Alabama

U.S. Supreme Court rejects Alabama’s request to stay redistricting decision

BY: - September 26, 2023

The United States Supreme Court Tuesday denied Alabama’s request to stay a lower court decision directing a special master to draw new state congressional maps to remedy Voting Rights Act violations. The nation’s high court dismissed the request in two one-sentence orders Tuesday morning. No opinions were given with the decision, which could open the […]

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, speaks during a special legislative session, Friday, July 21, 2023 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Alabama Reflector Photo by Stew Milne)

Alabama redistricting: Special master submits three proposed congressional maps

BY: and - September 25, 2023

Three proposed Alabama congressional maps will give Alabama’s Black voters a chance of electing their preferred candidates in two of the state’s seven congressional districts, a person overseeing the maps told a federal court Monday. Richard Allen, the special master assigned by the three-judge panel overseeing Alabama’s redistricting process, wrote in a 44-page report that […]

The Alabama Legislature’s approved redistricting map includes a 7th Congressional District (left, colored tan) that is 50.65% Black and a 2nd Congressional District (right, in pink) that is about 40% Black. (Stew Milne/Alabama Reflector)

Alabama defying federal redistricting orders, plaintiffs say in new filing

BY: - September 19, 2023

Attorneys for plaintiffs challenging Alabama’s congressional maps Tuesday accused the state of defying federal court orders to draw a second opportunity district for Black voters. In a 51-page brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, the attorneys asked the justices to reject a request from the state to stay a special master from drawing new […]

Federal court blocks Alabama’s congressional map, orders new lines drawn

BY: and - September 5, 2023

A three-judge federal panel Tuesday ruled that a new Alabama congressional map failed to address Voting Rights Act violations and ordered a third party to draw new lines. In a 217-page opinion in the case, known as Allen v. Milligan, U.S. Circuit Judge Stanley Marcus and U.S. District Judges Anna Manasco and Terry Moorer sharply […]

Trump lashes out at prosecutors, Biden, DeSantis in Alabama speech

BY: - August 6, 2023

Former President Donald Trump said in a speech in Montgomery Friday night that he wears his recent indictment on charges of attempting to subvert the 2020 presidential election as “a badge of honor.” In a nearly-hourlong speech at a fundraising dinner for the Alabama Republican Party, Trump attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his rival for […]

White House: U.S. Space Command to remain in Colorado, spurning Alabama

BY: and - July 31, 2023

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced on Monday it will headquarter U.S. Space Command in Colorado, a decision that rejects efforts made during the last administration to move the U.S. military facility to Alabama. The decision comes as Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville continues to block senior military promotions from moving forward in the U.S. […]

Arkansas AG joins multi-state retail crimefighting alliance

BY: - July 19, 2023

The Arkansas Attorney General’s office will work with a multi-state group of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations division to fight organized retail crime, Attorney General Tim Griffin said Wednesday. “Organized retail crime is costing businesses billions of dollars in losses every year, and that affects all Arkansas businesses whether they […]

U.S. Supreme Court rules Alabama’s congressional maps violate Voting Rights Act

BY: - June 8, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday upheld a lower court ruling that Alabama’s 2022 congressional maps violated the Voting Rights Act, a ruling that preserves a major part of the Voting Rights Act and could lead to new congressional maps in Alabama. A three-judge panel in January 2022 ruled that maps approved by the Alabama Legislature […]

A group of people gather outside the Mahogany’s Masterpiece Dance Studio in Dadeville, Alabama on April 16, 2023. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says at least four people were killed in the building on Saturday evening. (Jemma Stephenson/Alabama Reflector)

At least four dead, 15 injured in shooting at birthday party in small Alabama town

BY: and - April 16, 2023

At least four people were killed and 15 injured in a shooting at a birthday party in Dadeville on Saturday night. The shootings took place on Broadnax Street around 10:30 p.m., said Sgt. Jeremy Burkett, a spokesman for ALEA, at a press conference Sunday morning. The Alexander City Outlook reported the shootings took place at […]

Alabama looks to Arkansas’ version of Medicaid expansion as a possible template

BY: - April 10, 2023

As Alabama lawmakers appear to warm up to the idea of Medicaid expansion, Arkansas has emerged as a potential model for the program. The Alabama Hospital Association has previously stated they are working on an “Alabama-specific” model that draws from the best of other states, with Arkansas as a major source. Arkansas expanded Medicaid in […]

President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Janai Nelson (C) speaks to reporters Tuesday, Oct. 4, after the oral argument before the Supreme Court of Merrill v. Milligan case challenging whether the new congressional map of Alabama violates the Voting Rights Act. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Alabama case that could limit Voting Rights Act heard at U.S. Supreme Court

BY: - October 4, 2022

WASHINGTON – U.S. Supreme Court justices on Tuesday heard oral arguments in a case that challenges an Alabama redistricting map and could potentially eliminate remaining federal safeguards against racial gerrymandering. Voting rights advocates fear that the high court’s conservative majority will further weaken the Voting Rights Act, with implications for voters in states across the […]

Louisiana attorney general gets other GOP AGs to oppose energy permit reforms

BY: - September 27, 2022

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading a group of 18 Republican attorneys general in opposition to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s proposed Energy Independence and Security Act — a bill that would reform the federal permitting process for major energy infrastructure projects. Manchin (D-West Virginia) released the text of his legislation last week following weeks […]