Jacob Holmes

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

Legislature

House passes bill that would criminalize protesting in a mask without a doctor’s note

Anti-masking laws have never been taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court and have had mixed results in lower courts.

January 28, 2026

Fairhope Library loses courier service after APLS cuts state funding

County ends courier service to Fairhope library after aid compliance ruling, cutting interlibrary loans for Baldwin residents outside limits city.

January 27, 2026

Documentary exposing Alabama prisons nominated for Academy Award

Three men featured in the film are now in solitary confinement as they plan a second work strike.

January 26, 2026

Municipal leaders gather for ALM Advocacy Day

Elected officials from Alabama's biggest cities to tiniest towns came together for ALM Advocacy Day on Thursday in Montgomery.

January 23, 2026

Portland, OR, USA - Dec 28, 2023: App Store icon is seen on an iPhone. App Store is an app marketplace developed and maintained by Apple Inc., for mobile apps on its iOS and iPadOS operating systems

House passes bill requiring App Store age verification

Alabamians may soon have to verify their age to download apps under a bill passed unanimously by House lawmakers Thursday.

January 23, 2026

Lawmakers claim citizen concerns over ICE bill are fear-mongering

During a contentious public hearing, state lawmakers dismissed testimony from citizens, asserting their concerns about the new immigration bill were financially motivated fear.

January 22, 2026

House Democratic Caucus makes affordability center of 2026 agenda

The Alabama House Democratic Caucus unveiled its 2026 legislative priorities Tuesday, focusing on tax elimination, voting access, and public education funding.

January 21, 2026

APLS rules Fairhope Library in violation, won’t restore funding

The APLS board voted 3-2 to find the library noncompliant for including "sexually explicit" materials in youth sections.

January 16, 2026

Bill establishing criminal penalties for organ harvesting clears Alabama committee

State lawmakers advanced legislation adding Class C felony penalties for medical examiners harvesting organs after hearing about alleged 2024 abuses.

January 16, 2026

Committee approves bill to allow death penalty in cases of child rape

The death penalty would be applied in situations where the victim is under 12 years of age.

January 15, 2026