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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.
Working-class people rarely have a seat ‘at the legislative table’ in state capitols
In her first few months as a Minnesota state legislator in 2021, state Rep. Kaela Berg often wondered: “What the hell am I doing here?” A single mother and flight attendant without a college degree or prior political experience, Berg now had a seat at the legislative table, shaping policy decisions in her home state. […] The post Working-class people rarely have a seat ‘at the legislative table’ in state capitols 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.
U.S. House Speaker Johnson says IVF should be protected — just not by Congress
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday that it’s up to states and not Congress to preserve access to in vitro fertilization, weighing in on a growing national debate and campaign issue. “It’s not my belief that Congress needs to play a role here,” the Louisiana Republican said during a press conference at the House […] The post U.S. House Speaker Johnson says IVF should be protected — just not by Congress appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Nex Benedict’s death ruled a suicide in medical examiner’s report
This story originally appeared on Oklahoma Voice. OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma nonbinary student Nex Benedict, whose death sparked nationwide outrage over anti-LGBTQ+ bullying, died by suicide, according to a state Medical Examiner’s report released Wednesday. Benedict, 16, died Feb. 8, a day after getting in a fight in a girl’s bathroom at Owasso High School […] The post Nex Benedict’s death ruled a suicide in medical examiner’s report appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama prescription drug bill sparks debate over price impact
The sponsor of HB 238 said it’s a way to ensure pharmacists, particularly small ones serving rural areas, get fair reimbursement for dispensing drugs. Opponents say the bill could increase costs for consumers and potentially have other long-term impacts. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville would require that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), third […] The post Alabama prescription drug bill sparks debate over price impact appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama legislator seeks to eliminate nitrogen gas executions
A group of lawmakers have filed legislation that would end executions by nitrogen gas as Alabama grapples with criticism stemming from the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in January. HB 248, sponsored by Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, strikes language in the state’s capital punishment statute that makes any reference to nitrogen hypoxia as a method of […] The post Alabama legislator seeks to eliminate nitrogen gas executions appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
After two months of primaries and caucuses, Biden, Trump clinch their nominations
The rematch is set. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump clinched their parties’ nominations for president by winning state primaries Tuesday, setting up the same choice voters saw in the 2020 election. Both candidates are unpopular with the general electorate, but neither faced serious hurdles to their nominations in the states that have […] The post After two months of primaries and caucuses, Biden, Trump clinch their nominations appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
If schools won’t ban kids’ cellphones, some lawmakers say, they will
This story originally appeared on Stateline. At David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri, the rule is that students must keep their cellphones out of sight during class. In reality, the teachers tasked with enforcing the rule are no match for teenagers’ “almost compulsive” need to be on their phones all the time, said […] The post If schools won’t ban kids’ cellphones, some lawmakers say, they will appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. House votes to ban TikTok unless it is sold by China-controlled parent
WASHINGTON — Citing major national security concerns, the U.S. House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that effectively bans TikTok unless the company splits from its Chinese owner ByteDance. The 352-65 vote occurred just a week after lawmakers introduced the bipartisan proposal and days after the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce unanimously advanced […] The post U.S. House votes to ban TikTok unless it is sold by China-controlled parent appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO criticizes Alabama’s new school voucher-like law
The head of Alabama’s state retirement systems Tuesday criticized the state’s new school voucher-like law, saying it could impact the teacher’s retirement system and health insurance once fully implemented. Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO David Bronner said at a meeting of the State Employee Retirement System board meeting the impact from the law may be […] The post Retirement Systems of Alabama CEO criticizes Alabama’s new school voucher-like law appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
As climate change increases landslide risk, Birmingham residents seek protection
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. Gary Bostany said it was like lava flowing down from above. In 2023, slow and steady, the rocky mud of Red Mountain came down the slope […] The post As climate change increases landslide risk, Birmingham residents seek protection appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Alabama House Democrats introduce bill to protect contraceptive access
Alabama House Democrats filed a bill in the House last week to protect access to birth control. HB 279, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would establish the right of individuals to use contraception and allow health care providers the right to distribute contraceptives and offer guidance on their usage. This bill outlines […] The post Alabama House Democrats introduce bill to protect contraceptive access appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Business owners, union leader urge U.S. Senate to move ahead soon on stalled tax package
WASHINGTON — Business owners, CEOs and a steelworkers’ union official urged lawmakers Tuesday to quickly pass a tax policy bill that has been stalled in the U.S. Senate since the end of January. The witnesses invited to testify on manufacturing taxation before the Senate Committee on Finance told the panel that the proposal, which includes […] The post Business owners, union leader urge U.S. Senate to move ahead soon on stalled tax package appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
GOP U.S. Sen. Lankford of Oklahoma blocks bill expanding IVF for vets, service members
WASHINGTON — Washington state Democratic Sen. Patty Murray tried to pass a bill Tuesday that would expand access to in vitro fertilization for military service members and veterans, but Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford raised an objection and prevented the legislation from moving forward. “The recent chaos in Alabama caused by far-right ideology put a […] The post GOP U.S. Sen. Lankford of Oklahoma blocks bill expanding IVF for vets, service members 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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