Government
Bills Could Make it Harder for Gay Couples to Adopt
The pending bills currently before the Alabama Legislature would give faith-based adoption agencies the right to turn away couples they believe conflict with their religious beliefs.
Changes to Historic Tax Credits May Put Legislation on Shaky Ground
Twenty million dollars. That’s how much Alabama would award each year in historic tax credits with the latest bill under consideration. There are two versions: One in the House and one […]
State Auditor’s Book Part of Emerging Race for Governor
Alabama state auditor Jim Zeigler has self-published book about his fictitious governorship. Alabama Media Group columnist says despite Zeigler's claim otherwise, it's a campaign announcement.
Political Shock Waves Still Reverberate a Year into the Bentley Scandal
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the year since accusations Governor Robert Bentley had an affair became public.
Live Coverage of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on Judge Gorsuch
NPR Politics team will live-blog the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. The live blog will include streaming video, with posts featuring highlights, context, and analysis from NPR reporters and correspondents.
Live Coverage of National Security Hearings
The NPR Two-Way blog will provide live coverage of the House Intelligence Committee’s public hearing on the investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. The live blog will include streaming video of the proceedings, with posts featuring highlights, context, and analysis from NPR reporters and correspondents.
Bills on Prisons, the Budget, and Driver’s License Offices Move Ahead
It was a busy week in Montgomery. The Senate passed a bill on driver’s license offices, and a prisons bill. The House debated church daycare licensing. And House representatives passed […]
Birmingham Water Works Pension Loses Millions in Fraud Scheme
The Birmingham Water Works pension fund lost more than $4 million in what’s described as a “Ponzi-style” scheme. The scheme spans from New York financial types to an Indian tribe in South Dakota to the Cayman Islands.
Where Alabama’s Members Of Congress Stand On The New Health Care Bill
To help Americans understand where Congress stands on the debate over this legislation, NPR and Member stations around the country have compiled a database of Congressional members’ positions on the bill.
ACLU Files Ethics Complaint Against Sessions
The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday filed a complaint with the Alabama State Bar against U.S. Attorney General and former Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. It alleges he made false statements under oath, violating professional standards.
Are Alabama Prisoners Getting the Mental Health Care They Need?
At the heart of the recent federal trial under way is a question, “Are prisoners getting the mental health care they need? Mental health advocates insist they are not.
Lawmakers Consider a Slimmer Prisons Bill and Monument Preservation
The Senate this week passed a monuments bill, and a committee passed a scaled down version of Gov. Robert Bentley’s prisons bill. The prisons plan price tag went from $800 million to […]
Transcript Puts Indicted JeffCo District Attorney in a Tight Spot
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a transcript from the case that led to a perjury charge against Jefferson County's suspended district attorney Charles Todd Henderson.
Trump Supporters Rally in Hoover
Backers of President Donald Trump gathered in Hoover Saturday, part of a day of marches and rallies across the country to express public support for the president.
Giving Juries The Last Word On The Death Sentence
In Alabama, nearly 1 in 5 people on death row were sentenced to death through judicial override, according to the Equal Justice Initiative. Judicial override allows judges to impose the death penalty after a jury returns a life verdict, and Alabama is the last state to allow it. Critics have called override unreliable and arbitrary. Now there's a bipartisan effort in the legislature that could abolish the procedure.
Steve Beshear Delivers the Democratic Response to President Trump’s Address
Former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will deliver the Democratic Response to President Trump’s address. Beshear was chosen by Democratic Party leaders for his record, expanding affordable health care. NPR will […]
President Trump Addresses Joint Session of Congress, Annotated
President Trump will address a joint session of Congress for the first time on Tuesday evening at the Capitol, around 8 p.m., Central time. House Speaker Paul Ryan, following tradition, invited the president to make the speech to lay out his agenda in the early days of his new administration.
Congressman Gary Palmer Holds Town Hall Despite Recent Protests
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer fielded questions from constituents at a town hall in Hoover Saturday. Palmer’s visit follows a slew of contentious public meetings involving members of Congress and their […]
Alabama Senate Votes to End Judicial Override
Alabama is the only state left allowing judicial override. That’s where elected judges can overrule a jury verdict of life to impose a death sentence. But that might come to […]
Alabama, the Second Amendment and Reason
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses how Alabama political culture treats guns which he says is not reasonable.
Morale Improved at Tutwiler After Reforms
Following an investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice that found inmates at Tutwiler were victims of rampant sexual assault and physical abuse. The DOJ investigation also found the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) failed to hold staff accountable. ADOC was forced to overhaul operations and change administration at Tutwiler. Part of the reforms involved hiring staff, like Williams to ensure these changes are being made.
Week Two of the Legislature: Impeachment Proceedings Gain Momentum, Civics Test Requirement
In its second week of the session, the Alabama Legislature began laying the groundwork for a vote on an impeachment resolution against Gov. Robert Bentley. This after lawmakers put concerns […]
Trump’s Thursday Press Conference, Annotated
President Trump began his press conference Thursday afternoon naming his new nominee for labor secretary, R. Alexander Acosta, a law school dean and former US Attorney. He made an extended […]
Lawsuits Abound at Birmingham City Hall
A proverbial cat was let out of a proverbial bag at this week’s Birmingham City Council meeting.
New Alabama Attorney General Brings Renewed Attention to Bentley Investigation
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses Alabama's new attorney general and renewed efforts to investigate Governor Robert Bentley.
Transcript and Analysis: Trump and Netanyahu Hold Joint Press Conference
President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. The two held a joint press conference amid differing messages emanating from the Trump administration about […]
Pro-Life, Higher Ed Bills Gain Traction Days Into The Legislative Session
Funding cuts for public colleges and universities that don’t follow federal and state immigration law, and an amendment declaring Alabama a pro-life state were among the issues quickly making their way […]
Rise in Anti-Minority Violence Appears Tied to Current Political Climate
There’s been a dramatic rise in hate-related crimes and anti-minority violence in the last year. The Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham was evacuated on Jan. 9 following a bomb […]
Complaints Around The Birmingham Water Works Board Intensify
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses anger at the Birmingham Water Works Board after billing issues left some customers with unusually high bills. Others were told their service would be cut.
As $800 Million Prison Plan Returns This Session, Some Lawmakers Are Skeptical
Governor Robert Bentley is pushing an $800 million dollar prison overhaul for a second time. Lawmakers are expected to debate the bill in the legislative session that starts Tuesday.
“Sanctuary City” Designation Could be Wishful Thinking for Birmingham City Officials
The Birmingham City Council and other officials want to make Birmingham a sanctuary city. At a meeting this week, the council unanimously approved a resolution granting the designation, which has strong support from residents. Not long after the council’s vote, however, Governor Robert Bentley shot the move down.
Alabama Legislature To Kick Off New Session With More Deliberate Approach
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the upcoming Alabama legislative session.
