Called the “front line defense” for elections, Alabama’s poll workers are receiving a pay raise from the state. Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation providing a $50 pay increase for poll workers in all 67 counties. The bill’s author, Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville), said the pay raise will help ensure elections across the state remain fully-staffed […]

U.S. Reps. Mike Rogers and Dale Strong secured major victories for Alabama in the recent markup of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act. The annual process shapes America’s defense policies and funding.  “Providing for our nation’s defense is the top priority for the House Armed Services Committee and I am incredibly proud of the bipartisan […]

State lawmakers are gearing up for a special session to redraw the state’s congressional districts after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the current map violates the Voting Rights Act.  A three-judge federal district court ordered the Legislature to pass a new congressional district map by July 21. If the Legislature fails to meet this […]

Alabama continues to affirm its position as one of the most military-friendly states in the U.S. as new bills are signed into law, according to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth. The package includes legislation that bolsters support for active military members, veterans, and their families. “Military service is a deep commitment for those who sign the […]

Rep. Robert Aderholt announced a major development this week for the future of the Space Command headquarters.

Former Vice President and current presidential candidate Mike Pence will take part in the Gridiron Men’s Conference in Huntsville this weekend. Pence told Dale Jackson the conference brings people together around what he thinks the country needs more of: faith, freedom and family.  “We’re looking forward to being in Alabama today and speaking at a […]

There is already a no-texting while driving law in Alabama. Now, the state has prohibited talking on phones while driving. Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation this week outlawing using a phone while driving. It goes into effect immediately. While Alabama law already prohibits texting while driving, this new law expands that prohibition to holding a […]

Alabama’s unemployment rate for May remained at a record low of 2.2%, the same as April’s rate, and significantly lower than the 2.5% reported in May 2022, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Friday. The 2.2% unemployment rate signifies 51,445 unemployed individuals in the state, slightly down from 51,448 in April and significantly lower than the 57,866 […]

On Thursday, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the historic grocery tax cut into law, reducing the state’s 4% tax on groceries to 3% starting Sept. 1. An additional 1% cut could follow on Sept. 1, 2024, if state budget trajectories stay consistent.  “As Alabamians and Americans alike are grappling with tighter times, I am hopeful that […]

Sen. Katie Britt continues to increase her standing at the highest legislative level of government – which she pledges to leverage for Alabama’s “people, values and interests” and a perspective as the only mother of school-age children in the U.S. Senate.  Reported by The Hill, Britt (R-Montgomery) has joined a team of Senate Republicans who […]

The Postal Service will not be running mail deliveries Monday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. If you’re expecting any letters or packages to arrive or planning to send out mail, be prepared for a slight delay as regular mail services will resume Tuesday. Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.  In […]

A special election has been called by Gov. Kay Ivey for Alabama House District 55, which is now vacant due to the resignation of former State Rep. Fred Plump.  Plump resigned in May after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud conspiracy and obstruction of justice, linked to a probe into malfeasance related to the […]

Every year on June 14, the country comes together to honor the symbol of our history, unity and freedom – the American flag. The tradition marks the day in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States.  The original resolution states, “Resolved, That the […]

Despite receiving a rare glint of promising news last week, Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Randy Kelley unloaded on current and former members in a two-page letter today. In the letter, Kelley called enemies “losers” while reviving claims that former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and Democratic National Committee leadership are involved in a “racist plot” to […]

There are positive indicators for Alabama’s children and students among declining nationwide trends , according to a report released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The 2023 KIDS COUNT Data Book reveals that Alabama has made a notable leap in national rankings for fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math outcomes. Alabama has managed to move up […]

Rep. Robert Aderholt announced a major development today for the future of the Space Command headquarters while a long-overdue decision from Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall hangs in the balance. As a member of the appropriations committee, Aderholt (R-Haleyville) introduced decisive, bipartisan language in FY2024 military construction appropriations that would effectively freeze funding for further […]

Alabama’s state parks, greenways, historical trails, riverwalks, and thousands of other acres will soon be connected by Sweet Trails Alabama.

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission advanced the state’s industry by granting licenses to 21 companies Monday. The companies will serve as cultivators, processors, transporters, dispensaries, and testing labs. The commission, established in 2021 by the Legislature, consists of 14 board members with expertise in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, law enforcement, and mental health. The panel is […]

Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation John Cooper was arrested and briefly jailed Monday on harassment charges in Marshall County. Cooper, 75, turned himself in to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office around noon after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Sheriff Phil Sims confirmed that Cooper was booked into the Marshall County Jail […]

Addressing the critical teacher shortage in Alabama took a step forward Monday with a new legislation signed by Gov. Kay Ivey. It will allow those with college degrees in fields other than education to repurpose their education toward obtaining teacher certification. It also reduces the State Board of Education’s requirements for aspiring educators while keeping standards […]

An argument at a birthday party that turns deadly is tragically familiar in Alabama this year. That’s what authorities say happened early Sunday when an argument escalated into gunfire, leaving one teenager dead in Birmingham’s Inglenook community. Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald reported BPD received a call at 2:05 a.m. about shots being fired in […]

The University of Alabama System will not be raising in-state tuition prices for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, officials announced Friday.  That includes all three campuses – Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and Huntsville. Last year, the system marginally increased the in-state tuition to adjust for inflation – but this will be the sixth time in a seven-year […]

Auburn University’s Board of Trustees didn’t just elect a president pro tempore – they elected an Auburn tiger through and through.

The future of college sports took center stage in Washington this week. A delegation of SEC coaches and administrators met with lawmakers to advocate for federal regulation on how college athletes can earn money from their name, image, likeness (NIL). Sens. Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville met with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, University of Alabama […]