On Monday, State Sen. April Weaver announced legislation that will add material produced through artificial intelligence or “deepfake” technology to Alabama’s existing statute prohibiting child pornography. This legislation was prompted by a recent incident in Demopolis where ordinary photos of female middle school students were uploaded to an artificial intelligence website by male classmates who […]

Governor Kay Ivey delivered the specifics of a much-anticipated school choice plan during her State of the State address on Tuesday night. Her ultimate goal is to sign the first major school choice expansion since the Alabama Accountability Act passed now over a decade ago into law.  “Now, our next step is to provide our […]

Putting legal forms of gaming back to a vote of the people of Alabama – as well as rooting out illegal operations currently pervasive across the state – solidified its position on the table in the 2024 legislative session with support from Governor Kay Ivey in her State of the State address on Tuesday night.  […]

Governor Kay Ivey addressed the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) this morning to outline fundamental priorities ahead of her annual State of the State address tonight as the Alabama Legislature kicks off the 2024 session. Ivey highlighted successes of 2023, including the maintenance of a historic budgetary position in both the general and and education […]

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) believes that the Senate’s border security bill won’t pass because Republicans are united against it. Senate negotiators released the text of the national security bill Sunday, which includes $20 billion in border investments, $60.1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, and $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel. Britt reacted […]

On Tuesday, State Senator Tim Melson (R-Florence) reunited with colleagues for the start of the 2024 legislative session after suffering from a heart attack during a trip to South Korea in July. Here’s what he said from the floor of the Alabama Senate: State Senator Tim Melson  “Thank you to all the members that reached out to […]

The University of South Alabama now has a new Vice President of Governmental Relations, the school said Monday. Nick Lawkis, the office’s executive director since 2019, was selected by university leadership to take over the role. Lawkis has a personal connection to the university, holding two degrees from USA. As part of his new position, […]

Rep. Juandalyn Givan (D-Birmingham) announced she’s introducing a bill during the Alabama legislative session that would require a father to choose between paying for a woman’s abortion or having a vasectomy. According to the bill, a district judge can nullify the payment requirement if the father agrees to have a vasectomy. “In recent years, the […]

Mississippi has taken a major step forward in the process for legalization of online sports betting. By an overwhelming 97-14 margin, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed the Mississippi Mobile Spots Wagering Act last week. If the bill were to pass in the Senate, it would allow legal sports betting platforms such as FanDuel and […]

Our Southern Border is wide open, and Secretary Mayorkas has done absolutely nothing to bring relief to the crisis the Biden administration has created. President Biden inherited the lowest rate of illegal immigration in 45 years, and 3 years into his presidency, we are seeing the highest-ever rate of illegal immigrants pouring into our country.  […]

Over the last year, the House Committee on Homeland Security has conducted an investigation into the causes and costs of the crisis at our southern border. That investigation laid bare the mistakes, recklessness, and irresponsibility of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and the Biden Administration.  There are two indisputable facts that came […]

From the Wiregrass to the White House, Cliff Sims has paved an impressive way to his current vantage over U.S. national security issues — in particular, China. On Monday, it was announced U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appointed Sims as a Commissioner to the United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission, a group […]

State Rep. Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka) pre-filed a bill to allow cross-play competition between Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) school sports and non-member school teams from Alabama. Under the proposed legislation, AHSAA member schools would be allowed to compete against other school sports associations like the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) that agree to adhere […]

Members of Alabama’s Republican congressional delegation criticized the national security legislation that was released by U.S. Senate leadership late Sunday. The $118 billion bill includes $20 billion in border investments, $60.1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, and $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel. While the Democrat leaders in the Senate are calling it […]

Alabama’s leaders are rightly focused on increasing our state’s labor force participation. At a time when three quarters of in-demand, livable wage jobs require a postsecondary credential, we at the Alabama Community College System believe a bold and foundational change that centers on high school students and adults is needed. We can deliver it. Our plan […]

Auburn men’s basketball head coach Bruce Pearl has been an outspoken voice of his geopolitical opinions, especially those that relate to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), also outspoken — instead, against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — released a statement saying that the United States “cannot continue to […]

Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Sarah Stewart picked up the endorsements of a group of Alabama district attorneys in her bid for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. The local district attorneys endorsing Stewart include: Keith Blackwood, Mobile Rob Broussard, Madison Matt Casey, Shelby Bob Wilters, Baldwin Hays Webb, Tuscaloosa Lynn Hammond, Calhoun Lyle […]

On Monday, the Alabama Forestry Association’s political arm, ForestPAC, made their endorsement in the race for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Representing Alabama’s forestry community, including manufacturers, landowners, loggers, and industry, the group wields significant influence in Montgomery and across the state. While other groups have withheld their endorsement in the Chief Justice […]

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Bryan Brinyark, and I am currently the newest member of the Alabama Legislature. Kyle South, who previously held my seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, resigned on June 30th, 2023. The following week, Governor Ivey set the primary special election for September 26th […]

Former President Donald Trump and head of the United Auto Workers union, Shawn Fain, have exchanged words in a long conflict that is dusting up once again after Fain announced his endorsement of President Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential election. According to The Hill, “Biden campaign officials believe the president can strongly contrast his support […]

The Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature is upon us. Though the only statutory requirement of our state legislature is to pass balanced budgets, there will be literally hundreds of bills considered and debated as our elected leadership moves through the session. It’s difficult for even the most seasoned legislator to remain focused on specific […]

Thomas Govan, a Republican candidate for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2 position, announced his campaign has started airing a new commercial that outlines his background and beliefs his campaign slogan: “Go With Govan” “Our television ad lets voters know the fundamental facts that guide my life – I am a Christian conservative, […]

Ahead of the 2024 state legislative session commencing on Tuesday, the majority caucuses of both the House and Senate are releasing their platform and policy priorities. The Alabama House Republican Caucus announced its platform, “Leadership That Works!” According to the Caucus, House GOP members unanimously agreed to prioritize during the 2024 regular legislative session. “Since […]

When it comes to being in touch with the issues facing the people of Alabama and effectively serving them, the state legislature stands unrivaled. Given the chaos in D.C., the lack of direction from government agencies, and Joe Biden’s blatant ignorance, the responsibility falls solely on state governments to restore order, protect our rights, and […]