Courts

Alabama hospitals file lawsuit against opioid makers, distributors

A group of 21 Alabama hospitals have filed a lawsuit against opioid makers and distributors, becoming the latest in a long line of hospitals across the country taking the battle over the opioid epidemic to the courts. On Sept. 3 the 21 plaintiffs filed a civil suit in the Circuit Court of Conecuh County that … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 11, 2019

State Bureau of Pardons and Paroles: Could take “weeks” to resume hearings

Alabama’s Bureau of Pardons and Paroles announced Monday that it could take weeks until parole hearings resume, meaning many hundreds will be impacted by the interruption of those hearings. Skip Tucker, news director at the bureau, told APR on Monday that it’s not clear when those parole hearings would resume. A press release from the … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

September 10, 2019

Kellum announces that she will run for re-election for the Court of Criminal Appeals

Judge Elizabeth “Beth” Kellum announced her intention to seek re-election to a third term on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals on Friday. Kellum made the formal announcement at a gathering of friends, family and supporters. “It’s been my privilege to serve the people of Alabama on the Court of Criminal Appeals, and I want … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 27, 2019

Limestone County sheriff indicted on 13 counts of theft, ethics charges.

Limestone County Sheriff Michael Blakely was arrested on Wednesday after being indicted on 13 theft and ethics charges. Blakely is charged with four separate counts of theft from his campaign account that total $11,000. Additionally, he’s charged with five counts of theft or ethics charges for stealing money from Limestone County funds, including from the … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

August 23, 2019

Marshall announces attorney Billy Underwood has pleaded guilty to jury tampering

Wednesday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) announced that Colbert County attorney William “Billy” Underwood pleaded guilty to jury tampering rather than continuing with a trial that began earlier in the morning. Underwood was sentenced to serve four months in jail. He was further required to permanently surrender his license to practice law in the … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 22, 2019

Opinion

Jorge Ruiz probably fell asleep at the wheel and caused a fatal crash. An Autauga County judge sentenced him to 99 years.

Jorge Ruiz probably fell asleep. Strip away all of the error-filled news reports, the ignorant and racist social media posts and the disgraceful actions of an Autauga County Circuit Court judge, and that’s basically what you’re left with. A 19-year-old guy stayed up too long, made a bad decision to drive while tired, fell asleep … Continued

Josh Moon

August 20, 2019

Leeds man convicted on federal gun and ammunition charges

Tuesday, a federal jury convicted Christopher “Rudy” McNabb from Leeds of three firearm and ammunition related offenses. The jury verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Jay E, Town and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. The jury returned its guilty verdict against the 44-year-old McNabb after two … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 15, 2019

Medicaid work requirements struck down for NH, still pending for Alabama

On July 29 of this year, a federal judge struck down New Hampshire’s Medicaid work requirements. In 2018, Alabama proposed a Section 1115 Medicaid waiver to the federal government to institute similar work requirements. Alabama’s work requirements have yet to receive necessary federal approval to and have thus not been put into practice, unlike New … Continued

Evan Mealins

August 7, 2019

Alabama Education Association files lawsuit against Soner Tarim

The Alabama Education Association has filed a lawsuit through its members and affiliate in Washington County against Soner Tarim, a Texas-based man seeking to open a charter school in rural southwest Alabama. Tarim is the CEO of Unity School Services and was the founder of Harmony Schools, a charter school network in Texas. The lawsuit … Continued

Jessa Reid Bolling

August 2, 2019

Advocates, veterans sue to speed benefits for ‘Blue Water’ vets

Advocates for “blue water” veterans filed a federal lawsuit last week demanding action on the expansion of disability benefits that the government has said must wait until next year. Navy veterans who sailed off the coast of Vietnam who have for decades awaited benefits due to Agent Orange exposure will have to wait until at … Continued

Eddie Burkhalter

July 31, 2019