Posts by Sherri Blevins — Page 21
Alabama death row inmate Gregory Hunt, 65, was executed by nitrogen hypoxia on Tuesday evening for the 1988 capital murder of Karen Lane in Walker County. Hunt was convicted in 1990 of killing Lane, a woman he had been dating for about a month, after breaking into her apartment and fatally beating her. RELATED: Court […]
On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey announced the appointment of Ami Brooks as the new Secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education. Jan Hume, who has led the agency for two years and has worked there for nearly 14 years, will be leaving to become a Professor of Practice in Public Administration at Auburn […]
Business owner and lifelong Homewood resident Chris Lane has announced his candidacy for the Ward 3 seat on the Homewood City Council. Lane, who previously ran for mayor in 2020, said his decision to seek public office again comes after “a lot of thought and conversation” about the direction of the city and the role […]
Becky Holt, a well-known community leader and nonprofit executive, has officially entered the race for Mountain Brook City Council. Holt is running to fill the seat currently held by Council President Virginia Smith, who will not seek re-election. “As a mom, a neighbor, and someone deeply invested in this community, I care about keeping Mountain […]
Summer travel fun: 20 of the most beautiful places to visit in Alabama, according to Southern Living
As summer unfolds, there’s no better time to explore the natural wonders, historic towns, and scenic getaways across Alabama. In a recent Southern Living article, native Alabamian Tara Massouleh McCay highlighted 20 of the state’s most beautiful destinations—each worth a road trip this season. From cascading waterfalls to charming coastal towns, here’s a look at […]
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has voiced serious concerns about the potential consequences of a proposed freeze on provider taxes used to fund Medicaid, warning that such a move could create major financial hardships for rural states like Alabama. RELATED: Tuberville renews bipartisan push for telehealth access As the Senate considers a sweeping tax and spending […]
A multi-agency search and rescue operation ended in relief Sunday night after four teenagers were found safe following several hours missing on the Cahaba River. According to the Irondale Police Department, the group had entered the river near the Highway 78 bridge to go tubing but became separated and unreachable after losing contact with their […]
Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith was arrested Monday after a grand jury indicted him on six misdemeanor counts related to hiring deputies who were not certified to serve in law enforcement roles. Chief Deputy Ralph Williams was also indicted and arrested on a single misdemeanor charge for allegedly providing false information to the state’s police […]
Jesse Battles, a lifelong resident of Etowah County and local business owner and farmer, has announced his candidacy for the Alabama State Senate, launching a campaign to unseat incumbent Senator Andrew Jones in the 2026 Republican primary. In a statement shared on Facebook, Battles said he was encouraged by community members to run after months […]
Josh Pendergrass, an attorney, pastor, and former state communications director for Gov. Kay Ivey, has launched his campaign for Alabama State Auditor, emphasizing government accountability, fiscal responsibility, and conservative principles. Pendergrass, who founded the Pendergrass Law Firm in Albertville in 2011, brings over 14 years of legal experience to his bid for office. His practice […]
After more than a century of serving the Demopolis community, The Demopolis Times has officially ceased publication. The newspaper announced its closure this week, marking the end of a long-running institution that chronicled the life and events of Marengo County since the 19th century. Founded in 1887 by C.A. Berbeck, The Demopolis Times served the […]
A controversial development proposal in Homewood has come to a close. Samford University and its partners, Landmark Development and Johnson Controls, announced Thursday they are withdrawing all rezoning applications and development plans for the proposed Creekside West and East projects. The Creekside proposal, a mixed-use development intended to sit on university-owned land along Lakeshore Drive, […]
A new law mandating the collection of biometric data from undocumented immigrants in Alabama has officially taken effect, prompting praise from state leaders and pushback from civil liberties advocates. Senate Bill 63, signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey, requires local law enforcement agencies to collect fingerprints and DNA samples from undocumented immigrants in their […]
Sloss Tech, the Southeast’s premier technology conference, is expanding its Next in Tech initiative to provide more students and early-career professionals with free admission and access to professional development resources during this year’s event. RELATED: Zack Kass announced as keynote speaker for Sloss Tech 2025 in Birmingham Now in its third year, the Next in […]
The Brighton City Council voted Wednesday night to retain Police Chief Larry Woods, halting an attempt to remove him from his post amid widening allegations of corruption involving multiple council members. According to CBS42, Woods has alleged that members of the city council targeted him in retaliation for investigating misconduct, including accusations against Councilman Jerome […]
Top legislative officials gathered in Tuscaloosa this week to discuss recent state policy developments and their impact on the region during the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s annual State of the State luncheon. Held on Wednesday at the Tuscaloosa River Market, the event featured a panel conversation with Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel […]
Ken McFeeters, a seasoned insurance professional and former congressional candidate, has officially declared his intention to run for governor of Alabama in the 2026 election. Positioning himself as a political outsider, McFeeters aims to challenge the entrenched establishment and advocate for the interests of everyday Alabamians. RELATED: Tuberville officially running for Governor of Alabama in […]
An eye-opening moment with a powerful message unfolded this week at Longleaf Recovery & Wellness of Birmingham, when meteorologist James Spann and program director Paul Bryant Jr. participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness for mental health. In a video shared on Longleaf’s Facebook page, which has drawn over 1,000 views and dozens […]
After more than two years of tension and uncertainty, the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts is entering a new chapter. On Tuesday, the Montgomery City Council unanimously approved a measure that reaffirms the museum’s traditional dual governance structure, allowing both the City Museum Board and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Association to move forward […]
Alabama’s new Speedy Trial Act is being used for the first time to accelerate legal proceedings in the capital murder case of Ibraheem Yazeed, the man accused of kidnapping and killing 19-year-old college student Aniah Blanchard in 2019. Chief Justice Sarah Stewart of the Alabama Supreme Court appointed retired Macon County Circuit Judge Tom F. […]
Two Alabama-based companies have once again secured spots on the prestigious Fortune 500 list, which ranks the largest U.S. corporations by total revenue. Both companies—Regions Financial Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company—are headquartered in Birmingham, maintaining the city’s presence on one of the nation’s most recognized corporate benchmarks. RELATED: Regions Bank named one of America’s most […]
Case Dixon, a 26-year-old physical therapist assistant from McCalla, Alabama, has launched his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Alabama’s 6th Congressional District. He will run as a Republican, challenging incumbent U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer, who has held the seat since 2015. RELATED: Beginning his sixth term, Gary Palmer continues to wield influence […]
A federal lawsuit filed by a trade group representing Alabama convenience stores has led to changes in how the state will enforce its new vape law, according to the Alabama Political Reporter. The lawsuit, brought by the Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama (PCMA), challenged House Bill 8, which aimed to restrict the sale of […]
Birmingham Water Works Regional Board rescinds general counsel contract, appoints interim leadership
At its June 2 meeting, the newly appointed Birmingham Water Works Regional Board voted to rescind the contract of Deputy General Manager and General Counsel Mark Parnell, while taking additional steps to reshape leadership and strengthen oversight. Parnell’s contract, approved by the previous board on May 6, included a $55,000 monthly salary, a $1,000 monthly […]

