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Alabama Reflector
What’s happening with gambling? No one in the Alabama Legislature knows
When it started in the Alabama House of Representatives earlier this year, a package of gambling bills would have created a lottery; allowed casino gambling and sports betting, and directed Gov. Kay Ivey to negotiate a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, a federally recognized tribe that operates casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and […] The post What’s happening with gambling? No one in the Alabama Legislature knows appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Huntsville-area voters to choose state representative in rare competitive race
Next Tuesday will feature something rare in Alabama: a competitive legislative election. The contest will take place in House District 10, covering south Huntsville, southern Madison County and parts of Madison. Madison City Councilman Teddy Powell, the Republican nominee, will face Democratic nominee Marilyn Lands, who ran in 2022. The seat opened after former Rep. […] The post Huntsville-area voters to choose state representative in rare competitive race appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
To boost Trump, GOP attorneys general charge into battle over state election rules
With less than six months before voting begins, the legal jousting over the rules for the 2024 election is already underway. And former President Donald Trump’s campaign is getting support from allies who have stayed mostly under the national radar: red-state attorneys general. In court filings made in recent months, these chief state legal officers […] The post To boost Trump, GOP attorneys general charge into battle over state election rules appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Autauga-Prattville Public Library appoints interim director amid ongoing controversy
The Autauga-Prattville Public Library’s Board of Trustees Saturday named a new director amid an ongoing controversy over the direction of the library. The Board of Trustees voted to promote Library Associate Tammy Bear to be the library’s interim director in a two-minute meeting that lasted just long enough to convene, approve Bear’s appointment, and adjourn. […] The post Autauga-Prattville Public Library appoints interim director amid ongoing controversy appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Suit alleging suppression of free speech met with skepticism at U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court seemed skeptical Monday of a lawsuit alleging the federal government colluded with social media companies to suppress the freedom of speech, with a majority of justices across the ideological spectrum raising issues with the case and its potential consequences. The Biden administration argued to the court there is no […] The post Suit alleging suppression of free speech met with skepticism at U.S. Supreme Court appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
DA stays on Georgia 2020 election case. But can she get it back on track for fall trial?
This story originally appeared on Georgia Recorder. Legal experts predict that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis faces an uphill battle in trying to have Donald Trump and 14 remaining co-defendants stand trial ahead of the 2024 election despite a judge ruling Friday that allowed Willis to continue prosecuting the election interference case. According to […] The post DA stays on Georgia 2020 election case. But can she get it back on track for fall trial? appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Democrats push bills related to contraception access following Alabama IVF ruling
Abortion-related bills continue to be introduced and debated in 40 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 […] The post Democrats push bills related to contraception access following Alabama IVF ruling appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Can the Legislature force UA and Auburn to end DEI programs? It’s not clear
A bill limiting the ability of Alabama colleges and universities to operate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs is almost on Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk. But if the legislation becomes law, some campuses may be more affected than others. While most public colleges and universities in Alabama operate under state law, the two flagship systems […] The post Can the Legislature force UA and Auburn to end DEI programs? It’s not clear appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
When public officials threaten private citizens
Four members of Alabama’s congressional delegation attacked a private citizen last week. And now we’re all in danger. See, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt of Haleyville; Gary Palmer of Hoover and Dale Strong of Madison went after someone who works at Space Camp. Not a person accused of harming anyone, much […] The post When public officials threaten private citizens appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Federal court hears arguments in lawsuit over Alabama’s alleged ‘forced prison labor’
A federal court heard arguments Friday on a lawsuit accusing Alabama state prisons of using slave labor. U.S. District Court Judge Corey Maze of the Northern District of Alabama, who presided over the hearing in Montgomery, heard arguments on whether to issue a temporary stay in Alabama’s current practice of what plaintiffs say is “forced […] The post Federal court hears arguments in lawsuit over Alabama’s alleged ‘forced prison labor’ appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Planned Parenthood affiliates train abortion doulas to reduce stress for patients
A 39-year-old single mother of two got up extra early on a recent Wednesday morning, hoping to be one of the first outside the Planned Parenthood clinic near Phoenix, Arizona. The upside of not telling anyone about her abortion was that she wasn’t going to have to explain herself. The downside was that she couldn’t […] The post Planned Parenthood affiliates train abortion doulas to reduce stress for patients appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Autauga-Prattville Public Library employees launch work stoppage over director’s firing
Three employees of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library said Friday they will not return to work unless terminated Director Andrew Foster does. The employees accused Board of Trustees Chair Ray Boles of threatening their jobs when they refused to reopen the library Thursday night in protest of the board’s decision to terminate Foster at a special […] The post Autauga-Prattville Public Library employees launch work stoppage over director’s firing appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Judge rules Georgia DA can continue with Trump case; special prosecutor resigns
This story originally appeared on Georgia Recorder. A Fulton County judge ruled Friday that District Attorney Fani Willis and her whole office can either step aside from the 2020 election interference case or the special prosecutor who was involved in a romantic relationship with Willis can withdraw from the case. And by Friday afternoon, the […] The post Judge rules Georgia DA can continue with Trump case; special prosecutor resigns appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Voices of regression
Shut your eyes. Listen to the verbiage that has descended upon a citizenry whose forward, albeit gradual, movement toward mutual equality and parity was reversed — and annulled — by fear; insistence on racial hierarchy, and ignorance. The Alabama voices of society’s social and political regression are speaking loudly and clearly, signaling an intent to […] The post Voices of regression appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Autauga-Prattville Public Library Board of Trustees terminates library director
The governing board of the Autauga-Prattville Public Library Thursday voted to fire Director Andrew Foster after a 20-minute executive session. “Let me make a statement to the media,” said Ray Boles, a member of the board and the board chair. “I have a written statement, which you may have. There will be nobody talking to […] The post Autauga-Prattville Public Library Board of Trustees terminates library director appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
State schools superintendent raises concerns over several bills in Alabama Legislature
Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey Thursday raised a number of concerns about the Legislature’s recent moves on public education. Speaking at a work session of the Alabama State Board of Education, Mackey focused on five bills: one that would change the requirements for alternative teacher certification; one on online testing; one that would cap property […] The post State schools superintendent raises concerns over several bills in Alabama Legislature appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission proposes rules to facilitate patient access
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) approved a set of rules Thursday for public comment to safeguard patients’ access to medical cannabis while they are in a medical facility. The proposed rules would ease licensing requirements for “professional caregivers,” or someone “whose career is to assist another person in a way that enables them to […] The post Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission proposes rules to facilitate patient access appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Schumer levels heavy criticism at Israel on U.S. Senate floor, calls for elections there
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged an overhaul of both Israeli and Palestinian Authority leadership and said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “has lost his way,” in strong and lengthy comments delivered on the U.S. Senate floor Thursday morning. The New York Democrat — the highest-ranking Jewish member in Congress — called for […] The post Schumer levels heavy criticism at Israel on U.S. Senate floor, calls for elections there appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
New way for states to cover pricey gene therapies will start with sickle cell disease
This story originally appeared on Stateline. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration late last year approved two breakthrough gene therapies for sickle cell disease patients. Now a new federal program seeks to make these life-changing treatments available to patients with low incomes — and it could be a model to help states pay for other […] The post New way for states to cover pricey gene therapies will start with sickle cell disease 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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