As Shelby County lacks even a single residential addiction-treatment center, Alabama’s dominant rehab chain is pushing state regulators to deny a 60-bed project that the Statewide Health Coordinating Council has already cleared, and Governor Kay Ivey has already signed into the State Health Plan.
Bradford Health Services, owned by New York private-equity firm Lee Equity Partners, filed a formal challenge to Longleaf Recovery & Wellness’s Certificate of Need (CON) for Longleaf Lodge earlier this month.
Longleaf Recovery & Wellness, founded, owned and operated by Alabamians, wants to convert a 125-acre horse farm in Shelby County into Longleaf Lodge – a $33 million, 60-bed campus with 10 detox and 50 residential beds.
The project is precisely the kind of capacity Alabama’s own health-planning council said residents need.
At that time, Bradford responded by filing formal opposition anyway – then escalated to a full-blown challenge.
Originally set for an October 15 hearing before the Certificate of Need Review Board, Longleaf’s application was automatically removed from that docket after Bradford filed for a contested case.
Under Alabama’s CON procedures, that filing diverts the matter straight to an administrative law judge for discovery, motions, and an evidentiary hearing.
Only after that judge issues a recommended order will the project even be placed back on a future CON Board agenda.
Bradford’s core message to regulators has so far been blatantly anti-competitive: There is “no need for additional substance use beds,” county-specific planning is wrong, and Longleaf’s payer mix will focus too much on commercial insurance.
The company statedly acknowledges in filings that Shelby County has no residential facility — and still says that doesn’t establish need.
Such has been the playbook of Bradford Health in Alabama.
In 2020, Bradford petitioned Alabama’s health agency for a declaratory ruling to drag a small 16-bed Morgan County startup, Sereno Ridge, into the Certificate of Need process. The project never opened its doors.
In 2022, when Veterans Recovery Resources sought a 34-bed detox and residential program in Mobile, Bradford’s opposition dogged the effort up to the day of the meeting, until they suddenly ceased and the plan successfully advanced.
This year, when a nonprofit proposed a 30-bed veteran-focused campus in Valley, near Fort Benning, Bradford again showed up as the opposition.
Meanwhile, the same private-equity-backed Bradford is busy growing – just not where Alabama needs recovery options.
Through a combination of anti-competitive strategies, Bradford Health is expanding its empire across state lines and using Alabama’s Certificate of Need levers to keep rivals out.
Longleaf’s leaders, for their part, describe a years-long effort to cooperate with Bradford that went nowhere.
Founder and CEO of Longleaf, Colin Harris, has been increasingly vocal about the potential for a new recovery center to not open its doors to serve Alabama families.
“Right now, Bradford is trying to block our efforts to bring real treatment options to Alabama, and I want you to know why Longleaf Recovery & Wellness was started right here in Alabama. We opened Birmingham Recovery Center in 2021, and since then we’ve grown to four outpatient locations across the state,” Harris said in a video personally advocating for widespread attention on the issue.
“That growth comes from two things: the tremendous need for more treatment options across Alabama, and the quality of substance use and mental health treatment our team delivers every single day.”
“We’re not some out-of-state corporation. We’re a local startup, deeply rooted here, raising the standard of treatment for our people,” Harris said.
“Our next step is Longleaf Lodge, a state-of-the-art, 60-bed residential facility on a beautiful 125-acre horse farm in Shelby County. It means people can finally get treatment close to home, instead of leaving the state and paying out of pocket just to get the care they deserve.”
“But here’s the problem: Bradford Health Services, a New York private-equity-owned company that controls nearly all the treatment beds in Alabama, opposed us at the State Health Coordinating Council. The Council still agreed there was a need, and the governor signed off on that. Yet they opposed us again before our CON hearing, and now they’ve filed for a contested case. Their latest move is just another attempt to hold on to power, block progress, and delay us further.”
“Profit over people,” Harris said. “The CON process is meant to ensure projects meet community needs. Bradford is twisting it into a weapon to keep out competition.”
Because Bradford filed for a contested case, Longleaf’s application has been pulled off the October CON Board docket and diverted to an administrative law judge.
Only after that ruling will the project be eligible to appear on a future CON Review Board agenda.
Even in a best-case scenario for Longleaf, Bradford’s approach has added months before any families will be cared for.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Bradford Health Services has filed a formal challenge to Longleaf Recovery & Wellness’s Certificate of Need application for Longleaf Lodge, a 60-bed residential addiction treatment campus proposed for the Sunshine Farms site in Sterrett, located in Shelby County.
The CON Review Board is set to hear the case October 15.
In March, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council approved, and Governor Kay Ivey signed, a state plan adjustment authorizing 60 new substance-use treatment beds in Shelby County.
Letters of support for Longleaf’s proposed project have been submitted by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, and many others.
Alabama-based Longleaf currently operates four outpatient facilities across the state and has provided both mental health and substance use treatment since 2021, treating more than 1,600 clients.
The Longleaf Lodge plan includes 10 medically monitored detox beds and 50 residential beds and would be one of the few in-state residential options for commercially insured patients not operated by Bradford.
In Alabama’s residential addiction-treatment market, Bradford Health Services holds a de facto monopoly.
