Author

Eddie Burkhalter

Eddie Burkhalter is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter. You can email him at [email protected] or reach him via Twitter.

News / Legislature / Public safety

Former state senator, attorney, pleaded guilty to stealing from clients

An attorney and former Alabama state senator pleaded guilty to two counts of theft for stealing money from clients, state Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office announced Tuesday. Zeb Little was convicted in Franklin County Circuit Court on September 20 of two counts of felony theft of property and admitted to removing clients’ money from his … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 25, 2019

Gerrymandering expert worked with Alabama Republicans on 2011 redistricting lines, documents show

An Alabama lawmaker, named in the documents of the late Republican gerrymandering expert, Thomas Hofeller, declined to say whether he recalls working with Hofeller during Alabama’s 2010 redistricting cycle. An article published by The Intercept on Monday included documents and emails that seemed to show then-Alabama Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, the House chair of the Joint … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 24, 2019

Judge rules First Amendment protects SPLC’s “hate group” label

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center over the progressive watchdog group’s labeling of a Christian ministry as a hate group for its opposition to homosexuality. In U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson’s order filed Thursday dismissing the suit, he wrote that while his decision didn’t make a determination … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 23, 2019

Jones’s attempt to fund minority colleges blocked by Tennessee senator

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, on Thursday asked for unanimous consent on the floor of the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would continue funding to minority-serving colleges and universities, but a Tennessee senator objected, putting a halt to its passage, at least for now. The FUTURE Act would continue for two more years the $225 … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 20, 2019

Former Alabama corrections officer indicted in beating of two inmates

A former Alabama corrections officer has been indicted on charges that he failed to stop an officer under his command from beating two inmates at the Elmore Correctional Facility. Willie Burks, 39, is charged with making a false statement to a federal grand jury and with failing to stop another officer from “kicking and striking … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 19, 2019

Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board chair resigns amid turmoil

Lyn Head, chair of the Alabama Pardons and Paroles Board, announced her resignation on Tuesday. Her departure comes amid years of turmoil at the bureau that has resulted in the removal of three staffers and the suspension of parole hearings until at least November 1. In a statement to APR on Wednesday Gov. Kay Ivey’s … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 19, 2019

Paddlers racing 650 miles to Mobile Bay in first Great Alabama 650 race

By Wednesday afternoon 59-year-old Salli O’Donnell had paddled her kayak 390 miles of the Great Alabama 650 race, which began Saturday at Weiss Lake in Centre. Those miles put the ultra-distance paddler from Fort Walton Beach, Fla. in the lead. Her next closest competitor, Bobby Johnson, on Wednesday afternoon was 20 miles behind her, and … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 19, 2019

Tennessee-based racist, antisemitic radio show reveals reality TV pilot starring prominent white supremacists

Richard Spencer and two other prominent white supremacists filmed the pilot of a reality TV show with a “household name” media company some months ago, according to one of the men, who was recorded speaking about the project during a radio show taped in Alabama this month. James Edwards, host of the Tennessee-based racist and … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 18, 2019

AG Marshall supports rollbacks on school lunch nutrition

Many children in Alabama get less healthy school lunches after the Trump administration’s rollback of rules that had set nutritional standards. Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall favors lower standards for the state’s school children’s lunches, as well. Meanwhile, Alabama’s children are ranked 9th highest in rates of obesity in the nation. Advocates for healthier lunches … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 18, 2019

Jones calls on McConnell to bring FUTURE Act to a vote after House approval

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, on Tuesday called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring up for a vote the FUTURE Act, which protects federal funding for historically black colleges and universities. Jones’s call for a vote came after the act’s unanimous passage in the House Tuesday evening. Jones and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 18, 2019