Fight Over Release Of Pulse 911 Calls In Federal Court

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Attorneys for almost two dozen media groups are arguing in federal court that a lawsuit demanding the release of 911 calls involving the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando should be moved back to state court.

Attorneys for The Associated Press, CNN, The New York Times and other media groups are arguing Thursday that the case doesn't belong in federal court.

The case pits the City of Orlando against media companies seeking the release of recordings of dozens of 911 calls as well as communications between gunman Omar Mateen and the Orlando Police Department. Mateen was killed by police in June after a lengthy standoff in a mass shooting that killed 49 people and wounded 53 others.

The city claims the recordings are exempt under public records law.