Each week, The Gazette in Janesville will publish a brief open public records ledger that helps the public understand what information The Gazette is trying to obtain to help you better understand what’s happening in you community, and why, called “Your Right to Know.”
A piece in the May 1, 2026 issue of The Gazette described the decision. According to the story:
The newspaper is conducting the effort to supply the public with the most complete, most comprehensive record of facts to help unravel the greater truths of the news in your community.
The Gazette will publish an article every week, once a week, that details significant information requests the newspaper has made, including official legal open records requests filed, why the requests matter, and what happens when the requests are made.
The Gazette recently filed a request with the City of Janesville seeking details of the severance the city is paying departing city manager Kevin Lahner and a request asking the state’s Department of Justice for local police department employee rosters — something a Wisconsin judge decided this week the public has every right to access.
Questions about how public records requests work, or ideas for records you think the public should see, can be directed to Gazette City Editor Neil Johnson via email at neil@gazettextra.com.
