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Alabama Reflector
Red state Democrats, advocates warn of abortion rights threat in 2024 election
Reproductive rights advocates and Democratic officials in three traditional red states said Friday the 2024 election could have potentially harmful consequences Friday. The group spoke on a conference call hosted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), a few days before the 2nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, […] The post Red state Democrats, advocates warn of abortion rights threat in 2024 election appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Federal judge demands lawyers’ public statements in judge-shopping case
The judge overseeing a case over Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors has required plaintiffs’ attorneys to turn over any public statements related to allegations that the attorneys engaged in judge shopping early in the case. In a one-page order filed Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke ordered the attorneys, or “respondents,” […] The post Federal judge demands lawyers’ public statements in judge-shopping case appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Despite GOP headwinds, citizen-led abortion measures could be on the ballot in 9 states
This story originally appeared on Stateline. For abortion rights supporters in Florida, it was a tumultuous day of highs and lows. On April 1, the Florida Supreme Court paved the way for the state to ban nearly all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. But it also OK’d a ballot measure that would allow Florida […] The post Despite GOP headwinds, citizen-led abortion measures could be on the ballot in 9 states appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision on United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that “our Nation’s firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm […] The post U.S. Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
SPLC hosts first training for individuals to teach advocacy and organizing
The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Alabama office Thursday began work with 19 people selected to be part of an inaugural cohort receiving advocacy and organizing training. For the next four months, the group will be given tools for how they can better engage the public, publicize their concerns and voice their opinions to elected officials […] The post SPLC hosts first training for individuals to teach advocacy and organizing appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House
WASHINGTON — Top Democratic campaign officials Thursday pressed their case for control of Congress and the White House by pointing toward the upcoming two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. More than a dozen Democrats also introduced legislation in Congress to prevent a future Republican administration from using […] The post Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Commission approves ballot amendment explanation
The Alabama Fair Ballot Commission Thursday agreed on language describing a constitutional amendment on the November ballot. The amendment comes from HB 302, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, which would grant money from certain lands and the lands themselves owned by the Franklin County School System to the Franklin County Board of Education. The […] The post Commission approves ballot amendment explanation appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state
This story originally appeared on Stateline. The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state since 2022, better aligning the numbers of unfilled jobs and people seeking work. Nationally, for the first time since before the pandemic, the number of job openings and unemployed people is roughly in balance: a little more than […] The post The number of job openings has declined sharply in every state appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
ADPH making efforts to manage avian influenza; no cases reported yet in Alabama
Alabama’s state health officer said Thursday the state was continuing efforts to manage H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. During the Alabama Department of Public Health’s board meeting on Thursday, Dr. Scott Harris said that the department is working with the Department of Agriculture and Industries to address the situation. “It’s really something […] The post ADPH making efforts to manage avian influenza; no cases reported yet in Alabama appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Federal judge denies temporary stay in lawsuit over Alabama prison labor
A federal court Tuesday denied a preliminary injunction against Alabama’s state prisons from plaintiffs claiming the state prisons were employing slave labor. U.S. District Judge Corey L. Maze of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama wrote in a ruling that the plaintiffs, who included six Black inmates, had failed to establish […] The post Federal judge denies temporary stay in lawsuit over Alabama prison labor appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Groups opposed to new Alabama library rules want legislators to intervene
Read Freely Alabama and the Alabama Library Association (ALLA) asked legislators last week to prevent the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) from implementing administrative code changes it approved last month . Both groups sent nearly identical memos to the state’s Legislative Council on Friday, arguing that the APLS did not adhere to a process necessary […] The post Groups opposed to new Alabama library rules want legislators to intervene appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Prefiled bill would provide compensation for injured teachers in Alabama
Mary Anne Leonard used to run and chase with her students all of the time. In a freak accident, her head hit a playground pole. “At first, I was in denial,” she said. “I was like, ‘Well,’– because I used to play football with my brothers and stuff, and got the wind knocked out of […] The post Prefiled bill would provide compensation for injured teachers in Alabama appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Equal Justice Initiative dedicates monument to slavery survivors at Montgomery memorial park
People who visit the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery will not only face the brutality of slavery and the hardship it caused. They will also encounter the grace and love the people who were enslaved demonstrated amid their struggles. More than 400 people gathered at the park on Wednesday to dedicate the National Monument […] The post Equal Justice Initiative dedicates monument to slavery survivors at Montgomery memorial park appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Attorneys in transgender medical case turn over document but maintain objections
Attorneys in an ongoing lawsuit against the state over Alabama’s gender affirming care for minors ban turned over a document Tuesday to a federal judge in an investigation of allegations of judge shopping. U.S. District Judge Liles C. Burke ordered the lawyers to turn over the Q&A document, which the attorneys said was used to […] The post Attorneys in transgender medical case turn over document but maintain objections appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
House District 52 Democratic primary heads to run-off; 2nd place unclear
The race for the Democratic nomination in a Birmingham-area House seat is headed to a runoff, but it wasn’t quite clear Tuesday evening who the second candidate will be. As of 8:54 p.m. Tuesday, Kelvin Datcher, deputy director for community development for Birmingham, had 510 votes (38%) in unofficial returns and will move on to […] The post House District 52 Democratic primary heads to run-off; 2nd place unclear appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights
WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats held a press conference Tuesday to stand up for reproductive rights and freedoms, criticizing a plan by a conservative think tank that if adopted would hinder abortion and contraception access in a Trump administration. The lawmakers called attention to the potential restrictions former President Donald Trump could employ to reproductive health […] The post Democratic women in U.S. Senate target Project 2025 on reproductive rights appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Commission challenge: Summarize Rosa Parks and Helen Keller in 70 words or less
The Alabama Women’s Tribute Statue Commission was tasked with a unique challenge Tuesday: capturing the monumental lives of two Alabama pioneers, Rosa Parks and Helen Keller, in 70 words or less. The commission is working with the Alabama Department of Archives & History and Gov. Kay Ivey’s office to ensure plaques installed at statues of […] The post Commission challenge: Summarize Rosa Parks and Helen Keller in 70 words or less appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
U.S. House ethics panel adds allegations to Matt Gaetz investigation
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Ethics Committee released a statement Tuesday saying it has “identified additional allegations that merit review” based on its investigation of prior allegations that Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz had inappropriate sexual relationships and violated rules by accepting gifts. The committee is investigating allegations that Gaetz may have “engaged in […] The post U.S. House ethics panel adds allegations to Matt Gaetz investigation appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Swing-state legislatures diverge on election-year gun measures
This story originally appeared on Stateline. Read more coverage of the 2024 election. States continued to diverge on gun policy this year, with especially intense debate in the swing states that will decide November’s election. In Michigan, legislators are considering at least half a dozen gun bills that would create storage requirements and establish gun-free […] The post Swing-state legislatures diverge on election-year gun measures appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Voting assistance covered by First Amendment, say plaintiffs in absentee ballot case
Attorneys for the plaintiffs challenging an Alabama law restricting absentee voter assistance argued in a Monday filing that they were likely to succeed because the assistance is covered under the First Amendment. The Monday filing was in response to the state’s arguments that a preliminary injunction against the law should not be granted. In the […] The post Voting assistance covered by First Amendment, say plaintiffs in absentee ballot case 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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