Bradford operates residential campuses in Warrior and Madison. Its Warrior site alone is licensed for 182 beds, giving Bradford the largest in-state footprint for residential substance-use care.
Bradford, a private-equity-backed company whose main focus has been expansion outside of Alabama in recent years, argues the expansion is untimely and unnecessary, citing capacity at its Warrior and Madison campuses.
However, Longleaf says Alabama’s shortage is forcing care across state lines.
“Alabama families don’t need another delay. They need a place to heal close to home,” Colin Harris, Longleaf’s CEO told Yellowhammer News. “The Statewide Health Coordinating Council studied the data, voted to add 60 beds in Shelby County, and Governor Ivey signed that adjustment in March.”
Harris said their plan for Longleaf Lodge is ready to go.
“Every month we wait is another month of Alabama families driving hundreds of miles, paying more for care, or giving up altogether,” he added.
“This is about doing what’s right for Alabamians.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
The Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed State Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham) for re-election in HD73, which includes portions of Pelham, Alabaster, Helena, and Montevallo.
John Deloach, president of the Shelby County Farmers Federation, said Paschal’s background gives him insight into the needs of farmers. “Kenneth Paschal represents his district with unwavering dedication to the values of God and country,” Deloach said in a statement.
“Growing up working on his grandparents’ farm gives him firsthand knowledge of the issues we face, and we know he will continue to be a voice for us in Montgomery.”
Paschal, who retired from the U.S. Army as a First Sergeant after 21 years of service, serves as vice chairman of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. He is also a member of the Education Policy Committee, the Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee, and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission’s Alabama efforts.
In a statement, Paschal said he was grateful for the support of local farmers. “Agriculture is the backbone of our state, and I’m committed to defending our farmers’ rights, protecting our land and preserving our freedom,” he said.
Paschal lives in Pelham, attends First Baptist Church of Pelham, and has one daughter.
The Alabama Farmers Federation, the state’s largest farm organization, represents more than 350,000 member families. Candidate endorsements are made through its political action committee, Alabama FarmPAC, which relies on recommendations from county Federation boards of directors.
Residents in Shelby County had the opportunity to this week to hear directly from their new representative on the Birmingham Regional Water Works Board during a town hall meeting in Hoover.
According to WBRC, Jeff Brumlow, who was recently appointed to the newly created regional board as the representative for Shelby County, made one of his first public appearances as a member of the group since it was established earlier this year.
The event was hosted by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), who thanked her constituents for attending the meeting via Facebook.
“We had a productive town hall last night! Thank you to Senator Dan Roberts and new water works board member Jeff Brumlow for the water works update. But most of all, THANK YOU to the residents of District 45 and the surrounding area. We also discussed the 2025 legislative session and addressed constituent questions. It is my honor to serve the people of District 45 and Alabama. It is my goal to be accessible and responsive.”
The town hall was convened amid an ongoing legal challenge in federal court over the restructuring of the board, which replaced the previous governance system of the Birmingham Water Works. The newly formed board comprises seven members and was established in response to concerns that the former structure failed to adequately represent the broader geographic area served by the utility.
Critics of the old board had long argued that while the Birmingham Water Works serves a significant number of customers outside the city, the board’s makeup was heavily weighted toward Birmingham interests. The new structure is intended to provide more balanced oversight across the region. However, concerns remain about whether the new governance fairly reflects the interests of Birmingham residents who historically held more influence over the system.
During the meeting, DuBose and Brumlow presented data suggesting that a large portion of Birmingham Water Works’ customers reside in cities such as Hoover and other parts of Shelby County. Brumlow shared figures indicating there are approximately 220,000 water taps connected to the utility, with only about a quarter located within Birmingham’s city limits. The majority are located across Jefferson County, with approximately 90 percent of all taps situated there.
The new board, which has been in operation for about six weeks, is currently focused on auditing the utility’s past operations to better understand its management practices and financial priorities, according to WBRC.
Board members are reviewing previous decisions and policies as part of a broader effort to ensure the system operates more effectively and transparently in the future.
Attorney and small business owner Jarred “Jay” Welborn announced his candidacy for District Court Judge, Place 3, in Shelby County on Wednesday.
The newly created judgeship was established by the Alabama Legislature during the 2024 session to address rising caseloads and population growth in one of the state’s fastest-growing counties.
“I believe Shelby County deserves a district court judge who brings a wide lens and well-rounded experience to the bench,” said Welborn.
“This is not just a job for me, it is a calling shaped by years of professional and personal development. I have spent my career serving people from all walks of life, and I am ready to continue that service in a new and important way.”
“I have not just practiced in one area of the law,” he said. “I have managed operations in the private sector, represented clients across nearly every court level in Alabama, and served in legal roles for the State. I know how to work hard, and I know how to lead with fairness and empathy and always anchored in the law.”
Wellborn previously served as the President of the Shelby County Bar Association and is the Executive Board Chair of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Shelby County.
He actively volunteers with the Shelby County Children’s Policy Council, is a former registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution, and serves as an officer on the Brookland Christian Academy School Board.
Welborn says the position is not a ‘stepping stone’ for him.
“This is where I want to serve. I am not seeking a higher bench or political promotion,” he said. “My passion is here, at the district court level, where people come for help every day, with everyday issues-where fairness, efficiency, and compassion matter most.”
