Mary Claire Wooten

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

Education

Contract Review Committee advances literacy, reading intervention contracts

Alabama lawmakers approved a contract to expand teacher training and reading interventions to continue supporting Literacy Act goals and addressing post-pandemic learning gaps.

November 11, 2025

Graduation cap university or college degree on US dollars banknotes pile. Education expense budget plan of money saving, student loan or debt, personal loan, scholarship for studying abroad concept

Alabama colleges seek significant funding in next education budget

Alabama's universities and colleges made their funding requests for 2027 at the Alabama Commission on Higher Education meeting on Thursday.

November 7, 2025

Alabama Public Television weighs future of its PBS partnership

Alabama Public Television may end its PBS partnership, risking funding loss and programming cuts.

November 6, 2025

Birmingham approves emergency SNAP aid during ongoing government shutdown

The Birmingham City Council approved Mayor Randall Woodfin's proposal to offer food assistance to residents as the government shutdown halts benefits.

November 5, 2025

Trump endorses members of Alabama’s congressional delegation

Trump endorsed four members of Alabama's congressional delegation, but stayed out of endorsing a candidate in the open 1st Congressional District race.

November 4, 2025

Birmingham commits $1M toward emergency relief for SNAP families

Mayor Woodfin proposed $1 million in emergency aid and a citywide food drive to help the 23,000 Birmingham residents losing SNAP benefits.

October 31, 2025

Sidwell joins growing Republican field for 1st Congressional District

Former Air Force Major Austin Sidwell joins Jerry Carl and Rhett Marques in the 2026 Republican race for Alabama’s 1st District.

October 30, 2025

Gov. Ivey, ABC Board consider new alcohol rules after Montgomery shooting

Ivey and the ABC Board proposed new alcohol restrictions to prohibit off-premise alcohol consumption and new safety measures.

October 29, 2025

Study commission reports progress on Alabama’s public works bidding website

A state committee reported progress on Alabama Builds, the new public works bidding website created by HB320 to modernize project advertising.

October 28, 2025

Alabama carries out fifth execution of the year

Alabama executed Anthony Boyd by nitrogen gas despite his innocence claims, protests and a Supreme Court dissent calling the method unconstitutional.

October 24, 2025