A nonprofit organization contracted by the City of Birmingham is facing criticism after profanity was prominently displayed at a community event hosted by a local church. Urban Alchemy, the group chosen by the city to lead homelessness response efforts through the HEART program, drew complaints after setting up a tent at the East Lake United […]

Nearly 24,000 Alabama students have been approved to receive state-funded education savings accounts (ESAs) through the CHOOSE Act, according to data from the Alabama Department of Revenue. The program, enacted in 2024 and launched this year, enables eligible families to utilize public funds to cover private school tuition, homeschool expenses, or out-of-district public school fees. […]

Dr. Todd Freeman, superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools, has been named Alabama’s 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the State Superintendents of Alabama (SSA). The recognition highlights Freeman’s ongoing contributions to public education and leadership within one of the state’s high-performing school districts. Vestavia Hills City Schools congratulated Freeman on social media for being […]

During its latest meeting, the Chelsea City Council approved the largest incentive package in the city’s history to support the development of Chelsea Plaza. The major retail project will span 14 acres and include 16 retail and commercial units. According to ABC 33/40, the incentive agreement allows the developer to collect three cents of the […]

Jared Hudson, a former Navy SEAL and current CEO of Covenant Rescue Group, spoke with Yellowhammer News about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and how people from Alabama are directly involved in humanitarian relief efforts on the ground. Hudson confirmed he has previously worked in Israel, primarily in humanitarian aid but also in […]

Alabama’s public schools made measurable academic progress during the 2024 school year, with gains in third-grade reading proficiency, graduation rates, and college and career readiness. State education leaders say the upward trends signal that recent investments and reforms are having an impact, though achievement gaps persist in some districts. According to data released by the […]

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin has officially joined the growing list of Alabama leaders stepping up—and cooling down—for mental health awareness as part of the Ice Bucket Challenge launched by Longleaf Recovery & Wellness. The initiative, which began earlier this spring, has already seen figures such as meteorologist James Spann and Longleaf leaders participate in the […]

Tiffany McIntyre has officially entered the race for the Homewood City Council Ward 1 seat releasing her official announcement. “I grew up in West Homewood and I have always loved our great community. Even while living in places all across the country as an Army spouse, I always knew Homewood was where I wanted to […]

New statewide data from the Alabama State Department of Education shows that 88.4% of third-grade students scored at or above the required level to be promoted to fourth grade, despite a higher benchmark implemented for the 2025 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) reading test. The updated cut score—the minimum score needed for promotion—was raised from […]

The first Walker County School Board meeting since Sheriff Nick Smith was indicted for hiring unqualified SROs to guard schools took place this week. According to a report by WBRC, a grand jury recommended that the school system revise its policies and verify that SROs meet state certification requirements. However, the matter was not addressed […]

State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) formally introduced House Bill 20 during a press conference Thursday at the Baldwin County satellite courthouse in Fairhope, drawing support from law enforcement leaders across the region. “Today, alongside Sheriffs Hoss Mack, Anthony Lowery, and Paul Burch, Mobile District Attorney Keith Blackwood, and Sergeant John Young, I announced the filing […]

The Mobile Airport Authority has updated the timeline for the completion of the Mobile International Airport project, now targeting September 2026 as the opening date instead of spring 2026 as first announced. The change reflects a decision by city and airport officials to prioritize staying within budget over meeting the earlier schedule. Construction on the […]

Tuscaloosa City Council member Norman Crow has become the first candidate to formally announce a bid for the soon-to-be vacant Alabama House of Representatives District 63 seat. According to a report from The Tuscaloosa News, Crow currently represents District 3 on the Tuscaloosa City Council. When announcing his candidacy on Thursday, Crow touted his background […]

The Guinness World Records holders for the most premature surviving quadruplets celebrated their first birthday on May 31, 2025, marking a milestone many once thought impossible. Born at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Hospital at just 23 weeks and 4 days’ gestation, the Bryant quadruplets — Lainey, Kali, Lennon, and Koen — have […]

Alabama has appealed a federal court ruling that nullified its 2023 congressional map, marking the state’s third trip to the U.S. Supreme Court in an ongoing legal battle over redistricting. The appeal, filed on June 6, names Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-District 8), and State Rep. Chris […]

Alabama police K9s will now be eligible for emergency medical services thanks to a new state law signed by Governor Kay Ivey. The Lakyn Canine Act, officially enacted in May, allows emergency responders to administer care and transport injured K9 officers without fear of legal liability. RELATED: Mobile County Sheriff K-9 unit recovering after being […]

On Monday, Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith was arrested after a grand jury indicted him on six misdemeanor counts related to hiring deputies who were not certified by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), as required by state law for law enforcement positions. Smith described the action taken by District Attorney Bill […]

This week, Governor Kay Ivey received notice that former Alabama Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis has filed a 75-page lawsuit against her, citing eight allegations stemming from his 2024 dismissal. Joined by his attorney, Kenneth Mendelsohn, Davis held a press conference to discuss the complaint. According to WSFA News 12, the allegations include wrongful termination, […]

State Senator Jack Williams has officially entered the 2026 race for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. A Republican and fourth-generation farmer from South Alabama, Williams emphasized his agricultural background and legislative experience as central to his campaign. “I’m concerned about the state of our agribusiness in Alabama,” Williams said. “I look around today and […]

A former executive whose public allegations of sexual abuse rocked the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has died at the age of 47. Jennifer Lyell passed away on June 7, just days before the SBC’s 2025 Annual Meeting in Dallas. Her friend and fellow advocate Rachael Denhollander announced on social media that Lyell had suffered catastrophic […]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is exploring the possibility of relocating its National Academy, a premier law enforcement training program, from its longstanding home in Quantico, Virginia, to Huntsville, Alabama, according to a report from the Alabama Reflector and one from The Washington Post. The idea to move the National Academy is part of a […]

The newly appointed Board of Directors for the University Beach Improvement District held its first formal meeting on Monday, marking a procedural milestone in the progression of a controversial multi-million-dollar resort development in Northport. The brief meeting, however, is drawing renewed criticism from residents and community leaders over concerns relating to transparency and public access. […]

After announcing her candidacy for Attorney General in January, Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey has kicked off her campaign with notable early support from individual donors. According to ALPolitics.com, the Republican’s campaign reported 106 contributions within the first 12 days of fundraising, with donations coming from all seven of Alabama’s congressional districts. Supporters include […]

The Wetumpka City Council has unanimously approved a temporary, one-year moratorium on new business licenses and building permits for a specific group of commercial establishments, citing growing public safety and zoning concerns. The ordinance, passed at the council’s meeting on Monday, applies to new package stores, convenience stores, gas stations, vape shops, mini-warehouses, and self-storage […]