In February, State Senator Jim McClendon introduced legislation that would reconstitute the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and remake the agency’s leadership. McClendon, the chair of the Senate Health Committee, proposed abolishing the State Board of Health and the State Health Officer. The bill would create a Secretary of
April Weaver, a former state representative and ex-Trump administration official, handily won the special election Republican primary for a central Alabama Senate seat over two other contenders. Weaver, who left the legislature in May 2020 to become Regional Director for region IV of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Governor Kay Ivey toured sites in Alabama where tornadoes upended homes and lives, killing five and laying a path of destruction across the state. Ivey conveyed the grief all Alabamians share for the families and their losses, and that their hearts and prayers go out to all who lost loved
On Friday, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said he will not run for governor if Governor Kay Ivey decides to seek another term. Ivey said she’s not yet made a decision about running, noting her “plate is full” with COVID-19 vaccine distribution, prison reform and other issues facing the state. If Ivey does run again,
The Alabama House approved a bill that would allow delivery of beer, wine and liquor to individuals on a 79-12 vote. The chamber approved a second bill to allow direct shipment of wine to Alabama residents on an 83-7 vote. The alcohol delivery bill goes to the Senate, which approved
A divided legislative committee advanced a bill to repeal Alabama’s habitual offender law that mandates longer sentences for repeat offenders. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill on a 9-5 vote. The bill would do away with the sentencing mandates for new cases and allow some prisoners to have their
The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill designed to reduce the use of vapes and e-cigarettes among young people. The bill provides for numerous regulations of the vaping and e-cigarette industry in Alabama. It would prevent vape manufacturers and retailers from using advertising techniques designed to appeal to young
Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education announced that 34 new classrooms will be funded through the Pre-K through 3rd Grade Integrated Approach to Early Learning (P-3). This will bring the number of classrooms impacted by P-3 to 208, covering 21 counties. The new program sites are
The Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked on legislation that would lift the 1993 prohibition on yoga in schools after testimony from Christian conservatives who claim it would lead to proselytizing in public schools by followers of Hinduism. The House-passed bill would give Alabama public schools the option of offering yoga as
On Thursday, the Senate voted 25-6 to approve a bill by Senator Randy Price (R, Opelika) that will allow people getting their permits for concealed carry of firearms the option of doing it only once. If they make that choice, they’ll have a lifetime concealed carry permit. The bill also includes the
