The renewal and expansion of Alabama’s economic incentives toolkit, known as the “Game Plan” moved closer to the goal line today.  The Senate approved two of the four bills included in the package while the House cleared all four. Each bill across both chambers received unanimous approval.  Scheduled to expire in July, the initial Alabama […]

A bill passed by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee today would define what it legally means to be gang-affiliated. The bill increases sentences for gang-related crime, requires juveniles 16 years of age or older to be tried as an adult, and sets out guidance for what law enforcement can consider when it comes to suspected gang […]

Alabama is experiencing a malady felt in most states across the country: A shortage of primary care doctors. State Sen. April Weaver (R-Briarfield) and State Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan) are teaming up on legislation to help stop the bleeding. “If we want more doctors to practice in Alabama, we need to make our state more […]

Alabamians involved in science, technology, engineering and math connected at the state Capitol on Tuesday to celebrate a new tradition: Space Day. Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation declaring the day in recognition of the outsize role NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has played in Alabama’s history and economic engine. Numerous organizations had a presence […]

Pending a signature from Gov. Kay Ivey, it became a lot tougher for dangerous inmates to be let out on “good time” as a new look at the law drove both chambers of the Legislature to crack down today. During a lengthy deliberation on the floor of the house Tuesday, Rep. Russell Bedsole led colleauges […]

Legislation filed by Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston) would outlaw the the possession, sale or use of a trigger activator, commonly known as an “auto sear” or “Glock switch.” Law enforcement agencies across the state have raised concern about the small modification that can cause a big impact. In particular, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the […]

A bill commemorating a slain deputy sheriff is headed to a full vote from the Alabama House this week. The proposed legislation, already passed by the Senate, will steeply limit the amount of time inmates can receive for following prison rules, commonly known as “good time” incentives. Sen. April Weaver (R-Alabaster) titled the legislation “The […]

Alabama-based Maynard Cooper & Gale and Carolinas-based Nexsen Pruet have officially merged to become one national law firm: Maynard Nexsen. The merger – initially announced in January but made official April 1 – promised a coast-to-coast impact of dynamic practice area expertise between the two firms — now under one roof.  In the past three […]

Just about a month into the 2023 legislative session, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed and Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter gave a review of the work done and a preview of the work to be done in the annual legislative review hosted by Yellowhammer News. In Thursday’s event, they provided insight into the major […]

Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville) filed a bill Wednesday that raises the prospect of lawmakers bringing an end to Alabama’s tax on groceries.  HB250 would initiate the state to “begin phasing-out” the tax from its 4% to 3%, effective Sept. 1, before continuing an annual 1% drop until the tax reaches 0% in 2025.  Garrett’s bill […]

In a 105-0 vote, the Alabama House of Representatives approved another bill that will make life easier for families who have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, children.  In addition to passing the first overhaul of Alabama’s adoption code in more than 30 years, the House moved forward legislation on Tuesday that would […]

The Alabama House of Representatives moved forward Tuesday with legislation that would make it illegal to smoke or vape in a car where a child under the age of 14 is present. It will now head to the Senate for further approval.  HB3, proposed by Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham), would make it a secondary offense […]

The Lauderdale County Drug Task Force seized 64,000 fentanyl pills, 4 pounds of marijuana, and weapons from the execution of a search warrant Monday afternoon.  Agents with the task force executed a search warrant at a residence at 414 Plum St. The search warrant was obtained due to the drug dealing activities of the occupants […]

Hundreds of law enforcement officers and first responders from across the state lined the 150-mile procession Monday to pay their final respects to the first Alabama police officer killed in the line of duty this year. The funeral procession escorted Huntsville Police Officer Garrett Crumby from Huntsville to Tuscaloosa, where he was laid to rest. […]

The state’s top leaders stood side-by-side Monday to kick off the Game Plan, a four-part legislative package to fuel job creation and secure Alabama’s economic future.  Championing the proposal alongside Gov. Kay Ivey were Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth; leaders of both legislative chambers, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and President Pro Tem Reed; and Minority Caucus leaders […]

The Army confirmed all nine soldiers on board two Black Hawk helicopters died Wednesday night in a crash during a routine training mission near Fort Campbell, Ky.  Among those who died was Staff Sgt. Taylor Mitchell, 30, a native of Mountain Brook.  “This is a time of great sadness for the 101st Airborne Division,” said […]

A record-setting performance in capital investment last year is yet another indicator of strength in the Alabama economy. Gov. Kay Ivey said the 2022 Alabama Economic Development Impact Report, compiled by the Alabama Department of Commerce, shows that capital investment of $10.1 billion, tied to economic development projects last year, topped the previous record of […]

A Huntsville Police officer died in the line of duty on Tuesday night. One fellow officer remains in critical condition. Both were responding to a shots fired call. While the exact details of the situation are still being confirmed, one thing is certain: The law enforcement response that followed was “overwhelming.” “We received a call […]

HUNTSVILLE — An officer with the Huntsville Police Department died in the line of duty on Tuesday night. Another suffered life-threatening injuries following a shooting on Governors House Drive in Huntsville. “This is a devastating loss for our department, the Huntsville community and the State of Alabama,” HPD Chief Kirk Giles said. The two officers […]

State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) filed SB86 to serve as the legislative vehicle for Gov. Kay Ivey’s proposed tax rebate. It offers one of the first official, on-paper looks at the logistics of her proposal – which will ultimately be decided by the Legislature. Here are the details: A one-time rebate not subject to Alabama […]

MONTGOMERY — On the state level, economic development has a lot in common with competitive sports: Alabama is up against other states and the playbook matters. Before the Alabama Jobs Act and the Growing Alabama Credit was signed into law in 2015, the state had limited incentive options to attract and secure industry developments. Local […]

A piece of legislation some four years in the making received unanimous approval from the Alabama House today. Advocates say the bill will make the process of adoption easier, faster and more affordable.  Rep. Ginny Shaver said the guiding light in carrying the legislation were children in the foster care system and the families who […]

As a former prosecutor, Rep. Matt Simpson is no stranger to the amount of time convicted drug traffickers spend behind bars. With HB1, he’s putting a question to the Legislature: Why does fentanyl trafficking, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin, not receive the same mandatory minimum sentence as other drugs? “You have […]

The Alabama Legislature returned to regular session Tuesday, greeted by a budget proposal from Gov. Kay Ivey.  Consistent with priorities outlined in her State of the State Address, the proposal includes increased funding toward education, repayment of debt obligations ahead of schedule, a 2% pay increase for all state employees, and a confirmed push for […]