Alabama Reflector
@alabamareflector.com
The Alabama Reflector is an independent, nonprofit news outlet dedicated to covering state government and politics in the state of Alabama.
Via Jonathan Shorman and Stateline: A new report found Alabama is one of 10 southern states where Republicans could gain legislative seats at the expense of Black lawmakers, should the U.S. Supreme Court strike down majority-minority districts in a case out of Louisiana. https://ow.ly/EFn350XJJGh
December 16, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Via Jonathan Shorman and Stateline: A new report found Alabama is one of 10 southern states where Republicans could gain legislative seats at the expense of Black lawmakers, should the U.S. Supreme Court strike down majority-minority districts in a case out of Louisiana. https://ow.ly/EFn350XJJGh
Via Jacob Fischler: In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.
Trump 'very strongly' considering loosening federal marijuana regulations | Alabama Reflector
In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.
alabamareflector.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Via Jacob Fischler: In a brief affirmative response to a reporter’s question in the Oval Office, the president confirmed he is considering a reclassification of marijuana to unlock research funding.
Via Andrea Tinker: Ella Cook, a sophomore from Mountain Brook, was one of two people killed in the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, her church said over the weekend.
Victim in Brown University shooting identified as Mountain Brook resident | Alabama Reflector
Ella Cook was a sophomore at Brown and served as the vice president of the Brown University College Republicans.
alabamareflector.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: Ella Cook, a sophomore from Mountain Brook, was one of two people killed in the mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday, her church said over the weekend.
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
My column this week. Maybe Alabama is struggling to adopt a new social studies textbook because patriotism has become chauvinism, where only a handful of Americans are worthy of respect. Tommy Tuberville's despicable attacks on Alabamians of the Islamic faith embody that.
The past keeps seeping into Alabama's present. No wonder leaders fear it | Alabama Reflector
And that fear means we're seeing terrible things from Alabama's past start to repeat themselves. Particularly with minorities.
alabamareflector.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
My column this week. Maybe Alabama is struggling to adopt a new social studies textbook because patriotism has become chauvinism, where only a handful of Americans are worthy of respect. Tommy Tuberville's despicable attacks on Alabamians of the Islamic faith embody that.
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: Arrests in the United States have fallen to levels not seen in decades, according to a new report that reconstructs national arrest trends in the absence of federal data. https://ow.ly/qaIZ50XJymA
December 15, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: Arrests in the United States have fallen to levels not seen in decades, according to a new report that reconstructs national arrest trends in the absence of federal data. https://ow.ly/qaIZ50XJymA
Editor Brian Lyman writes that Alabama leaders are confusing patriotism with chauvinism, which may explain why they're so fearful of honest interpretations of the past. https://alabamareflector.com/2025/12/15/the-past-keeps-seeping-into-alabamas-present-no-wonder-leaders-fear-it/
December 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Editor Brian Lyman writes that Alabama leaders are confusing patriotism with chauvinism, which may explain why they're so fearful of honest interpretations of the past. https://alabamareflector.com/2025/12/15/the-past-keeps-seeping-into-alabamas-present-no-wonder-leaders-fear-it/
Via Ralph Chapoco: An Alabama Reflector analysis found that five of Alabama's 67 counties have been responsible for almost half of the death sentences handed down in the state since 2012. https://ow.ly/jB1z50XIKbR
December 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: An Alabama Reflector analysis found that five of Alabama's 67 counties have been responsible for almost half of the death sentences handed down in the state since 2012. https://ow.ly/jB1z50XIKbR
Via Andrea Tinker: A committee told the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Thursday that they had identified “the most burdensome paperwork tasks” for teachers. https://ow.ly/Hlmb50XIAfj
December 15, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: A committee told the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) Thursday that they had identified “the most burdensome paperwork tasks” for teachers. https://ow.ly/Hlmb50XIAfj
Via Kelcie Moseley-Morris: Attorneys for the states of Florida and Texas filed another lawsuit this week seeking to restrict access to a medication abortion drug and rescind the approval of its brand-name and generic versions dating back to 2000. https://ow.ly/ZKjB50XIpgh
December 14, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Via Kelcie Moseley-Morris: Attorneys for the states of Florida and Texas filed another lawsuit this week seeking to restrict access to a medication abortion drug and rescind the approval of its brand-name and generic versions dating back to 2000. https://ow.ly/ZKjB50XIpgh
Via @rhodeislandcurrent.com: Two people have died and several others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Brown University engineering building late Saturday afternoon, prompting a shelter in place alert on the Ivy League campus and a massive search for a gunman that continued into the evening.
