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Republican National Committee courts election conspiracy theorists to help watch polls
As the Republican National Committee ramps up plans to monitor the polls for illegal voting this fall, the national party is increasingly working with a loose network of anti-fraud extremists who have been found to routinely spread election lies. The extremists also have close ties to the prominent far-right conspiracy theorists who tried to overturn […] The post Republican National Committee courts election conspiracy theorists to help watch polls appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Trump on trial: Former president faces criminal charges of falsifying business records
NEW YORK — The trial of former President Donald Trump kicked off Monday in a lower Manhattan courtroom, marking the first time in U.S. history that an ex-president has been tried on criminal charges. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, appeared in the state of New York courtroom, where he is charged with falsifying […] The post Trump on trial: Former president faces criminal charges of falsifying business records appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Bills on ‘abortion coercion’ and ‘trafficking’ advance in Republican-led legislatures
Abortion-related bills continue to be introduced and debated in legislatures across the country, especially in states where the procedure is already banned. It can be hard to monitor them all, so States Newsroom’s Reproductive Rights Today team tracks certain bills that could become law in their respective states in a biweekly legislative roundup. Depending on […] The post Bills on ‘abortion coercion’ and ‘trafficking’ advance in Republican-led legislatures appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
In reversal, more areas allow high-speed police chases
This story originally appeared on Stateline. During several years of efforts to refine policing tactics — ranging from mandating body-worn cameras to limiting or banning excessive use of force — many states and law enforcement agencies nationwide imposed more restrictive car chase policies to protect civilians and officers. Now, state legislators and some local and […] The post In reversal, more areas allow high-speed police chases appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
One year later: Dadeville and Camp Hill still recovering from storm, mass shooting
A year ago, Jesse Francis wondered if he was cursed. First, the storm came. On an early Sunday morning last March, hail the size of tennis balls smashed up the camper where he was living with his family. It felt like a thousand rocks thrown at their home, Francis said. It broke through their skylight […] The post One year later: Dadeville and Camp Hill still recovering from storm, mass shooting appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
The Patterson Test
Before 2017, I would have struggled to pick out Jim Patterson in the Alabama House of Representatives. Patterson was a Meridianville Republican elected to the chamber in 2010. In his first term, he did what most freshman representatives do: handle local legislation and vote the party line. He sponsored tax exemption bills, too, and in […] The post The Patterson Test appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Residents living over Jefferson County mine want answers after home explosion leads to death
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here. ADGER, Ala.—Charlie Utterback and his family live on top of longwall mining panel number 53. Above ground, Utterback’s dogs welcome visitors with a bark and the […] The post Residents living over Jefferson County mine want answers after home explosion leads to death appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
‘Panicked rush to gas’ could hike energy costs, report warns regulators
The nation’s largest public power company, the Tennessee Valley Authority, which serves 10 million people in Tennessee and parts of six neighboring states, has put forward plans for eight new natural gas plants since 2020. In South Carolina, Dominion Energy and Santee Cooper are pushing the state legislature to pave the way for a 2,000-megawatt […] The post ‘Panicked rush to gas’ could hike energy costs, report warns regulators appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Trump’s repeated escapes from political damage to be tested in NYC trial
Donald Trump on Monday in a New York City courtroom will make history as the first former U.S. president to stand trial in criminal proceedings. And it raises new issues for the presumptive Republican nominee for president in November, even as he builds a political brand that so far has seemed immune from accusations of […] The post Trump’s repeated escapes from political damage to be tested in NYC trial appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 9-11, 2024
Here is a list of the legislation that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. House HB 388, sponsored by Rep. David Standridge, R-Hayden, allows Blount Count to levy taxes on vapor products, vaping devices and alternative nicotine products. The bill passed 19-0. It goes to the Senate. HB 73, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Pettus, R-Killen, […] The post What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 9-11, 2024 appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
‘Are nursing homes our only option?’ These centers offer older adults an alternative.
