Mikayla Burns

Mikayla Burns is an intern at the Alabama Political Reporter.

News / Elections / State

71 campaigns: PACs in Alabama fail to submit annual campaign finance reports

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill released the names of 71 campaign finance committees that did not turn in their annual finance reports. The reports are due no later than Jan. 31 of each year. Over 1,000 turned their reports in on time, but the secretary of state released the names of those that will … Continued

May 3, 2019

Bill aims to protect free speech on state campuses

Alabama students’ and faculty’s free speech may gain more legal protections to speak out on campus soon. Representatives in Alabama have proposed a bill aimed at protecting the free speech rights of students and faculty, and at upholding consequences if those rights are violated. The bill recognized public universities’ work to provide an atmosphere for … Continued

April 26, 2019

SPLC’s new interim president hopes for change within the nonprofit group

The Southern Poverty Law Center is hoping to forge a new path for the group. Karen Baynes-Dunning, interim president and CEO of the SPLC, has her first few weeks in office speaking with employees at the center about their experience within the workplace culture. She has acknowledged the group’s recent troubled past, as she was … Continued

April 26, 2019

Alabama Senate OKs bill to allow for young military service members to open bank accounts

The state Senate has approved of legislation that will allow 18-year-old military service members to open their own bank accounts and take out loans. The bill is important for young Alabamians in the military, as state law requires residents under 19 years old to have a guardian as a co-signer or apply for loans separate … Continued

April 22, 2019

Gov. Ivey responds to president’s major disaster declaration for the state

On April 17, President Donald Trump gave Alabama a Major Disaster Declaration, which aims to help push federal funding into the state following the natural disasters it has faced since February. Following the president’s decision, Gov. Kay Ivey released a statement in response to the funding. “The state of Alabama is far too familiar with … Continued

April 18, 2019

Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition hosts workshop for insights on biodiesel

Biodiesel users and industry specialists convened on Thursday in Montgomery to discuss the future of the fuel industry. The event was sponsored by the Alabama Fuels Coalition with World Energy. It was the second of the week, the first being in Birmingham on Wednesday. Biodiesel is commonly known as a diesel fuel created using vegetable … Continued

April 12, 2019

Alabama Moms Demand Action will meet with lawmakers to advocate for gun violence prevention

In an effort to stop gun violence, volunteers with Alabama Moms Demand Action and survivors of gun violence will meet with state legislators this week. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10 in Montgomery, and speakers will include at least two gun violence survivors and one gun owner. The volunteers hope to stop lawmakers … Continued

April 9, 2019

Sen. Jones introduces bipartisan Access Broadband Act

Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, has introduced legislation that he hopes will bring growth to underserved communities in the country through broadband resources. Jones introduced the Access Broadband Act on April 5, a bipartisan bill that aims to simplify broadband services and application for access for smaller communities and companies. “In today’s economy, high-speed internet is … Continued

April 9, 2019

Sen. Jones asks IRS to explain targeted audits in rural areas of the country

Sen. Doug Jones recently sent a letter to the IRS. In the letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig on April 4, Jones, D-Alabama, asked for an explanation as to why national audits have been focused on rural, lower-income areas instead of wealthier zones. “To concentrate so exclusively on this subset of taxpayers defies explanation,” Jones … Continued

April 5, 2019

Ag commissioner challenges Virginia’s commissioner on 2019 NCAA Final Four game

The Alabama commissioner of agriculture and industries is bringing the Final Four competition back to the state through a friendly video challenge. Commissioner Rick Pate challenged the Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Jewel Bronaugh, betting that Auburn University would win over the University of Virginia. His friendly wager is a case of farm-raised catfish … Continued

April 5, 2019