Alabama Legislature

Legislation that reduces the independence of public library boards in Alabama could be debated this week. The state legislature convenes on Tuesday, Feb. 20. Republican Senator Chris Elliott’s SB10 has already passed the Alabama Senate and now goes before the Alabama House.

A group of Alabama lawmakers unveiled a sweeping gambling bill Wednesday that could authorize a state lottery and 10 casinos across the conservative Deep South state as some Republicans look to get the question before voters in November.

Governor Kay Ivey is set to give her annual State of the State address from Montgomery. Her talk comes less than three weeks after Alabama conducted the nation’s first ever execution by nitrogen gas. An act opposed by the European Union and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, laid in repose at the court's Great Hall. O'Connor, an Arizona native, died December first, at the age of 93. Flags in Alabama will fly at half-staff on the day of her funeral.

Birmingham-Southern College has filed a lawsuit against Alabama's state treasurer for denying a loan from a program created by lawmakers to help the historic but financially troubled private college.

Democrats got a potential boost for the 2024 congressional elections as courts in Alabama and Florida ruled recently that Republican-led legislatures had unfairly diluted the voting power of Black residents.

Governor Kay Ivey has announced the name of Alabama's latest initiative to expand broadband access across the state. She also detailed several state programs that will provide homes and businesses the infrastructure they need to host high-speed internet.

A three judge federal panel is reportedly in the market for a new map maker. Published reports say the court’s current cartographer just withdrew from the case involving Alabama’s controversial Congressional map.

Alabama GOP leaders say the state’s new Congressional map is in keeping with the order of a three judge panel. Critics say the new district lines defy an order from the U.S Supreme Court prohibiting racial gerrymandering.

Alabama lawmakers approved a new congressional map that would include a single majority-Black district in the state, a plan that could defy a Supreme Court order to give minority voters a greater voice in elections.