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Sewell attends congressional field hearing in Birmingham

A congressional hearing was held in Birmingham Monday investigating reports of voter suppression. Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Selma, joined members of the House Administrative Subcommittee on Elections at an official meeting in Birmingham’s City Council Chambers as they heard from voting rights activists. Two members of the House of Representatives joined Sewell for a field hearing … Continued
May 14, 2019

The state of Alabama’s prisons should embarrass us all

What’s happening in Alabama’s prisons is not OK. It’s not what anyone — including criminals — deserves. It’s not a deterrent to crime. It’s not how humans should treat other humans — especially when a majority of those humans proclaim to practice a religion that harps quite a bit on kindness, decency and goodwill (There … Continued
May 7, 2019

Court says Alabama isn’t doing enough to protect prisoners from suicide

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama has ruled that Alabama’s Department of Corrections must immediately begin a set of measures to address suicide prevention in the state’s prisons. The court ruled that ADOC frequently fails to comply with previous court orders and their own policies related to suicide prevention and solitary … Continued
May 6, 2019

Reverse recidivism rate

Recidivism rate is the tendency of a criminal to commit a crime and return to prison. This is one of those areas where fuzzy math drives you crazy getting to the facts. According to the National Institute of Justice, 68 percent of 405,000 prisoners released in 30 states in 2005 were arrested for a new … Continued
April 29, 2019
Roy Moore speaks to reporters and supporters

Roy Moore opposes bill ending marriage licenses

Tuesday, the Montgomery-based Foundation for Moral Law and former Senate candidate Roy Moore released a statement strongly opposing the pending bill in the Alabama Legislature, SB69, that would eliminate marriage licenses. “The purpose of this bill, as its sponsor, Senator Greg Albritton, has stated, is to have the state comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling … Continued
April 17, 2019

During payday presser, two Alabama Republicans break with Trump, side with liberal advocates

In the media room on the third floor of the State House, a self-identified group of liberals and conservatives took the stage to introduce legislation to restrict small consumer payday loans further. In a surprising move, Republican lawmakers at the event voiced their disagreement with President Donald Trump with one stating he is not a … Continued
April 15, 2019

The 7th Project opens 2019 congressional internship applications

On Wednesday, The 7th Project announced application openings for their 2019 Congressional Internship Program, which gives college students who are residents of Alabama’s 7th District the opportunity to work with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell in her Washington, D.C. office. “The 7th Project has been a wonderful partner in providing interns for my office,” Sewell said. … Continued
April 4, 2019

SPLC hires new president, CEO after tumult over cofounder’s firing

The Southern Poverty Law Center has appointed an interim president and CEO as it plans to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent leader. The SPLC’s board of directors voted unanimously to name Karen Baynes-Dunning as the civil rights legal group’s interim president, according to the board’s chair. Her appointment comes after the departures of … Continued
April 3, 2019