Government
Brookside under pressure after report finds police aggressively ticketed motorists
An investigation led by Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald found the small Jefferson County town of Brookside targeted drivers to rack up fines and fees.
Alabama’s new congressional districts map blocked by judges
The judges wrote that Alabama should have two districts, instead of one, in which Black voters are a sizeable portion of the electorate.
Trial begins in accuser’s defamation case against Roy Moore
Opening statements begin Tuesday in the defamation lawsuit filed by a woman who accused failed U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore of molesting her when she was 14.
COVID relief funding package passes Alabama legislative committees
A plan to spend about $772 million is set for final passage as early as next week.
Ivey calls special session on relief funds
Alabama lawmakers will put the 2022 regular legislative session on hold to start a special session beginning Jan. 19, according to an announcement by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Alabama lawmakers already planning a special session just days into the regular one
Legislators would use the special session to discuss appropriating COVID relief funds. We have more in our weekly legislative update.
Ivey: State must be ‘smart’ about pandemic relief funds
Governor Kay Ivey called on state lawmakers to use pandemic relief money to expand broadband access, hospitals, and water and sewer infrastructure.
The 2022 Alabama legislative session starts Tuesday. Here’s what to expect
The COVID-19 pandemic will be an undercurrent to this year's legislative session. So too will the fact it's an election year.
Special session possible on relief fund spending
The 2022 Alabama Legislative Session starts this week. But state lawmakers say there may be a special session on how to spend the state's remaining pandemic relief funds.
Guaranteed income is coming to the Gulf South. Take a look at the 3 programs
Guaranteed income programs are coming to three cities in the Gulf South including Birmingham, which is set to launch soon.
Warming stations become a hot topic as temperatures in Birmingham hit freezing
The City of Birmingham will host a warming station at the BJCC Thursday and Friday night in collaboration with One Roof, an agency dedicated to ending homelessness.
One year later: Alabamians arrested in connection with the U.S. Capitol insurrection
Almost a dozen of Alabamians have been arrested in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Issues to watch in the 2022 legislative session
Alabama lawmakers return to Montgomery on Jan. 11 for the 2022 legislative session. Here are some issues to watch as the session begins.
Lawmakers face decisions on $1.5 billion in relief funds
Legislative leaders say infrastructure projects — such as broadband and sewer projects — are expected to be a spending priority.
Former Alabama Secretary of State Nancy Worley dies
Worley also served as chair of the state Democratic party until ousted in a power struggle in 2019.
Judge orders Alabama prison system to boost staff by 2025
The Alabama Department of Corrections had been ordered to reach staffing targets by Feb. 2022, but the judge said that's clearly "out of reach."
Texas-like abortion bill would let citizen sue providers
The Alabama Heartbeat Act would prohibit medical providers from performing an abortion once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks and before some women know they are even pregnant. The bill was filed ahead of the 2022 legislative session.
Alabama prisons commissioner Jeff Dunn to retire as system faces federal pressure
Gov. Kay Ivey announced the leadership change just two months months after Alabama lawmakers approved a $1.3 billion prison construction plan.
Alabama Gov. Ivey draws challengers in 2022 GOP primary
Lynda Blanchard and Tim James are joining the 2022 Alabama governor's race against incumbent Kay Ivey, county commissioner Stacy Lee George, and pastor Dean Odle.
As Supreme Court heard Mississippi abortion ban case, Gulf South demonstrators rallied in DC
Hundreds of demonstrators for and against abortion rights protested in front of the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of a monumental hearing on Wednesday.
Alabama prisons to resume visitation after 20 months
The Alabama Department of Corrections will resume visitations on Dec. 4 after nearly 20 months. But there will be a number of restrictions.
Turmoil hits antipoverty group as report questions contracts
The executive director of Jefferson County's Committee for Economic Opportunity was fired after allegations of financial inconsistencies.
Birmingham Mayor Woodfin sworn in for a second term
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin began his second term Tuesday, continuing his tenure as the city’s 30th mayor.
Labor Secretary Marty Walsh announces $15 minimum wage for federal contractors during visit to Birmingham
An estimated 327,000 people across the country could see a pay increase under a new Department of Labor rule announced Monday in Birmingham.
JeffCo Commission announces $1.1 billion deal with Smucker’s
Food maker J.M. Smucker, known for its peanut butter and jelly products, is bringing a manufacturing and distribution plant to McCalla.
State: Ex-speaker Hubbard’s words show apology was insincere
Alabama state prosecutors say Mike Hubbard's apologies for his crimes are insincere, citing emails and phone calls made by the former House Speaker.
Lawsuits challenge new legislative, congressional lines
The NAACP, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and others filed a lawsuit this week against Alabama's new legislative and congressional districts. They say the redistricting allows for racial gerrymandering.
Alabama judge opposed to death penalty set for ethics trial
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tracie Todd faces an ethics trial in Montgomery this week. Roughly five years ago, Todd ruled that Alabama's capital punishment law was unconstitutional.
More renters in the Gulf South face eviction, but states are still slow providing aid
A slowed rollout to federal aid, tedious applications and non-cooperative landlords are just some of the issues renters are now facing a few months after the CDC’s eviction moratorium ended.
Wastewater failures for Lowndes County’s Black residents at center of DOJ investigation
The investigation, opened Tuesday, is looking into the Alabama Department of Health’s and the Lowndes County Health Department’s wastewater disposal and infectious disease and outbreak programs.
Trash is piling up around some apartments in Birmingham. It is not just about the pandemic
Some people who live in apartments or operate a business around the Birmingham area have complained about trash piling up this fall. It’s reasonable to assume the city should be picking up that garbage, but that’s not the case.
Gov. Ivey signs vaccine exemption bills, new legislative maps into law
The governor's actions cap a weeklong special session that ended late Thursday night.
