In less than 16 months, the world will descend on Alabama. Over the course of 11 days, more than 600 medals will be awarded to competing athletes from over 100 countries around the world. The Games represent the highest level of competition in softball, bowling, gymnastics, martial arts, roller sports, water skiing, archery, climbing and […]

7. Merrick Garland confirmed as U.S. Attorney General The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Merrick Garland as the next U.S. Attorney General in a 70-30 vote, with U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) saying, “Garland’s unshakable commitment to serving his country is deeply rooted in who he is.” Despite receiving bipartisan support, there are still some […]

Immediately upon the failure of Sen. Del Marsh’s (R-Anniston) comprehensive gambling legislation earlier this week, Marsh’s colleague, Sen. Jim McClendon (R-Springville), dropped a bill with a stated objective of creating a “simple lottery.” The legislation, SB320, which is co-sponsored by Marsh and Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), also includes a provision for five locations with so-called […]

Fifty days ago, President Joe Biden declared in his inaugural address, “Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together. Uniting our people. And uniting our nation.” Most Americans, myself included, listened to these first words of the new administration with hopeful ears. But as we have come to learn, […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Wednesday held a public hearing on SB 227, which is sponsored by Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison). While it has flown under the public radar thus far, the bill could potentially be one of the most costly pieces of legislation for hardworking Alabama families proposed in […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Legislature on Wednesday worked through a packed slate of committee meetings amid its 2021 regular session. Neither chamber gaveled in, and a legislative day was not burned. Here is a rundown of the day’s proceedings:

Two of Alabama’s most prominent elected officials are suing the United States Census Bureau. They allege the bureau’s ongoing delay in providing results from the 2020 Census is illegal, as is, they argue, the bureau’s new method of manipulating its granular data. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) have partnered […]

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) on Wednesday announced that the Consortium for Alabama Rural Water and Wastewater Management has been granted $4.85 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a technical assistance and training program and develop construction-ready plans for innovative rural wastewater treatment solutions in Alabama’s Black Belt region. The Consortium […]

When this legislative session started in Montgomery, insiders told you there was a real chance for a comprehensive gambling bill to clear both chambers and get to a vote of the people. State Senator Del Marsh (R-Anniston) announced he was giving up leadership of the State Senate and would carry the bill to accomplish this […]

Weary students and their equally winter-worn parents look forward to March and a little break from early classes, homework, projects and deadlines. The pandemic has added stresses like virtual learning, quarantines and limited extracurricular activities. With restrictions and safety recommendations limiting long-distance trips, Alabama has perfect Sweet Home getaways for spring break 2021. From the […]

During my long-running personal war with corruption, setbacks seem to outnumber victories. Even so, setbacks can serve to humble our heart, open our mind and toughen our skin. When that happens, they become a delivery mechanism for wisdom and discernment, two valuable spiritual commodities that always seem to be in short supply. This never-ending war […]

The Republican Secretaries of State Committee (RSSC), which is a caucus of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC), this week announced its executive committee for 2021. Alabama Secretary of State John H. Merrill has once again been chosen as the chair of the national group. He was originally elected to this role for the 2020 […]

Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor Jimmy Baker on Wednesday announced tuition will not increase for the 2021-2022 academic year across the state’s public two-year institutions. As a result of the declining number of reported COVID cases and an increase in the number of students, faculty and staff taking advantage of access to vaccines, the […]

Alabama’s first pre-apprenticeship program is launching this spring at Wallace Community College (WCC) in Dothan. News of the program’s launch was announced Wednesday by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship (AOA), the state agency that oversees all apprenticeship matters in Alabama. AOA is partnering with Wallace to create the program. Pre-apprenticeships are programs offered by educational […]

MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced in a written release that the Alabama State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion are once again back open to the public effective immediately. The two historic buildings had been closed to unscheduled visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals visiting the locations are still required to observe […]

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee on Wednesday gave a unanimous favorable report to HB 103. Sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville), the bill would effectively end the distinction between so-called “non-essential” and “essential” businesses when it comes to states of emergency imposed by the State of Alabama. If a […]

The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released the results this week of a February survey of small business owners that showed optimism improving amid a waning pandemic. Details in the report showed that owners were increasingly looking to hire new employees in February and proprietors reporting increased earnings increased as well. Rosemary Elebash, NFIB […]

MONTGOMERY — State Sen. Del Marsh’s (R-Anniston) comprehensive gaming proposal appears to be dead after a Senate vote on Tuesday afternoon, however chatter around a lottery has only increased in the subsequent hours. A clean lottery bill fell 10 votes short in the House earlier this quadrennium in 2019, yet there is some hope — […]

The Alabama National Guard has been commissioned by Governor Kay Ivey to help bring COVID-19 vaccines to rural areas of Alabama that lack medical providers. Two teams of around 55 Guard members will make up each unit. The units will be tasked with distributing 1,000 vaccine doses per day at a given site, which the […]

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced this week the dates for the special election to fill a Montgomery-area seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. The district, HD 78, was vacated when its former occupant, Kirk Hatcher, was elected to the Alabama Senate. Candidates interested in representing the district must file their paperwork to run in […]

7. Increasing issues at the southern border It’s anticipated that numbers from the border that are set to be released by the Biden administration will show a wave of migration at the southern border. The Department of Homeland Security says that they’re seeing “overwhelming numbers,” but Biden has refused to acknowledge the crisis at the […]

On Monday, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to protest an effort underway led by congressional Democrats to expand background checks on gun purchases. According to the Coffee County Republican, if Democrats are successful in their bid, it could increase the waiting period associated with the […]

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 House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill that would allow college athletes to hire agents and receive payment for making appearances or letting companies use their likeness in advertisements. Sponsored by Rep. Kyle South (R-Fayette), HB 404 would also establish the Alabama Collegiate Athletics Commission to oversee name, image and […]