Education Budget Cuts
“We have almost two new infections in Alabama every single day. And about half of the new infections are young people,” she says. “I shudder to think what the infection rates are going to go to if we don’t provide this education in the public schools.”
Hiers says public money is down. And the fact that lawmakers are in no hurry to restore the funding for non-state agencies “scares” her.
The East Alabama Child Development Centers is a conglomerate of about 21 non-profit daycares in 17 counties. The cuts mean a net loss of more than 262-thousand dollars for the agencies. WBHM’s Rosemary Pennington spoke with Mary Davis, the Executive Director of the Childcare Resource Network. She says two daycares have already been forced to shut down and she wouldn’t be surprised if more closed their doors.
“The loss of this money just means there are more young children who will not have an opportunity to take advantage of good early childhood education,” she says. “These monies are kind of the make or break thing that can allow many of these programs to stay open where otherwise families don’t have that opportunity for care.”
Davis says the centers serve rural, poor Alabamians. If more daycares close it could force some of these folks to choose between their jobs and staying home with their children. She says there just aren’t many other options out there for them.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
