federal courts

News

Gov. Ivey to move forward with $900 million prison plan

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is poised to move forward with a plan to build three new prisons and invest more in prison staff as the state’s aging and overpopulated correctional system faces continued calls for reform from both activists and the federal courts. Ivey announced a broad outline of her plan during a press conference … Continued

Bill Britt, Chip Brownlee

February 12, 2019

Alabama executes Muslim inmate after Supreme Court overturns stay

Alabama performed its first execution of 2019 following a legal back and forth over whether the inmate could be put to death without a chaplain of his faith in the chamber. The state executed Dominque Ray, a Muslim inmate who had appealed to federal courts after the state refused to allow an imam to be … Continued

Chip Brownlee

February 8, 2019

Report: 146,000 Alabamians with pre-existing conditions could lose coverage, see premium increases

Note: This piece was originally published in October 2018. As many as 146,000 people in Alabama who have pre-existing conditions and purchase their health insurance coverage through the individual market could see premium increases or lose their coverage if the Affordable Care Act is overturned in court, according to a new report from the House … Continued

Chip Brownlee

October 24, 2018

Opinion

Conservatives must not leave the culture war battle to “summertime soldiers and sunshine patriots”

There are certain fundamental truths in life that neither the liberal elite nor the left-wing media nor the activists federal courts can change no matter how hard they try. For example, I know that marriage ordained by God can only occur between a man and a woman. I know that individuals should use the rest … Continued

Will Ainsworth

May 25, 2018

Opinion

A message from Kay Ivey: Pander, pander, pander

A few minutes before 8 on Wednesday evening, an urgent press release from Gov. Kay Ivey hit my email inbox. Subject line: “Governor Kay Ivey responds to Mobile teacher being prevented from wearing ‘Just Pray’ shirt.” Before blacking out from the unstoppable stupidity of such an email, a realization hit me. It’s pander season. It’s … Continued

Josh Moon

May 3, 2018

Opinion

Thank goodness, I’m an “outside agitator”

I guess I’m an outside agitator. Alabama politicians love to throw that phrase around. Seems like anytime somebody disagrees with one of Alabama’s horrible laws or policies or acts, the politicos throw out that line, or something like it. In defending his law to prohibit removing monuments more than 40 years old, state Sen. Gerald … Continued

Joey Kennedy

April 26, 2018

Opinion

Once again, we dare defend our wrongs

By Joey Kennedy Alabama Political Reporter How many times is Alabama going to go down this well-traveled road? We’re like a Twilight Zone episode. Or many of them. Our state is beautiful; the people generally are wonderful. We smile and say hi as we pass each other on the street. Alabama is a great place … Continued

Joey Kennedy

February 8, 2018

In shift from Bentley plan, Ivey calls for new investment in prisons, correctional officers

By Chip Brownlee Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey shifted further away from former Gov. Robert Bentley’s plan to build new mega-prison as a solution for overcrowding and prison conditions federal courts have repeatedly ruled as unconstitutional. In her State of the State Tuesday, Ivey pushed for new investment in prisons and the Department … Continued

Chip Brownlee

January 10, 2018

ACLU’s Susan Watson has died

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter On Friday, December 2, 2016 the Executive Director of the ACLU of Alabama, Susan Watson passed away from a short illness. On Friday, ACLU Alabama announced in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Executive Director, Susan Watson. Words are not enough … Continued

Brandon Moseley

December 6, 2016

Sewell Responds to Court Decision Invalidating North Carolina’s Voter ID Law

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Saturday, July 30, 2016, US Representative Terri Sewell (D-Selma) called the federal appeals court ruling striking down the state of North Carolina’s voter ID law a great victory for American Democracy. Congresswoman Sewell said in a statement, “The court ruling by the 4th Circuit on Friday striking down North … Continued

Brandon Moseley

August 2, 2016