The Virginia Coalition for Open Government (VCOG) has named the winners of its 2026 Freedom of Information and open-government awards: Eric Bonds, a sociology professor at the University of Mary Washington, and the City of Newport News have been selected as this year’s government honorees. The winners will be honored at VCOG’s annual conference on April 23 in Norfolk.
Concerned about the growing number of data center proposals in the Fredericksburg region, Bonds organized a student project to submit FOIA requests to local governments to determine how frequently non-disclosure agreements were being used. The results were striking: 31 of 35 localities had signed such agreements, raising concerns about how much information about data center projects was being withheld from the public until plans were fully formed.
As Bonds pursued additional records related to water and electricity usage, some localities denied his requests under FOIA exemptions. Rather than abandon the effort, Bonds filed petitions in general district court against two counties challenging those denials. Both localities ultimately agreed to release the requested records before a hearing was held.
“Eric’s work has been topical and effective,” said VCOG immediate past president Jeff South.
Bonds discussed the project as a featured guest on the Free Press podcast, Coffee Shop Talk.
Awards committee members also praised Bonds for engaging students in transparency efforts and helping local residents better understand how data center development could affect their communities.
The Laurence E. Richardson Citizen’s award honors the memory of a longtime Charlottesville broadcaster, a VCOG founding director, and the namesake of VCOG’s annual summer fellowship for rising second-year law students.
The City of Newport News was selected for the government award for pairing strong leadership with consistent, practical implementation of the Freedom of Information Act. The city has developed what it calls a “virtuous circle” of proactive disclosure by using frequently requested FOIA records to guide what Virginia Coalition for Open Government information is published online.
By making high-demand records publicly available, the city reduces future FOIA requests, improves efficiency and expands public access to government information.
The approach requires coordination across departments and relies on public feedback to identify additional data for release, creating a continuous cycle of transparency, service and operational efficiency.
