State and Surrounding Area News

Governor Ivey Signs Bills Expanding Law Enforcement Protections and Family Scholarship Program
Montgomery, AL – Kay Ivey has signed two pieces of legislation into law aimed at strengthening public safety measures and providing support for the families

Gadsden State Announces Summer Work Program Funded by State DHR
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College has received funding from the Alabama Department of Human Resources to employ nine area students through its Summer

Governor Kay Ivey Signs General Fund and Education Trust Fund Budgets
Montgomery, AL – Kay Ivey has signed the state’s General Fund and Education Trust Fund budget bills following the conclusion of the Alabama Legislature’s Regular

Sylacauga Man Killed in Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Crash on Alabama 21
Sylacauga, AL – A single-vehicle crash that occurred Monday morning has claimed the life of a Sylacauga man, according to authorities. The incident happened at

City of Piedmont Receives State Grant for Energy-Efficient Streetlight Upgrades
PIEDMONT, AL — Kay Ivey has announced the award of 11 grants totaling just over $500,000 to support energy efficiency improvements across Alabama, including a

Man Killed in Cleburne County Motorcycle Crash
Cleburne County, AL — A two-vehicle crash that occurred Sunday afternoon, April 19, has claimed the life of a Rainbow City man, according to authorities.

SB99 Sponsored by Sen. Keith Kelley and Rep. Mark Gidley Signed Into Law, Requiring Ten Commandments Displays in Alabama Schools
MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey has signed Senate Bill 99 into law, requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in certain public schools across

DEA Classifies Bromazolam as Schedule I Drug; Alabama Attorney General Issues Warning on Illegal Kratom Products
MONTGOMERY, AL — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has formally classified bromazolam, often referred to as “Designer Xanax,”

Governor Ivey Signs Proclamation to Strengthen Partnership Focused on Child Welfare in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed a proclamation formalizing a renewed partnership between the State of Alabama and the Administration for Children and

Gadsden State, Talladega College Partnership Expands Transfer Opportunities for Students
GADSDEN, AL — A new partnership between Gadsden State Community College and Talladega College is aimed at creating additional opportunities for students seeking to continue

Alabama Attorney General Announces Federal Court Rulings in Two Death Penalty Cases
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that federal courts have dismissed long-standing legal challenges filed by death-row inmates James Ben Brownfield and Kerry

Governor Ivey Signs HB7 to Strengthen Penalties for Terroristic Threats
MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey has signed House Bill 7 into law, enacting stricter penalties for individuals who make terroristic threats against schools and other

Alabama Legislature Passes HB 67 to Limit Public Access to Voter Phone Numbers
Montgomery, AL — Wes Allen is commending the Alabama Legislature following the passage of House Bill 67, a measure aimed at balancing voter data accessibility

Gadsden State PTK Chapter Earns International Recognition at Catalyst Conference
GADSDEN, AL — The Gadsden State Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has been recognized for multiple achievements at this year’s Catalyst Conference held in Baltimore, earning distinction among

Gov. Kay Ivey Awards $800,000 in Grants to Strengthen Statewide Drug Enforcement Efforts
Montgomery, AL — Kay Ivey has announced the awarding of $800,000 in grants to support narcotics investigations and drug-related crime enforcement across Alabama. The funding

Alabama Awards $460 Million in Broadband Grants to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Statewide
Montgomery, AL — Kay Ivey announced that Alabama’s proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program has been approved by the National Telecommunications

Gadsden State’s Deddric Tarver Named ACCC Coach of the Year Following Standout Season
GADSDEN, AL — Gadsden State Community College has announced that Head Men’s Basketball Coach Deddric Tarverhas been named Coach of the Year by the Alabama

Governor Kay Ivey Signs Executive Order Ensuring Equal Access to Banking Services in Alabama
MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey on Thursday signed Executive Order No. 743, a measure aimed at ensuring fair and lawful access to financial services across

Governor Kay Ivey Continues Push for Stronger Penalties on Eluding Law Enforcement
MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey on Monday continued her emphasis on public safety, calling again for the passage of legislation that would increase penalties for

Gadsden State Student-Athletes, Teams Earn ACCC Academic Honors for Fall 2025
GADSDEN, AL — Gadsden State Community College Athletics Director Blake Lewis announced that 97 student-athletes and seven athletic teams have been named to the Alabama

Eleventh Circuit Reinstates Death Sentence in Marcus Bernard Williams Case
St Clair County, AL – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has reversed a prior order vacating the death sentence of Marcus Bernard

Junior Livestock Expo Showmanship Winners Announced as Historic Venues Highlight 2026 Event
MONTGOMERY, AL — The 2026 Junior Livestock Exposition (JLE), held March 16–18 in Montgomery, brought together youth exhibitors from across Alabama for a multi-day event

Governor Awards Grants Supporting Youth and Rehabilitation Programs, Including Services in Calhoun County
Montgomery, AL — Kay Ivey has announced the award of three grants totaling $194,941 to support programs aimed at reducing crime and recidivism through drug

Gadsden State Community College to Host April Preview Days Across Multiple Campuses
GADSDEN, AL — Gadsden State Community College will welcome prospective students and their families this April for its annual Preview Days, offering an inside look

