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Marion County Record

All articles tagged with #marion county record

us-news13 days ago•3 min saved

Marion, Kansas resolves raid lawsuit with $850,000 payout to ex-reporter

Marion, Kansas approved an $850,000 settlement with former Marion County Record reporter Phyllis Zorn to end her federal lawsuit over the 2023 police raid on the newspaper’s offices, underscoring ongoing concerns about press freedoms and law enforcement actions against publishers; this brings the town’s total related settlements to over $3 million across five lawsuits (including a $600,000 payout to Zorn previously), with some claims still pending and a pretrial hearing planned for October.

via Politico|

#first-amendment #marion-county-record #press-freedom

law-enforcement2 years ago•1 min saved

Police Chief Resigns Amidst Controversy Surrounding Raid on Newspaper Office

Marion Police Department Chief of Police Gideon Cody has resigned effective immediately following his suspension amid a controversial raid at the Marion County Record and two other locations. The raid, which involved the seizure of computers and devices, was based on a search warrant that was later withdrawn. The Marion County Attorney found insufficient evidence to establish a connection between the alleged crime and the places searched. A reporter from the Marion County Record has filed a lawsuit against Cody in connection to the raid.

via KSN-TV|

#gideon-cody #law-enforcement #marion-county-record

law-and-crime3 years ago•2 min saved

"Marion Police Accused of Illegally Retaining Altered Evidence from Kansas Newspaper"

The Marion County Record, a Kansas newspaper, alleges that police unlawfully kept a copy of evidence seized during a raid on their office and the publisher's home. The attorney for the newspaper plans to ask a judge to hold Sheriff Jeff Soyez in contempt of court if the issue is not resolved. The discrepancy between the evidence list provided to the newspaper and the one filed with the district court raises concerns, as an extra item, a USB drive with cloning software, appears on the court's list. The attorney argues that this gives the sheriff illegal access to the newspaper's data, which is protected by law.

via Kansas Reflector|

#contempt-of-court #evidence-tampering #kansas-department-of-revenue

press-freedom3 years ago•3 min saved

Police Raid Reveals Hard-Hitting History of 'Marion County Record'

The Marion County Record, a family-owned newspaper in Kansas, has a history of hard-hitting reporting and holding local officials accountable. Recently, the newspaper was raided by the police, prompting concerns over press freedom violations. The raid disrupted the newspaper's work and drew attention away from important local issues. The Marion County Record is the only publication covering Marion, a rural community, and has been instrumental in exposing various local controversies. The newspaper's staff is now focused on recovering their confiscated equipment and seeking compensation for damages caused by the raid.

via NPR|

#accountability-reporting #local-journalism #marion-county-record

law-and-crime3 years ago•2 min saved

"Controversial Raid on Kansas Newspaper Raises Questions about Press Freedom"

The chief of a Kansas police department that raided the Marion County Record accused a reporter of lying or misrepresenting herself when accessing documents, sparking a debate about press freedoms. The raid, which drew national attention, involved the gathering of driving records of a local restaurant owner. The newspaper maintained their methods were legal, as the reporter accessed a public website and used the owner's name in the search. The seized items were returned after the county attorney determined there was insufficient evidence to justify the raid.

via Fox News|

#identity-theft #kansas #law-and-crime

media-freedom3 years ago•3 min saved

"Kansas Newspaper Raid: Publisher Vindicated as Seized Items Returned Amid Backlash"

The publisher of the Marion County Record, a Kansas newspaper, feels "vindicated" after the top prosecutor in Marion County withdrew a search warrant executed on the publication's office and returned all seized items. The raid, which sparked outrage and condemnation, was deemed to have insufficient evidence to establish a legally sufficient nexus between the alleged crime and the places searched. Press freedom advocates called for an explanation of how the search and seizure was allowed to happen, emphasizing that law enforcement cannot simply raid media organizations at will. The newspaper may consider legal action against the county, aiming to set an example and protect the rights of smaller outlets. The case highlights the importance of defending press freedom, as abuses of power can happen to any journalist or news outlet.

