State and Surrounding Area News

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

Jacksonville State University, Cleburne County Chamber Formalize Partnership to Expand Education Opportunities for Local Workforce
JACKSONVILLE, AL — Jacksonville State University and the Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce formalized a new partnership Wednesday morning aimed at expanding access to higher

Dr. Martha Lavender Establishes Endowed Scholarship to Support Future Gadsden State Students
GADSDEN, AL — The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation has announced the establishment of the Dr. Martha and Tim Lavender Endowed Scholarship, created by former Gadsden

Alabama Attorney General Announces Settlement with Vanguard in Multistate ESG Antitrust Case
Montgomery, AL — Steve Marshall announced that Alabama has reached a settlement with The Vanguard Groupfollowing a multistate antitrust lawsuit concerning environmental, social, and governance

Steve Marshall Urges Caution as Romance Scams Continue Targeting Online Dating Users
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is encouraging residents to exercise extreme caution when using online dating platforms, warning that scammers are increasingly

Governor Ivey Announces Formation of Technology Quality Assurance Board to Oversee Emerging Technologies in Alabama Government
Montgomery, AL – Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the formal establishment of the Technology Quality Assurance Board (TQAB), a new oversight body aimed at ensuring

Glencoe Girls Punch Their Ticket to Birmingham, Claim Northeast Regional Crown
A year after Glencoe’s boys reached the Final Four, Glencoe’s girls earn the right to talk their own smack all the way too Birmingham. By

Federal Earmark Secures $10 Million Investment for Jacksonville State University Manufacturing and Law Enforcement Programs
Washington D.C. – Jacksonville State University is set to receive $10 million in federal earmarked funding secured through the office of Mike Rogers, a significant investment

Glencoe Girls Claim Their Turn, Capture Northeast Regional Title and Punch Ticket to Birmingham
A year after Glencoe’s boys reached the Final Four, Glencoe’s girls earn the right to talk their own smack all the way too Birmingham. By

Governor Ivey Invites Alabama Students to Compete in National Civics Challenge Ahead of America’s 250th Anniversary
Montgomery, AL – Kay Ivey released a message encouraging Alabama high school students to participate in a national civics and American history competition as the United

Alabama Joins Multistate Brief Urging U.S. Supreme Court Review of COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate Case
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of states filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a

Governor Ivey Proclaims Public Schools Week, Highlights Education Gains Across Alabama
Montgomery, AL – On Monday, Kay Ivey officially proclaimed Public Schools Week in Alabama, recognizing the progress made by students, teachers and schools statewide and emphasizing

Alabama Joins Multistate Brief Supporting Louisiana Challenge to FDA Abortion Pill Rule
Montgomery, AL – Alabama has joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a legal brief supporting Louisiana’s lawsuit challenging a federal rule that expanded access

Alabama Boat Show and Expo Returns to Leeds with New Location at Shops of Grand River
Leeds, AL – The Alabama Boat Show and Expo presented by AmFirst will return to Leeds later this month with a new venue and expanded offerings

Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association Honors 2026 Alumni of the Year
GADSDEN, AL — The Gadsden State Community College Alumni Association has announced its 2026 Alumni of the Year award recipients, recognizing graduates whose service, leadership

Challenger Learning Center Names Dining Area in Honor of Life Insurance Company of Alabama
Gadsden, AL – The Challenger Learning Center of Northeast Alabama has announced the naming of its dining area in honor of the Life Insurance Company

Gadsden State Police Chief Jay Freeman Recognized for Completing Executive Law Enforcement Training
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College has recognized Police Chief Jay Freeman for completing 160 hours of police management training through the Alabama Association of

Alabama Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Holiday Set for Feb. 20–22
Montgomery, AL – With Alabama’s spring tornado season approaching, Governor Kay Ivey is encouraging residents and businesses statewide to prepare by taking advantage of the 2026

Man Sentenced on Four Counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials in Etowah County
Etowah County, AL – Gabe David Kittle, 71, of Peach Tree Road in Boaz, appeared before Judge Cody Robinson last week for sentencing on four counts

State Industrial Development Authority Approves $15.7 Million in SEEDS Grants for 21 Alabama Industrial Sites
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday that the State Industrial Development Authority (SIDA) has approved 21 grants totaling $15.7 million through the Site Evaluation

