This year saw MuckRock’s 10,000th request and, thanks to our amazing users, that number keeps growing. Here’s the stories, big and small, you helped uncover this year.

This summer, MuckRock announced that it was beginning a longterm FOIA investigation into the shadowy space between the private prison industry and its government “partners,” who bankroll almost the entirety of this growing enterprise. After months of digging, the surface has barely been scratched.

News of the smoking ban, which made lighting anything in a public park punishable by a fine of $250, caused quite the uproar last December. Menino, a longtime champion of public health, enthusiastically supported the measure to ensure smoke-free greenery. But one year later, the legislation seems to have only succeeded in wasting Boston’s time, money, and anger.

Rejecting a request for the FBI’s files on Gamergate and its affiliates, the bureau stated that, while they have responsive documents related to the loose coalition, those files are part of an ongoing investigation, and release “would interfere with law enforcement proceedings.” Who or what is being investigated remains an open question.

Shortly after MuckRock was founded, a public records request we published was found objectionable enough to warrant a state attorney informing us that if we didn’t remove the data the state had previously given us, we were subject to a year in jail. We never removed the data, but it was an early reminder of how important — and fragile — free expression is, and a challenge for us to do what we could to protect it.

Last year, in response to a FOIA request from the ACLU regarding the Obama Administration’s policy regarding intercepting cell phone text messages, the Justice Department released 15 pages of documents - all of which had been completed redacted by the b(7) exemption. Earlier this week, we received the processing notes for the request, which, while faring little better, redaction-wise, offers valuable insight into the bizarre world where transparency and secrecy overlap.

Phil Eil’s story is one of classic FOIA frustration — enthusiastic investigation brought to a halt by the inefficient system upon which it depends. The topic, broadly, is the climate of prescription drug abuse in America. “It’s a subject that’s clouded with so much emotion, misinformation, and suspicion, which is all the more reason to talk about evidence,” Phil described in a recent phone interview with MuckRock. “But that evidence hasn’t been released.”

For the second time this week, our best chance for long-overdue FOIA reform is being threatened - not by a vote, but by deliberate inaction. Here’s how you can help.

In late November, with no formal public announcement, the Pentagon released the spreadsheet we’ve been requesting for more than a year. Here’s how we made it happen.

On Saturday, after months of work, we quietly launched this new version of MuckRock — our biggest update since the site launched over four and a half years ago. Here’s what we’re excited about.

You may have heard that the image-conscious Los Angeles Unified School District chose to return the grenade launchers it received from the Defense Department’s surplus equipment program. You probably have not heard about some of the more obscure beneficiaries of the Pentagon giveaway.

It took considerable effort on the part of Shawn Musgrave to obtain a copy of the NYPD’s patrol guide, which includes their Use of Force policies. Read them here.

Back in June, MuckRock submitted its third request for drone documents with the NYPD, drawing upon the now-overwhelming evidence that the department was openly exploring their opportunities to implement UAVs into their police work. But despite its public candor, the NYPD still insists that it cannot release any documents whatsoever - so we’re suing.