State and Surrounding Area News

Governor Ivey Launches 3rd Annual Summer Reading Challenge, Encourages Participation in National Program
MONTGOMERY, AL – On the first official day of summer, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey officially launched her 3rd Annual Summer Reading Challenge and encouraged Alabama

Senator Katie Britt Celebrates East-West Classic at Birmingham’s Historic Rickwood Field
BIRMINGHAM, AL — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined spectators and baseball enthusiasts at Rickwood Field on June 20, 2024, to celebrate the East-West Classic

Senator Katie Britt Supports Legislation to Prevent Fraudulent Government Spending
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), a member of the Senate Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, has joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) and

Marshall Joins Multi-State Coalition Supporting Trump Administration’s Energy Policies
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in supporting the Trump Administration’s efforts to protect and promote

Petition Spurs AEMC Action on Toxicity Standards
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Environmental Management Commission (AEMC) has voted to begin rulemaking that will update the state’s human-health toxicity criteria for 12 priority

Alabama Secretary of State Announces $2 Million in Projected Savings by End of Term
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced that his office is projected to save over $2 million in taxpayer funds by the

Senator Katie Britt Discusses Maternal Health and NIH Reform During Budget Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies

Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces $7.4 Billion National Settlement with Purdue Pharma and Sackler Family
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Monday a $7.4 billion nationwide settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family, marking

ALEA Announces Major Updates for CDL Medical Certifications and Skills Testing
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Driver License Division has announced two significant updates affecting Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders and applicants

Senator Katie Britt Highlights Alabama Waterway Infrastructure Needs During Senate Appropriations Hearing
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) participated in a Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee hearing to examine the President’s Fiscal Year

Senator Katie Britt Receives 2025 Metalcasting Industry Congressional Champion Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) was honored with the “2025 U.S. Metalcasting Industry Congressional Champion” award by the American Foundry Society (AFS).

Alabama AG Steve Marshall Joins 19-State Amicus Brief Supporting Trump’s Deployment of National Guard During Los Angeles Unrest
Montgomery, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the state’s participation in a 19-state amicus brief in support of former President Donald Trump’s deployment

Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduces Bill to Modernize Investor Disclosures
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), and a bipartisan coalition of Senate colleagues have introduced the Improving Disclosure for

Governor Ivey Hosts Safe Alabama Public Safety Package Signing Ceremony
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey held a celebratory bill signing event Thursday at the Alabama State Capitol to ceremonially sign legislation included in the

Aaron Triplett Named New Head Tennis Coach at Gadsden State
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College has announced the hiring of Aaron Triplett as the new head coach of its tennis program. Triplett brings

Attorney General Marshall Hosts Training on Campus Extremism and Antisemitism
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall convened a specialized training session today for law enforcement officers and federal partners focused on identifying and

Senator Britt Joins Republican Lawmakers in Calling for Repeal of FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, has joined Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and several other Senate

Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation Recognizes Board Members and Welcomes New Leadership
GADSDEN, AL – During the most recent meeting of the Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation, several board members were honored for their dedicated service, and new

Gregory Hunt Executed by Nitrogen Hypoxia for 1988 Murder of Karen Lane
Atmore, AL – The State of Alabama on Tuesday evening carried out the execution of Gregory Hunt by nitrogen hypoxia at the William C. Holman

Senator Katie Britt Highlights Alabama Innovation and Industry During Senate Appropriations Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) participated in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing this week focused on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26)

Governor Ivey Appoints Ami Brooks as Secretary of Early Childhood Education
MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey announced Tuesday her appointment of Ami Brooks as the new secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education.

Governor Ivey Introduces Alabama’s New First Dog, Huntley
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey officially introduced Huntley, a three-year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever, as the new First Dog of Alabama on Monday. Huntley, a

Senator Katie Britt Advocates for HBCUs, School Choice, and Literacy at FY26 Education Budget Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) recently participated in a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget request

Jacksonville State University Hosts 12th Annual Bluegrass on the Rim Concert at Little River Canyon Center
FORT PAYNE, AL – Jacksonville State University will present the 12th Annual Bluegrass on the Rim concert on Saturday, June 14, at the Little River

Alabama Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Pool Construction Fraud and Forgery
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that Gregory Kirk, of Muscle Shoals, has pleaded guilty to a series of property crimes committed

