U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell spoke on the floor of the House Wednesday to honor the victims of the bombing at a church in Alabama that killed four young Black girls 60 years ago. 60 years ago this week, white supremacists bombed the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing #FourLittleGirls and galvanizing the Civil […]

The Alabama Public Library Service board voted Wednesday to compile a list of books it considered inappropriate for children. The list will be posted on the website. Parents will be able to submit titles they consider to be too inappropriate for children to the list. However, the Library Service will not be banning these books, […]

Former Montgomery County Public Schools Interim Chief School Financial Officer Brenda Palmer has been convicted on four felony counts related to the theft of $291,000 from the school district, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced. Palmer, whose trial was set to begin Monday, instead pleaded guilty to two felony ethics charges and two felony counts of […]

The University of Alabama has a new executive director for its Alabama Water Institute. Matt Womble brings experience in weather and water-related data science to the position, the school said in a release. He most recently worked California-based Saildrone, which designs manufactures and operates wind and solar powered autonomous surface vehicles that provide cost-effective ocean […]

In big news for the hotel industry, a partnership has been formed between the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and DreamCatcher Development. The two companies have combined to expand the DreamCatcher Hotels brand. “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with DreamCatcher Development,” said Cody Williamson, president/CEO of Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. “Our […]

Mobile-based Austal USA has been awarded yet another multimillion-dollar contract from the Navy. The $91,535,551 award will combine with an earlier contract to design and produce three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700 class craft. “Austal USA is honored to be able to build this important connector for the U.S. Navy,” commented Dave Growden, vice president […]

There were eight traffic-related fatalities in the state over the Labor Day weekend, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reported. The fatalities were in Montgomery, Marion, Marshall, Cullman, Washington, Randolph, Tuscaloosa and Lawrence counties. ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said while the agency saw a decrease in traffic fatalities this year, the goal is to have none. […]

With a Category 5 hurricane imminent and an already active 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, AccuWeather has revised its predictions – now anticipating a higher number of major hurricanes than previously forecasted. In recognition of September’s “National Preparedness Month” across the nation, Gov. Kay Ivey is reminding Alabamians to plan ahead.  “Alabama is no stranger to the unpredictable […]

Mayors from west Alabama have banded together to support construction on the West Alabama Highway that will eventually be widened to four lanes. The group met Tuesday in Thomasville and agreed the changes to the highway are necessary for economic development, jobs, safer commutes, and better access to medical care. Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day said […]

The state’s Missing and Endangered Persons Alert has been expanded to notify the public if an adult 18 or older has been abducted and is believed to be in danger. The expansion, which went into effect last Friday, was created by the Legislature. Under the old requirements, a missing persons alert could only be sent […]

One of country music’s most notable and influential musicians will be celebrated and memorialized this month in his hometown of Montgomery. “Even a century after his birth and more than 70 years after his passing, Hank Williams continues to attract new generations of fans who love and appreciate the music he wrote and performed,” Hank […]

Auburn University has been recognized as the second best college campus for free speech  after a survey polled 55,000 students throughout the U.S. The survey, conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and College Pulse, ranked 248 of America’s largest and most prestigious universities in their allowance of free speech. The rankings […]

It seems that alligators have been all over the news in Alabama lately. From being spotted in North Alabama creeks to hunters in Mobile hauling in almost 13-foot-long specimens, there has been no shortage of news involving the animals. A member of the Lake Martin Boaters Facebook group posted about her recent experience and sighting […]

Sept. 1 was a good day for most shoppers in Alabama once the 1% sales tax reduction on groceries went into effect.  That is, unless you happened to have that tax mistakenly doubled at some Walmart and Sam’s Clubs stores. The company said some shoppers in Alabama were overcharged in the company system after it […]

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth has launched the application process for a $179 million grant initiative targeting public schools across Alabama. The Alabama K-12 Capital Grant Program, authorized by the Alabama Legislature this year, will offer funding across various projects from tech upgrades to security enhancements. “This grant program offers a unique and historic opportunity to […]

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees elected Scott Phelps as president pro tempore. Phelps of Tuscaloosa was elected during the board’s annual meeting Friday. Phelps has represented Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District on the board since 2015. H hase served as chair of the Finance and Legal Affairs committees. RELATED: UA System: No tuition […]

The Alabama Forest Land Trust has protected nearly 83,000 acres of farm and forestland in 24 counties and an additional 13,000 acres while administering the Forest Legacy Program for the Alabama Forestry Commission.  Last week, the trust appointed Thomas Reddick, who brings a strong background in conservation leadership, as executive director. Prior to joining the […]

State Sen. Garlan Gudger was recently recognized at the 2023 Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism as the state’s main tourism government advocate. Gudger (R-Cullman), vice chair of the state’s Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee, was the youngest person  to be elected to the Cullman City Council. He served for 14 years, including president for […]

The Water Well Trust, a national nonprofit helping rural Americans get access to a clean, safe water supply, has partnered with H2Alabama, a nonprofit organization that provides clean water to families in rural Alabama, to help fund the construction of water wells in the Black Belt region. The Water Well Trust provides funding to low-income homeowners with wells that […]

This month, Brady and Anna Peek of Limestone County were named Alabama’s 2023 Outstanding Young Farm Family. For earning that honor, the Peeks will receive nearly $80,000 in prizes along with statewide and national exposure in a feature on “Simply Southern TV.” “Brady and Anna are such a cute couple. They support each other’s dreams, […]

This week, U.S. Senator Katie Britt celebrated $34 million in funding by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for a new Math and Science Building at Marion Military Institute (MMI)’s Perry County campus. MMI has prepared young men and women from across the country for successful civilian and military careers since 1842. It’s part […]

It was 2016 when University of Alabama at Birmingham football players, under the direction of then-Head Coach Bill Clark, volunteered at Children’s Harbor, a Birmingham-based nonprofit that helps the families of seriously ill children. This year. the partnership will be celebrating its eighth anniversary of the “Champions for Our Children” UAB football game. Possibly the […]

Friday, September 1, 2023, will be a memorable day in the state of Alabama. No longer will Alabama be one of three states that does not have a partial or full reduction of the grocery tax. Alabama will now join the 47 other states, including our border states of Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee, that do […]

On Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey unveiled plans for three major interstate projects at a press event at Hoover City Hall, collectively amounting to nearly half a billion dollars.  She announced the widening of Interstate 65 from Alabaster to Calera, a widening of four-mile stretch of Interstate 59, and a new interchange to connect Interstate 459 […]