MuckRock launched a special contest in January in search of great public records request ideas. Today we’re pleased to announce the winners.

Have an idea for a public records request that can unlock important stories at the state, local, or federal level? Share it with the world and get a shot at more than $1,000 in prizes.

For Sunshine Week, we wanted to look at how public records has been behind some of the biggest headlines of the year, and how those stories can inspire a whole new crop of reporting. Sunlight may be the best disinfectant, but transparency is contagious.

At the federal level, FOIA reporting tells the stories that matter.

Thanks to some creative request ideas, FOIA helps puts the “fun” in “functioning democracy.”