Keep reading for today’s look at #OpenGov news, events, and analysis, including the plight of the billionaire in politics, marching against corruption in Brazil, and fighting depression with open data. 

National News

• Defense Department financial managers are turning to modern data tools as they face shrinking budgets and a less experienced workforce. Meanwhile, the DoD still doesn’t know how to audit itself, despite Congressional demands. (Government Executive)
• Three billionaires jumped into politics last year in an attempt to reform the immigration system, and likely improve their bottom lines. However, all three have been quiet on the issue in this election year, perhaps realizing that money alone isn’t always enough to get what you want. (POLITICO)

International News

• If you live in London and are passionate about Freedom of Information, you’ll have a chance to discuss it in depth with some international experts on September 3rd. (MySociety)
• A group of anti-corruption activists walk across a section of Brazil every year, checking in on local government finances as they go. (Transparency International)
• Latin American NGO Poder is tackling corporate transparency with their new project, Quien Es Quien Wiki (Who’s Who Wiki). The project uses wiki technology to crowdsource information about companies and their activities. (Tech President)

State and Local News

• As unrest and controversy continue in Ferguson, Missouri more and more police departments around the country are publicly discussing the idea of outfitting their officers with body cameras. The cameras have been shown to reduce “use-of-force” incidents and citizen complaints in areas where they are already in use. (Ars Technica)
• Depression is a terrible affliction and can hit teens especially hard. A popular help line, Crisis Text Line, is using open data to better understand depression and serve the teens that use it for help. (Knight Foundation)

Events Today

• How Government is Embracing Innovation. NextGov. Thurs., 8/21. 2:00 PM. Webinar.

Do you want to track transparency news? You can follow the progress of relevant bills, court cases, and regulations using Scout. You can also get Today in #OpenGov sent directly to your preferred news reader. If you would like suggest an event, please email mrumsey@sunlightfoundation.com by 7 am on the Monday prior to the event.