Alabama Attorney General Calls for Expanded Authority to Combat Drone Smuggling in Prisons
Montgomery, AL — Steve Marshall is urging federal officials to expand the authority of state and local law enforcement agencies to address a growing threat

Sparklight Accepting Applications for Spring 2026 Charitable Giving Fund
Calhoun County, AL – Nonprofit organizations across the country have an opportunity to secure funding this spring as Sparklight opens applications for its Spring 2026 Charitable

ALEA Troopers Complete Marine Patrol Boating School Ahead of Busy Season
Orange Beach, AL — Four Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Troopers have successfully completed the Agency’s Marine Patrol Boating School, preparing them to serve on

Attorney General Steve Marshall Files Petitions Over Delays in Capital Murder Cases
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed petitions with the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals seeking to prompt action in four long-pending

Alabama Attorney General Leads Multi-State Coalition Urging Federal Action on Funding for Gender Procedures in Minors
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has led a coalition of 24 states in submitting a formal letter to the U.S. Department of

ALEA Urges Safe Travel and Responsible Behavior During Spring Break Across Alabama
Montgomery, AL – As Spring Break travel increases across Alabama, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is encouraging motorists and students to prioritize safety and

UAB Medicine, City of Oxford Announce Plans for Freestanding Emergency Department and Expanded Health Care Services
Oxford, AL – A new health care initiative aimed at expanding access to medical services in East Alabama is moving forward, as UAB St. Vincent’s

Senator Katie Britt Receives 2026 Hometown Hero Award from Alabama League of Municipalities
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) has been recognized with the 2026 Hometown Hero Award by the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM), honoring

Governor Ivey Signs Highway Safety and Fairness Act into Law
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed Senate Bill 242, known as the Highway Safety and Fairness Act, into law, a measure aimed

Gadsden State Construction Technology Students Gain Hands-On Experience Through Community Projects
Gadsden, AL — Students enrolled in the Construction Technology program at Gadsden State Community College are gaining practical experience while contributing to projects that benefit

Alabama State Parks Launches Junior Ranger Program to Inspire Young Outdoor Explorers
Alabama – The outdoors is calling, and Alabama’s next generation of explorers is invited to answer. Alabama State Parks has launched a new Junior Ranger Program

Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation Announces Image Matters Endowed Scholarship for Radiography Students
Etowah County, AL — The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation has announced the creation of a newly endowed scholarship designed to support students enrolled in the

Challenger Learning Center Launches Regional STEM Competition for America’s 250th Anniversary
Rainbow City, AL – In recognition of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the Challenger Learning Center of Northeast

Longleaf Botanical Gardens to Host 8th Annual Spring Garden Symposium in Anniston
ANNISTON, AL — Gardeners from across the region will have the opportunity to learn new skills and explore sustainable gardening practices during the 8th Annual

Passenger Dies Following Motorcycle Crash in Cleburne County
Cleburne County, AL – A motorcycle crash that occurred earlier this month in Cleburne County has claimed the life of an Ashville woman. According to the

Gadsden State Police & Public Safety to Host Advanced Women’s Self-Defense Class April 18
Gadsden, AL – The Gadsden State Police and Public Safety Department will host an Advanced Women’s Self-Defense Class on April 18 at the Beck Conference Center.

Governor Ivey Awards $598,000 Grant to Support Substance Abuse Treatment Programs in Alabama Prisons
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has awarded a $598,000 grant to the Alabama Department of Corrections to support substance abuse treatment programs aimed at helping

ACCS and Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association Offer $4,000 Scholarships for Automotive Manufacturing Programs
Gadsden, AL – The Alabama Community College System (ACCS) and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association (AAMA) have continued their partnership to provide scholarship opportunities for

Governor Kay Ivey Commutes Death Sentence of Charles Burton to Life Without Parole
MONTGOMERY, AL —Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that she has commuted the death sentence of Charles L. “Sonny” Burton to life in prison without the possibility

Piedmont Arrests: Joint Warrant Service in Spring Garden Leads to Drug Investigation
Cherokoee County, AL – A joint operation between the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Piedmont Police Department resulted in multiple arrests following a warrant service

Alexandria Native Pressley Slaton Named NJCAA Player of the Week
Gadsden, AL – Pressley Slaton, a sophomore at Gadsden State Community College, has been named a Player of the Week by the National Junior College

Governor Kay Ivey Signs SB149 Creating New Teaching Pathway for Military Veterans
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 149 into law, establishing a new pathway for military veterans to serve in Alabama classrooms

Alabama Attorney General Joins Multi-State Letter Urging AMA to Reconsider Support for Hormonal Gender Treatments for Minors
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined attorneys general from 19 other states in sending a letter to the American Medical Association (AMA)

Governor Kay Ivey Signs Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act
MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, a new law aimed at limiting electronic screen exposure

Gadsden State’s Dr. Blake Lewis Earns 300th Career Coaching Victory
GADSDEN, AL — Dr. Blake Lewis, Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Gadsden State Community College, reached a major career milestone this week, securing

Alabama Hospitals Perform Better Than National Average in Most Infection Prevention Categories, Report Shows
Montgomery, AL – Alabama hospitals outperformed the national average in three key infection prevention categories in 2024, according to a newly released report from the