Diversity

An Alabama bill that impacts college DEI programs, bathroom access has been in effect across the Yellowhammer State for about a week. The SB129 legislation prohibits public universities, K-12 school systems and state agencies in Alabama from maintaining DEI offices.

As thousands of college football fans gather on the Tuscaloosa campus of the University of Alabama for today's season opener against Western Kentucky, some things are missing. Namely the Black Student Union office and the queer resource center.

The three University of Alabama System campuses have shuttered diversity, equity and inclusion offices_ and shifted staff and functions to new programs. The moves were taken to comply with a new Republican-backed state law that seeks to ban so-called DEI programs on public college campuses in Alabama.

Republican lawmakers in Kansas have joined their GOP counterparts in other states in trying to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on university campuses, but the proposals they've advanced are written to avoid having to agree on how to define DEI. These moves follow Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signing a ban on diversity programs at State schools, Universities, and agencies.

Republicans in the Alabama House of Representatives on Thursday advanced a bill to prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion programs at universities and state agencies. The House also approved legislation to make it a crime to pay someone for collecting absentee ballot applications.

Alabama lawmakers have advanced legislation aimed at prohibiting universities, schools and public entities from maintaining diversity and inclusion offices or funding initiatives that teach what Republicans labeled as "divisive concepts."

The Senate has passed a massive annual defense bill that would deliver a 5.2% pay raise for service members and keep the nation's military operating, avoiding partisan policy battles with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote. Still unresolved, though, is Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville's refusal to allow the quick confirmation of hundreds of military nominations and promotions in the Senate.

Regions Bank is working to support Black entrepreneurship in Birmingham. The Black-Owned Business Initiative is aiming to help entrepreneurs in the heart of the Magic City.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley says he is still considering a special session on Medicaid funding but has not made a final decision.The governor says…

The U.S. Department of Transportation will investigate whether Alabama violated civil rights law with closures and service reductions at rural driver's…