Sunshine Law seminar planned Oct. 4

A free seminar on changes in the Sunshine Law will be held from 9 a.m. until noon Monday, Oct. 4, at Southeast Missouri State University. It's being organized by the state attorney general's office.

Assistant attorneys general will discuss the top 10 things media and public officials need to know about the Sunshine Law and the recent changes. Expanding technology has made change to the Sunshine Law necessary, Attorney General Jay Nixon said, such as information being shared by computer or decisions made by phone.

Also on the agenda will be a presentation of the media's perspective on the law by Southeast Missourian editor Joe Sullivan followed by the local perspective by Loyd Matthews, mayor of Poplar Bluff, Mo.

The final presentation will be a panel discussion with Lt. John Davis of the Cape Girardeau Police Department; Terry McVey, Kennett's city attorney; Sam Blackwell, managing editor of the Southeast Missourian; Michelle Friedrich, associate editor of the Daily American Republic; and assistant attorney general Paul Maguffee. They will present possible scenarios in which the Sunshine Law would apply.

Attendance is limited; to register e-mail karen.bagby@ago.mo.gov or call (573) 751-1800.

--Southeast Missourian