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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.
Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S.
WASHINGTON — Taxpayers across the United States could be guaranteed a free public option to file federal tax returns online as the Internal Revenue Service announced plans Thursday to make its Direct File program permanent. The pilot program offered in 12 states from March to April drew roughly 140,000 accepted returns this filing season and […] The post Free direct filing of federal taxes may be offered soon throughout the U.S. 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.
21 states join Biden administration in bid to modernize nation’s aging grid
Twenty-one states are joining a push by the Biden administration to modernize America’s aging electric grid, which is under pressure from growing demand, a changing power generation mix that includes lots of wind and solar and severe weather. The administration, which has set a goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2035, announced Tuesday that […] The post 21 states join Biden administration in bid to modernize nation’s aging grid appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
TikTok and the Gen Z problem: Government races to ban app most favored by young adults
This story originally appeared on the Daily Montanan. Andy Austin started using TikTok during the COVID-19 lockdown. Since travel was so heavily restricted, business was tough for a commercial photographer and travel guide. TikTok seemed like a good way to expand on what his business already offered. “I think, like a lot of people, I […] The post TikTok and the Gen Z problem: Government races to ban app most favored by young adults appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Low-wage states with cheap housing dominated the post-pandemic jobs boom
This story originally appeared on Stateline. More than half of the nation’s jobs created in the past five years have come in two states: Texas and Florida. They’re at the forefront of a job creation revolution in which states with lower wages and a lower cost of living are gaining the highest share of new […] The post Low-wage states with cheap housing dominated the post-pandemic jobs boom appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Millions in federal aid for Alabama low-income families remains unused
Alabama is one of several states holding onto millions of dollars in unspent federal funds meant to support low-income families, despite a growing need for assistance. The federal government sends Alabama $104 million each year to help needy families, but the state has been accumulating a portion of those funds year after year. Between 2017 […] The post Millions in federal aid for Alabama low-income families remains unused appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Appeals continue as Alabama prepares to execute Jamie Ray Mills
Alabama is set to carry out its second execution of 2024 later this week, though the legal process continues to move forward. Jamie Ray Mills is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection between midnight Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday morning for the 2004 double murder of Floyd and Vera Hill. A federal […] The post Appeals continue as Alabama prepares to execute Jamie Ray Mills appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Seven Alabama school districts getting federal money for clean buses
WASHINGTON — As part of its ongoing effort to replace diesel-fueled school buses, the Biden administration on Wednesday said it will provide approximately 530 school districts across nearly all states with almost $1 billion to help them purchase clean school buses. The initiative, part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program rebate […] The post Seven Alabama school districts getting federal money for clean buses appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
The jury now will decide Trump’s fate in hush money trial, after lengthy closing arguments
WASHINGTON — Closing arguments in the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president concluded Tuesday, leaving the jury to now decide if Donald Trump is guilty of faking reimbursement to his personal lawyer for hush money paid to a porn star just before the 2016 presidential election. Just outside the Lower Manhattan courthouse during […] The post The jury now will decide Trump’s fate in hush money trial, after lengthy closing arguments appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Birmingham firm to develop Rosa Parks, Helen Keller statue sites at Alabama State Capitol
A state commission Tuesday selected an engineering firm to begin site development for the Rosa Parks and Helen Keller statues that will be erected on the Alabama State Capitol. The Alabama Women’s Tribute Statue Commission selected MBA Engineers based in Birmingham to build the structural base for both statues. “We’re really excited about the possibility […] The post Birmingham firm to develop Rosa Parks, Helen Keller statue sites at Alabama State Capitol appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Amid mental health crisis, new compact allows social workers to practice across state lines
This story originally appeared on Stateline. Stefani Goerlich, a certified sex therapist and social worker with a private practice in Detroit, sees several dozen clients a month, most of them from underserved and minority backgrounds. She speaks to them about sensitive matters such as gender-affirming care, and building trust takes time. Those hard-won relationships often […] The post Amid mental health crisis, new compact allows social workers to practice across state lines appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
General Fund grows, but Medicaid and Corrections consume more of it
The General Fund budget for 2025, approved by state lawmakers earlier this month, is the largest in state history. It’s the latest milestone for the budget, which pays for most noneducation expenses in the state. After being cut by $444 million — almost 23% — during the Great Recession in 2009, the budget has grown […] The post General Fund grows, but Medicaid and Corrections consume more of it 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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