“As I’ve prayed and reflected on this opportunity, I’ve come to see that this isn’t just about ambition, it’s about alignment. I believe God has been preparing me for this through a lifetime of experience. I am ready to give back, to serve well, and to uphold the values that make Shelby County such a remarkable place to live and work.”
Welborn is a member of both the Alabama and Shelby County Republican Parties. He earned his B.S. degree from the University of Alabama and his Juris Doctor from the Birmingham School of Law.
The Alabama Republican Party primary is set for May 19, 2026.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
Longleaf Recovery and Wellness, with facilities in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Baldwin County, has applied for a State Health Plan adjustment to add 60 new substance use treatment beds in Shelby County – a county that currently has no residential addiction treatment facilities.
The expansion would establish 10 detox beds and 50 residential treatment beds in their continued effort to address Alabama’s growing addiction crisis.
But Bradford Health Services, which has long controlled the residential addiction treatment market in Alabama, is fighting the proposal, arguing that no new facilities are needed – even as state health officials acknowledge a severe shortage of substance use treatment beds statewide.
Longleaf Recovery & Wellness is poised to bring its comprehensive and compassionate approach to substance use and mental health treatment to Shelby County. Drawing from the success of its existing centers, Longleaf’s planned facility aims to provide top-tier, individualized care that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of recovery.
The company can also point to a wide range of endorsements from officials who have sounded the alarm in recent years over the state’s ability to treat mental health issues, primarily, addiction.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, along with local and regional addiction recovery experts, have voiced support for increasing treatment capacity.
“The Alabama State Health Plan identifies Substance Use Disorder as a Health Priority for Alabama,” Ainsworth wrote in a letter supporting the proposal. “Substance abuse and overdose challenge the already strained resources of our healthcare and law enforcement personnel. I fully support this effort and encourage swift adoption of Longleaf’s proposed plan.”
However, in a formal filing with the Statewide Health Coordinating Council (SHCC), Bradford Health Services argues that Longleaf’s proposal is premature, contradicts state policy, and lacks credible evidence of need.
“The proposed countywide plan adjustment is inconsistent with the statewide need methodology for substance use services,” Bradford states. “There is no need for additional substance use beds, as evidenced by the SHP.”
“There is no need for additional substance use beds, as Bradford has adequate capacity to meet any existing needs and serves patients from Shelby County.”
The company claims that its existing facilities can handle the demand, despite state data showing an unmet need for hundreds of additional treatment beds.
Bradford’s filing does not dispute Alabama’s substance use crisis but instead insists that the current system – one in which it dominates – should not change.
Longleaf, in its filing, points out that Shelby County residents seeking inpatient care must either leave the county or find treatment in an already overburdened system.
Bradford’s opposition hinges on a simple argument: Keep things the way they are. The company reports a 56% occupancy rate statewide, meaning nearly half of its licensed beds are sitting empty.
On Tuesday, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council will review Longleaf’s proposal and Bradford’s opposition before making a final decision on the plan adjustment.
If approved, Longleaf would still need to obtain a Certificate of Need (CON) from state regulators before moving forward with development.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Most of the coverage of the fired lunch lady in Shelby County leaves out some key details.
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN and from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 99.5 and News Radio 1440, with a rebroadcast on WVNN at 10 p.m.
People are often excited when they see an Amazon delivery truck nearby, hoping it carries a long-awaited package. However, a Shelby County family was grateful for the familiar truck for another reason: the driver saved the family and their pets from a dangerous house fire.
On Sunday evening, Naimah Elmore, a delivery driver for Amazon, was making her way down North Broken Bow Drive in Shelby County. She had several packages to deliver in the neighborhood. While on her route, she spotted smoke in the air and a house on fire. Elmore didn’t hesitate to offer assistance that potentially saved the family.
WBRC 6 News interviewed Elmore about the memorable experience. She explained what happened. After stopping at the house, Elmore left the vehicle running and the car door open, rushing to the house to help the family and their pets all get outside safely.
“I didn’t even think about my life at the time,” said Elmore. “It was just like they need help.”
Elmore described her motivation for acting as she did.
“I’m a servant, so it’s just like, jump into action. It’s always a message for me from God to say, ‘What are you willing to sacrifice of yourself to help somebody else?’”
“If it were my family, I would want someone to do the same for me.”
After first responders arrived, Elmore was free to return to her route but said she worried all day about the safety of the family. When she was told later that no one was hurt, she said it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Elmore encouraged other people who encounter similar situations to offer assistance.
Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sablevins@farmerstel.com.
On Friday night, a routine traffic stop in Calera led to the seizure of 21 kilograms of cocaine and the arrest of two Colombian men who are in the United States illegally.
According to authorities, Calera police stopped a vehicle near a gas station off Interstate 65 due to a malfunctioning tag light. Officers discovered a massive quantity of cocaine inside the vehicle and arrested the two occupants.
They were later identified as Jhorman Zapata and Cristian Yesid Lugo Beltran, both Colombian citizens, now being held in Shelby County Jail on bonds set at $10 million each.
Calera Police Department posted the haul discovered in the vehicle:
Zapata is charged with drug trafficking, while Beltran faces charges of drug trafficking and unlawful possession of marijuana. Police said Beltran is also wanted in Atlanta on drug trafficking and failure to appear charges.
