Jacob Holmes

Jacob Holmes is a reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]

Courts / Elections

Governor extends candidate certification deadline as Alabama awaits word from SCOTUS

Election officials faced shrinking windows to certify candidates and reassign voters as Alabama pressed to use its disputed congressional map.

May 28, 2026

GOP leaders blast court blockage of GOP-favored Congressional map

Alabama officials split sharply as Republicans appealed to the Supreme Court and Democrats praised a ruling protecting Black voters’ representation.

May 27, 2026

State appeals federal court decision blocking “intentionally discriminatory” map

The ruling left Alabama’s congressional elections in limbo, with voter reassignment deadlines looming and special election plans uncertain.

May 26, 2026

Federal court rules Alabama must use map that granted two Democrat seats

Judges said the GOP-backed 2023 plan was tainted by intentional race discrimination and would dilute Black voters’ power.

May 26, 2026

Read Freely awarded $40K grant to keep fighting library censorship

The funding will support eight events aimed at helping rural and underserved communities organize against book bans and restrictive library policies.

May 26, 2026

“Guaranteed chaos”: Litigants spar over Alabama’s plan to use 2023 maps

Federal judges weighed whether Alabama could revive a disputed congressional map as officials warned voter reassignments faced a punishing timeline.

May 23, 2026

Mayor Woodfin proposes $615 million budget for Birmingham

The spending plan prioritized neighborhood repairs, youth programs, transit, public safety and raises as it moved to the City Council.

May 22, 2026

Ensler clinches Dem Lt. Gov. nomination; Wahl, Allen head to GOP runoff

Trump-backed Wahl led a crowded Republican field, while Ensler pitched a cross-party coalition in a race shaping up for November.

May 20, 2026

“Brawling for our Vote”: Thousands rally to protect Black voting power in the South

Thousands gathered in Montgomery as Democratic leaders warned new Southern district lines threatened to dilute Black voting strength and representation.

May 18, 2026

Thousands anticipated in Montgomery Saturday in protest of redistricting

Organizers tied the demonstrations to Selma’s civil rights legacy as voting rights leaders planned marches, rallies and chartered buses from across the South.

May 15, 2026