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Steve Marshall

News / Public safety / State

Lowndes County Sheriff John Williams killed in the line of duty

Saturday night began as a routine evening for law enforcement in a small town. Lowndes County Sheriff “Big John” Williams was responding to a call at the Q V. Gas Station in Hayneville. The veteran law enforcement officer asked a young man to turn down the music on his radio. Instead of complying, the young … Continued
November 25, 2019

Birmingham Waterworks Board owes $957 million

Thursday, the embattled Birmingham Water Works held a public meeting to discuss raising water rates 3.9 percent. One of the listed goals of the rate increase was to reduce the public utility’s debt which has grown to a staggering $957 million. The debt has grown despite raising rates every year since 2012 by between 3.9 … Continued
November 18, 2019

Parole hearings in Alabama will resume today after a two month suspension of hearings

Monday, State Pardons and Paroles director Judge Charlie Graddick said at a news conference that he speaks for the public by encouraging that actions taken regarding violent offenders be reviewed very carefully. “Foremost, inmates do not have an innate right to be paroled, they must earn such a privilege,” Graddick told reporters. “Parole consideration dates … Continued
November 5, 2019

Judge Graddick announces resumption in parole hearings

Friday, Judge Charlie Graddick, director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, will hold a news conference on Monday to discuss resumption of parole hearings Tuesday and his opposition to the release of violent criminals. The news conference will be held in Montgomery. Judge Graddick was appointed Director by Gov. Kay Ivey on September … Continued
November 4, 2019

Court blocks the Alabama abortion ban

U.S. District Court Judge Myron Thompson , age 72, granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday blocking H.B. 314, the Human Life Protection Act. The state law would have banned abortion in nearly all instances in Alabama. The one exception is to protect the health of the mother. The move was expected by both the opponents of … Continued
October 30, 2019

36 people arrested in joint federal, state and local law enforcement effort

A joint federal, state, and local law enforcement initiative resulted in the arrests of 36 individuals earlier this month on a variety of criminal charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, using communication facilities to facilitate drug trafficking and various firearms offenses. The arrests were announced by U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town, DEA Assistant Special Agent … Continued
October 16, 2019

Ivey appoints Leigh Gwathney chair of Board of Pardons and Paroles

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced Monday that she is appointing Leigh Gwathney to serve as chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles. “There is no doubt Leigh Gwathney will serve the state well as chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles,” Ivey said. “Pardons and Paroles was in need of strong … Continued
September 24, 2019

Gov. Ivey directs flags at half staff to honor fallen police officer Dornell Cousette

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has issued a statewide directive to fly flags at half-staff on the day of interment of Tuscaloosa Police Investigator Dornell Cousette. Cousette was killed in the line of duty attempting to apprehend an armed and dangerous felon Monday night. “Monday evening, I was devastated to learn of the news that Alabama … Continued
September 18, 2019

Graddick expects parole hearing to resume on November 1

Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles Director Charlie Graddick, on Wednesday, announced that parole hearings are expected to resume on or about November 1. Graddick shut down parole hearings because the previous administration failed to bring the bureau into compliance with the law enacted June 6 by Gov. Kay Ivey. On Friday, Director Graddick postponed … Continued
September 12, 2019