Investigators believe the men were transporting the narcotics from California to South Florida.
“If they chose I-65 to avoid heavy drug interdiction areas, it didn’t work out well for them,” Calera Police Chief David Hyche told AL.com.
“Many departments around the U.S. have ceased making traffic stops for minor traffic violations,” Hyche said. “I have repeatedly spoken out against this and other instances where law enforcement leaders apologize for enforcing the law or change policy to appease critics.”
He added that in his five years with Calera police, officers have rescued two children during minor traffic stops and have now prevented a significant quantity of cocaine from reaching the illegal drug market.
“Weak and passive law enforcement encourages criminal activity,” Hyche said.
Multiple agencies are now involved, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
When the 2025 legislative year begins in February, State Senator Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia) will begin his 52nd year in the Alabama Legislature. He is the longest-serving legislator in Alabama history. Jabo Waggoner is more than a senior member of the State Senate; he is one of the most accomplished senators in state history.
Jabo Waggoner has done a lot for Alabama, but especially for his native and beloved Jefferson County. I said words to this effect in a column in May of 2023 and stated that it would take a book to chronicle his legislative accomplishments. Some people came to me afterward and asked me to write Jabo’s biography. I accepted the challenge and have written Jabo Waggoner: An Alabama Political Legend.
At the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, the biography will be commemorated with a ceremony and book signing event at the Capitol. It will be attended by every major officeholder in the state, including Governor Ivey, all members of the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives, numerous judges, and throngs of lobbyists and admirers.
In all my years of following Alabama politics, I have never seen a more modest or amicable leader than Jabo Waggoner. I have never seen or heard of anyone who has ever met Jabo who did not like him. He will be recorded as not only the longest-serving legislator in state history but also the most beloved and greatest state senator in Alabama history.
Therefore, it goes without saying that Jabo Waggoner is the greatest and most accomplished state senator in the history of Jefferson County, Alabama’s largest and most populous county. The theme of this book, Jabo Waggoner: An Alabama Political Legend, is that over his five decades of leadership, his influence is inextricably tied to the transformation of Birmingham and Jefferson County from a blue-collar steel city to a high-tech international UAB medical mecca and economic center of our state.
He is not the only reason Jefferson County has been transformed into one of the nation’s premier medical and economic centers, but there is a distinct correlation between Jabo’s 51 years of legislative leadership and the transformation of Birmingham since 1966.
In the 1970s, Waggoner sponsored legislation that spearheaded the purchase of 45 blocks in downtown Birmingham for UAB’s expansion. UAB purchased this property, which was valued at $8.5 million at that time. That land is worth well over $300 million today. That legislative act has enabled UAB to grow into one of the premier medical and research institutions in America and the “Crown Jewel” of Alabama.
Jabo Waggoner served 17 years in the Alabama House of Representatives before being elected to the Alabama Senate in 1990. During his 35 years in the Senate, he has held most major leadership posts, including his current chairmanship of the powerful Rules Committee. Jabo was the Minority Leader of the State Senate from 1999 until the Republicans gained the legislative majority in 2010. He was the first Republican Majority Leader, then relinquished that role to be the Rules Chairman, where he currently serves.
Jabo is revered in Jefferson County, but his popularity extends beyond Jefferson and Shelby counties. When Kay Ivey was running for Governor for her first full term in 2018, she asked Jabo to be her titular campaign manager. He introduced her as she announced her candidacy.
Jabo is adored by his senate colleagues, especially the younger state senators. He has mentored dozens over the years.
Jabo has been married to his high school sweetheart, Marilyn, for more than 66 years. I have never met a more beautiful or sweeter lady than Marilyn Waggoner. She and Jabo have lived in the same home in the heart of Vestavia for 58 years. They raised their four children there. They love Vestavia, and Vestavia loves them.
The Mayor of Vestavia, Ashley Curry, and city fathers have built a showcase museum of Jabo Waggoner and his achievements for Vestavia in the City Hall administrative building on Highway 31, which is adjacent to the magnificent Civic Center. It is worth viewing. In addition, the city recently named the Vestavia Hills High School baseball field “The Waggoner Family Field.” There is a chapter in the book titled “Mr. Vestavia.”
Jabo and Marilyn are ardent members of the Homewood Church of Christ. They attend almost every Sunday and sit with their best friends, Dr. Swaid and Christy Swaid. Some of Jabo’s and Marilyn’s children attend the same church. Jabo is a devout member of the Church of Christ. He is on the Board of Trustees of Faulkner University.
Jabo Waggoner’s over 50 years of legislative service will probably never be matched. He has served with eleven governors.
Jabo Waggoner is an icon of Alabama’s political history.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.
It’s peak deer hunting season in the state of Alabama. During this time of year, known as “the rut,” bucks are in search of a mate and are far less likely to show caution in the daytime.
One Alabama hunter took advantage of “the rut.”
Greg Robertson of Shelby County bagged a 14-point buck Jan. 15. However, it wasn’t just the size of the buck that was noteworthy, it was also the fact that Robertson was only 100 yards away from his home when he took down the massive deer.
