.  The piece examined the impact of digital culture on the future of American privacy.  The item was featured in the April media round-up offered by the American Association of Museums.  Read more here