Mary Claire Wooten

Mary Claire is a reporter. You can reach her at [email protected].

News

Year in Review: Mary Claire Wooten’s Top 5 stories of 2025

Alabama’s 2025 politics featured abortion access battles, civil legal aid threats, parole reform pressure, agency transparency fights and Doug Jones’s gubernatorial entry.

January 2, 2026

Report: Alabama taxes remain lowest, most regressive nationally

PARCA’s 2025 report finds Alabama collects less tax revenue, relies heavily on sales taxes and maintains a structurally imbalanced system.

January 1, 2026

January 1 brings a new statewide regulatory system for consumable hemp products

HB445 establishes a statewide licensing, testing, labeling, taxation and enforcement system regulating who may sell consumable hemp products in Alabama, effective January 1.

December 30, 2025

Ron Sparks considering comeback bid amid concerns for Alabama farmers

Ron Sparks is weighing a return to state office, saying farmers, consumers and food security need stronger leadership and renewed policy focus.

December 26, 2025

Proposed legislation would require parole board to weigh rehabilitation

HB86 would require Alabama’s parole board to positively consider rehabilitation, low recidivism risk, work and education when reviewing parole decisions.

December 25, 2025

Alabama parole grant rate remains low in November report

Parole grant rates for the fiscal year 2026 sit at 17 percent, compared to 29 percent in November 2024.

December 24, 2025

Alabama receives portion of multi-state Mercedes-Benz settlement

Mercedes-Benz will pay $149 million and provide consumer relief after states found the automaker used illegal emissions software in diesel vehicles.

December 23, 2025

Prefiled bill would give State Auditor’s Office more authority

HB94 would grant the State Auditor’s Office more enforcement authority and allow exceptions for properties “located behind security bars”

December 19, 2025

Alabama Board of Pharmacy weighs civil penalties schedule

The Board of Pharmacy debated a new civil penalty schedule, aiming to balance minor in-state violations with stronger enforcement against serious out-of-state misconduct.

December 18, 2025

State audit flags compliance failures at the Agriculture and Industries Department

Audit found Alabama Agriculture Department failed to properly verify lawful presence and had no uniform bad check fees, repeating previously cited compliance problems.

December 17, 2025