“There was a doe that came out and she stood around and laid down in the wide open for about 45 minutes,” Robertson said. “She got up, went to a couple scrapes, then started to ease off the power line. About 10 minutes after she eased off, he came out right where she went in.”
Robertson said he was having his morning coffee and a snack when the buck first appeared.
“As soon as he stepped out, I had a coffee cup in one hand and an Oreo in the other hand,” he said. “I dropped the Oreo and set the coffee cup down. I picked my rifle up and put him in the scope.”
Deer season in several parts of the state has ended or will end Jan. 27. For most of the state, it wraps up Feb. 10.
On average, hunters in Alabama kill more than 300,000 deer a year. There is a three-deer limit per each hunter.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
State Rep. Susan DuBose said she appreciates Gov. Kay Ivey for showing concern about sexually suggestive material being displayed for children in Alabama libraries.
Ivey released a letter to the director of the Alabama Public Library Service this week, in which she asked about material being exposed to students across the state in public libraries.
DuBose (R-Hoover) discussed the issue Wednesday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program.”
“I want to thank Governor Ivey. She’s asking questions as she should of the Alabama Public Service Library Board and of the director, Dr. Pack,” DuBose said. “And I appreciate that.”
The lawmaker said she plans to speak to the board soon to address the problem and “hold them accountable.”
“I’m going to the board meetings,” she said. “I’m going to speak to the board and I’m going to ask them. I’m going to hold them accountable. Because we have an opportunity to decide how much money. We have the power of the purse in the House and we send millions and millions of dollars to our libraries.”
DuBose discussed how even her local library in north Shelby County was promoting transgender materials to children.
“[W]e have parents taking kids to sign up for summer reading in June and noticed a transgender display of books in the young children’s section,” she said. “So, our North Shelby County Library did a huge display in the children’s section and every single book was about children learning about transgender, introducing them to that subject. So parents weren’t ready for their kids to meet that topic.”
She is calling on parents to speak out and stand up to their local officials who keep pushing these kinds of materials on young children.
“The best way is from the ground up,” she said. “And that’s how we’ve gotten this attention so far. That’s what got Governor Ivey involved, got her started asking questions.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook) is once again claiming that voting laws are too strict in the Yellowhammer State.
Jones made the comments during a symposium Wednesday in Birmingham led by U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).
“Alabama does a pretty good job of registering people to vote, but then we just make it hard to get to vote,” Jones said. “You’ve got to go between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on one day no matter what is going on in your life, no matter what is going on with the weather, that is the time you vote. And if you want to vote absentee you’ve got to jump through a whole bunch of hoops.
“If you want to vote early, you can’t just vote early in Alabama, you’ve got to vote absentee early in Alabama. It’s just a bizarre way of looking at things. But we make it very difficult.”
The symposium, “Shelby County a Decade Later: The Path Forward in Our Ongoing Fight for the Right to Vote,” marked the 10-year anniversary of the Alabama v. Holder Supreme Court ruling that the coverage formula in Section 4(b) of the Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional.
Jones said Alabama has historically been on the wrong side when it comes to the issue of voting rights.
“When we have the ability to restrict voting, we are always on the front lines, right there at the front leading the charge,” he said. “We started immediately right after the Shelby County decision by enacting a very stringent voter ID law, which I think everyone understands, knows the statistics show that really affects communities of color more than it affects anyone else.
“And the problem Alabama had particularly is in the number of IDs, they restrict the number of IDs.”
He also said the current voting laws are one reason why Alabama has lower voter turnout than other states.
“We have seen some record numbers in the number of people voting, but it’s still low,” he argued. “And in the states that were affected by the Voting Rights Act and what the Shelby County decision did, in those states our voting is still below the national average.”
The event was joined by civil rights leaders and lawmakers and discussed “the road ahead for voting rights and ensuring access to the ballot for every eligible American,” according to the website.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
Bobby Madison Jr. is the Employee Concerns coordinator for Alabama Power, but the “concerns” part of his title extends beyond the workplace.
He uses his skills and past success in the game of basketball to give back to the community – especially young people – through his annual basketball camp in Shelby County.
“I’m from a small town where kids don’t really have the opportunity to see or attend camps and have a positive influence – someone that they can say, ‘Hey, he grew up right down the street from here, and he’s done this and went on to play in college and professionally,’” Madison said. “So, it was something that I always wanted to do just to kind of give back to the community and to share my love and passion for basketball with kids. In order for kids and youth to be successful, they have to see success.”
Bobby Madison Jr. is the Concerns coordinator for Alabama Power. (Anthony Cook / Alabama News Center)
And the entire Madison family makes the basketball camp a team effort.
“At my basketball camp, the first people you’ll see is my mom, greeting every parent and every kid who walks in the door with a smile, saying hello to them,” Madison said. “And my dad is more behind the scenes running all the errands for anything I need.”
Madison’s wife, Courtney, is the principal at Elvin Hill Elementary School, and she helps with organizing the camp of 125-175 kids.
“It takes a lot of structure, and she’s very good at it,” he said. “Her school has over 500 students so when we start camp, I just give her the mic and let her run the show. She’s great with everything that we do as far as camp goes.”
The Madisons have two sons – Brayden, a rising fifth-grader, and Bryson, a rising first-grader – who both attend their dad’s annual basketball camp.
