Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists and UMD Journalism program will host Constitution Day freedom of information forum from 5-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17 in the 4th floor rotunda of the UMD Library.
DULUTH, Minn. – The Constitution protects free speech. But to responsibly exercise that right, Americans need accurate information about their federal, state and local governments. From fraud to data centers, immigration to economic policy, transparency aids public understanding of today’s biggest issues.
Accordingly, the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists and the University of Minnesota Duluth journalism program will co-host a Constitution Day event on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026 at the UMD Library Rotunda (4th floor). Those who attend this free, public event will learn how to find, retrieve and responsibly use public information.
The 5-6:30 p.m. workshop will feature public information advocate Don Gemberling and a panel of northern Minnesota journalists. They will discuss Minnesota’s Data Practices Act, the federal Freedom of Information Act and ways that public data can better inform journalists and private citizens. Attendees will learn basic tools they can use to access public data, including their own.
Local journalism panelists include Emma McNamee, education reporter for the Duluth News Tribune, Jana Hollingsworth, reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune based in Duluth, and Chelsey Perkins, news director for KAXE Northern Community Radio in Grand Rapids, Minn. They will share their experiences reporting on public data.
Don Gemberling spent more than 30 years at the Minnesota Department of Administration and remains a leading voice for government transparency and public data access. He helped draft the Minnesota Data Practices Act and now advocates for people and organizations seeking to avail their rights to public information.
Minnesota SPJ board members James Walsh and Aaron Brown will lead the program.
The Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists serves print, radio, television and online journalists by advocating for the rights of journalists and providing information, support, training and networking opportunities.