ALEA Warns of Nationwide Phishing Scam Targeting Alabamians with Fake DMV Texts
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is warning citizens about a widespread phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from

Virginia Becomes Tenth State to Join Alabama’s AVID Voter File Maintenance Program
MONTGOMERY, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced this week that the Commonwealth of Virginia has officially joined the Alabama Voter Integrity Database

Governor Kay Ivey Appoints Cynthia Lee Almond as President of Alabama Public Service Commission
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Friday announced the appointment of Cynthia Lee Almond as the new president of the Alabama Public Service Commission

Rep. Mike Rogers Honored with Military Family Champion Award by Blue Star Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, has been named a recipient of the Military Family Champion

Senator Katie Britt Discusses Child Care and Workforce Development During FY26 Labor Budget Hearing
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) recently participated in a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to review the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request

Judge Grants Injunction Against Business Accused of Agricultural Fraud
Baldwin County, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today that a Baldwin County judge has granted a preliminary injunction against AKME Group, LLC

Governor Ivey Announces 55 New Classrooms for Alabama’s P-3 Early Learning Expansion
MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education (ADECE) announced Thursday the addition of 55 new classrooms funded through

Gadsden State Launches Free Summer Workforce Program: “Cardinal Rise”
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College, in collaboration with the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Innovation Center’s Skills for Success initiative, has announced the launch

Senator Katie Britt Questions DOE on Nuclear Innovation, Grid Security During Budget Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a recent Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to examine the Biden administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26)

Jacksonville State University To Host Annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing College Prep Camp
Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, Jacksonville State University (JSU), in partnership with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services

Senator Katie Britt Co-Sponsors Buying American Cotton Act to Support U.S. Cotton Industry
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kans.), and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.)

Children’s of Alabama Launches “Look and Lock” Campaign to Prevent Pediatric Hot Car Deaths
Birmingham, AL – With summer temperatures on the rise, Children’s of Alabama has launched its annual “Look and Lock: A Child Safety Campaign” to raise

Attorney General Steve Marshall Joins 28-State Coalition Warning Meta Over AI Child Safety Concerns
Montgomery, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 28 state attorneys general in a joint letter to Meta Platforms, Inc.,

Governor Ivey Unveils Restructured Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey announced the newly restructured Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs (SBVA), a move aimed at enhancing the state’s ability

Gadsden State Community College Releases Spring 2025 President’s and Dean’s Lists
Gadsden, AL — Gadsden State Community College has announced the students named to the President’s List and Dean’s List for the Spring Semester of 2025.

Senator Britt Co-Sponsors Resolution Honoring 101st Anniversary of U.S. Border Patrol
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and

Governor Ivey Encourages Participation in Alabama’s Free Fishing Day on June 7
MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey has officially invited the public to take part in Alabama’s Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 7, 2025. As

Senator Katie Britt Applauds Appointments to Key USDA Positions in Alabama
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) on Friday commended the recent appointments announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, naming Twinkle Cavanaugh

Gadsden State Community College Hosts Summer Orientations for New Students
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College is welcoming incoming students through its Cardinal Commit summer orientation sessions, beginning in June. The program is designed to

Senate Commerce Committee Advances Britt-Welch Water Research Optimization Act of 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Commerce Committee has unanimously advanced the bipartisan Water Research Optimization Act of 2025, a legislative effort led by U.S. Senator

All-State Baseball
The Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State baseball teams and honorable mentions. Mr. Baseball and the Super All-State teams to be named June 8 at the

Senator Katie Britt Advocates for Counter-Drone Authority for State and Local Law Enforcement
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week focused on defending against the threat of unmanned

Gadsden Honors Dr. Kathy Murphy with Proclamation and Plaque Presentation
GADSDEN, AL – Community members gathered at Gadsden City Hall to celebrate the extraordinary career and contributions of Dr. Kathy Murphy, a respected educator and

Etowah Chamber Honors Educators at 8th Annual Excellence in Education Luncheon
GADSDEN, AL – The Etowah Chamber of Commerce hosted its 8th annual Excellence in Education and Teachers of the Year Luncheon on May 8 at

Gadsden State Baseball Coach and Players Earn Top ACCC Honors
GADSDEN, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s baseball program is celebrating a remarkable season with top honors from the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC). Head