Government
Attitudes among Alabama lawmakers softening on Medicaid expansion
Alabama is one of ten states which has not expanded Medicaid. Republican leaders have pushed back against the idea for years.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
Alabama mine cited for federal safety violations since home explosion led to grandfather’s death, grandson’s injuries
Following a home explosion that killed one and critically injured another, residents want to know more about the mine under their community. So far, their questions have largely gone unanswered.
Lawmakers consider medical cannabis revamp
It’s been three years since Alabama lawmakers passed legislation establishing a system to govern medical cannabis in the state, yet not one prescription for the drug has been filled. The rollout has been delayed by lawsuits and conflict over the licensing process.
Man arrested in connection with device that exploded outside Alabama attorney general’s office
Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday on charges of malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Bill revamping ethics law advances in the legislature
Lawmakers also took up the General Fund budget and a proposal to increase the number of medical cannabis licenses.
Restrictions on absentee ballot help in Alabama are being challenged in a lawsuit
The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and other groups are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in federal court. They say the statute disenfranchises voters, including senior citizens and disabled voters, who may need assistance in the absentee voting process.
‘Anybody can be a lobbyist’: In Mississippi, incarceration fuels legislative advocacy training
The program aims to teach the art of political influence and policymaking to formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones.
BSC’s Daniel Coleman talks about his years-long effort to save the school and what happens next.
After the news that Birmingham-Southern College is closing, we sat down with the school’s president, Daniel Coleman.
IVF could help her start the family she wants. Will Alabama’s personhood law derail it?
Despite a law meant to protect IVF in Alabama, patients and advocates worry the protections won’t hold — and warn of future attacks on reproductive rights.
What issues are driving you to the polls this year?
What issues are top of mind as you head to the polls this year? What do you want the candidates to be talking about?
Anti-DEI bill becomes law as lawmakers return for the second half of the session
Alabama lawmakers returned from spring break this week to take on several priorities for the Republican majority. Chief among them was a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools, universities and government offices.
Alabama enacts new restrictions on absentee ballot requests
Alabama has placed new restrictions on assistance with absentee ballot requests, making it illegal to return another person's ballot application and making it a felony to pay someone to distribute or collect applications.
Alabama pharmacists urge lawmakers to pass HB 238
Supporters of the legislation say it would create a more transparent reimbursement system for struggling pharmacies. The bill's opponents worry it could drive up insurance costs.
Anti-DEI bill faces opposition from students across Alabama
College students across the state are speaking out against Senate Bill 129, which would restrict the funding of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Alabamians want public officials to mitigate landslide risk
In Birmingham, residents want two properties shielded from development and turned into parkland. Councilors decided to protect one parcel years ago. The vote never stuck.
What do you want state lawmakers to know?
That’s the question WBHM put to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up at Church Street Coffee in Mt. Brook. Despite the early hour, those at the shop had plenty to share.
As Alabama tries to legalize sports betting, advocates point to neighboring states’ success
Increased tax revenues in states like Louisiana are one reason many pro-sports betting Alabamians say it’s time to catch up to neighbors in the Gulf South.
Alabama state lawmaker Rogers to plead guilty to federal charges
The charges are related to what federal prosecutors described as a kickback scheme that diverted money from a state fund intended to pay for community projects in Jefferson County.
Britt used decades-old example of rapes in Mexico as Republican attack on Biden border policy
An independent journalist revealed in a TikTok video Friday that the sex trafficking of the victim mentioned by Britt on Thursday did not happen during the Biden administration or in the United States.
IVF, school choice and gambling dominate the week in Montgomery
Most in vitro fertilization services resumed across Alabama after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law Wednesday night granting immunity to fertility clinics. This is in response to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling last month that found frozen embryos are children.
Two Alabama IVF providers resume treatment under new law
Patients celebrated the new legislation, which grants civil and criminal immunity to providers involved in IVF procedures.
Sen. Katie Britt will stride onto the national stage to deliver GOP’s State of the Union response
After only a year in the Senate, Britt is wielding her influence to carve out a unique role in the party. As the youngest female senator, she represents a new generation of Republicans in a volatile political era.
Alabama governor signs legislation protecting IVF providers from legal liability into law
Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill after it was approved in a late-night session by lawmakers scrambling to address a wave of criticism after services were halted at some of the state's largest fertility clinics.
Alabama’s redrawn US House map spurs primary runoffs and ousts an incumbent on Super Tuesday
Alabama voters shook up the state’s congressional delegation Tuesday, throwing out one Republican incumbent and sending four candidates to runoffs in a district redrawn by a federal court to give Black voters greater opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.
Sarah Stewart wins Republican race to lead Alabama Supreme Court, weeks after frozen embryo ruling
Stewart defeated Bryan Taylor, a former state senator and legal adviser to two governors, to secure the GOP nomination. She will face Circuit Judge Greg Griffin, a Democrat from Montgomery, in November.
Thousands honor Selma Jubilee, voting rights ahead of March 5 election
On the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, thousands marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor those brutally attacked in the fight for civil rights.
Kamala Harris leads Bloody Sunday memorial as marchers’ voices ring out for voting rights
Harris joined those gathered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where voting rights activists were beaten back by law enforcement officers in 1965. The vice president praised the marchers' bravery for engaging in a defining moment of the civil rights struggle.
Alabama lawmakers pass protections for IVF clinics
In vitro fertilization dominated the conversation in Montgomery for another week in the wake of last month’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos are considered children.
Alabama lawmakers rush to get IVF services restarted
Facing public pressure to get IVF services resumed in the state, both chambers of the Alabama Legislature advanced legislation that would extend lawsuit protections to clinics.
Video shows person of interest in explosion outside Alabama attorney general’s office
The short security camera clip shared by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency shows a person strolling down a sidewalk, wearing a facemask, stocking cap, dark jacket and gloves. A statement from the agency described the person as someone who “may have information related to this crime.”
Here are the details on Tuesday’s proposed constitutional amendment
Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will see a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendment 1 would remove a procedural step when considering local legislation.