‘The unthinkable has happened.’ 2 killed, eight injured in mass shooting on Brown University campus | Alabama Reflector
Two people were killed and at least eight injured Saturday in a shooting at Brown University’s engineering building in Providence. No suspect was in custody as of 7 p.m. on Saturday.
alabamareflector.com
December 14, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Via @rhodeislandcurrent.com: Two people have died and several others were wounded in a mass shooting in a Brown University engineering building late Saturday afternoon, prompting a shelter in place alert on the Ivy League campus and a massive search for a gunman that continued into the evening.
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
My column from Monday. In the wake of the shutdown of two student publications, it’s no longer accurate to say the University of Alabama is cowering before the Trump administration’s anti-DEI assaults. UA leadership is embracing them, regardless of the harm they do to minority students.
From cowardice to connivance at the University of Alabama | Alabama Reflector
The university's growing acceptance of anti-DEI policies seems less like a surrender to the White House than an embrace of it.
alabamareflector.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:35 PM
My column from Monday. In the wake of the shutdown of two student publications, it’s no longer accurate to say the University of Alabama is cowering before the Trump administration’s anti-DEI assaults. UA leadership is embracing them, regardless of the harm they do to minority students.
Via Anna Barrett: The former U.S. senator, who faces an uphill battle in the governor's race, pledged to protect reproductive rights; expand Medicaid and mental health care and making voting easier in a campaign kick-off in Birmingham Friday.
Doug Jones kicks off Alabama gubernatorial campaign with vision of 'crowded table' | Alabama Reflector
Speaking to more than 1,000 people on the eighth anniversary of his’ victory in the 2017 special U.S. Senate election, Jones, referencing a song by the country group the Highwomen, said he wanted to make Alabama a “crowded table” where everybody is welcome.
alabamareflector.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The former U.S. senator, who faces an uphill battle in the governor's race, pledged to protect reproductive rights; expand Medicaid and mental health care and making voting easier in a campaign kick-off in Birmingham Friday.
Via @timhenderson.bsky.social & Stateline: Immigration arrests reached rates of more than 30,000 a month through mid-October. But an ever-larger share of those arrests were for immigration violations, not the criminal convictions the Trump administration claims to focus on. https://ow.ly/W4jR50XIoVg
December 13, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Via @timhenderson.bsky.social & Stateline: Immigration arrests reached rates of more than 30,000 a month through mid-October. But an ever-larger share of those arrests were for immigration violations, not the criminal convictions the Trump administration claims to focus on. https://ow.ly/W4jR50XIoVg
Via Anna Barrett: Speaking to more than 1,000 supporters in Birmingham, former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones kicked off his gubernatorial campaign with pledges to protect health care and voting rights and attacks on likely GOP gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville.
Doug Jones kicks off Alabama gubernatorial campaign with vision of 'crowded table' | Alabama Reflector
Speaking to more than 1,000 people on the eighth anniversary of his’ victory in the 2017 special U.S. Senate election, Jones, referencing a song by the country group the Highwomen, said he wanted to make Alabama a “crowded table” where everybody is welcome.
alabamareflector.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Via Anna Barrett: Speaking to more than 1,000 supporters in Birmingham, former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones kicked off his gubernatorial campaign with pledges to protect health care and voting rights and attacks on likely GOP gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville.
Via Jennifer Shutt: Starting in 2027, the legislation would appropriate funding for cost sharing reduction payments that the summary said would reduce health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual market.
US House GOP preps health care bill for vote before new year | Alabama Reflector
The measure, likely to move to the House floor next week, doesn’t have the level of Democratic support needed to get through the Senate.
alabamareflector.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Via Jennifer Shutt: Starting in 2027, the legislation would appropriate funding for cost sharing reduction payments that the summary said would reduce health insurance premiums and stabilize the individual market.
Via Ralph Chapoco: Members of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) expressed concerns Friday about rising health care costs and the impact it could have on public college and universities’ budgets.
Health insurance costs weigh on budget for Alabama Commission on Higher Education | Alabama Reflector
Staff warned ACHE board members that health insurance is becoming an increasing burden and is consuming more of the budget.
alabamareflector.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: Members of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) expressed concerns Friday about rising health care costs and the impact it could have on public college and universities’ budgets.
