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Citizen's guide to recording police

In response to the nationwide demonstrations against police brutality, NYU’s First Amendment Watch has published a guide informing citizens of their right to record the police in public places.
Many millions of people now have the capability to document news in a way that only journalists and film crews could do in the past, and the videos they capture have played an important role in shedding light on police misconduct.  

Sunlight is the best disinfectant, but it may have to wait 14 days

Since Gov. Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster for COVID-19 in early March, more than 90 municipalities, school districts and other governmental bodies have posted “Catastrophe Notices” under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). Posting a Catastrophe Notice allows a governmental body that is being impacted by a “catastrophe” to suspend requirements of the PIA for up to two weeks.

Texas Comptroller's Office Releases Updated Transparency Tool

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the release of an updated state revenue and expenditure tool on the agency’s website.

How Poynter is supporting local journalists and newsrooms during the coronavirus crisis

The coronavirus is a story unlike any in a generation. It’s a global issue playing out differently in every community on the planet. No single place or person can bear the responsibility of documenting it, nor is any organization immune from its devastating economic toll.

Microloans for Jouranlists

As newsrooms across the country face layoffs, furloughs, and pay cuts because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of journalists who felt a need to help colleagues get through this difficult period and knew that other journalists wanted to do the same formed Microloans For Journalists as a way of connecting people who need help with those who want to give help.

Updated "We Have Your Back" ads available

America's Newspapers has updated the "We Have Your Back" marketing program for use as businesses reopen.
Newspapers can download this series of print and social media ads at no cost.  The print ads include space for the name or logo of the newspaper publishing them. 
These digital and print ads will remind your business community that local newspapers have the print and digital advertising solutions to help them bring customers back and quickly regain lost revenue. 

API adds more COVID-19 resources

American Press Institute has added more tools to the API website's COVID-19 resources.
Included are coronavirus data journalism tools, how to understand research studies and why smaller advertisers and ad buys might be better right now. Click here to see the updated page.
Among the featured reports are:

Opening the State of Texas

Gov. Greg Abbott recently issued an executive order to announce the opening of additional businesses and activities in Texas expanding the businesses and activities included in the first phase of the plan to Open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. 
All newly opened businesses and services are subject to the recommended minimum standard health protocols outlined by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Free online course from the Knight Center at the University of Texas

A free online course, "Journalism in a pandemic: Covering COVID-19 now and in the future" is offered by jouranlismcourses.org, the online training platform of the Knight Center for Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin. The course is scheduled May 4 through 31.

How Coronavirus Is Affecting the Mental Health of Millions of Americans

In an effort to help those with mental illness (and their friends and loved ones who may be concerned about the impacts COVID-19 stay-in-place requirements may be having on them), https://www.psycom.net writers spoke to the experts on the specific challenges those with the most common conditions face, as well as what actions they can practice and networks they can access to remain healthy and safe.
The article includes links to resources for families dealing with ADHD, Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post traumatic stress.

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