Jacob Holmes

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

Legislature

Pledge, prayer period could soon be mandated in Alabama schools

Alabama voters would ultimately have to approve the constitutional amendment if it clears the Senate.

March 11, 2026

Civil Rights leaders reaffirm commitment to justice at wreath-laying ceremony

Leaders honored 40 civil rights martyrs in Montgomery on Thursday, warning against modern efforts to suppress voting rights and reverse decades of progress.

March 6, 2026

THC Acronym In Marijuana Shake With Cannabis Leafs On White Background

New bill would ban Delta THC, remove legal framework for consumable hemp

Senator Tom Butler proposed classifying hemp-derived cannabinoids as Schedule I drugs, threatening small businesses that recently adapted to new state licensing requirements.

March 5, 2026

Governor appoints Rex Vaughn to chair Madison County Commission

A native of Madison County and longtime farm operator, Vaughn succeeded retiring Chairman Mac McCutcheon following his appointment by Governor Kay Ivey.

March 3, 2026

Parole reform bill passes out of House

The bill would require the parole board to consider an inmate's history of employment while incarcerated.

February 26, 2026

House passes bill that would rename Gulf of Mexico

If the bill passes the Senate, the body of water would become known as the Gulf of America.

February 25, 2026

House passes bill criminalizing disruption of worship services

State representatives voted Tuesday to make disrupting religious services a Class C felony after a high-profile protest interrupted a Minnesota church service.

February 25, 2026

House committee advances bill to ban chemtrails

Speakers at the public hearing on the bill blamed chemtrails for the flooding of Camp Mystic in Texas last summer.

February 16, 2026

House committee advances bill to reshape Archives board

Lawmakers advanced legislation to grant political leaders control over board appointments, sparking concerns about the removal of two Black members.

February 13, 2026

Senate committee approves abstinence-based sex ed bill

An Alabama Senate committee advanced legislation Thursday requiring public schools to exclusively teach sexual risk avoidance, effectively rebranding abstinence-only sex education.

February 12, 2026