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama Community College System’s Board of Trustees Wednesday approved a $10 hike in its administrative fee for the Fall 2026 Semester.
Alabama community college trustees approve $10 fee increase | Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Community College System’s Board of Trustees Wednesday approved a $10 hike in its administrative fee for the Fall 2026 Semester. The fee will increase from $10 to $20. The board said the increase will be used to “advance a unified and collaborative community college system through additional services provided at the ACCS level […]
alabamareflector.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama Community College System’s Board of Trustees Wednesday approved a $10 hike in its administrative fee for the Fall 2026 Semester.
Via @timhenderson.bsky.social and Stateline: September unemployment rates rose in 25 states and fell in 21 compared with last year, the government reported Dec. 11 in a shutdown-delayed analysis. https://ow.ly/H8qe50XIoKI
December 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Via @timhenderson.bsky.social and Stateline: September unemployment rates rose in 25 states and fell in 21 compared with last year, the government reported Dec. 11 in a shutdown-delayed analysis. https://ow.ly/H8qe50XIoKI
The Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee announced grants Thursday for five organizations to provide mental health services for veterans. https://alabamareflector.com/2025/12/12/alabama-committee-announces-grants-to-help-veterans-suffering-from-mental-illness/
December 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee announced grants Thursday for five organizations to provide mental health services for veterans. https://alabamareflector.com/2025/12/12/alabama-committee-announces-grants-to-help-veterans-suffering-from-mental-illness/
Via Anna Barrett: The chair of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Thursday said the approval of three dispensary licenses will get the state closer to medical cannabis production, held up for years by litigation over the licensing process. https://ow.ly/lYrz50XHVjm
December 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The chair of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission Thursday said the approval of three dispensary licenses will get the state closer to medical cannabis production, held up for years by litigation over the licensing process. https://ow.ly/lYrz50XHVjm
Via Ariana Figueroa: The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday that would overturn an executive order from President Donald Trump that strips collective bargaining rights for roughly 1 million federal employees. https://ow.ly/FOgb50XHVax
December 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Via Ariana Figueroa: The U.S. House passed a bill Thursday that would overturn an executive order from President Donald Trump that strips collective bargaining rights for roughly 1 million federal employees. https://ow.ly/FOgb50XHVax
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
Senate Republicans reject Trump's plea for gerrymandered maps
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/11/s...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/11/s...
Senate Republicans reject Trump's plea for gerrymandered maps • Indiana Capital Chronicle
The Republican-dominated Indiana Senate voted 19-31 on Thursday against redrawing the state’s congressional districts — spurning months of demands from President Donald Trump. The final outcome…
indianacapitalchronicle.com
December 11, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Senate Republicans reject Trump's plea for gerrymandered maps
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/11/s...
indianacapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/11/s...
Via Andrea Tinker: A University of Alabama alumni group has hit a fundraising goal for two student magazines -- one covering women, one covering Black culture and lifestyle -- to resume publication. UA suspended them last week, claiming they ran afoul of the Trump administration's anti-DEI polices.
University of Alabama alumni organization beats fundraising goal for suspended student magazines | Alabama Reflector
MASTHEAD surpassed the original goal of $25,000 to support Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice in three days. Fundraising will continue until Feb. 3.
alabamareflector.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: A University of Alabama alumni group has hit a fundraising goal for two student magazines -- one covering women, one covering Black culture and lifestyle -- to resume publication. UA suspended them last week, claiming they ran afoul of the Trump administration's anti-DEI polices.
Via Jennifer Shutt: The issue of affordability and rising health care costs is likely to be central to the November midterm elections, where Democrats hope to flip the House from red to blue and gain additional seats in the Senate. https://ow.ly/Bj7z50XHA4h
December 11, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Via Jennifer Shutt: The issue of affordability and rising health care costs is likely to be central to the November midterm elections, where Democrats hope to flip the House from red to blue and gain additional seats in the Senate. https://ow.ly/Bj7z50XHA4h
Via Ariana Figueroa: A federal judge in Maryland Thursday ordered the Trump administration to “immediately” release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, but it’s unclear if the Department of Homeland Security will follow the judicial order.
Trump administration disputes court order for release of Abrego Garcia from ICE custody | Alabama Reflector
A federal judge in Maryland Thursday ordered the Trump administration to “immediately” release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
alabamareflector.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Via Ariana Figueroa: A federal judge in Maryland Thursday ordered the Trump administration to “immediately” release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, but it’s unclear if the Department of Homeland Security will follow the judicial order.