Many newspapers celebrate "Sunshine Week" by printing stories based on public records that government agencies might rather keep hidden from the taxpayers (and newspaper readers) whose well-being they affect.

News media of many kinds across the country will be undertaking open-government projects again this year — during March 15-21, 2009. The observance is sponsored by a host of groups, including the American Society of Newspaper Editors, the National Freedom of Information Coalition, and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Is there a story you could dig out of some hard-to-see public records for March? For more information and ideas, go to the Sunshine Week website. [2]