State and Surrounding Area News

Alabama Farmers Advocate for Agriculture Policy in Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. – As federal lawmakers navigate crucial decisions affecting the future of American agriculture, over 150 Alabama farmers traveled to Washington, D.C., from March 4-7

Former Gadsden State Student Isaiah Moore to Appear on ‘American Idol’
Gadsden, AL – A former Gadsden State Community College student is stepping onto the national stage as he competes on ABC’s “American Idol.” Isaiah Moore, a

Governor Kay Ivey Issues State of Emergency for All 67 Alabama Counties Ahead of Severe Weather
MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in Alabama in anticipation of potentially severe weather expected

Senator Katie Britt Supports Bill to Expand LNG Exports
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has joined Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Congressman August Pfluger (R-Texas), and a group of Republican lawmakers in introducing

Gadsden State Radiography Program Earns Maximum Eight-Year Accreditation
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s Radiography Program has once again achieved the highest level of accreditation, earning an eight-year reaccreditation from the Joint Review

New Mental Health Program Aims to Assist Law Enforcement and Community in Cleburne and Calhoun County
Anniston, AL – On April 24, 2024, a gathering marked the beginning of a significant journey aimed at enhancing mental health support within our community. Local

Fight for Alabama Families Holds Advocacy Day at Statehouse
MONTGOMERY, AL – Fight for Alabama Families (FFAF) hosted its 2025 Advocacy Day on Thursday, March 6, at the Alabama Statehouse, marking the first anniversary

Gadsden State Paralegal Association Launches Cardinal Career Closet to Support Job-Seeking Students
GADSDEN, AL – The Paralegal Association at Gadsden State Community College is launching the Cardinal Career Closet, an initiative designed to help students make a

Senators Britt and Scott Introduce Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.), alongside all Republican members of the Banking Committee, have

Labor Leaders Commemorate 60th Anniversary of Selma to Montgomery March
Montgomery, AL – Labor leaders, civil rights activists, and faith communities will gather on Friday, March 14, to mark the 60th anniversary of the historic

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen Urges Federal Action on Voter Verification System
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has joined 20 other conservative Secretaries of State in urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Senator Katie Britt Participates in Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Antisemitism
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) took part in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled “Never to Be Silent: Stemming the Tide of

ALEA Marine Patrol Division Offers Free Boating Basics and License Courses Across Alabama
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division is preparing for another season of Boating Basics and License Courses, offering free, hands-on

Senator Katie Britt Receives “Outstanding New Member of Congress” Award from American Farm Bureau Federation
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has been recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) with the “Outstanding New Member of Congress” award.

Dovetail Landing Hosts Cowboy Boot Camp to Support Veterans Through Equine Therapy
Lincoln, AL – This past weekend, Veteran’s came from all over Alabama to Dovetail Landing in Lincoln, for a special Cowboy Boot Camp where they

Gadsden State Tennis Duo Earns Conference Honors
Gadsden, AL – John David Cunningham and Luke Russo, members of the Gadsden State Community College men’s tennis team, have been named Tennis Co-Players of the

Children’s of Alabama Health Education and Safety Center Receives $64,000 Grant to Promote Teen Driving Safety
Birmingham, AL – Children’s of Alabama Health Education and Safety Center will continue its mission to enhance teen driving safety, thanks to a generous $64,000 grant

Alabama House Committee Advances HB 363, Ban on Foreign Contributions to Elections
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee has approved HB 363, a bill seeking to prohibit foreign nationals and foreign corporations

Sparklight® Launches 7th Annual “Dream Bigger” Contest to Support STEM Education
Anniston, AL – Sparklight®, a leading broadband provider, is once again championing STEM education by inviting K-12 schools and organizations to participate in its 7th annual

Senate Fails to Advance Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025
Washington D.C. – The U.S. Senate failed to advance S.9, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, after a procedural vote fell

Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Awards $13.6 Million in Grants
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, also known as the Children’s Trust Fund, joined local and state leaders on

Senator Katie Britt Meets with Alabama Steelworker Jeff Denard Following Invitation to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) issued a statement today after meeting with Jeff Denard, an Alabama steelworker, volunteer firefighter, and foster parent from

Gadsden State Community College Invites Prospective Students to Upcoming Preview Days
Gadsden, AL – Prospective students of all ages are invited to explore educational opportunities at Gadsden State Community College during one of four upcoming Preview Days.

