MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A retired Minneapolis TV anchor and a former state senator are being honored for their advocacy of the people’s right to know.

Former WCCO-TV anchor Don Shelby and former Sen. Don Betzold are this year’s recipients of the John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award.

Shelby retired last November after a 32-year run at the Minneapolis CBS station. He now writes a column for the online news site MinnPost.com.

Betzold, a Democrat from Fridley, chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee and was a champion of open records laws. He was defeated for re-election in November.

The Minnesota Coalition on Government Information will present the award March 16. The annual award is named for John R. Finnegan, a retired St. Paul Pioneer Press executive and longtime supporter of open government.

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