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The Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism
Special Elections Set to Replace Former Rep. John Rogers; Rogers Officially Resigns
John Rogers officially has resigned from the Alabama Legislature after more than 40 years representing his district, and the governor Monday set a special primary election for June 18 and general election for Oct. 1 to choose his replacement. Rogers announced last week that he would resign and plead guilty...
A ‘gassy’ Alabama coal mine was expanding under a family’s home. After an explosion, two were left critically injured
He’d said he thought his home would explode. He was right. W.M. Griffice, 78, had told his granddaughter, Kenzie, in the days leading up to March 8 that he felt like his house was going to explode, she recalled. Company representatives with Oak Grove, a nearby coal mine, had...
Alabamians Want Public Officials to Mitigate Landslide Risk as Climate Change Makes Extreme Precipitation More Frequent
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 a little at a time. The sediment began to take over parking spaces in the apartment complex where he lives and works. Eventually, the...
As Alabama Tries to Legalize Sports Betting, Advocates Point to Neighboring States’ Success
In mid-February, George Musto joined dozens of people who packed into Ghost Train Brewing in Birmingham to watch the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers clash in Super Bowl 58. Musto is an avid Detroit Lions fan and even went to the brewery wearing his team’s ball cap and...
Prosecutors Recommend Home Detention, Fine for Rogers on Fraud and Obstruction Plea
State Rep. John Rogers, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, agreed Monday to resign his office and plead guilty to fraud and obstruction charges. Rogers, an 83-year-old Birmingham Democrat, is accused in a kickback scheme that involved giving $400,000 from the taxpayer-funded Jefferson County Community Service Fund...
Rep. Rogers Set to Plead Guilty, Resign in Connection With Fraud Scheme
DEVELOPING — State Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, has agreed to resign his office and plead guilty to charges in connection with a scheme to defraud a Jefferson County fund intended to provide for school construction, school boards and public projects. He is accused of funneling $400,000 from the fund...
Learning Loss: Alabama ACT Scores Climb but Still Down From Pre-Pandemic Levels
ACT scores for Alabama’s Class of 2023 have improved in the past two years but still have not reached the levels scored before the learning loss of the pandemic, a new report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama shows. Statewide, students scored on average 17.72 on the...
Alabama on Display at State of the Union
Alabama will be on display during tonight’s State of the Union address by President Joe Biden. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama will be giving the rebuttal on behalf of the Republican Party after the speech ends. She is the first woman elected senator from Alabama and, at 42,...
Commissioner Tyson Calls Path to Bill on Filling Vacancies “Sneaky”
Sheila Tyson said Thursday that lobbyists for Jefferson County did not alert her and fellow commissioners about legislation she opposes. Tyson said commissioners were told about House Bill 191 on Tuesday, a day before the matter was considered by a legislative committee. That bill — introduced by Rep. Jim Carns, Vestavia Hills — would allow the governor to appoint a replacement when there is an off-cycle opening on the commission.
Palmer, Sewell Win Nominations to Congress; Complete Results in Both Primaries
U.S. Reps. Gary Palmer and Terri Sewell waltzed onto their parties’ general election ballots without a stumble in Tuesday’s primaries, defeating challengers who had emerged against the incumbents. Sewell won the Democratic nomination to return to the seat representing District 7 in the U.S. House of Representatives with...
Election Results in the Jefferson County Republican Primary
Unofficial returns reported by the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Results are not final until the votes are canvassed next week. Melissa B. Snowden (campaign suspended) — 11.29%. Alabama Board of Education, Place 7,. Doug Bachuss — 26.94%. Allen Long — 60.93%. Oscar S. Mann —...
Election Results in the Jefferson County Democratic Primary
Unofficial returns reported by the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. Results are not final until the votes are canvassed next week. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to amend Section 71.01 authorizing the Legislature to sign and transmit local laws or constitutional amendments before the transmission of basic appropriations.(Proposed by Act 2023-562)
Birmingham Council Backs Application for $21 Million to Improve Port Birmingham
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday approved an application for a federal grant that could provide more than $21 million for rebuilding a dock wall and replacing two cranes at Port Birmingham. The grant is through the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Port Infrastructure Development Program. According to the administration’s website, the...
Polls Close to End the 2024 Regular Primary Season – Except in Brighton
The polls are closed across the Birmingham area – except at Brighton Community Center, which will remain open until 9:30 tonight because the wrong ballots were delivered to that location this morning. Presiding Probate Judge Jim Naftel explained that Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputies correctly delivered the box that was...
Polling Hours Extended at Brighton After Ballot Glitch
Poll hours have been extended to 9:30 p.m. at the Brighton Community Center, Precinct 2150. The correct ballots were not available when the precinct opened at 7 a.m., leaving voters who showed up early unable to cast a ballot, according to a press release from Jefferson County. The Brighton precinct...
Thomas Govan
Professional experience: Chief of the Criminal Trials Division of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office; has worked as a prosecutor for 15 years; U.S. Air Force Reserve. Civic experience: Serves as an elder, Sunday school teacher and member of the choir at his church. Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Alabama;...
Rich Anderson
Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, 2018; member, the Federalist Society, the NRA and Bama Carry. Professional experience: Has been an appeals prosecutor with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office for 18 years; attorney, private practice, 2001-2007. Education: University of Mississippi, bachelor’s, English, 1997; Washington...
Stephen Davis Parker
Political experience: Served on the Cullman County Executive Committee for 15 years; member, National Rifle Association and the Federalist Society. Professional experience: Has practiced law with his wife for 23 years. Civic experience: Board member, Cullman Caring for Kids; served on the Cullman County Industrial Development Authority; in leadership roles...
Chad Hanson
Political experience: Elected to Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in 2018. Professional experience: In private practice for 18 years before being elected to the court, primarily representing clients in civil and bankruptcy. Education: Mississippi College School of Law, 2000; University of Alabama, bachelor’s degree, 1997. Civic experience: Board Member...
Robert L. McCollum
Political experience: Run unsuccessfully for Alabama Public Service Commission in 2022. Professional experience: Small business owner in multiple areas including construction, truck rental and vending machines. Education: Horseshoe Bend High School graduate. Main issues: Has been highly critical of his opponent because of increasing Alabama Power rates; in previous campaign...
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