State and Surrounding Area News

Governor Ivey Urges Alabama Participation in 2026 National Small Business Week Awards
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey is encouraging Alabamians to nominate standout entrepreneurs and enterprises for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2026 National Small Business

Gadsden State Alumni Association Accepting Nominations for 2026 Alumni of the Year Awards
Gadsden, AL – The Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for its annual Alumni of the Year Awards, recognizing individuals who

Allen Supports Bill to Strengthen Voter Data Privacy and Standardize Voter List Costs
MONTGOMERY — Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen is backing legislation introduced by Representative Jamie Kiel that aims to strengthen voter data privacy and establish

Senators Introduce Bill to Strengthen Conscience Protections for Medical Residents
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and a group of Senate colleagues have introduced the Conscience Protections for Medical Residents Act,

ALEA Urges Caution as Strong Storms, Heavy Rain Move Across Alabama
Montgomery, AL – With the potential for strong storms and heavy rainfall expected to move across the state today, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is

Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama Launches “Sojourner Campaign” to Support STEM Education and Workforce Development
RAINBOW CITY, AL — The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama has announced the launch of its Sojourner Campaign, a month-long fundraising effort aimed at

Alabama to Celebrate Two Million Books Delivered Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
MONTGOMERY — Governor Kay Ivey announced Monday that Alabama will mark a major early-literacy achievement this month as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library surpasses two million

Gadsden State A Cappella Choir Announces 2025 Christmas Tour
GADSDEN, AL — The Gadsden State Community College A Cappella Choir and Singers will bring holiday music to communities across the region as part of

Thriving Through Change: A Local Calhoun County Business Guide to Economic Resilience
Calhoun County, AL – Operating a local business means being responsive to both customers and the economic currents that flow through your neighborhood. When things

Gadsden State Honors Four Outstanding Employees with 2025 ACCS Chancellor’s Awards
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College is recognizing four of its distinguished employees as 2025 recipients of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Chancellor’s

Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative Earns Six Statewide Communications Awards
Talladega County, AL – Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative (CVEC) and its subsidiary Coosa Valley Technologies (CVT) were recognized with six awards at the Alabama Rural

Woman Dies Following Single-Vehicle Crash in Cleburne County
Cleburne County, AL – A Cullman woman has died from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday evening in Cleburne County. According to the

Governor Kay Ivey Voices Support as Operation Iron Ruck Begins
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey offered strong support Wednesday morning as student veterans from The University of Alabama and Auburn University began the annual

Holiday Cheer Fills the Halls at Children’s of Alabama During Annual Parade
Birmingham, AL — Patients spending Thanksgiving week at Children’s of Alabama enjoyed one of the hospital’s most cherished traditions on Tuesday as the annual Pre-Thanksgiving

ALEA Increases Patrols, Urges Safe Driving Ahead of Thanksgiving Travel Surge
Montgomery, AL – As families prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging motorists to make safety a priority amid

APLS Board Adopts Expanded Standards for Library Materials Available to Minors
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) has adopted expanded code changes governing how public libraries manage materials intended for minors, following a public

AmFirst Named 2025 Wells Fargo Outstanding Corporate Citizen by AFP Alabama
Montgomery — AmFirst has been selected as the 2025 Wells Fargo Outstanding Corporate Citizen by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Alabama Chapter in recognition

Gadsden State Valley Street Students Attend Workforce Development Summit; Three Receive Scholarships
Gadsden, AL – Students and staff from Gadsden State Community College’s Valley Street Campus recently attended the three-day Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Workforce Development Summit

Fruithurst Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on County Road 65
Cleburne County, AL – A tragic single-vehicle crash on Wednesday night, Nov. 19, claimed the life of a Fruithurst man, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement

Norfolk Southern Donates Over $450,000 to Strengthen Critical Care and Training at Children’s of Alabama
Birmingham, AL – Children’s of Alabama has announced a major investment from Norfolk Southern to support critical care services for children across the state. The railway

ALEA Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting During Gadsden Search Warrant
Gadsden, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred Thursday, November 20, in Gadsden. Special

Governor Ivey Submits Alabama’s Rural Health Transformation Plan to CMS
Calhoun County, AL – Governor Kay Ivey announced Wednesday that Alabama has officially submitted its plan for participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

Lucas Browning Earns Key Accounts Certification from National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
Talladega, AL – Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative (CVEC) has announced that Energy Services Representative Lucas Browning recently earned his Key Accounts certification from the National Rural

Caution on the Road: ALEA Reminds Motorists to Stay Alert as Deer Movement Increases Statewide
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is urging motorists to remain vigilant on Alabama’s roadways as deer movement increases during the fall

Britt, Marshall, and Scott Introduce Better Food Disclosure Act to Increase Transparency in U.S. Food Supply
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) have introduced the Better Food Disclosure Act, also known as the

