Author

Jessa Reid Bolling

Jessa Reid Bolling is a reporter at the Alabama Political Reporter and graduate of The University of Alabama with a B.A. in journalism and political science.

Families plea for lawmakers to pass medical marijuana bill

As lawmakers and press roamed the halls of the Alabama State House on Thursday, three families were gathered in an office, all eager to be heard by their representatives and all fighting for the same cause. SB165, a bill called the Compassion Act, sponsored by Sen. Tim Melson, R-Florence, would make Alabama the 34th state … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

March 9, 2020

Man set to be executed Thursday for murders he did not commit

An Alabama man convicted in the 2004 shooting deaths of three police officers he did not kill is set to be executed this afternoon. Nathaniel Woods, 44, was convicted in 2005 of capital murder in the shooting deaths of three Birmingham police officers Carlos Owen, Harley A. Chisholm III and Charles R. Bennett. Woods was … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

March 5, 2020

ACLU of Alabama condemns bill banning transgender treatment for minors

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama has condemned a recently approved bill to prevent doctors from providing hormone replacement therapy or puberty suppressing drugs to people younger than 19 who identify as transgender. House Bill 303, the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, would make it a Class C felony, punishable by … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 28, 2020

Alabama House passes bail reform bill named for Aniah Blanchard

The Alabama House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly yesterday to pass legislation to give judges more discretion in denying bail to people accused of committing violent crimes. The legislation, House Bill 81, is named for Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old Alabama college student who was kidnapped and murdered last year. The man charged with her murder, Ibraheed … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 28, 2020

Alabama Democratic Women to host first Women in Blue Day on March 10

On March 10, the Alabama Democratic Women (ADW) organization will host their first annual Women in Blue Day, a day where state chapters of the National Federation of Democratic Women meet at their state capitols to speak with their legislators about issues that are of particular relevance to women and families. Attendees will gather at … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 24, 2020

Lawmaker files bill to ban treatments for transgender kids

Republican Wes Allen, R-Troy, filed a bill to prevent doctors from providing hormone replacement therapy or puberty suppressing drugs to people younger than 19 who identify as transgender. HB303, the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, would make it a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, for doctors to … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 21, 2020

Alabama lawmakers advance bill banning transgender athletes in K-12 sports

A House committee voted Wednesday to advance a bill that would ban transgender teenagers from playing on the sports teams of the gender they identify with. House Bill 35, titled the Gender Is Real Legislative Act, or GIRL Act, would require student athletes in K-12 schools to participate as the gender listed on their birth … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 20, 2020

House Judiciary Committee passes bail reform law named for Aniah Blanchard

The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday passed a bill to give judges more discretion in denying bail to people accused of committing violent crimes. The bill is named for Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old Alabama college student who was kidnapped and murdered last year. The man charged with her murder, Ibraheed Yazeed, was out on bond … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 20, 2020

Alabama voters will decide whether to fire the state school board

The fate of the state school board will be decided by Alabama voters on March 3. A proposed constitutional amendment, Amendment One, asks if voters want to change how the folks in charge of education at the state level are selected. A yes vote would abolish the elected State Board of Education and the Board-appointed … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 19, 2020

Committee hears state plan to address student mental health

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey asked the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee for funding to put more mental health professionals in schools. While addressing the committee, Mackey said that having more counseling available for students will help to not only address student mental health but to also help teachers who are “overwhelmed” with trying to … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

February 13, 2020