Jacob Holmes

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

Legislature

ACLU of Alabama sets 2026 legislative priorities

The organization is defending voting rights and the First Amendment while calling for criminal legal reform and reproductive justice.

January 7, 2026

Women Voters to host training on use of The Alabama Channel

The Alabama Channel provides live streams and recordings of public meetings, offering citizens powerful tools for transparency and civic participation.

January 5, 2026

New hemp law takes effect—but no stores have licenses

Confusion and strict regulations led many existing retailers to choose closure rather than attempt to comply with the new licensing requirements.

January 1, 2026

Year in Review: Jacob Holmes’s Top 5 stories of 2025

ICE raided popular restaurants, lawmakers banned hemp products, and white supremacists breached a nuclear power plant security perimeter in 2025.

December 31, 2025

Read Freely files amicus brief opposing censorship in Florida

Last week, the organization filed an amicus brief supporting Florida plaintiffs who challenged the removal of books, arguing the Constitution guarantees the right to information.

December 31, 2025

Bill would bar governments from using “West Bank” as term for Israel region

A state representative prefiled legislation requiring government entities to use "Judea and Samaria" for the region, claiming "West Bank" erases Jewish identity.

December 24, 2025

Orange Beach faces lawsuit alleging violation of Open Meetings Act

Plaintiffs allege the Orange Beach City Council failed to provide mandatory 24-hour notice of a special called meeting.

December 22, 2025

Montgomery County breaks with city, votes down Jackson Hospital funds

The 2–2 vote blocked $15 million in potential funding for the struggling hospital, leading city council members to warn people could die.

December 19, 2025

Proposed law would allow for removal of library board members

State Sen. Chris Elliott introduced Senate Bill 26, establishing a pathway for local governments to remove library board members after months of controversy.

December 16, 2025

Sen. Chris Elliott brings back Archives takeover bill

The bill, which nearly passed last year, would give politicians greater control over the Department of Archives and History.

December 12, 2025