“Rumors and Rumblings” is a regular feature on Yellowhammer News. It is a compilation of the bits and pieces of information that we glean from conversations throughout the week. Enjoy.

HUNTSVILLE — Finis E. “Fess” St. John, IV was unanimously confirmed as the chancellor of the University of Alabama System on Friday during a meeting of its board of trustees. St. John, a longtime trustee himself, had been serving as chancellor in the interim without compensation since former Chancellor Ray Hayes’ retirement in the summer […]

Thursday on Huntsville radio’s WVNN, House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) explained the current push behind adjusting Alabama’s ethics law within his body and the Alabama Senate. Ledbetter said one issue that needed to be addressed was the current law’s clarity, and he cited a lack of a “clear opinion” offered by governing boards whenever […]

HUNTSVILLE — During a meeting of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on Friday, Interim Chancellor Finis “Fess” St. John IV announced that the board will propose a system-wide tuition freeze for in-state students in the 2020-2021 academic year. The proposal will officially be heard at the board’s June meeting and is expected […]

Alabama lawmakers have approved a bill that would allow hunters to take deer or feral swine through baiting if they get a license to do so. The Montgomery Advertiser reports the House approved the measure Thursday, 85-10.

An Alabama inmate convicted in the 1991 sword-and-dagger slaying of a pastor was spared from a scheduled lethal injection after the state was unable to lift a last-minute stay in time to carry out his execution Thursday evening. A federal judge on Thursday stayed the execution of 46-year-old Christopher Lee Price to weigh his challenge […]

During an interview that aired on Huntsville radio’s WVNN on Wednesday, State Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) explained why he and some of his colleagues in the Alabama Senate were pursuing ethics reform legislation. The ethics reform issue had been a hot-button in recent days as prominent voices, including some in the media and Attorney General […]

BIRMINGHAM – The multi-use stadium at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) will be named “Protective Stadium,” thanks to the generous sponsorship of Alabama’s own Protective Life Corporation. The stadium, which is close to undergoing utility work and other site preparations, will be the home of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) football team […]

Some people would prefer not to contend with the robust issues of public policy which are so important to the maintenance of our free society. Criminal justice, constitutional law, ethics and national security are issues of critical importance and the gravity of which can seem overwhelming for most people. Katherine Robertson is not most people.

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) has confirmed to Yellowhammer News that he will not seek the Republican nomination for the United States Senate seat currently held by Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) in 2020. In a statement, Ainsworth said, “Over the past few months, I have been touched and honored by the citizens across Alabama who […]

The future of SB 230, the so-called comprehensive ethics legislation sponsored by Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range), could be in jeopardy given Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) had proclaimed the bill wouldn’t leave his committee this session on Wednesday. On Thursday, despite Ward’s statement, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston) has reportedly […]

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday making it a misdemeanor to drive in the leftmost lane on an interstate for more than 1.5 miles without passing another vehicle, with exceptions. The vote was 61-24. HB 212, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen) and entitled the “Anti-Road Rage Act,” would be effective […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously passed SJR 29, a resolution authored by State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) and cosponsored by every member of the Senate honoring the historic accomplishments of Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), especially relating to his impact on higher education and research in the Yellowhammer State. Hailing Shelby […]

A man convicted of the sword-and-dagger stabbing death of a pastor is set to become the second person executed in Alabama this year, barring a last-minute stay. Forty-six-year-old Christopher Lee Price is scheduled to receive a chemical injection Thursday evening after being sentenced to death for the killing of pastor Bill Lynn.

Episode four of The Insider with Sean Ross features breaking news from Senate Judiciary Chairman Cam Ward (R-Alabaster), who spoke on the phone with Yellowhammer News on Wednesday evening regarding SB 230.

Judy Ryals is paving the way for a brighter future in Huntsville, Alabama. The Huntsville/Madison area has experienced tremendous growth and success, particularly in the travel and hospitality industry over the past few years. Serving as the president/CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Judy Ryals is one of the most influential leaders […]

Governor Kay Ivey joined representatives of Toyota Boshoku America and local leaders in Limestone County on Wednesday to announce that the global automotive supplier plans to invest over $50 million to open a new manufacturing facility in Athens, creating a total of approximately 400 jobs once full production is reached. The new Alabama factory will […]

During United States Attorney General William Barr’s appearance on Capitol Hill to discuss budget issues with the Department of Justice, Democrats made it clear they had little desire to actually discuss those issues. Instead, they made it clear the story about President Donald Trump and non-existent Russian collusion will continue to dominate the media landscape […]

Representative Mike Rogers (R-Saks) joined Fox News Channel’s “Outnumbered Overtime” with Harris Faulkner Tuesday to discuss the crisis at the southern border and his recent trip with President Donald Trump to see the progress being made on the new barrier. In the interview, Rogers shared Trump is getting barriers put up at the border and […]

The Alabama House of Representatives has approved a 2% pay raise for state employees. Lawmakers approved the pay raise bill Tuesday on a 103-0 vote. The proposal now moves to the Alabama Senate.

MONTGOMERY — SB 77, State Sen. Arthur Orr’s (R-Decatur) bill to phase in the privatization of liquor retail sales in Alabama, failed to advance from a Senate committee on Wednesday morning. Five members of the Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development voted to give the bill a favorable report, while six opposed. During a public […]

The Alabama Department of Corrections is looking for developers interested in building three men’s prisons that the state would then lease from private owners. News outlets report responses for the DOC’s request for expressions of interest are due Wednesday.

Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) is planning to petition Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson to maintain the military’s commitment to its national security space launch program. Fearing derailment of the Air Force’s plan to implement the second phase of the established program, Brooks has penned a letter to Wilson urging her to continue as […]

A former spokesman for Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is joining a crowded field in a special election to fill a Montgomery legislative seat. Daniel Sparkman qualified with the Alabama Republican Party to run for House District 74.