Government
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.
Alabama fertility care in limbo as lawmakers discuss legislation
As patients lose access to care, the clock is ticking for Alabama lawmakers to agree on legislation to protect IVF.
Lawmakers promise action after Alabama IVF ruling
One story dominated Alabama politics this past week – an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos are considered children under a state civil law.
A mother asks what’s next after Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children
Dr. Aubrey Coleman, who’s a mom, pediatrician, and IVF patient, discusses the far-reaching repercussions of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that finds embryos are legally the same as children.
Alabama seeks to carry out second execution using controversial nitrogen gas method
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office asked the state Supreme Court on Wednesday to set an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller. The state said Miller’s execution would be carried out using nitrogen.
Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’ under state law
The decision, issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic, brought a rush of warnings from advocates who said it would have sweeping implications for fertility treatments.
We want to hear from you: District 2 in Alabama
Help us report on your new district and the 2024 elections
As March 5 primary election nears, some voters are still unaware of District 2 change
Civics education groups, like the South Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable, are working to notify voters of the change made by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.
Gambling bill overcomes first big test of the legislative session
The Alabama House Thursday passed a sweeping gambling bill, one that could bring a lottery, casinos and sports betting to the state. It’s a change of luck for gambling proponents as similar proposals historically have died in the House.
Gambling becomes the first big issue of the legislative session
Alabama lawmakers got their first look at a sweeping lottery and casino bill this week. The governor also released her plan for education savings accounts.
Alabama lawmakers push sweeping gambling bill that would allow lottery and casinos
Alabama is one of few states without a state lottery, after lawmakers in 1999 rejected a proposal to allow one. And unlike neighboring Mississippi, the state has been resistant to full-fledged casinos with table games and slot machines.
Ivey says ‘now is the time’ for a statewide vote on lottery and gambling bills
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called Tuesday night for the creation of a limited school voucher program and announced support for two controversial measures before lawmakers this year: gambling legislation and absentee ballot restrictions.
What to expect in this year’s legislative session
Alabama lawmakers will be back in Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session. State leaders are already talking about an array of issues from education to the economy.
Will the Moody Landfill Fire Ever Be Extinguished? The EPA Isn’t So Sure.
One resident, a former firefighter, said the fire should be completely extinguished. An EPA official said that may not be possible.
Will other states replicate Alabama’s nitrogen execution?
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Friday that the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, a 58-year-old convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, went off as planned and his office is ready to help other states if they want to begin nitrogen executions.
Alabama executes a man with nitrogen gas, the first time the new method has been used
Officials said Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. at an Alabama prison after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation.
Federal court says Alabama can carry out first nitrogen gas execution
A divided panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Kenneth Eugene Smith’s request for an injunction to stop his execution by nitrogen hypoxia Thursday night. Smith’s lawyers, who have argued the state is trying to make him the test subject for an experimental execution method, are expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Alabama calls nitrogen execution method painless and humane, but critics are raising doubts
The Alabama attorney general's office told federal appeals court judges last week that nitrogen hypoxia is "the most painless and humane method of execution known to man." But what exactly Kenneth Eugene Smith will feel after the warden switches on the gas is unknown, some doctors and critics say.
Alabama plans to carry out first nitrogen gas execution. How will it work and what are the risks?
Kenneth Eugene Smith, who survived the state’s previous attempt to put him to death by lethal injection in 2022, is scheduled to be put to death Thursday by nitrogen hypoxia. If carried out, it would the first new method of execution since lethal injection was introduced in 1982.
Hale Freezes Over
In Hale County, Alabama, many residents have gone without running water for days. Many more are still boiling water.
Spiritual adviser at first nitrogen gas execution asks Alabama for safeguards to protect witnesses
The Rev. Jeff Hood, who will stand near Kenneth Smith during his execution, sent a letter Monday to the Alabama prison system requesting safeguards in case of a nitrogen leak in the execution chamber.
Alabama can enforce a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, appeals court rules
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that the injunction should be vacated, but the decision had been effectively on hold for more than 18 months while families with transgender children asked the full appellate court to reconsider the decision.
Prisoners’ bodies returned to families without heart, other organs, lawsuit alleges
The family of Brandon Clay Dotson, who died in a state prison in November, filed a federal lawsuit last month against the Alabama Department of Corrections and others saying his body was decomposing and his heart was missing when his remains were returned to his family.
Federal judge says Alabama can carry out nation’s 1st execution using nitrogen gas
U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker rejected Alabama inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith’s request for an injunction to stop his scheduled Jan. 25 execution by nitrogen hypoxia.
Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies
A Montgomery circuit judge issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses for “integrated” facilities that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. The coveted licenses will be on hold while he hears a challenge to the selection process.
A lawsuit challenging Alabama’s transgender care ban for minors will move forward, judge says
U.S. District Judge Liles Burke said no to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice to put the Alabama case on hold until appellate courts decide if they will hear related petitions on whether states can enact such bans.
