My Sunday column on the erosion of the public's right-to-know was inspired by First Amendment lawyer David Schulz's Silha Lecture last week (you can see the YouTube replay here). I mentioned in the story that I haven't given up on trying to obtain the state's contracts for its cell phone tracking devices. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has twice denied my request, arguing that even releasing the state's contracts for the devices would threaten its ability to investigate crimes (and violate trade secrets). So the Star Tribune has asked for an opinion from the state agency that mediates public records disputes, the Information Police Analysis Division (IPAD). IPAD has given the Department of Public Safety, the BCA's parent agency, until Friday to submits its arguments.

You can read our request below.