Posts by Sherri Blevins — Page 3

Jamie Kiel

State Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville) hopes lawmakers will take up two bills he filed ahead of the 2026 legislative session, which begins tomorrow in Montgomery. Kiel pre-filed HB67 to cut out contact information from non-governmental purchases of voter data and HB94 to add new investigative authorities to the Alabama State Auditor’s office. Kiel’s first prefiled […]

Alabama Tennessee RiverLine

A new Alabama-based representative for the Tennessee RiverLine is set to strengthen local partnerships and expand access to outdoor recreation along the Tennessee River, including in Decatur and across North Alabama. Decatur Morgan County Tourism recently announced that TJ Johnson has joined the Tennessee RiverLine team as its Alabama-based program manager. The position is focused […]

The Alabama Department of Workforce has opened a new Athens-Limestone Career Center at Athens State University, positioning Workforce Alabama to respond to the mounting workforce demands in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. The center, located in Chasteen Hall on Athens State’s campus, is designed to connect job seekers with employers at a time when […]

Ella Cook

Federal investigators say the man responsible for the murder of Mountain Brook native Ella Cook acted with deliberate, long-term intent and showed no remorse for his crimes, underscoring the evil behind the attack. Cook, 19, was one of two people killed during a December shooting at Brown University that also left nine others injured. Her […]

Manufacture Alabama has announced its endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing dozens of incumbent members of the Alabama House of Representatives the organization says have demonstrated consistent support for the state’s manufacturing sector. The statewide manufacturing trade group said the endorsements reflect input from its member companies and are based on lawmakers’ engagement with […]

A group of middle school students from the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) is receiving national recognition for work rarely associated with students their age: using artificial intelligence to study the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The ASFA students have been awarded a $1,000 Promising STEM Innovation Award in the 2025–2026 Samsung Solve for Tomorrow […]

A recent clarification from the U.S. Postal Service is prompting renewed attention to how postmarks are applied to mail — an issue with implications not only for voters, but also for anyone sending time-sensitive items such as bill payments, tax documents or legal filings. According to CNN reporting, USPS has clarified that a postmark may […]

A long-recognized picturesque landmark in north Jefferson County is being prepared for a new use. Plans are advancing to transform Hallmark Farms into the Alabama Farm Center, a large agricultural and exhibition complex expected to support economic activity while providing space for education and public events. Hallmark Farms, visible from Interstate 65 near Warrior, was […]

UAB Health System has announced its acquisition of Southview Medical Group, a multi-specialty medical practice serving patients across central Alabama. The acquisition was finalized January 1, 2026. The partnership aims to strengthen access to high-quality care in Birmingham and surrounding communities as demand for both primary and specialty services continues to grow. As part of […]

State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island) filed a bill on Wednesday that would further strengthen Alabama’s Aniah’s Law by requiring prosecutors to seek bail denial and mandating pretrial detention hearings in certain Class A felony cases. Brown’s proposal, HB126, would require district attorneys to request that judges deny bail when a defendant is charged with […]

Jonathon W. Horton announced he’s seeking a third term as Etowah County sheriff, launching his re-election campaign with a message centered on public safety, leadership and continued service to the community. Horton’s campaign again uses the theme, “A Sheriff for ALL with a Servant’s Heart,” emphasizing fairness, accessibility and community partnerships across Etowah County. Horton, […]

While many states continue raising taxes, Alabama is holding the line. A new report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) shows Alabama continues to rank near the bottom nationally in state and local tax collections, a result of a tax system that relies heavily on sales taxes while keeping property taxes among […]

The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Kristin Nelson in the upcoming special election for Alabama House District 38, a seat left vacant following the resignation of Rep. Debbie Wood (R-Valley). The district includes portions of Chambers and Lee counties. Nelson recently secured the Republican nomination after winning a runoff election. The special general election is […]

Katie Britt

On Sunday, U.S. Senator Katie Britt praised President Donald Trump following the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on federal drug charges. Speaking on “Sunday Morning Futures” on Fox News, Britt (R-Montgomery) called the operation a decisive demonstration of American strength and resolve. “When this president talks, when he tells people what […]

As the new year begins, many Alabamians are reflecting on how they might make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. For some families, that reflection leads to foster care and adoption — an opportunity to provide stability, love and hope to children who need it most through Kids to Love, a nonprofit serving […]

Alabama career technical association

Alabama’s commitment to career and technical education earned national recognition this month as the Alabama Association for Career and Technical Education (Alabama ACTE) received top honors from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) for exceptional membership growth during fiscal year 2025. ACTE recognized Alabama ACTE for welcoming the largest number of new national […]

Winn Dixie Alabama

The final Winn-Dixie grocery stores operating in Alabama are preparing to close. The shuttering is part of a broader restructuring announced this week by parent company Southeastern Grocers, which is significantly reducing its operations outside of Florida and South Georgia. The company plans to sell or transition nearly all of its remaining Winn-Dixie locations outside […]

Alabama Christmas Lights

Alabama’s best Christmas light shows

From large-scale drive-thru extravaganzas to underground holiday displays, Alabama offers a wide variety of Christmas light experiences each season. Here are some of the best Christmas light shows in Alabama: Best drive-thru Christmas light shows Lights of Noel — Birmingham Racecourse Lights of Noel is billed as Alabama’s largest drive-through animated Christmas light show, featuring millions […]

Sumter County teacher

A quiet promise made within a family has grown into something much bigger for children across Sumter County. What began as an extension of an effort to support students facing food insecurity has now delivered a different kind of comfort: a safe, stable place to sleep. The Sumter County bed program has exceeded its original […]

Alabama has shaped generations of Southern music, but when it comes to Christmas songs that actually mention the Yellowhammer State by name, the list is surprisingly short. But what Alabama’s Christmas soundtrack lacks in variety, it makes up for in the legendary artists who recorded them: Grammy Award-winning band, “Alabama” and Jimmy Buffett, who called […]

Fairhope has earned national recognition as one of the best small towns in the country to visit for Christmas. HGTV put Fairhope, Alabama, on the list of 50 small towns, highlighting the city’s signature holiday traditions, coastal charm and festive atmosphere along Mobile Bay. HGTV said Fairhope stands out for hosting Alabama’s most well-known Christmas parade, […]

Alabamians hoping for a white Christmas this year may want to temper their expectations. Meteorologists from across the state are in agreement that Christmas Eve will bring mild temperatures and mostly dry conditions, with no indication of snow in the current forecast outlook. WVTM 13 meteorologists report that forecast models point to a shift away […]

CHOOSE Act applications now open for Alabama families

Alabama families can now begin applying for education funding through the state’s CHOOSE Act, with application portals opening in phases for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. The CHOOSE Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2024, created Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) that allow eligible families to receive refundable income tax credits to help cover a […]

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville met with members of the Alabama National Guard deployed in Washington, D.C. earlier in December as many of the troops concluded their mission and returned home to their families ahead of Christmas. Tuberville shared a message following the visit, saying, “Honored to meet some of the brave men and women from […]