Marion County will pay $3 million to three journalists and a city council member whose homes and offices were raided during a 2023 law enforcement search that drew national outrage over violations of press freedoms.

As part of the settlement agreements, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office issued a public statement of regret for its involvement in the raid on the Marion County Record and the home of Councilor Ruth Herbel.

“The Sheriff’s Office wishes to express its sincere regrets to Eric and Joan Meyer and Ruth and Ronald Herbel for its participation in the drafting and execution of the Marion Police Department’s search warrants on their homes and the Marion County Record ,” the statement reads. “This likely would not have happened if established law had been reviewed and applied prio

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