Blawnox Borough will not change its audio and videotaping rules as it faces probable legal action from the American Civil Liberties Union. Read More…

Trib Total Media, Inc. ("TTM") brought suit against the Highlands School District because the school board barred a reporter from attending an executive session. In its answer to TTM's complaint, the school district admitted that the school board discussed a property tax assessment appeal with owners of the shopping center subject to the appeal. The school district asserted that such an action was permissible under Section 708(a)(4) of the Sunshine Act, which permits the discussion of matters of pending litigation in an executive, hence private, session. The Commonwealth Court held that only attorneys and advisors may participate in executive sessions pursuant to this section. Read More…

A three-judge appeals panel ruled Thursday that the Highlands School District violated state law when it held a closed-door session with shopping center representatives last year to talk about a tax assessment appeal. In the order, Commonwealth Judge Patricia A. McCullough wrote that the private meeting with Heights Plaza Shopping Center representatives "has the odor of favoritism that the Sunshine Act does not tolerate." Read More…