Skip to content

APR

Legislature / News

Del Marsh: Let the people vote on a lottery and gaming (2015)

Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh in 2015 wrote the Op-Ed below. His opinion was widely circulated throughout the state. Recently, Marsh appears to have changed his position on lottery and gaming, arguing against his 2015 position of allowing games at the state’s four existing pari-mutual racetracks; a move that would only benefit the Poarch … Continued
March 26, 2019

Sources: More ‘tribe-friendly’ gambling bill on the way

On Wednesday, numerous lawmakers told APR that they had been informed by lobbyists working for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians that Senate President Del Marsh was expected to sponsor a “more tribe-friendly” gambling bill after meeting with PCI leaders. That bill would counter one offered on Tuesday by Sen. Jim McClendon. Oddly, Marsh is … Continued
March 21, 2019

Sir, here are your winnings: Let the people vote

When the Legislature returns to Montgomery on Tuesday to resume its regular session, State Sen. Dr. Jim McClendon, R-Springville, is expected to file a constitutional amendment to allow the people to vote on a lottery. Polling shows that a plurality of Alabamians want an opportunity to vote on a lottery. Further polling finds that an … Continued
March 18, 2019

SPLC fires founder Morris Dees; internal emails highlight issues with harassment, discrimination

The Southern Poverty Law Center on Thursday announced that it had fired Morris Dees, the center’s co-founder and long-time public face of the civil rights organization, amid undisclosed allegations that Dees failed to meet the standards of the SPLC. A statement sent by SPLC president Richard Cohen alluded to issues within the organization that made … Continued
March 15, 2019

Report explores “crisis” in Alabama’s prisons

The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama recently released a series of briefs outlining the problems within Alabama’s correctional facilities including overcrowding, unsafe and inadequate environments and an absurdly high incarceration rate compared to other states. In February, APR reported that Gov. Kay Ivey was poised to move forward with her plan to build three new prisons … Continued
March 7, 2019

The fallen Star

At the beginning of last year, when former Consolidated Publishing chairman and Anniston Star publisher H. Brandt Ayers basically admitted to abusing at least two of his former female employees by spanking them decades ago, those of us who followed the story knew this was just the cliché’d tip of the iceberg. When my wife, … Continued
March 7, 2019

Department of Education asks for $150K to defend former board member

Alabama State Department of Education is requesting $150,000 from education funding to defend a former board member, as first reported by education writer Larry Lee. Mary Scott Hunter is being sued personally for her role for allegedly throttling Dr. Craig Pouncey’s appointment as state school board superintendent in 2016. APR first reported news of a … Continued
March 5, 2019

A gas tax special session looms

It appears likely now that a special session is coming for Alabama lawmakers to hash out the gas tax. Legislators from both sides of the aisle told APR on Monday that they expect Gov. Kay Ivey to call the special session — a rare special that would be conducted simultaneously with the just-started regular session … Continued
March 4, 2019

Brandy Ayers stole “normal” from the women he abused

Shortly after the Anniston Star posted a story that Washington Post Executive Editor Martin “Marty” Baron was coming to Anniston to deliver the annual Ayers Lecture, the rumblings started. On the surface, it appeared to be an insult to the many women, including my wife, Veronica, who were abused by H. Brandt Ayers, former publisher … Continued
February 28, 2019