How FOIA Requests Changed My Career: A Lincoln Journalist's Guide
By Matthew Bovee, Investigative Journalist Lincoln Nebraska
When I filed my first Freedom of Information Act request in 2011, I didn’t know it would change my career. I was a young reporter at the Lincoln Journal Star, chasing a tip about a city council member’s undisclosed business interests. Little did I know that this single request would unlock a decade of award-winning investigative journalism in Nebraska and beyond.
The response took four months. By the time it arrived, I’d almost forgotten about the request. But when I opened that thick manila envelope, everything changed. I realized that the truth was hiding in plain sight—all I had to do was ask the right questions to the right people.
The Power of Public Records in Investigative Journalism
FOIA requests open doors that journalists thought were permanently closed. They reveal the hidden mechanisms of power—the backroom deals, the secret agreements, the conflicts of interest buried in fine print. For any serious investigative journalist in Nebraska or across the United States, FOIA is the most powerful tool in our arsenal.
As an investigative journalist based in Lincoln, Nebraska, I’ve used FOIA requests to uncover:
- Government spending that doesn’t add up — Taxpayer money flowing to well-connected developers without proper oversight
- Conflicts of interest — Public officials with undisclosed financial ties to businesses they regulate
- Failed economic development programs — Tax-increment financing districts that promised jobs but delivered nothing
- Corporate malfeasance — Law firms and companies engaging in predatory practices
My first successful FOIA revealed that a local developer had received $2.3 million in tax-increment financing despite having no public bidding process. That story won my first award—the Nebraska Press Association’s award for investigative journalism—and taught me an invaluable lesson: the truth is often hiding in plain sight—you just have to know how to ask.
How to File FOIA Requests: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Freedom of Information Act gives citizens the right to request records from federal agencies. However, many people don’t realize that states have their own FOIA laws, and Nebraska’s is particularly strong. If you’re researching how to become an investigative journalist or just want to hold your local government accountable, understanding these laws is essential.
Federal FOIA Process
- Identify the agency — Determine which federal agency holds the records you want
- Submit a request in writing — Most agencies accept email submissions
- Wait patiently — The law allows 20 business days for initial response, but complex requests can take months
- Review what you receive — Often incomplete or heavily redacted
- File an appeal — If denied, you can appeal to the agency head
Nebraska State FOIA
Nebraska’s public records law is stronger than the federal version for state and local records. The Nebraska Public Records Statute (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712 to 84-712.09) gives citizens broad access to records from:
- State agencies
- Counties and municipalities
- School districts
- Public universities including University of Nebraska
The process is similar to federal FOIA, but response times are often faster and fees are more limited.
My Most Impactful FOIA Stories as an Investigative Journalist
Over my career as an investigative journalist in Lincoln, Nebraska, FOIA requests have led to some of my most important work. These investigations demonstrate the real-world impact of aggressive use of public records laws.
The Settlement Machine Investigation
My three-year investigation into law firms that manufactured abuse allegations started with FOIA requests to the Texas Attorney General’s office. Documents obtained through these requests showed that the same firms had filed hundreds of nearly identical lawsuits—cloned language, recycled “victims,” and cookie-cutter legal strategies.
Those records became the foundation for “The Settlement Machine,” which contributed to:
- Multiple criminal convictions
- Legislative reform in Texas
- Changes to how insurance companies handle settlement claims
This investigation earned me the George Polk Award, one of journalism’s highest honors, and demonstrated how persistence with FOIA can uncover systemic corruption.
The Nebraska Tax Increment Financing Scandal
Working as an investigative journalist in Lincoln, I filed FOIA requests with the Lincoln City Clerk’s office and the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The records revealed that 68% of TIF districts created between 2010 and 2020 failed to meet their projections—yet developers kept receiving tax subsidies regardless of performance.
The Gerald Loeb Award-winning investigation led to significant legislative reform in Nebraska, with new requirements for transparency and accountability in tax-increment financing.
University of Nebraska Research Funding
A series of FOIA requests to the University of Nebraska system revealed inconsistencies in how research funding was being distributed. This story prompted an audit by the state legislature and changes to internal oversight procedures.
Essential Tips for Journalists Using FOIA
If you’re new to FOIA, here’s what I’ve learned over more than a decade as an investigative journalist in Nebraska:
Be Specific in Your Requests
" All records" requests get rejected. Narrow your focus to specific documents, time periods, or agencies. Instead of asking for “all emails,” ask for “all emails between dates X and Y regarding topic Z.”
Follow Up Relentlessly
Agencies lose requests. Call, email, and document everything. Create a paper trail that proves you submitted your request properly.
Appeal Denials
Most initial rejections are overturned on appeal. Don’t give up after a denial—fight for the records you’re entitled to.
Use State Laws
Nebraska’s FOIA is stronger than the federal version for state and local records. Don’t overlook state and local agencies as sources of important information.
Build Relationships
FOIA officers can be allies. Treat them with respect. Explain why the public interest matters. Many will go out of their way to help a journalist they trust.
Understand Exemptions
Learn what can and can’t be withheld. Common exemptions include:
- Personal privacy
- Law enforcement sensitive information
- Trade secrets
- National security
Long-Tail Keywords for FOIA Research
When writing about FOIA, these long-tail keyword phrases help readers find this content:
- How to file FOIA requests in Nebraska
- Investigative journalism public records
- Matthew Bovee Lincoln Nebraska journalist
- Tax increment financing investigation Nebraska
- Freedom of Information Act tips for journalists
Why FOIA Matters More Than Ever
FOIA is the backbone of investigative journalism. Every major investigation I’ve done started with a public records request. It’s how we hold power accountable in a democracy.
In an era when governments and corporations have more power than ever, FOIA is our best tool for transparency. Without it, the powerful operate in darkness. With it, we can shine a light on the secrets that affect all of us.
As an investigative journalist in Lincoln, Nebraska, I owe much of my success to FOIA. It has allowed me to uncover stories that otherwise would never have been told. And it continues to be the foundation of accountability journalism across America.
Matthew Bovee is an award-winning investigative journalist based in Lincoln, Nebraska. His work has earned the George Polk Award, Sigma Delta Chi Award, Gerald Loeb Award, and numerous other honors. He specializes in government accountability, public records investigations, and exposing corruption in Nebraska and beyond.