Alabama might just have a delicious new state symbol – the Yellowhammer cookie.  On Wednesday, a bill moved forward in the Alabama House of Representatives to designate a blend of mainstay Alabama ingredients as the official state cookie. Rep. Reed Ingram, the bill’s author, brought students from Trinity Presbyterian School who coined the recipe to […]

While Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing has garnered attention from the public in recent years — it also has the attention of lawmakers from Montgomery to Washington. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall delivered testimony Tuesday to the U.S. House Oversight Committee, saying ESG is a is a “threat to consumers and democracy.” ESG investing […]

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would ban Chinese citizens and entities from purchasing property in the state. The legislation comes amid growing concerns about Chinese investments in the United States. The bill was introduced by Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) who said  Chinese acquisition of Alabama land could pose a threat […]

In the latest development of a falling out between ex-political allies, former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks couldn’t resist commenting about Tuesday’s federal jury verdict ruling against former President Donald Trump. Brooks, now Chair of ALGOP District 5 Executive Committee, took to Twitter to share his latest feelings. While the ruling does not impact Trump’s eligibility to […]

In April, Reuters reported “US manufacturing boom has a real estate problem.” According to state leaders, Alabama, like many other states, is encountering a symptom of economic development success: Running low on available sites for industrial development.  With the state’s tool kit of economic incentives renewed officially until 2028, one component of the “Game Plan” […]

Today begins the ninth full week of the 2023 regular session; there are 12 legislative days remaining. Here are some things to watch this week: Education Budget After a unanimous passage by the Senate, the $8.8 billion Education Trust Fund budget and its $2.8 billion supplemental makes its way to the House. The base budget […]

In Alabama, all motor vehicles must have liability insurance. Under a law signed by Gov. Kay Ivey today, those on active military duty who have their vehicle registered in Alabama, but live elsewhere, will be able to purchase liability coverage in the state they reside while on active duty — instead of having to maintain […]

A new economic impact study funded by the Alabama Military Stability Commission underscored the role played by the defense industry in the state’s overall economy. The study’s findings showed the defense industry provides a staggering 264,780 jobs across Alabama. These jobs generated an annual payroll of $19.3 billion. The total economic impact of military personnel […]

This week, both chambers of the state Legislature passed legislation to outlaw exhibition driving. Intentionally creating tire skids, doing donuts and burnouts, and street racing are all slated to become illegal in Alabama, pending Gov. Ivey’s signature on the bills. Exhibition driving has become a cause for concern in Alabama cities, as it poses a […]

Alabama has experienced more than its fair share of disasters. In the past 20 years, the state has spent at least half a billion dollars to match FEMA funds while Alabamians themselves have spent tens of billions on property damages and losses. Today, with an executive order creating the Alabama Resilience Council, Gov. Kay Ivey […]

State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, a Democrat from Birmingham, lambasted Rep. Kenneth Paschal, a Republican from Pelham who is the only Black member of his party in the Alabama Legislature, using a racial slur while referencing a song by Jay-Z. “When Jay-Z penned that song, he penned that song for a time such as this,” Givan […]

The Alabama Senate approved an $8.8 billion education trust fund budget Thursday. The spending plan includes a 2% pay raise for education employees, a $2.8 billion surplus, and gives the go-ahead for a one-time, $100 direct rebate to taxpayers. “The passage of this record budget and its additional supporting legislation was a culmination of bipartisan […]

A group of state officials recently returned from what they called an “eye-opening” visit to the U.S.-Mexico border. “The influx of immigrants coming across our border, and it’s not just Latin American, I mean, we’re getting Chinese immigrants, we’re getting immigrants from the Middle East,” Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter told Yellowhammer News. Ledbetter, […]

The current state financial standpoint is a major contrast to what Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield encountered when he took office in 2010. During an informative presentation to the Business Council of Alabama on Tuesday morning, Scofield highlighted that current opportunities afforded by a $2.7 billion surplus in the Education Trust Fund shouldn’t be taken […]

In the first major overhaul to Alabama’s adoption system in more than 30 years, Gov. Kay Ivey signed into law Wednesday a bill to ease the adoption process. The 80-page revision of Alabama’s adoption code was put into place after extensive work from lawmakers, state agencies and families. It’s intended to simplify communication between case […]

Around all the conversation this session about cutting the grocery tax, lawmakers in the House voted Tuesday to advance a proposal to eliminate another kind of tax: Overtime income. Lawmakers from both parties commended Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville) for the idea, which would be a first in the country. All other states impose a state […]

Bryce Young, former Alabama quarterback and the first overall pick for the Carolina Panthers, has announced he will wear No. 9 for the NFL team. This is the same number he wore during his time with the Crimson Tide — where he made history by winning the Heisman Trophy and finishing as the second-leading passer […]

Last week, at an appropriations committee hearing, Sen. Katie Britt had a candid moment after a surprise request. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) asked her to take over as chair of the meeting after other ranking members had already thinned out, leaving Britt to wield the gavel. See her reaction: “This is the first time number […]

The House passed two Senate bills to solidify Alabama’s election security laws. They will now go to Gov. Kay Ivey for her signature The bills have the support of Secretary of State Wes Allen. One bill would require election machines to use paper ballots. The other bill will outlaw using voting machines that can connect […]

A Montgomery attorney has been convicted and sentenced for financial exploitation of the elderly, according to an announcement Monday by the Attorney General’s Office. John Warren “J.W.” Godwin, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of the Class B felony resulting from the misuse of his position as a guardian and conservator for an elderly military […]

Alabama is a great place to start a business. And, it’s easy to register that business in the Yellowhammer State. In recognition of National Small Business Week, Secretary of State Wes Allen launched a campaign to demonstrate how simple it is to officially register a company in the state. Allen is promoting an instructional video […]

The Alabama State House – housing the legislative branch of government along with several other state agencies – first opened its doors in 1963. Those who’ve walked the halls over the years will be the first to tell you in what ways the building shows its age. “Between baling wire and duct tape, we’ve been […]

Pennsylvania-based Utz Brands has announced that it will discontinue making the iconic Golden Flake snacks in Alabama. However, the snacks will still be sold, and about 100 employees will continue working at a new Birmingham distribution facility. The company announced in a filing last week: “Utz Brands made the decision to permanently cease operations at […]

The movement to cut the grocery tax in Alabama took its biggest step forward Thursday. In a stunning announcement, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth revealed that all members of the Alabama Senate have signed onto a proposal to cut the tax in half this year — with a full cut on the way. “With record budget […]