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Alabama Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in Hubbard appeal

In yet another surprise move, the Alabama Supreme Court has decided to hear oral arguments in the public corruption appeal of former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. Oral arguments will be June 4, the court said. Hubbard was convicted in 2016 on 12 felony violations of the Alabama ethics code — mostly for using his … Continued
May 3, 2019

Andrew Brasher confirmed to federal bench; Marshall appoints new state solicitor general

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall applauded the confirmation of Andrew Brasher to serve as district judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama on Wednesday. Marshall appointed Edmund LaCour to Brasher’s former position as solicitor general of Alabama. “It is hard to imagine anyone who is more qualified to take on … Continued
May 2, 2019

AG: State minimum wage law didn’t have racist intent

The state argued in a new brief filed in federal court that the state’s minimum wage law — which prevents cities from raising their minimum wages — is not racially motivated but is instead an ordinary piece of economic legislation aimed at maintaining a uniform wage floor across the state. Attorney General Steve Marshall filed … Continued
May 1, 2019

Marshall granted restraining order in state’s first civil human-trafficking case

Attorney General Steve Marshall has been granted a temporary restraining order against a chain of North Alabama massage businesses. He said the businesses have actually been operating a human-trafficking enterprise. This is the state’s first civil human-trafficking case under the new civil enforcement provision to Alabama’s human-trafficking law. The complaint also claims violations of Alabama’s … Continued
April 22, 2019

Ivey calls stay of execution for Christopher Lee Price a miscarriage of justice

Late Thursday night, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) called the granting of a stay of execution for death row inmate Christopher Lee Price “a miscarriage of justice.” “This evening, the state of Alabama witnessed a miscarriage of justice,” Gov. Ivey said. “Just days before Christmas in 1991, Christopher Lee Price brutally took the life of … Continued
April 12, 2019

On two fronts: Ethics laws face challenges before Supreme Court and in Statehouse

Alabama’s ethics laws are under attack on two fronts. A bill moving through the Legislature would significantly loosen the state’s “toughest-in-the-nation” ethics rules, which govern the behavior of state officials, lawmakers, lobbyists and those who hire them. In the courts, though, another challenge is brewing. Former Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard — convicted on 12 … Continued
April 9, 2019

Former state auditor candidate arrested on felony charges

A former Republican candidate for state auditor has been arrested and charged with three felony counts related to illegally accessing confidential law enforcement records about his opponents in the primary. Elliott Owen Lipinsky was arrested last week on the three felony charges, and he surrendered to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on April 3. He … Continued
April 8, 2019

Lipscomb wins at Alabama Supreme Court, keeps his House seat

Thursday, the Alabama Supreme Court has ruled in favor of state Representative Craig Lipscomb, R-Gadsden, in the lawsuit that his former Democratic opponent, Jared Vaughn, filed against him during last year’s election. “We are very happy that this lawsuit is finally over,” Lipscomb said. “It is unfortunate that this frivolous litigation was ever filed and … Continued
April 5, 2019

Justice Department report documents horrific violence, sexual abuse in Alabama prisons

Back in February 2017, an inmate was eating his evening meal when other inmates sexually assaulted him inside his dormitory at Fountain Correction Facility, a medium-security Alabama men’s prison opened in 1955 near Atmore. The prison is designed for 831 inmates, but it currently holds more than 1,200 prisoners at 150 percent its intended capacity, … Continued
April 4, 2019

AG: Ruling in federal lawsuit means state will not have to redraw congressional districts for 2020

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced Wednesday that a federal judge’s favorable initial ruling in a voting rights lawsuit against the state of Alabama’s congressional districting plan means there will be no change in Alabama’s congressional district map for the upcoming 2020 U.S. House elections. “I am pleased that U.S. District Judge Bowdre agreed with … Continued
March 29, 2019