Alabama

Alabama’s prisons are at a crossroads

Alabama’s prisons are notoriously some of the worst in the country. They’re violent. They’re underfunded. They’re unable to handle the mental health care needs of those incarcerated. And they’re also overcrowded. In fact, Alabama’s prison population has increased fivefold since 1980, forcing state-run prisons to operate at 164 percent capacity-which makes them the most overcrowded … Continued

Rebecca Seung-Bickley

September 7, 2018

Opinion

Analysis | The myth of the “simple lottery bill”

There is no such thing as a “simple lottery bill” in the state of Alabama. You hear this phrase a lot from state lawmakers, as they field the inevitable questions about gambling that pop up prior to each legislative session or prior to elections in which one candidate — usually a Democrat — has proposed … Continued

Josh Moon

September 6, 2018

Opinion

1978 Governor’s race

Since this is a gubernatorial election year, let’s reminisce about an epic Governor’s Race. The 1978 Governor’s race is one of the classics in Alabama political lore. That Governor’s race between the three heavyweights, former Governor Albert Brewer, Attorney General Bill Baxley, and Lt. Governor Jere Beasley, was expected to be titanic. All three men had last … Continued

Steve Flowers

September 5, 2018

Today is Labor Day

Today, Monday, September 3, 2018, is a Federal, State of Alabama and banking holiday. Most schools and many businesses will be closed. The first Monday of September is historically considered to be the last weekend of summer, thus the day is reserved as a holiday for the working people who keep our economy functioning. The … Continued

Brandon Moseley

September 3, 2018

Opinion

The yoga ban in Alabama schools explains so much

Yoga is illegal in Alabama public schools. If you ever wanted to sum up this state, that sentence — and the explanation behind it — should more than suffice. In a nutshell, it’s this: Alabama lawmakers were, in the early 1990s, so concerned with the spread of the Hindu religion, by way of strenuous stretching, … Continued

Josh Moon

August 31, 2018

Maddox, other Democrat candidates speak at ACD Kennedy-King Dinner

The Alabama College Democrats hosted a night of dinner, conversation and energizing, pro-public service addresses delivered by multiple Democratic candidates and guests on Saturday. The ACD Kennedy-King Dinner was held at the Capital City Club and featured a multitude of candidates that evening, which included: Dr. Will Boyd, the Democratic lieutenant governor nominee; Cara McClure, … Continued

Charlie Walker

August 27, 2018

Opinion

Snakes, canaries and the party of corruption

There’s all this talk about a “Blue Wave” this November in the midterm elections. Those “midterms” are also the major elections for Alabama. What kind of Blue Wave we might have in Alabama is anybody’s guess. If one or two Democrats won their legislative or statewide races, that’d be a Blue Wave in Alabama these … Continued

Joey Kennedy

August 23, 2018

Opinion

Inside the Statehouse: Kay just needs to say nothing or do nothing

Recently, I wrote about Alfa’s influence in Alabama politics. In my August 8 column, I said, the Alabama Farmers Federation still controls the Legislature. They use to play in the Governor’s Race. However, they got burned badly by Bob Riley when they helped him get elected and the first thing he did was stab them … Continued

Steve Flowers

August 22, 2018

Opinion

Republican brand still strong despite corruption, convictions and copying Democrat predecessors

According to Real Clear Politics, Democrats in Alabama have little chance of making progress in November’s general election because the Republican brand is so strong. RCP polling shows Gov. Kay Ivey is a hands-down favorite to win against Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in November’s general election even though she has only been governor for just … Continued

Bill Britt

August 21, 2018