“They both are really involved in sports, but the thing I try to instill in them is that it’s not only about sports,” Madison said, “it’s about the impact you make on people and living the way God wants us to live and try to be that light and positive example for people you come in contact with.”
Now in its 13th year, the camp has become one of the most anticipated in the Birmingham area. A Columbiana native, Madison played basketball at Shelby County High School, where he earned a scholarship to Southern Union State Community College. He then transferred to Western Michigan University where he earned a degree in business management. Following graduation, he played professional basketball in Europe for seven years.
“Knee injuries and a few extra pounds, and I kinda had to retire,” he said. “But I still wanted to give back to the game and spend some time sharing my love of basketball and teaching some of the lessons I’ve learned to the kids.”
Madison said he started out playing baseball as a young kid, but a growth spurt steered his sports interests toward basketball. He’s 6 feet 5 inches tall, has an older brother, Kei, who’s 6 feet 9 inches, and a younger brother, Tyler, who’s 6 feet 4 inches. The Madison men all played basketball beyond high school, including their dad, who played at the college level.
“My older brother played in the NBA for a little while, played with the Harlem Globetrotters for a little while and played over in Europe for a while,” Madison said. “My younger brother graduated from UAB. He played there when they made a deep NCAA tournament run about four or five years ago, so it’s kind of a family thing.”
Madison’s appreciation for the game extends beyond a casual hobby; he loves basketball for the experiences it has afforded him.
“I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to travel the world, earn a basketball scholarship and earn my degree through playing a sport that I love,” he said. “I’ve seen places around the world that I never thought I’d see. I actually got to jet ski on the Red Sea through playing basketball.”
Madison also appreciates how that passion can open doors to reaching the next generation.
This year’s Bobby Madison Basketball Camp will be June 19-22 from 8 a.m. to noon each day at Columbiana Middle School. (contributed)
“What I get out of it is, when I walk in (to camp) the first day and I hear the kids laughing and enjoying and the smiles that I see on their faces, and saying they love basketball camp,” he said. “I’ve had a few kids in camp who’ve gone on to play college basketball, so just knowing that I could possibly be impacting a young man or girl’s life in a positive way is the kind of thing that keeps me going.”
In July, Madison will mark 10 years with Alabama Power. As the Employee Concerns coordinator, his team deals with any employee-related issues. He started his Alabama Power career in the professional development program for the Customer Service department, then worked in Accounting before transitioning to Concerns.
Madison said basketball has taught him life lessons that he uses today as a professional at Alabama Power. “My high school coach taught us the seven Ps of preparation: Proper prior planning prevents painful poor performances,” he said. “Basketball teaches you about being on time, teamwork, discipline, communication … I use those things every day in my work career.”
But those learnings were layered on top of the foundational lessons taught to him by his father, Bobby Madison Sr., who retired from Alabama Power after 42 years in the Supply Chain organization, and his mother, Vera Madison, who works as a substitute at Shelby County High School.
“My parents instilled in me certain values that I should always put in my life and how I interact with people on a daily basis,” Bobby said. “They taught us hard work, dedication, commitment. They always encourage us to put God first in everything we do. A lot of things I do today are because of my parents.”
The Bobby Madison Basketball Camp, for boys and girls ages 6-12, takes place June 19-22 at Columbiana Middle School. For information and to sign up, click here. The Shelby County Reporter contributed to this story.
(Courtesy of Alabama NewCenter)
The state of Alabama opposes a last-ditch effort by a convicted murderer to halt his scheduled execution this month.
Alan Eugene Miller, 57, is on death row for the 1999 shooting of three men during a workplace rampage in Shelby County.
Miller, who is set to be put to death by lethal injection Sept. 22, has filed a lawsuit claiming the state lost paperwork he filed choosing an alternative form of execution.
Alabama law allows inmates to select nitrogen hypoxia as their preferred method of death. The law, instituted in 2018, provides inmates a set period of time to submit a request.
Last week, attorneys representing Miller filed suit against the state seeking to place on hold the planned execution.
“If the State had not lost Mr. Miller’s form, Mr. Miller would otherwise be executed by nitrogen hypoxia,” the convicted murderer’s attorneys wrote in the court filing.
According to the Associated Press, Alabama has yet to develop a system to carry out nitrogen hypoxia-induced executions. Due to this, the state is not scheduling executions for inmates who choose this as an alternative.
In a sworn affidavit, Miller stated, “I gave my signed form to the correctional officer who was collecting the forms.”
However, the state said it had no record of Miller’s election form.
In a request filed Wednesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall argued against the inmate’s lawsuit to prevent the execution from moving forward.
U.S. District Judge Austin Huffaker on Thursday ordered Miller had until Monday to present his case to the court outlining why the judge should not grant Marshall’s motion, WVTM 13 reports.
Miller is set to become the 224th inmate put to death by the state.
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) on Friday announced that it had endorsed the reelection campaign of State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills).
Waggoner is a graduate of Birmingham Southern College and holds a law degree from Birmingham School of Law.
The highly respected legislator was first elected in 1966 to the Alabama House of Representatives, where served for nearly two decades until being elected to the legislature’s upper chamber in 1983.
