cell phones

Legislature / Governor

Gov. Ivey signs FOCUS Act banning cell phones in Alabama schools

The new law aims to reduce distractions in classrooms, allowing students to better focus on learning and improve academic outcomes.

May 15, 2025

Legislature approves bill banning cell phone use in classrooms

The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey, who has already signaled her approval and intent to sign the bill into law.

Jacob Holmes

May 8, 2025

Prefiled bill would restrict phone usage in K-12 classrooms

The bill, pre-filed by Rep. Patrick Sellers, would require the State Board of Education to adopt a policy model for local boards to adopt.

Mary Claire Wooten

November 21, 2024

Gov. Ivey awards grant to combat contraband cell phones in prisons

The ADOC reported a 60 percent increase in cell phone confiscations from 2019 to 2022.

March 6, 2024

Opinion

Wrong solution to a real problem: Device filters miss the mark

There are more effective, more practical ways to protect our kids without handing over the role of parenting to the government.

Donna Skipper

February 19, 2024

Easterling correctional officer charged with bringing contraband into facility

According to a deposition, Thagard brought in the contraband in exchange for $10,000 in cash.

Jacob Holmes

March 29, 2023

Palmer warns that China means to dominate the world

Palmer warned Irondale leaders about the growing threat that China represents to the United States.

Brandon Moseley

August 23, 2021

Opinion

Legislative Session begins this week. Legislator abolishes his own county.

The 2020 Legislative Session begins this week. It will be an interesting three and a-half months. There are a myriad of important issues that legislators have to address this year, as always. However, standing in the way of substantive state issues each year is the necessity to address local bills. Our 1901 Constitution is archaic … Continued

Steve Flowers

February 5, 2020

Prisons ask for $42 million budget increase in 2021

Thursday the House and Senate General Fund budget committees were in Montgomery for a rare joint session as all of the State General Fund (SGF) department heads made their 2021 budget requests. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Jeffrey S. Dunn requested $563 million in FY2021 – a $42 million increase from the 2020 budget. Dunn … Continued

Brandon Moseley

January 24, 2020

Marshall joins 50 other AGs urging FCC to Strengthen Efforts to Stop Illegal Robocalls

Monday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) urged the FCC to encourage telecommunications companies to implement strong call blocking and call authentication procedures to protect consumers from illegal robocalls and spoofing. Marshall joined a coalition of 51 attorneys general (including the District of Columbia) in a comment letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “To … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 27, 2019