MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Tuesday met for the 13th day of its 2021 regular session. Both chambers had an eventful day on their respective floors ahead of Wednesday’s committee-only day. Here is a rundown of the day’s proceedings:

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Tuesday considered SB 214, a comprehensive gaming proposal that would have made a historic investment in broadband expansion, rural health care, mental health care and education. A substitute version of the bill, as amended on the floor, failed to garner the necessary 21 votes needed for passage. As a constitutional […]

MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) on Tuesday afternoon released a statement regarding SB 214, a comprehensive gaming bill sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) that would represent a historic investment in broadband expansion, rural health care, mental health care and education. The statement came minutes before the Senate convened at 2:00 p.m.; the legislature’s […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday held a public hearing on HB 445, however the committee ultimately did not vote on the bill. Sponsored by Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris), the legislation would create new crimes and penalties for individuals who incite or participate in riots. Additionally, the bill would ensure that any […]

MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey is in favor of allowing the people of Alabama to vote on the issue of legalizing gaming, according to a spokesperson. The Alabama Senate on Tuesday will likely consider SB 214, a comprehensive gaming bill sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) that would represent a historic investment in broadband expansion, […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Tuesday will convene for the 13th day of its 2021 regular session. The House will gavel in at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Senate at 2:00. Here’s what you should look out for on the day:

New York Times best-selling author Andy Andrews on Monday released “Killing Dr. Seuss,” a poetic commentary on cancel culture’s continuing proliferation across American society. Andrews, an Alabama native and resident of Orange Beach, released the poem in written format — complete with Dr. Seuss-esque illustrations — and in video format with Andrews narrating the poem. […]

Birmingham-based Buffalo Rock Company on Monday announced that its board of directors has voted to approve Matthew Dent as the company’s chief executive officer. This marks Dent the first CEO in the company’s 120-year history that is not a member of the Lee family. According to a release, previous CEO Jimmy Lee III will continue […]

An Alabama small business owner has been announced as one of only three “top entrepreneurs” chosen across the nation after Lowe’s first ever virtual pitch competition, “Making It…with Lowe’s.” The competition featured a diverse array of entrepreneurs from around the United States. Over 1,300 applications were received, and ultimately more than 400 unique products were […]

U.S. Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) on Saturday voted against H.R.1319, the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion spending bill supported by President Joe Biden. The bill originally passed the House with no Alabama Republicans supporting the bill, and — after numerous changes were made in the Senate — the same has now occurred in […]

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) on Saturday morning offered an amendment on the Senate floor that would have prohibited educational institutions from receiving federal funding if they allow biological males to compete in female athletics competitions. Tuberville’s amendment came amid a long line of amendments from both sides of the aisles to the $1.9 trillion so-called […]

Governor Kay E. Ivey on Friday delivered the Governor Albert P. Brewer Legacy Keynote Address to conclude the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama’s (PARCA) annual forum. This wrapped up a week of virtual discussions on online connectivity, especially related to the lack of broadband access in the state. Ivey, near the beginning of her […]

Birmingham-based Protective Life Corporation this week announced the retirement of Nancy Kane, the company’s executive vice president for Acquisitions and Corporate Development, effective June 18. Throughout her long and distinguished career with Protective Life, Kane has held various responsibilities for bank and debt financing, securitization, and acquisition transactions. She joined Protective as senior associate counsel in […]

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Lynda Blanchard on Friday announced she is launching an initial television advertising buy in her 2022 bid to succeed retiring Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL). Blanchard, who was appointed by then-President Donald J. Trump in 2017 to serve as the ambassador to Slovenia, said in a written press release that she will […]

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has commented on the ongoing vote by employees of Amazon’s Bessemer fulfillment center to form a union or not. President Joe Biden on Sunday evening released a video in support of the unionization push, which is being spearheaded by the New York City-based Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). […]

MONTGOMERY — Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) on Thursday delivered an update on SB 214, his comprehensive gaming proposal pending consideration by the Alabama Senate. For the past three weeks, Marsh has been working with colleagues on fine-tuning the bill to turn it into the best possible proposal for the people of Alabama to ultimately consider […]

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has announced it is providing 100% coverage for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the government’s phased-in vaccine distribution process. In a release, Blue Cross also underlined that the insurance company is recommending the vaccine for those currently eligible. Blue Cross members on individual, Medicare and almost all […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Wednesday convened for the 11th day of its 2021 regular session. The day largely consisted of committee activity, although there was significant floor action as well. Here is a rundown of the day’s proceedings:

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed SB 215, a bill by Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston) that is viewed as a transformational piece of legislation aimed at increasing the availability of high-speed broadband internet service to every area of the Yellowhammer State. SB 215 was passed as substituted and amended in a 32-0 […]

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) on Wednesday again called on Governor Kay Ivey (R-AL) to rescind the statewide mask mandate currently in place. Ainsworth has opposed the mandate since its original implementation last spring, and he has urged Ivey to allow it to expire each time it has come up for renewal. Instead of mandating […]

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) on Wednesday reaffirmed his staunch support for expanding high-speed, fiber-based broadband internet service to all Alabamians. Yellowhammer News asked Tuberville if he was aware of SB 215, a bill pending in the Alabama Legislature that is entitled the “Connect Alabama Act.” Sponsored by Sen. Del Marsh (R-Anniston), the legislation would create […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House Judiciary Committee voted down Rep. Juandalynn Givan’s (D-Birmingham) HB 8, a bill that would amend the Memorial Preservation Act of 2017. The Act prohibits the removal and alteration of monuments and buildings more than 40 years old that are on public property. The committee considered a substituted version of the […]

MONTGOMERY — Senator Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery) has been sworn into his new office after winning Tuesday’s special election in Senate District 26. Hatcher had been serving in the House of Representatives until his swearing-in on Wednesday at noon in the Senate chamber. He delivered remarks at the ceremony, which was attended by an intimate number […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee on Wednesday morning took up a slate of important bills. To start things off, HB 396 was first on the agenda. This bill, sponsored by Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville), would legalize no-excuse absentee voting in the state. Before any discussion on the measure, Hall requested […]