Government
Hoover woman confesses to fabricating kidnapping
The Hoover Police Department announced the development five days after casting doubt on Carlee Russell’s story. It is possible Russell could face charges.
The fight over Alabama’s congressional redistricting now shifts back to federal court
The outcome could have consequences across the country as the case again weighs the requirements of the Voting Rights Act in redistricting. It could also impact the partisan leanings of one Alabama congressional district in the 2024 elections with control of the U.S House of Representatives at stake.
Those struggling with addiction meet ‘law and order’ treatment in Walker County
Anthony Mitchell allegedly froze to death after spending 14 days in a concrete room at the Walker County Jail according to a federal lawsuit his family filed in February. The case is drawing attention to how law enforcement treats those struggling with addiction.
Birmingham public transit inches forward with federal help and no state funding
Alabama, the only state that doesn't fund public transit, passed on another opportunity this legislative session. Thanks to car dependence, the state has the nation's highest per-capita gasoline use.
Alabama lawmakers refuse to create 2nd majority-Black congressional district
The legislation now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who is expected to sign it.
Alabama executes man for the 2001 beating death of a woman, resuming lethal injections after review
James Barber, 64, was pronounced dead at 1:56 a.m. after receiving a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison.
Alabama GOP proposals for second Black district are unlikely to win court approval experts warn
The Republican-controlled state House and Senate will meet Friday and could advance separate plans increasing the share of Black voters in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. Legislative leaders say they intend to meet the deadline, meaning the two chambers must compromise on one plan.
Alabama to carry out first lethal injection since review of execution procedures
James Barber is scheduled to be put to death Thursday evening at a south Alabama prison. Gov. Kay Ivey paused executions in November to conduct an internal review.
Black lawmakers say Alabama GOP’s proposed new congressional map insults the Supreme Court
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate advanced separate plans that increase the number of Black voters in the state’s 2nd congressional district, but do not establish the second majority-Black district sought by plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case last month.
Police cast doubt on Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claim after reporting toddler on an Alabama highway
The 25-year-old's return home Saturday following her Thursday disappearance prompted intense speculation about where she had been and what had happened to her.
Bolin Elected to Jefferson County Commission
Mike Bolin is retired no more. The former Alabama Supreme Court justice has a new job as the newly elected District 5 representative on the Jefferson County Commission.
After court ruling, Alabama GOP criticized for rejecting 2nd majority-Black congressional district
Lawmakers must adopt new maps by Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court in June upheld a finding that the current state map likely violated the federal Voting Rights Act.
Alabama Republicans, despite Supreme Court ruling, reject call for second majority Black district
Lawmakers must adopt a new map by Friday after the high court in June affirmed a three-judge panel's ruling that Alabama’s existing congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act.
Voters to decide next district 5 JeffCo commissioner in Tuesday election
The vote will decide whether former judge Mike Bolin or developer David Silverstein will fill the term of former Commissioner Steve Ammons, who resigned recently to become CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance.
Alabama rushes to adopt new congressional map amid disagreement on what district should look like
Alabama lawmakers convene in special session Monday tasked by the court with adopting a new map by the end of the week. The directive comes after a surprise U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the lower court's ruling that Alabama's existing congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act.
Wise drops out of Jefferson County Commission race
Jeff Wise’s decision to drop out leaves only Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin and developer David Silverstein in Tuesday’s election.
Alabama senator says white nationalists are racists after weeks of declining to say so
Tuberville’s brief comment follows several media interviews in which he has repeatedly declined to describe white nationalists as racist. The furor started with a May interview on WBHM
City council approves $5 million to build Birmingham amphitheater
Birmingham’s $5 million investment in the project is expected to be matched by equal contributions from Jefferson County, the BJCC and venue promoter and operator Live Nation.
Tuberville’s hold leaves Marines without confirmed leader for 1st time in 100 years
Tuberville has stalled all nominations for senior military jobs because he disagrees with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s decision to have the Defense Department pay for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. Abortion is now illegal in Alabama.
Lawmakers begin redrawing Alabama’s congressional map
On Tuesday, the effort to redraw the map began with a public hearing at the State House. This follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding a lower court’s ruling that Alabama’s congressional map does not reflect the state’s Black population.
Birmingham budget passed after compromise with councilors
Birmingham’s most contentious budgeting process in years ended Tuesday with the city council’s unanimous approval of Mayor Randall Woodfin’s nearly $555 million budget.
Alabama lawmakers to convene to redraw maps US high court declared unfair to Black voters
The U.S. Supreme Court this month affirmed the panel's finding that Alabama likely violated the Voting Rights Act with a congressional map that had only one majority Black district out of seven in a state where more than one in four residents is Black.
‘Kids will end their lives’: Anti-trans legislation is impacting mental health in the Gulf South
As book bans and legislation pile up, a Louisiana trans teen describes the mental toll it’s taking on him and highlights the importance of support systems.
Alabama must move quickly to draw new congressional districts
The U.S. Supreme Court last week affirmed a lower-court ruling finding Alabama likely violated the Voting Rights Act with an Alabama congressional map that had only one majority Black district out of seven in a state where more than one in four residents is Black. The state must now draw a new map by July 21.
Ivey signs grocery tax reduction into law
Alabama is one of only three states that tax groceries at the same rate as other purchases. Advocates had long argued that taxing food at such a rate placed an unfair burden on families.
Ride the Birmingham Xpress for free, at least for now
The Birmingham Bus Rapid Transit system, also known as Birmingham Xpress, will be free for riders for at least the next few months — though exactly how long remains up in the air.
New voting districts could change again in some states before the 2024 elections
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that Alabama’s congressional districts likely violated the federal Voting Rights Act by diluting the political power of Black voters. The ruling also could lead to new U.S. House districts in Louisiana, and potentially Georgia.
Chief suspect in Natalee Holloway disappearance pleads not guilty to extortion charges
Joran van der Sloot pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges that he tried to extort money from the missing teen’s mother in exchange for revealing the location of her body.
Supreme Court rules in favor of Black voters in Alabama redistricting case
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined with the court's liberals in affirming a lower-court ruling that found a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act in Alabama's congressional map.
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.
Alabama lawmakers close out 2023 legislative session
A proposal to exempt overtime pay from state income tax made it out on the last day. A bill that would have put more teeth in the state’s public records law did not.
Major bills cross the finish line with one day left in legislative session
Gov. Kay Ivey signed both budgets and supplemental spending packages Thursday. A plan to reduce the state sales tax on food is on the way to her desk as well.
