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Legislature / News / State

Gerrymandering prevents the one thing that could save us: Compromise

You’re going to want to sit down for this one: Alabama’s legislative districts were drawn with the intent of lessening the impact of minority voters. I know, I know. Shocking. Right? I mean, here I thought it was just our schools and our courts and our statues and our social programs and our law enforcement … Continued

September 24, 2019

An exclusive interview with me

I’m in my 45th year as a professional journalist. During that time, I’ve written sports, covered government meetings, been an investigative reporter, and written opinion. I’ve written opinion only for more than 30 of those years. For the past four years, I’ve written a weekly column for Alabama Political Reporter, and it’s been a lot … Continued

August 16, 2019

Merrill response not a surprise

I like John Merrill. I can’t help it. I like people who embrace who they are, imperfections and all, and make a hard run at whatever life they’ve chosen. John Merrill must’ve known in elementary school that he wanted to be a politician, and he’s worked at it every day since. Shaking hands. Remembering people’s … Continued

August 5, 2019

Alabama’s charter school law has a number of problems

The Alabama charter school law is an absolute mess, filled with loopholes and nonexistent instructions that make it possible, if not likely, that the state will endure countless bad charter schools that rob taxpayers and leave Alabama school children worse off. Those were not the words of Alabama superintendent Eric Mackey. But you could draw … Continued

July 30, 2019

Power company announces ash pond clean-up, some still not satisfied

Four years ago, Alabama Power Company informed regulators that it would close-in-place its coal ash ponds. Following rules put in place by the Obama Administration, Alabama Power has begun a cleanup effort that will cost billions of dollars. However, some state’s environmental groups are not satisfied with the cap-in-place process and are calling for more … Continued

July 12, 2019

A letter to Steve Marshall: You’re still wrong about why Alabama could lose a congressional seat

Dear Steve, It’s not the brown people. It’s the dumb people. The latter is Alabama’s real problem when it comes to the issue of people who reside within this state’s borders. And no matter how many times you, and a few others, attempt to place the blame for Alabama losing a congressional seat on undocumented … Continued

July 3, 2019

Alabackwards is open for business

Over the last several months, Alabama has received an abundance of national attention; unfortunately, it has made the state look backwards, punitive and even cruel. Republican state lawmakers don’t seem to mind being the butt of the joke, but business leaders do care and are frustrated with the state always being a national punchline. Almost … Continued

July 2, 2019

DNC orders big changes within the Alabama Democratic Party

Big changes are coming for the Alabama Democratic Party. On Friday, after months of haggling, the Rules Committee of the Democratic National Committee voted to approve a plan that should significantly alter the way minority candidates are selected, limiting the power of the ADP’s minority caucus chairman Joe Reed. The plan details were laid out … Continued

July 1, 2019

APR welcomes a new reporter

Eddie Burkhalter moved to Alabama from his home state of Georgia in 2001. While studying social work at Jacksonville State University, he took a job at a local weekly newspaper and a few years later moved on to that company’s daily, The Anniston Star. He spent almost a decade at The Star, covering education, business, … Continued

June 24, 2019

Return of Culverhouse gift decided days before abortion controversy

Hugh Culverhouse repeatedly insulted the dean of the University of Alabama Law School, took shots at the university president, demanded to personally approve the hire of professors and expected to be able to wander in and out of classes unannounced, according to several emails obtained Sunday by APR. The emails between Culverhouse and UA officials … Continued

June 10, 2019