Governor Ivey Highlights Statewide Progress on Middle-Mile Fiber Network Connecting All 67 Counties
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey joined state and local officials Wednesday to highlight major statewide progress on Alabama’s Middle-Mile Fiber Network, a 3,500-mile broadband infrastructure

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall Appoints Barrett Bowdre as State’s Next Solicitor General
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall this week announced the appointment of Barrett Bowdre as the state’s new Solicitor General. Bowdre, who has served

Governor Ivey Announces $500,000 Grant to Support Traffic and Economic Growth in Glencoe
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has announced a $500,000 grant aimed at improving traffic safety, efficiency, and access to future development in the growing city

Area Teams Shine in First Round of AHSAA Playoffs
Scores from high school football playoff games involving area teams and statewide, as gathered by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Area scoreboard AHSAA Class 6A

Gadsden State Partners with Industry Leaders to Host Free Commercial Construction Hiring Events in Anniston and Gadsden
Anniston and Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College is partnering with the Alabama Construction Recruitment Institute (ACRI) and Alabama Talent Solutions to host two free

Governor Ivey Proclaims Veterans Week in Alabama, Honoring Service and Sacrifice
MONTGOMERY, AL — As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Governor Kay Ivey has proclaimed Wednesday, November 5 through Tuesday, November 11,

Ronnie Watkins Ford and ADAA Present $16,000 Check to Support Gadsden State Automotive Program
GADSDEN, AL — Ronnie Watkins Ford, in partnership with the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama (ADAA), presented a $16,000 check on behalf of the National

AHSAA Faces Renewed Legal Challenge From Ivey, Ledbetter Over Student-Athlete Rights
Montgomery, AL — Governor Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter filed a legal response on Friday opposing the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA)

AG Steve Marshall Joins Coalition Supporting Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Policy Before U.S. Supreme Court
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 24 states in filing a brief before the U.S. Supreme Court in support

Governor Kay Ivey Awards $4.7 Million in Research Grants to Advance Alabama’s Innovation and Sustainability
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has announced $4.7 million in grants to support research addressing key challenges in business, government, and environmental sustainability. The

Secretary of State Wes Allen’s Legislative Agenda Centers on Natural Born Citizen Constitutional Amendment
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has announced that the cornerstone of his 2025 legislative agenda will be the Natural Born Citizen

Steve Marshall Urges Congress to Prevent SNAP Disruption Amid Budget Uncertainty
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of state attorneys general calling on Congress to take immediate action to prevent

Thousands of Items Up for Bid in Upcoming State Surplus Property Auction
Montgomery, AL – Thousands of items — including a semi-truck, forklifts, four-wheelers, office equipment, tools, and cookware — will be available for bidding this weekend in

Friday Night Lights: Area and Statewide High School Football Scores
High school football scores from around the area and state, as gathered by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. This week’s area scoreboard THURSDAY, Oct. 30

ALEA Shares Halloween Safety Tips for Alabama Families
Montgomery, AL – As neighborhoods across Alabama prepare for a night of fright and fun, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is reminding parents, guardians, and

Area Teams Shine at 2025 State Volleyball Tournaments
Pairings for matches involving area teams at the 2025 state volleyball tournaments. Link for completed brackets provided. State volleyball pairings CLASS 2A Oct. 29 Birmingham

Oxford Police Chief Bill Partridge Endorses Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell for Attorney General
Oxford, AL – Oxford Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Bill Partridge has officially endorsed former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell in his campaign

Senator Katie Britt Joins Nomination of Charlie Kirk for National Garden of American Heroes
Washington DC – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) joined Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and 13 other Republican senators in nominating conservative activist Charlie Kirk for inclusion

Gadsden State Community College Reaches Highest Enrollment in Over a Decade
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College is celebrating a major milestone this fall, with total enrollment reaching 5,568 students — the College’s highest headcount since

Centre Mayor-Elect Jay Howell Appointed to Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors
Gadsden, AL – The Cardinal Foundation at Gadsden State Community College has announced the appointment of Centre Mayor-Elect Jay Howell as the newest member of its

Governor Ivey Invites K–12 Students to Enter 2025–2026 Alabama Governor’s App Challenge
MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday invited Alabama students in kindergarten through 12th grade to participate in the 2025–2026 Alabama Governor’s App Challenge,

Secretary of State Wes Allen Releases Tutorial Video to Support Alabama Small Business Owners
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has released a new tutorial video titled “Business Basics: Structures and Business Filings” to help small

Steve Marshall Joins 16-State Coalition Supporting President Trump’s Efforts Against Drug Cartels
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a 16-state coalition supporting President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to combat the rise of violent drug

Children’s of Alabama Earns National Recognition for Excellence in Patient Experience
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Children’s of Alabama has been named a recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Patient Experience Award from NRC Health, earning top honors

Senator Addresses Shutdown, Health Care Subsidies, and Judicial Appointments in Discussion with Alabama Media
Washington D.C. – The Calhoun Journal participated in a media interview with U.S. Senator Katie Britt on October 22, during which she discussed the ongoing