Alabama Joins Multi-State Amicus Brief Supporting Presidential Authority to Remove Officials
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced today that the state has joined a multi-state amicus brief in support of President Trump’s authority to

Alabama Senate Passes Speedy Trial Act, Bill Moves to House for Consideration
MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Senate has approved Senate Bill 178, known as the Speedy Trial Act, a measure aimed at expediting trials for violent

Wildfire Burns 145 Acres in Oakmulgee Ranger District of Talladega National Forest
Release Updated as of March 6, 2025 TALLADEGA NATIONAL FOREST, AL – A 145-acre wildfire continues to burn in the Oakmulgee Ranger Districtof the Talladega

Senator Katie Britt Votes to Block Natural Gas Tax
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) voted in favor of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution aimed at blocking the Biden Administration’s Natural

Andy Robertson Named Dean of Workforce Development at Gadsden State
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College has announced Andy Robertson as the new dean of Workforce Development. Robertson, a Sand Rock native, replaces Alan Smith,

Alabama Officials Support HB 363 to Ban Foreign Influence in Elections
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, alongside Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, is advocating for the passage of House Bill 363

Dr. Stephanie Austin Appointed Director of Revitalized Surgical Technology Program at Gadsden State
Anniston, AL – Gadsden State Community College is revitalizing its Surgical Technology Program with the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Austin as the new program director.

Senator Katie Britt Highlights Child Care Crisis, Introduces Bipartisan Legislation
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) spoke on the Senate floor to address the challenges many American families face in securing affordable child care.

Senator Katie Britt Votes to Confirm Key Trump Administration Nominees
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) voted in favor of three of President Donald Trump’s nominees on Tuesday, supporting Linda McMahon for Secretary of

NCLA Urges Fifth Circuit to Uphold Injunction Against Corporate Transparency Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA) has filed an amicus curiae brief in Texas Top Cop Shop v. Bondi, urging the U.S.

Senator Katie Britt to Lead U.S. Delegation to Uruguay’s Presidential Inauguration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald J. Trump has announced that U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) will lead a Presidential Delegation to Montevideo, Uruguay, to attend

Governor Kay Ivey Announces Support for SB67 to Restructure Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey recently shared her pride in the support Senate Bill 67 (SB67) has received from major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) in

New PTSD Awareness License Plate Available in Alabama, Free for First 1,000 Participants
Vestivia Hills, AL – Sojourn Counseling is launching a groundbreaking initiative to raise awareness and support for individuals affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). To

Motorcycle Community Gathers to Honor Fallen Rider ‘One Time’
Ashland, AL – On Saturday, the Hatchet Creek Punishers LEMC, alongside fellow motorcycle clubs from across the region, gathered in Ashland to honor the memory

Gadsden State’s Cardinal Foundation Receives Generous Donations to Support Students
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s Cardinal Foundation has recently received several significant donations and scholarships aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students across the

Senator Katie Britt Honors Legacy of Tuskegee Airman Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stewart, Jr.
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) spoke on the Senate floor to commemorate the life and legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stewart, Jr., one

Senator Katie Britt Votes to Advance HALT Fentanyl Act in Senate Judiciary Committee
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) voted to advance the Halt All Lethal Trafficking (HALT) of Fentanyl Act out of the Senate Judiciary

Senators Introduce Charitable Act to Expand Non-Itemized Deduction for Giving
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) have introduced the Charitable Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at expanding

Leadership Transition at the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama
Calhoun County, AL – The Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (CFNEA) is preparing for a new chapter in its leadership as President & CEO Jennifer S.

Governor Kay Ivey Commutes Death Sentence of Rocky Myers to Life Without Parole
MONTGOMERY, AL — Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday that she has commuted the death sentence of Robin D. “Rocky” Myers to life in prison without

Senators Katie Britt and Ted Cruz Introduce Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have introduced the Agent Raul Gonzalez

Alabama’s Secretary of State Wes Allen Highlights Results of AVID System in Voter File Maintenance
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen has announced significant results from the Alabama Voter Integrity Database (AVID), a voter file maintenance system developed

Senator Katie Britt Participates in Judiciary Committee Hearing on DOJ Nominations
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) participated in a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing for three Department of Justice nominees: Harmeet Dhillon for

Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act to Improve Safety for Law Enforcement Officers
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have reintroduced the DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act, aiming to enhance the safety

Senator Katie Britt Reintroduces Bipartisan Bus Rolling Stock Modernization Act
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development, has reintroduced the Bus Rolling Stock

Governor Kay Ivey Announces Filing of Paid Parental Leave Bill for Alabama Public Employees
MONTGOMERY, AL – Governor Kay Ivey has announced the filing of the Alabama K-12 Public School and State Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025,

Senators Britt and Tuberville Urge FBI Director Patel to Expand Huntsville Campus
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) have called on newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel to prioritize staffing at the