Librarians in Alabama are struggling. They have been for a while, and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel yet. On my last day working in public  libraries, I made a farewell post that included: “If there is anything that I’ve learned about libraries in the last 14 years, it’s that only a very small part of the value of a library is based on the books on the shelves. Most of the value lies in the people who choose those books, who help you find the books you’re looking for, and who help you use a computer for the first time so you can apply for a job. Who greet your shy toddler with ..read more

After 31 years in prison, on Tuesday, Robert George, 85, was released to become a free man again surrounded by family and a team of individuals who helped secure his release. George said his faith in God helped him keep hope that day would come. “Hope, I can tell everybody, that man up there,” George said. “So the man above the only one, you got to depend on him.” George was convicted of manslaughter in 1993 for the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Mary Dale. The shooting was a tragic accident as George was an alcoholic at the time and misfired the weapon while intoxicated. Mary would end up dyi ..read more

For the past several years, Rep. Chris Sells, R-Greenville, has been carrying a bill to require parental control filters to be turned on by default on all devices in an effort to guard children from accidentally accessing pornography. And every year, there has been the same debate—telecommunications companies say the bill is unworkable and other opponents raise concerns that it could be found to unconstitutionally interfere with the First Amendment rights of adults; supporters of the bill say it’s a simple software update that is well worth whatever trouble with implementation to help minors ..read more

The recent bipartisan push to give Alabama educators 12 weeks of paid parental leave was a promising development for a state where teachers have long lacked this essential support. This bill would have provided much-needed stability for educators, covering leave for childbirth, adoption, miscarriage, or stillbirth, recognizing that these events require time and space for physical recovery and emotional healing. Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, who sponsored the original bill, stressed the importance of paid leave not just for mothers but for fathers and families as a whole. She noted that paid ..read more

Children “don’t have any control over their plight; they just know they’re hungry,” Victor Adamo told a Senate committee Wednesday. Several others joined Adamo during a public hearing on HB145, the proposed Education Trust Fund budget, to call for a $10 to $15 million appropriation toward administering the summer EBT program in 2025. The federal program has not required state funding since its launch following the Covid-19 pandemic, but now requires a state match—speakers said a $15 million appropriation from the state would net $80 million to $100 million in federal funds. “This is the first ..read more

Earth Day is when we all try to show our appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us in Alabama and vow to protect it. The member companies of the Alabama Beverage Association have a responsibility to preserve our environment, and that is why we are taking actions to reduce waste, improve recycling and keep our state pristine.  In Mobile, we have partnered with the city to establish a new drop-off recycling site that will greatly expand the amount of recyclable materials that are made into something new.  Providing Alabama communities greater access to recycling is importa ..read more

Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced the appointment of Ben Baxley as District Judge, 19th Judicial Circuit, Place #1, in Elmore County. “A dedicated prosecutor and legal scholar, Ben Baxley possesses 35 years’ solid experience in both the state and federal judicial systems,” said Governor Ivey. “He brings to the bench integrity and great knowledge of our legal system. I have no doubt that he will serve the people of Elmore County with honor and professionalism.” Baxley will fill the vacancy left by Judge Patrick Pinkston, who was sworn in on April 5, 2024, as Circuit Judge, Place #1 ..read more

The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday that would halt economic incentives for a business that voluntarily recognizes a union if a secret election can be held. SB231, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, states that it will “condition an employers’ eligibility for economic development incentives upon the employer refraining from certain practices relating to employee representation by a labor organization.”  “This pertains to any business that receives incentives. It doesn’t specify who receives it. If you do receive it, you have to let your employees vote on a private ballo ..read more

A bill that would define sex-based terms including “male” and “female” under state law is moving forward in the Alabama Senate, and has now added language in an apparent response to a recent controversy over Space Camp. The bill, HB111, defines “female” as “an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces ova” and “male” as “an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, the reproductive system that at som ..read more

The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to expand the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” provision through eighth grade. That’s a lesser expansion than proposed when Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, filed HB130 early this session. The version of the bill passed through a House committee earlier this month would have expanded the prohibition through 12th grade. Butler said Tuesday that an amendment to scale the bill back came at the request of education officials. Democrats contested the bill on the floor for two hours. “All of you in this body know LGBTQ people and know they are people ju ..read more