Governor awards $4.5 million in grants to community action agencies, including Calhoun, Etowah and Cleburne Counties
CALHOUN COUNTY, AL — Gov. Kay Ivey has announced $4.5 million in Community Services Block Grants to support programs aimed at reducing poverty and helping

Gadsden State to Host College-Wide Black History Month Celebration Feb. 18
Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College will host a college-wide Black History Month Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at 1 p.m. on the

Governor Kay Ivey Signs Child Predator Death Penalty Act Into Law
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday signed the Child Predator Death Penalty Act into law, establishing new penalties that make certain sexual crimes

Senator Britt Secures $1 Million for Cleburne County Bridge Replacement in FY26 Appropriations Bill
Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, has directly secured $2 million in federal funding for

ALEA Highlights Role of Alabama Fusion Center and Alert Systems for National Missing Persons Day
Montgomery, AL – In recognition of National Missing Persons Day on Feb. 3, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is emphasizing the importance of swift

Gov. Kay Ivey Supports Camp Safety Legislation Aimed at Strengthening Emergency Preparedness in Alabama
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey last week continued her support for measures designed to enhance safety at Alabama’s summer camps, backing legislation that would

Children’s Trust Fund Awards $11.9 Million to Fourth District Programs, Including Gadsden State Fatherhood Initiative
Gadsden, AL – The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention joined local and state leaders at the Alabama State House to present $11.9

Little River Canyon Center Announces 2026 Canyon Concert Series Lineup
Fort Payne, AL – The Little River Canyon Center (LRCC), owned and operated by Jacksonville State University, has announced the full lineup for its 2026

Alabama Joins Multistate Brief Supporting Trump Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship
Montgomery, AL – Alabama has joined a coalition of 26 states and territories filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of

Two Charged with Murder, Robbery in Death of Missing Jacksonville Man
TALLADEGA, AL — Two individuals are facing serious charges in Talladega County in connection with the death of a Jacksonville man who was reported missing

Alabama Rural Hospital Investment Program Reaches $20M Cap as State Launches Rural Health Transformation Efforts
MONTGOMERY, AL — The Alabama Hospital Association (AlaHA) announced that the $20 million tax credit cap for the Alabama Rural Hospital Investment Program has been

State Surplus Property Auction Opens Feb. 7 with Vehicles, Electronics and More Available to Public
Montgomery, AL – A wide variety of surplus items — including trucks, boats, bicycles, electronics, fitness equipment and office furniture — will be available for bid

Gadsden State Theatre Program to Present Neil Simon’s Rumors Beginning February 26
Gadsden, AL – The Gadsden State Community College Theatre Program will present Rumors, a farcical comedy by Neil Simon, beginning February 26 in the Inzer

Op-Ed by Bill Partridge: Making “Attempting to Elude” a Felony Is About Saving Lives
Oxford, AL – When someone decides to flee from law enforcement, the danger doesn’t stop with that individual. It spreads into neighborhoods, onto highways, and

AmFirst Announces Three Leadership Promotions to Support Growth and Innovation
Birmingham, AL – AmFirst has announced three leadership promotions designed to guide the credit union into its next phase of growth and innovation. Paul Hoffman has

Free Valentine’s Day Cards Available for Children’s of Alabama Patients
Anniston, AL – Community members have an opportunity to help brighten Valentine’s Day for patients at Children’s of Alabamathrough a free digital greeting card initiative.

Governor Ivey Backs Legislation to Expand Teaching Opportunities for Military Veterans
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday continued her push to expand pathways for military veterans to enter Alabama classrooms, as Senate Bill 149 was

Gadsden State Community College Releases Fall Semester 2025 President’s List and Dean’s List
Gadsden, AL –Gadsden State Community College has released its academic honors lists for the Fall Semester 2025, recognizing students for exceptional academic achievement. The lists

Governor Ivey Supports Screen Time Limits for Young Children, Announces $3.8M Federal Grant for Early Childhood Education
Montgomery, AL – Governor Kay Ivey this week highlighted two major initiatives aimed at strengthening Alabama’s early childhood education system, voicing support for legislation that would

Alabama Attorney General Joins Multistate Effort Supporting Repeal of Biden-Era HHS Disability Rule
Montgomery, AL – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a multistate coalition in submitting a formal comment letter supporting the Trump administration’s proposal to

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen Supports Federal Election Reform Package
Montgomery, AL — Wes Allen has voiced support for the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act, a federal election reform package sponsored by Bryan Steil