Arise, your newspaper: How regional newspapers covered the New Year Honours

If you saw the national newspapers or TV news on Saturday, then you’ll know that The New Year Honours were somewhat dominated by  Olympians. And why not? 2012, after all, is a year which will be remembered for sport.

FOI FRIDAY: Mice at Manchester United, appealing students, cabbie grumbles and turning the lights off

Mice raid Manchester United < < < Manchester Evening News I love this FOI. Simple, but effective – although the sports editor might not thank you Manchester United had to deal with a mice infestation at Old Trafford, the M.E.N. can reveal. The outbreak was one of a number of hygiene and safety issues flagged

FOI Friday: Second jobs for firemen, missing art, teens on drugs and CCTV in schools

1. Second jobs for firemen We’ve seen FOI requests asking for the second jobs for policemen, but the Manchester Evening News this week reported on the second jobs held by firemen in Greater Manchester, of which there appear to be quite a number: As well as trades such as plasterers or joiners, some are working

FOI Friday: 10 things we’ve learnt this week thanks to the Freedom of Information Act

A council with 100,000 unsuitable images on its computers, a police force revealing it doesn’t investigate almost a quarter of reported crimes and the rising cost of parking fines – here are 10 stories made possible this week thanks to the Freedom of Information Act. 1. Buying British Councils up and down the country are