He formerly served as Senate minority leader from 2002 to 2010 before assuming the role of Senate majority leader, a position he held for four years.
Waggoner previously played an integral part in passing legislation to form the Alabama Commission on Artificial Intelligence, for which he went on to serve as vice chair.
AFA president and CEO Chris Isaacson made mention of his longstanding friendship with the senator and his wife. He also took note of Waggoner, who is the Senate’s longest-serving Republican, playing a significant role in ushering in the era of GOP control in the legislature.
“Jabo and Marilyn have been friends of mine and this Association since I started here,” advised Isaacson. “He was part of the beginning of the Republican movement in Alabama at a time when all of the state’s Republicans could have held a meeting in a phone booth.”
He added, “He was instrumental in orchestrating the change in leadership in the State Legislature in 2010 and brought prospective candidates to our building to give them their first introduction to the Montgomery political community. We are pleased that he wants to participate in public service for four more years and proud to endorse him again for reelection.”
Waggoner is presently chairman of the powerful Senate Rules Committee, where he plays an influential role in determining the Senate’s business agenda. Additionally, the senator is vice chairman of the Senate Confirmations Committee.
Waggoner asserted that he stood ready to continue his efforts in supporting issues of importance to the forestry community.
“I am very honored to be supported by the Alabama Forestry Association. Forestry and forest products are an integral part of Alabama’s thriving economy,” said Waggoner. “As chair of the Senate Rules Committee, I appreciate the insights and analysis AFA provides on legislation that impacts this important industry. I am committed to the continued successes and job creation of our state’s forestry industry.”
Senate District 16 includes portions of Shelby and Jefferson Counties. The primary election is slated to occur on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
The creation of four vivid murals painted by local artists was announced Thursday in a partnership between The World Games 2022 and Hibbett | City Gear.
The murals will be on public display at various locations in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.
“It’s the Right Time” is the theme of the legacy mural project, which is centered around The World Games 2022 message promoting diversity and inclusion with public artwork. According to the announcement, the message hones in on the topics of acceptance, kindness, teamwork and compassion.
Nick Sellers, CEO of The World Games 2022, touched on the artwork’s theme.
“More than ever, we need positive reminders of all we can achieve when we embrace our differences and work together,” said Sellers. “Our goal with The World Games is not only to bring an exciting international sports competition to Birmingham, but to also leave a legacy of lasting improvements to our community and state. Our legacy mural project is a big part of that effort, and we are thankful to be working with an excellent partner in Hibbett | City Gear.”
Officials representing both entities of the partnership played witness to artist Meghan McCollum’s work on the first mural located at Pepper Place near Third Avenue South. The theme of the mural is “It’s the Right Time to Believe in Birmingham.”
Hibbett | City Gear CEO Mike Longo expressed his excitement over the mural campaign partnership with The World Games 2022.
“We are excited to partner with The World Games 2022 on the ‘It’s the Right Time’ mural campaign that features talented artists in our community,” said Longo. “We have called Birmingham home for over 75 years and we’re proud to welcome others, like The World Games, to our beautiful city. We are looking forward to seeing these murals come to life and the Opening Ceremony next summer.”
The locations of the three other murals will be announced in the future.
An online contest was announced by executive vice president of The World Games 2022 Kathy Boswell which allows citizens to vote on determining the themes of one of the murals.
The World Games 2022 Birmingham will launch a social media campaign on October 18 allowing fans to choose from four different phrases for the final mural. The winner will be announced on social media on Monday, November 8.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Fresh off a historic victory in House District 73’s special election earlier this year, State Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham) on Tuesday announced that he will seek to serve a full term in the Alabama House of Representatives.
Paschal was successful in his bid to fulfill the remainder of former State Rep. Matt Fridy’s (R-Montevallo) term. His election to the lower chamber saw the first black Republican elected to the legislature since Reconstruction.
In announcing his bid to serve a full term, Paschal expressed gratitude to his constituents for placing confidence in him to serve them in Montgomery.
“I want to again thank the voters of Shelby County for the trust they placed in me during the three special elections,” said Paschal. “I’ve only represented District 73 for the past three months, but I’ve met so many great people and it has only reinforced my commitment to public service.”
“Today, I’m officially announcing that I will be running for a full term in 2022. As I’ve said all along, I’m running for God and country. That hasn’t changed,” he advised. “We need strong conservatives in Montgomery who will stand up for what we believe.”
Upon his election, Paschal was appointed by House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia) to serve on the Constitution, Campaigns, and Elections Committee as well as the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
The retired, 21-year U.S. Army veteran was raised in the town of Eclectic and in 2006 moved to Shelby County. Paschal is a past commander of the American Legion and a member of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
Additionally, he holds a seat on the Shelby County GOP Executive Committee and was recently appointed by Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl to serve as the state GOP minority outreach coordinator.
Paschal dedicates his time serving numerous pro-family organizations including the Alabama Family Rights Association, where he seeks to shield families from government overreach as well as to protect children and families from abuse. Since 2008, he has attended First Baptist Church in Pelham.
House District 73 is currently includes portions of Alabaster, Calera, Chelsea, Helena, Montevallo, Pelham and unincorporated Brantleyville. The primary election is set to take place on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Retired banker Susan DuBose on Monday announced her candidacy for the Alabama House of Representatives, District 45.
