Choose your location
Alabama Reflector
Alabama Legislature passes $9.3 billion education budget in final hours of 2024 session
After being held in limbo for most of the week, the Alabama Legislature gave final approval Thursday to the 2025 Education Trust Fund budget and a large supplemental appropriation for the current fiscal year. The budget package came out of a joint committee meeting earlier in the week, but final approval stalled amid tensions between […] The post Alabama Legislature passes $9.3 billion education budget in final hours of 2024 session appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
One year after FDA approves over-the-counter birth control pill, advocates push for more access
Sriha Srinivasan remembers how surprised her mom was two years ago when she learned that birth control pills weren’t sold in stores without a prescription in the United States. “My parents are immigrants from India, and it’s been over the counter there since my mom can remember,” said Srinivasan, a recent graduate of University of […] The post One year after FDA approves over-the-counter birth control pill, advocates push for more access appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Asylum seekers with criminal records would be more quickly removed under Biden proposal
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced Thursday it’s proposing changes to the asylum system that would allow immigration officials to reject asylum seekers who have a criminal record that poses a threat to national security or public safety and quickly remove them. Those changes will occur during the initial screening stages, a senior U.S. Department […] The post Asylum seekers with criminal records would be more quickly removed under Biden proposal appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Autauga-Prattville Public Library sued over policies restricting book access
Groups critical of restrictive library policies at the Autauga-Prattville Public Library filed suit Thursday against the library, alleging the policies violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama on behalf of Read Freely Alabama, an organization that has challenged […] The post Autauga-Prattville Public Library sued over policies restricting book access appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
As millions lose federal help to pay for internet, some areas aim to fill the gap
This story originally appeared on Stateline. In the small North Carolina town of Bryson City, just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Kathleen Wain raises two grandchildren in her subsidized-rent apartment, taking them to sing in a church choir on weekends. For the past year and a half, Wain has received a discount on her […] The post As millions lose federal help to pay for internet, some areas aim to fill the gap appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
First grade readiness bill passes Alabama Senate; awaits final House approval
The Alabama Legislature Wednesday gave final approval to a bill requiring children to complete kindergarten or an equivalent program after years of efforts from supporters. HB 113, sponsored by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, would require students to finish kindergarten or pass a test that shows first grade readiness. The bill passed 35-0. It would align […] The post First grade readiness bill passes Alabama Senate; awaits final House approval appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Education budget pending, tensions building as Alabama Legislature reaches last day
Alabama legislators are expected to end their 2024 session Thursday with a budget and several bills still pending. The House and Senate should take up a proposed 2025 Education Trust Fund (ETF) budget. A conference committee approved a final version of the budget Tuesday with mostly minor changes after it came out of conference committee […] The post Education budget pending, tensions building as Alabama Legislature reaches last day appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Gov. Kay Ivey schedules nitrogen execution for Alan Eugene Miller
Alabama will attempt to execute Alan Eugene Miller for the second time, but this time through nitrogen gas instead of lethal injection. Gov. Kay Ivey has scheduled Miller’s execution over the 1999 murders of three coworkers to take place between midnight on Sept. 26 and 6 a.m. on Sept. 27, marking the second time the […] The post Gov. Kay Ivey schedules nitrogen execution for Alan Eugene Miller appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
FDA chief says feds are preparing for low probability of bird flu moving to humans
WASHINGTON — The commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said at a congressional hearing Wednesday the agency is preparing for the possibility the strain of avian influenza affecting dairy cattle could jump to humans, though he cautioned the probability is low. Robert Califf told senators on the panel in charge of his agency’s […] The post FDA chief says feds are preparing for low probability of bird flu moving to humans appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Legislation to change Alabama ethics law dies in committee
A push to change Alabama’s ethics laws for elected officials died in a Senate committee on Wednesday, with supporters saying they would try to bring legislation back next year. Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said during the committee meeting Wednesday morning that HB 227, sponsored by Rep. Matt […] The post Legislation to change Alabama ethics law dies in committee appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Agriculture center bill passes Alabama Legislature amid controversy, filibuster threats
A joint committee of legislators Wednesday approved a bill establishing an new entity to oversee an agriculture center in Jefferson County after a senator threatened to stop other legislation from passing if the bill did not advance. SB 219, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, would create the Agriculture Exhibition Center Corporation to operate the […] The post Agriculture center bill passes Alabama Legislature amid controversy, filibuster threats appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Legislature sends General Fund to Ivey; education budget near final votes
The Alabama Legislature Tuesday sent a proposed 2025 General Fund budget to Gov. Kay Ivey and is close to giving final approval to next year’s Education Trust Fund budget and a supplemental school funding bill for this year. The Senate concurred with mostly-minor House changes to the $3.3 billion budget, which Gov. Kay Ivey said […] The post Alabama Legislature sends General Fund to Ivey; education budget near final votes appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Child care, housing tax credits win final approval from the Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Senate Tuesday approved two bills creating tax credits aimed at improving access to affordable housing and child care in the state, despite concerns from the Senate education budget chair. HB 346, sponsored by Sen. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, establishes the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act and tax credits for housing projects. The authority […] The post Child care, housing tax credits win final approval from the Alabama Legislature appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Senate sends public records bill to Kay Ivey
The Alabama Senate Tuesday gave final approval to legislation requiring state agencies to acknowledge and respond to public records requests within set time frames. SB 270, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, sets two standards for two types of requests, based on time intensity and effort needed by the government agency. The timelines in the […] The post Alabama Senate sends public records bill to Kay Ivey appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House passes bill ending school permission form for young teens to work
The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday passed a bill that would remove school approval from the requirements for young teenagers to hold jobs. SB 53, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur,would end a requirement for an “eligibility to work form,” signed by a head administrator, counselor or home-school instructor for a 14- or 15-year-old to […] The post Alabama House passes bill ending school permission form for young teens to work appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold
TikTok and its Chinese parent company on Tuesday challenged a recently enacted federal law banning the short-form video platform from the United States if it is not sold to a non-Chinese owner. TikTok Inc., the U.S. company that operates the popular social media service, and ByteDance, its parent company founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, filed suit […] The post TikTok sues to block new U.S. law banning app if it is not sold appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Bill banning trigger activators awaiting Alabama Senate vote
A bill that bans trigger activators cleared an Alabama Senate committee Tuesday as the clock runs down on the 2024 legislative session. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved HB 36 Tuesday, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, by a vote of 6-4 with two abstentions in a roll call vote. The bill, which passed the House […] The post Bill banning trigger activators awaiting Alabama Senate vote appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Federal judge allows challenge to Alabama abortion prosecution threats to proceed
A federal judge Monday allowed a lawsuit aimed at stopping Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall from prosecuting those who help Alabamians seek out-of-state abortion care to move forward. U.S. District Judge Myron H. Thompson denied Marshall’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, upholding the plaintiff’s claims of right to travel and limits on the extraterritorial application […] The post Federal judge allows challenge to Alabama abortion prosecution threats to proceed appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama Reflector
2K+
Posts
21M+
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.