This story originally appeared on Stateline. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — George Raines, a white-haired man in a red track suit and matching University of Alabama ballcap, cracked jokes as physical therapist Brad Ellis led him through a series of exercises designed to strengthen his legs. Raines, who is 79, pretended to be in pain, but his […] The post ‘Are nursing homes our only option?’ These centers offer older adults an alternative. appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate passes record $3.3 billion General Fund budget
The Alabama Senate Thursday approved a $3.3 billion General Fund budget for the 2025 fiscal year and a supplemental funding bill for the current year of about $400 million. The General Fund budget number is a record in nominal terms. “We had a lot of collaboration today,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper. […] The post Alabama Senate passes record $3.3 billion General Fund budget appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
2nd Congressional District: Caroleene Dobson emphasizes agriculture, energy independence
This is the last in a series of profiles of the candidates in the April 16 2nd Congressional District runoff. Tuesday: House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels. Wednesday: Attorney Shomari Figures. Thursday: Former Sen. Dick Brewbaker. Caroleene Dobson said Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District needs a conservative candidate who will “fight for a better Alabama and America […] The post 2nd Congressional District: Caroleene Dobson emphasizes agriculture, energy independence appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama schools superintendent expects more money for reading after third grade
Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey said Thursday there may soon be money available to address reading skills for students beyond the third grade. Mackey said at a work session of the Alabama State Board of Education that he had requested the money be placed in a supplemental bill for the current fiscal year so Alabama […] The post Alabama schools superintendent expects more money for reading after third grade appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House passes bill putting definitions of sex into law
A bill that would define “sex-based” terms based on the person’s reproductive system passed the Alabama House Thursday on a 77-24 vote. HB 111, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, would provide that a male is a person with “a reproductive system that at some point produces sperm” while a female is a person with […] The post Alabama House passes bill putting definitions of sex into law appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Senate Republicans push for Mayorkas impeachment trial
WASHINGTON — More than 40 U.S. Senate Republicans lobbied Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday to hold a full impeachment trial for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Schumer and other Democrats have indicated they’d be open to immediately voting to dismiss the House-passed articles of impeachment rather than holding a trial in the Senate. The […] The post U.S. Senate Republicans push for Mayorkas impeachment trial appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Juneteenth state holiday bill passes Alabama House
The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill that would make Juneteenth a state holiday, though unlike nearly every other state holiday it would not mandate that state offices close that day. HB 4, sponsored by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, would add the June 19 holiday, which celebrates the end of slavery, to the […] The post Juneteenth state holiday bill passes Alabama House appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
New coalition launched to look at Alabama school funding
A coalition of education and civil rights groups plan to push for changes to how Alabama funds its schools. A Thursday news release announcing the formation of the coalition said that Alabama is one of the few states to allocate money based on enrollment rather than needs from students. Education budget chairs Sen. Arthur Orr, […] The post New coalition launched to look at Alabama school funding appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House passes resolution denouncing World Health Organization
An Alabama House resolution condemning the World Health Organization (WHO) passed Thursday after it was initially delayed on a 64-28 vote. House Joint Resolution No. 113, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, encourages the federal government to cease funding and supporting WHO and to reject any international health regulation regarding pandemic preparedness. “This is […] The post Alabama House passes resolution denouncing World Health Organization appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Joe Biden campaign hints at litigation if Alabama keeps president off ballot
President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign Wednesday urged Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen to put the president on the ballot, and hinted at litigation if he didn’t. In a letter to Mike Jones, general counsel for the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, Birmingham Attorney Barry Ragsdale, representing the campaign, said the party could provisionally certify […] The post Joe Biden campaign hints at litigation if Alabama keeps president off ballot appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
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The Alabama Reflector is an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in our state. We look at the problems affecting Alabamians, and search for solutions. We connect readers with the decisions made in the hallways of the State House and try to give a voice to those outside it. We write stories about people in power and men and women on the margins. We hope to reflect what our home is, and what it could be. Alabama Reflector is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. The Reflector retains full editorial independence.
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