The Alabama Senate passed a bill by Sen. Rodger Smitherman of Birmingham to delay the implementation of the Literacy Act by a 20-12 vote. The bill pushes a reading proficiency requirement for third graders to move to fourth grade from the current school year to the 2023-24 school year. A similar bill by
With the highly dangerous drug fentanyl playing a role in four out of every five drug overdose deaths in Jefferson County last year, that area’s Public Health Department is encouraging the legislature to make tests that can detect fentanyl legal in the state. The Senate has already passed a bill to make the cheap and easy-to-use test
Last week, Senator Del Marsh made the argument for more parental choice and more accountability in schools, encouraging his counterparts to pass legislation this session that makes it clear state leadership is unhappy with Alabama’s lower national education rankings. His school-choice bill was sent to a study commission, signaling its not likely to pass this
More than 10,000 Alabama childcare workers are receiving bonuses totaling $12.6 million. These bonuses come after the first round of Child Care Workforce Stabilization grants from the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR). The second round will run from February 28 through March 18. The DHR awarded grants to 1,278 child
Some hot button issues are likely to be on the agenda in the legislature in the next few weeks. Gambling is coming back again, and the sponsor of the latest bill says he’s expecting opposition from multiple groups. A bill focused on transgender bathrooms in schools has made it through committee. Other
@egmackey Feb 19 Excited about trying a recipe or two this weekend from @DannaStandridge’s cookbook 👨🍳⏲
Tuesday, 10th day of regular session: The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee approved several bills including House-passed bills to clarify that emergency management personnel provide public safety services and to revise the membership of the board of the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame and further provide for location of the Hall and for the board to meet
In 2021, Alabama’s exports surged 21 percent in value compared to the previous year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and indicating the underlying resilience of the state’s economy. Alabama businesses exported to 189 countries last year, reflecting the vial connection that the state’s high-quality, in-demand products have to the global economy. The
The Alabama Community College System Innovation Center launched the first of several industry-specific programs to help students find immediate employment.The Innovation Center is a $10 million investment made to rapidly train workers for the state’s highest-demand industries. The training includes short-term classes that students can start from anywhere in the state and finish
Senator Del Marsh’s (R-Anniston) bill that would allow parents to put public money towards private education for their children has strong supporters and detractors, but it may not get very much farther, at least this session. Last week, it hit a hurdle, when it was sent to a study commission, often a
