Associated Press




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Voting rights marcher recalls being clubbed, hearing fatal gunshot during pivotal day of protests

Della Simpson Maynor was just 14 when she marched for voting rights in her hometown of Marion, Alabama. But while events in Alabama helped give birth to the Voting Rights Act, court cases originating in the state have led to its steady erosion over the years.

Supreme Court opened the door to states’ voting restrictions. Now a new ruling could widen them

The justices are expected to rule in the coming weeks in a new case out of Alabama that could make it much more difficult for minority groups to sue over gerrymandered political maps that dilute their representation.

Alabama sets July execution date as state resumes lethal injections after a series of problems

The governor's office set a time frame for the execution of James Barber. The 30-hour window is designed to give the state prison system more time after two most recent executions were called off because of trouble with intravenous lines.

Alabama lawmaker agrees to plead guilty to federal charges and resign

Rep. Fred Plump Jr., a Democrat from Fairfield, will plead guilty to conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges related to misusing state funds and resign his position.

Why do so many Black women die in pregnancy? One reason: Doctors don’t take them seriously

Angelica Lyons knew it was dangerous for Black women to give birth in America. As a public health instructor, she taught college students about racial health disparities. Then, in 2019, it nearly happened to her.

Suspect in Natalee Holloway disappearance faces extradition to US on fraud charges

Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot will be sent to the U.S., Peru announced Wednesday, to face trial on extortion and wire fraud charges, stemming from an accusation that he tried to extort the Holloway family after their daughter's disappearance.

McConnell opposes Tuberville’s blockade of military nominees over Pentagon abortion policy

Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is objecting to the normally routine practice of confirming dozens of military nominations, a move that would force the Senate to hold potentially hundreds of votes to confirm non-controversial senior military officers.

Alabama fires baseball coach after report of suspicious bets

The firing was announced three days after a report warning of suspicious wagers prompted Ohio’s top gambling regulator to bar licensed sportsbooks in the state from accepting bets on Alabama baseball games. Pennsylvania and New Jersey also have halted bets on Alabama baseball.

Ban social media for kids? Fed-up parents in Senate say yes

Sen. Katie Britt says she hears about it constantly when she is at home in Alabama. “Parent after parent” come up to her wanting to discuss the way social media was harming their kids.

Alabama church shooter gets life for killing 3 at potluck

Robert Findlay Smith, 71, pleaded guilty to capital murder and waived his right to appeal. A judge sentenced Smith to life in prison without parole in the killing of three people at a Vestavia Hills church dinner in June.

HBCUs capitalize on growing interest by adding sport options

HBCUs are riding a wave of popularity not seen in decades. Many are adding sports beyond the more typical offerings of football, basketball and track and field.

Alabama judge denies bond for suspects in Sweet 16 shooting

Five suspects charged with reckless murder in connection with a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville that killed four people and injured dozens were not granted bond. A sixth suspect, a 15-year-old, is awaiting a hearing.

Alabama education director ousted over book’s stance on race

Barbara Cooper was forced out as as head of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education after Ivey expressed concern over the distribution of the book to state-run pre-kindergartens.

Police make 6th arrest in Alabama Sweet 16 party shooting

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency on Thursday night announced the arrest of a 15-year-old juvenile from Tuskegee, Alabama, the sixth person charged in the case, but court records were not released because of the person's age.

5th arrest made in Alabama Sweet 16 birthday party shooting

Willie George Brown Jr., 19, of Auburn, is charged with four counts of reckless murder, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said.

3 charged with murder in Sweet 16 party shooting in Alabama

Two teenagers and a 20-year-old man have been arrested and charged with reckless murder in connection with a shooting that killed four young people at a Sweet Sixteen birthday party in rural Alabama.

Alabama birthday girl begged dying brother to ‘stay with me’

Alexis Dowdell’s Sweet 16 birthday party ended with her kneeling beside her fatally wounded brother on the blood-slicked floor of a dance studio in small-town Alabama, the bodies of other wounded teens scattered around them. Dowdell told the story of Saturday’s terror in Dadeville to The Associated Press.

House where King planned Alabama marches moving to Michigan

The role the Jackson House played was integral to the Civil Rights Movement, so a family member contacted the The Henry Ford Museum near Detroit about a year ago to ask if it would take over the preservation of the Jackson House and its legacy.

Alabama police searching for clues in shooting that killed 4

Students at a small-town Alabama school, its flag flying at half-mast Monday, returned to class as investigators worked to piece together what happened at a Saturday night shooting that killed four people, including two Dadeville High School students.

Shooting at Alabama birthday party kills 4 people, wounds 28

Alabama law enforcement officers Sunday implored people to come forward with information about a shooting in Dadeville that killed four people and injured 28 others during a teenager's birthday party. Among those killed was a high school senior who planned to play college football and was celebrating sister's 16th birthday.

UAB tops Utah Valley, sets up Conference USA showdown in NIT

UAB beat Utah Valley 88-86 in overtime to set up an all-Conference USA final in the NIT. UAB will face North Texas for the fourth time this season on Thursday for the NIT championship.

US ‘concerned’ by Mexican seizure of Alabama company’s port

Mexico’s seizure of the Caribbean cargo port stretched into its second week Tuesday. Vulcan Materials said that police and prosecutors still had not presented any legal paperwork to justify the seizure.

Oats steers Alabama to March Madness in a turbulent season

Nate Oats is steering Alabama through the best and most scrutinized season in Crimson Tide history after one player was charged with capital murder and two others were involved.

What came together to make a deadly Alabama tornado

Experts say a natural La Nina weather pattern, unusually warm moist air juiced by climate change, and long-term shift in where tornadoes hit all are factors in Thursday's devastating tornado in Alabama.

Tornado hits Selma; 9 deaths reported across South

Seven deaths were recorded in hard-hit Autauga County, Alabama.

‘Dangerous’ Alabama tornado slams buildings, uproots trees

The National Weather Service in Birmingham said a “large and extremely dangerous tornado” caused damage as it moved through Selma.

Alabama woman who joined IS hopes to return from Syria camp

Hoda Muthana was born in New Jersey to Yemeni immigrants and was raised in a conservative Muslim household in Hoover, Alabama, just outside Birmingham. In 2014, she flew to Turkey and crossed into Syria.

Landfill fire near Birmingham burns for more than a month

Smoke from the underground blaze has caused the air quality in the area to reach hazardous levels.

Private Alabama college seeks bailout, warning it may close

State legislators warn that Birmngham-Southern College may close within months without money from the state and county.

Alabama Supreme Court denies new trial for man on death row

Lawyers had argued he was due a new trial because the state failed to disclose a key prosecution witness was paid a reward several years after testifying.

UAB hires ex-NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer as head coach

The former NFL quarterback most recently spent four seasons as a high school football coach.

Auburn hires Liberty’s Hugh Freeze, who’s coming back to SEC

Auburn athletic director John Cohen announced on Monday the hiring of Freeze, who spent the last four seasons as coach at Liberty.