via CNN|

#abuse-of-power #lawsuit #marion-county-record

freedom-of-the-press3 years ago•5 min saved

"Marion County Record Defies Raid, Retrieves Seized Property for Analysis"

Marion County Record in Kansas defiantly published its weekly edition after police raided the newsroom and confiscated property, including computers and cellphones. Authorities returned the seized items but continue to investigate whether a newspaper reporter committed a crime by verifying information from a confidential source. The owner and publisher of the newspaper emphasized the importance of protecting the First Amendment and the ability of news organizations to pursue controversial stories. The raid attracted international attention and led to the death of the publisher's 98-year-old mother. The newspaper has received an outpouring of support, with thousands of new subscriptions. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the case, and the county attorney has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the search warrants.

via Kansas Reflector|

#first-amendment #freedom-of-the-press #investigative-journalism

freedom-of-the-press3 years ago•5 min saved

Police Raid on Kansas Newspaper Sparks Outrage and Legal Backlash

The attorney representing the Marion County Record, a newspaper in Kansas, criticized local law enforcement for treating the newspaper and its employees as if they were part of a criminal enterprise during a recent raid. The lawyer argued that this violated constitutional protections for freedom of the press and urged the police chief to halt the examination of seized property until a court hearing could determine if the search was legal. The raid was prompted by allegations of theft and privacy violations made by a local restaurant owner against the newspaper and a city council member. The Society of Professional Journalists has offered $20,000 in legal support to the newspaper, and other press organizations have condemned the raid as an attack on press freedom.

via Kansas Reflector|

#first-amendment #freedom-of-the-press #lawsuit

press-freedom3 years ago•2 min saved

"Controversial Police Raid Targets Kansas Newspaper and Reporters' Homes"

Police in Marion, Kansas, raided the offices of a local newspaper and the homes of its publishers and reporters, seizing computers, cellphones, and reporting materials. The raid was allegedly prompted by a confidential source leaking sensitive documents to the newspaper. The newspaper had recently been involved in a dispute with a local restaurant owner, who accused them of illegally obtaining and disseminating sensitive documents. Press advocates have condemned the raid as an infringement on the freedom of the press, while the search warrant used appears to violate federal law protecting journalists' materials.

via The Guardian US|

#first-amendment #freedom-of-the-press #kansas

press-freedom3 years ago•3 min saved

"Kansas Police Conduct Controversial Raid on Marion County Record Newspaper, Seizing Records and Injuring Reporter"

Police in Kansas raided the office of the Marion County Record newspaper, seizing computers, cellphones, and reporting materials, as well as searching the publisher's home, following a dispute with a local businesswoman. The raid came after the newspaper published stories about the businesswoman, including revelations about her lack of a driver's license and conviction for drunken driving. The newspaper's owner and publisher called the raid "chilling" and unprecedented, expressing concerns about the impact on their ability to tackle issues and receive information. The search warrant appears to violate federal law protecting journalists from search and seizure, as it requires law enforcement to subpoena materials instead.

via New York Post |

#first-amendment #journalism #kansas

law-enforcement3 years ago•5 min saved

"Controversial Police Raid Shakes Marion County Newspaper: Computers, Records, and Cellphones Seized"

In an unprecedented raid, local law enforcement seized computers, cellphones, and reporting materials from the Marion County Record office, the newspaper's reporters, and the publisher's home. The raid followed news stories about a restaurant owner who kicked reporters out of a meeting with a U.S. Representative. The search warrant appears to violate federal law protecting journalists, and the police seizure could have a chilling effect on journalism and the public's right to know. The newspaper's owner expressed concern about the intervention, comparing it to repressive governments in other countries.

via Kansas Reflector|

#first-amendment #freedom-of-the-press #journalism