DuBose is retired from Compass Bank after years of service as a residential, commercial, construction loan officer and business development officer. According to the announcement, she has involved herself in the political arena for many years in the grassroots promoting conservative causes.
“I am humbled by the opportunity to fight for each citizen of District 45 and the state of Alabama,” said DuBose in announcing her bid for the Alabama Legislature. “Our nation is under attack from liberals who want to change the very fabric of our great nation. I have always worked hard, stood for what is right, and now I am standing up to represent the citizens of District 45 here in Alabama.”
She continued, “As I have been meeting with constituents in District 45, the issues of election integrity, education, economic development, the role of a limited government, and second amendment rights are of importance to citizens and they are part of the foundation of my campaign.”
Should DuBose’s candidacy prove successful, she would become only the seventh female member of the House GOP Caucus. According to campaign finance reporting, she holds over $33,000 cash-on-hand.
In her announcement, DuBose touted that she has received no PAC contributions, seeking to contrast her candidacy to that of her opponent’s, State Rep. Dickie Drake (R-Leeds). The release further states that she “is looking to be an actual grassroots candidate.”
Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato sang DuBose’s praised and called her “a champion of conservative values.”
“Susan is a woman of great conviction,” said Brocato. “She is a hard worker and works with others to get things done. I’ve worked with Susan on various issues and I know her to be a strong leader in our community. She is a champion of conservative values.”
DuBose currently serves as president of the Republican Women of North Shelby County and sits on the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Shelby County Republican Party Executive Committee.
DuBose and her family have attended Asbury United Methodist Church for over 20 years, where she has served as a Sunday school teacher and vacation bible school leader.
House District 45 consists of Jefferson and Shelby Counties. The primary election is slated to occur on May 24, 2022.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday spoke with the U.S. Department of Energy on a call regarding the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, which has caused a shutdown of the pipeline operations.
The pipeline, which is the largest system for refined oil products in the United States, is 5,500 miles long and can carry 3 million barrels of fuel per day between Texas and New York. It is operated by Colonial Pipeline Company, which is headquartered in Georgia.
The pipeline runs through Alabama, as people may remember from a Shelby County leak in 2016 that caused gas shortages in the region. The county is home to the Colonial Pipeline Co. Pelham junction and tank farm.
However, Ivey wants to assure Alabamians that the temporary pipeline shutdown should be resolved in the coming days and that any potential gas shortages have not reached the Yellowhammer State. (more…)
C Spire Fiber on Thursday announced it is now accepting consumer pre-orders and has already begun construction for its ultra-fast, fiber-based Gigabit broadband internet services in the Shelby County cities of Helena and Pelham — with Alabaster expected to begin soon.
This comes after Trussville a few weeks ago became the second Alabama city – following Jasper in late 2020 – to receive the game-changing services as part of C Spire’s FiberFast initiative.
The broadband division of C Spire, which is a Mississippi-based telecommunications company, began construction on next-generation technology in February in four fiberhoods in Helena and Pelham. The company has plans to pass thousands of homes covering 30 more fiberhoods over the next several months. In addition to the residential fiber, C Spire will also be bringing fiber internet to businesses in parts of northern Shelby County as well.
Ashley Phillips, general manager of C Spire Home said in a statement, “We understand high-speed, all-fiber broadband internet service can be a game-changer for Helena, Pelham and Alabaster. Our ability to provide symmetric speeds immediately solves real-world challenges associated with interactive learning, remote work and telehealth applications. That’s good news as our Fiber Fast initiative continues.” (more…)
The citizens of Alabama are assessing the damage and banding together to care for one another a day after deadly tornadoes battered the state.
The death toll from the storms stands at five people, all of whom lived in the vicinity of Ohatchee, a small town in northwest Calhoun County.
Damage assessments from the National Weather Service (NWS) and others are ongoing in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Calhoun, Cherokee, Bibb, Hale, Greene and Sumter Counties.
The NWS has preliminarily confirmed that an EF-3 tornado with 140 mph winds struck Shelby County. The service also confirmed EF-2 level damage in Calhoun County and EF-1 level damage in Pickens County. (more…)
Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday signed a proclamation to set special election dates for Alabama House District 73.
This seat was held by State Rep. Matt Fridy (R-Montevallo), who was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on November 3.
HD-73 represents portions of Shelby County. Ivey has set the house district’s special election to align with the special election she recently set for Senate District 14, which encompasses parts of Shelby, Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson and Hale Counties.
For both HD-73 and SD-14, the special primary election will be March 30; the special primary runoff, if necessary, is slated for April 27; and the special general election will occur July 13. Timing wise, it should be noted these seats will be vacant for the entirety of the 2021 regular session of the Alabama Legislature. (more…)
A new report shows Alabama has made progress in several key health and education categories over the last decade, while stark disparities in achievement remain between kids from low and high-income households.
The report was published by the group VOICES for Alabama’s Children, an institution that advocates for Alabamians under 18 years of age.
In categories such as on-time high school graduation, Alabama has made strong progress, with only 10% of students not graduating on time compared to 28% a decade ago.
At the same time, there is currently a 29-point gap in math achievement between a 4th grader below the poverty line and one above it. (more…)
