Columbus
Alabama Reflector
Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci defended his decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday, testifying before Congress about his work on the virus as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases during two presidencies. House Republicans who called the hearing grilled Fauci during the contentious three-hour session about the origins of […] The post Fauci defends his work on COVID-19, says he has an ‘open mind’ on its origins appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama grower nears first medical cannabis harvest amid licensing delays
One grower is nearing the first medical cannabis harvest despite ongoing delays in the state’s licensing process. Antoine Mordican, CEO of Native Black Cultivation and a medical cannabis cultivation license holder, said he would like to get product into the market, but he doesn’t think that will be feasible unless a restraining order on dispensaries […] The post Alabama grower nears first medical cannabis harvest amid licensing delays appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Labor Department files child labor complaint against Alabama companies
The Department of Labor Thursday filed a complaint against three companies in Alabama regarding the use of child labor. The news release wrote that the action comes after an investigation that alleged a 13-year-old girl worked 50-60 hour weeks at a Luverne manufacturing facility over a period of six to seven months. The complaint said […] The post U.S. Labor Department files child labor complaint against Alabama companies appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction, Republicans vow resistance
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump, now a convicted felon, vowed to launch an appeal based “on many things” he considered unfair during his New York trial, he said Friday in the lobby of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan. Meanwhile Friday, legal and political analysts predicted he will spend little if any time in jail […] The post Angry Trump pledges to appeal ‘this scam’ conviction, Republicans vow resistance appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Multiplying trauma: Kentucky set to add more kids to its troubled juvenile jails
A state law taking effect next month will require more kids charged with violent offenses to be held in Kentucky’s troubled juvenile jails — at a time when all eight of the youth detention centers are under federal investigation for possible abuses. That worries Devine Carama, who directs the One Lexington program to tackle gun […] The post Multiplying trauma: Kentucky set to add more kids to its troubled juvenile jails appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Is Mississippi’s parole system broken?
This story was originally published by Mississippi Today. This is the first of a year-long look at Mississippi’s parole system. At 17, James Williams III shot and killed his father and stepmother in south Jackson, stuffed their bodies into plastic containers and dumped them in the woods in a different county. In 2023 after he’d […] The post Is Mississippi’s parole system broken? appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Where are the young women and mothers in Alabama state politics?
Merika Coleman joined the Alabama Legislature in 2002 as the 28-year-old mother of two school-age children. Her kids became the district kids, she said. She took them to events all throughout the area in her district. “I had community meetings, they went to those community meetings with me, so I said, I wanted to be […] The post Where are the young women and mothers in Alabama state politics? appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Bill calling for additional prenatal care access will get filed again next year
Low-income people can face delays to access prenatal care, which can reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy, such as miscarriage or infant death. Because it can take up to two months for people who are pregnant and apply for Medicaid to get coverage, HB 494, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Lands, D-Huntsville, would have provided […] The post Bill calling for additional prenatal care access will get filed again next year appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
The hollow malevolence of Jefferson Davis
Even Jim Crow Alabama couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for Jefferson Davis. When an Alabama House representative filed a bill in 1900 to make his birthday a holiday, the Birmingham Post-Herald called it “an event which the general public does not remember and has no wish to be reminded of.” “Vast numbers of Southerners do not […] The post The hollow malevolence of Jefferson Davis appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Greater focus on crime sparks another wave of juvenile justice bills
For decades, state legislators and criminal justice advocates have worked to change the juvenile legal system, striving to expand access to rehabilitation and keep young people from returning to crime. During this year’s legislative session, nearly every state has considered some form of juvenile justice legislation, according to a National Conference of State Legislatures database. […] The post Greater focus on crime sparks another wave of juvenile justice bills appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told leading Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday he will not meet with them to discuss the court’s code of ethics, following revelations of displays of politically oriented flags at the homes of Justice Samuel Alito. Individual justices will continue to decide their own […] The post U.S. Supreme Court chief declines to discuss Alito flag uproar, ethics with Senate Dems appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Months after court ruling, commission to study IVF issues in Alabama hasn’t formed
When the Republican-dominated Legislature passed a bill in March to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) services in the state, legislators said they planned to form a commission to study the issue further. Almost three months later, that commission has yet to form. “I don’t really have an update right now. I think over the next […] The post Months after court ruling, commission to study IVF issues in Alabama hasn’t formed appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Following 1st nitrogen execution in U.S., Alabama puts man to death via lethal injection
ATMORE, Ala. — Alabama executed a man Thursday in the 20-year-old murder of a retired couple in the state’s first execution since conducting the nation’s first capital punishment using nitrogen gas earlier this year. The governor’s office announced the death of Jamie Ray Mills, 50, using lethal injection for the 2004 murders of Floyd Hill, […] The post Following 1st nitrogen execution in U.S., Alabama puts man to death via lethal injection appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Donald Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial
WASHINGTON — Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president wrapped up in […] The post Donald Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress
WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation pushed in both chambers of Congress aims to stop illegal fentanyl production and trafficking by focusing on the machinery used to manufacture pills. The Criminalizing Abused Substance Templates, or CAST, Act would redefine the criminal penalty for producing counterfeit drugs using a pill press. Counterfeiting drugs is already illegal as outlined […] The post Pill press molds used to produce illicit fentanyl targeted in legislation in Congress appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money
With college costs rising and some students and families questioning the return on investment of a four-year degree, a few pioneering state universities are exploring programs that would grant certain bachelor’s degrees in three years. The programs, which also are being tried at some private schools, would require 90 credits instead of the traditional 120 […] The post Universities try 3-year degrees to save students time, money appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. 11th Circuit Court rejects Alabama death row inmate’s appeals
Barring intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, Alabama will carry out its second execution of 2024 on Thursday. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals late Tuesday denied appeals from Jamie Ray Mills, convicted and sentenced to death for the 2004 murder of Floyd and Vera Hill in Guin. The appeals court said it found no […] The post U.S. 11th Circuit Court rejects Alabama death row inmate’s appeals appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama task force charts five-year plan to tackle Alzheimer’s disease
The Alabama Alzheimer’s Task Force met Wednesday to develop recommendations for the Legislature for a five-year strategy to address Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. The task force, created by a legislative resolution last year, will present the plan to Gov. Kay Ivey and lawmakers at the start of the 2025 legislative session in February, at […] The post Alabama task force charts five-year plan to tackle Alzheimer’s disease appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
An obscure drug discount program stifles use of federal lifeline by rural hospitals
This story from KFF also appeared on Stateline. Facing ongoing concerns about rural hospital closures, Capitol Hill lawmakers have introduced a spate of proposals to fix a federal program created to keep lifesaving services in small towns nationwide. In Anamosa, Iowa — a town of fewer than 6,000 residents located more than 900 miles from […] The post An obscure drug discount program stifles use of federal lifeline by rural hospitals appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Reflector
2K+
Posts
19M+
Views
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.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.