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Mikayla Burns

Mikayla Burns is an intern at the Alabama Political Reporter.

News / Legislature / State

Sen. Andrew Jones pre-files prescription opioids patient education bill

State Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre, is working to establish an opioid education system for patients prescribed the drug through a bill he pre-filed on March 4, 2019. “The Alabama fourth Congressional District, which includes a majority of my State Senate district, had the highest rate of opioid abuse in the nation, coming in at a … Continued

Mikayla Burns

March 7, 2019

David Cole, Molly Cagle join BCA Government Affairs team

A new senior vice president and vice president of government affairs were announced by the Business Council of Alabama. David Cole is now senior vice president of government affairs, and Molly Cagle is vice president of government affairs. The duo was announced on Feb. 28 and joined the council on the same day as part … Continued

Mikayla Burns

March 4, 2019

Wheeler proposes term limits bill to start in 2022 for Alabama legislatures

A bill to limit the terms of Alabama legislators has been pre-filed and, if passed, would start with 2022 elections. State Rep. David Wheeler, R-Vestavia Hills, announced on National Term Limits Day, Feb. 27, that he will be proposing a term limit bill to amend the Alabama Constitution. Wheeler pre-filed the bill that would affect … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 28, 2019

Black Warrior Riverkeeper sues EPA to protect vulnerable streams

Black Warrior Riverkeeper filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 27, 2019, in an effort to ensure the protection Black Warrior River’s watersheds by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. ADEM dropped Lost Creek and Big Yellow Creek from the state’s Section 303(d) List, which features and describes bodies of water in … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 28, 2019

Lt. Gov. Ainsworth, Rep. Daniels condemn Goodloe Sutton over KKK editorial

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth encouraged citizens to use First Amendment rights to speak out against Goodloe Sutton and The Democrat-Reporter. The statement follows mass media coverage and responses to an editorial published Feb. 14, 2019, by Sutton in which he wrote the “Klan needs to ride again.” “During my inaugural remarks, I said Alabama cannot … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 21, 2019

Ivey awards funds to help fight against opioids and other drugs in Alabama

Gov. Kay Ivey granted a total of $386,207 to the Department of Forensic Sciences to help fight the use of opioids and other illegal drugs in the state of Alabama. The awards will assist the department in purchasing two substance analyzers that will be able to efficiently identify prescription and illegal drugs being used, which … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 20, 2019

Environmental groups oppose new surface coal mine

The Alabama Surface Mining Commission will be accepting the public’s comments until Feb. 25, 2019, on the proposal for a renewal of coal mining permit. Environmental activists say the coal mine proposal if carried out has the potential to leak wastewater from 23 spots into the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. The fork … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 15, 2019

Statehouse Democrats announce listening, town hall tour

During the next month, the Alabama House Democratic Caucus members will travel across the state to participate in a town hall tour. They hope to speak with constituents in regards to the next legislative session, asking them about issues close to home that they want their representatives to prioritize. “With so many issues and challenges facing … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 12, 2019

UAB to host Symposium on Disability Rights this month

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Institute for Human Rights and Center for Disability Health and Rehabilitation Science will team up with the Lakeshore Foundation on Feb. 21 and 22 to host the Symposium for Disability Rights. The three groups join together to help those who are disabled know their rights, as well as focus … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 8, 2019

Ivey awards nonprofit grant to help immigrant victims of domestic violence

Gov. Kay Ivey approved a $47,792 grant to AshaKiran to help the nonprofit continue to help Alabama residents who escaped domestic violence in other countries. AshaKiran works to help victims of domestic violence in Alabama, specifically those who have immigrated to Alabama to escape those circumstances. The organization was formed in 2006 and offers culturally specific … Continued

Mikayla Burns

February 7, 2019