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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.
Colors fly as Hoover celebrates Holi
Colored powder filled the air at Veterans Park in Hoover on Saturday. Crowds gathered to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of Spring, usually identified by the throwing of colors.
Microshelters for Birmingham’s unhoused set to open soon
The pilot program called Home For All involves building 14 small pallet homes to house those who would otherwise be living on the streets.
Decades after violence in Selma spurred the Voting Rights Act, organizers worry about its fate
Alabama is marking the 61st anniversary of a key event in the Civil Rights Movement, when state troopers attacked voting rights marchers in Selma. But the celebration come as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could limit a provision of the Voting Rights Act.
Alabama man facing execution for deadly robbery asks for clemency as he didn’t kill victim
Charles “Sonny” Burton is scheduled to be executed March 12 for his role in a 1991 robbery in which a man was fatally shot. His supporters and attorney are asking the governor for clemency, arguing that his life should be spared because Burton didn’t fire the gun or witness the killing.
Bill to force formal utility rate hearings for the first time in more than 40 years delayed
Alabama's Public Service Commission hasn't held a formal rate hearing for utilities since 1981. A bill that would force the commission to hold such hearings is under consideration in the state legislature, although the measure was delayed in a House committee this week. We get more details on our weekly legislative update with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Bernard LaFayette, Selma voting rights organizer, dies at 85
LaFayette laid the foundations of the Selma, Alabama, campaign that culminated in the passage of the Voting Rights Act. He was a Freedom Rider and helped found the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Mixed reactions, including relief, greet news the Coast Guard is buying BSC campus
The U.S. Coast Guard will take possession of the 192-acre campus in the northeast corner of Birmingham’s Bush Hills Neighborhood and will begin work to refit it as a training center for officers and enlisted personnel.
As Mississippi waits to spend opioid settlement funds, children and families suffer
Mississippi will receive more than $400M to fight the opioid epidemic. So far, officials haven't directed it toward programs that support addiction recovery.
Alabama’s new state climatologist takes the reins
The controversial John Christy is retiring as Alabama’s state climatologist. Lee Ellenburg now assumes the role and is already making a few changes, including declaring that climate change is real and caused by humans.
Alabama man, on death row since 1990, to get new trial
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to review the summer ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The decision paves the way for Michael Sockwell to receive a new trial.
Bill making the Public Service Commission an appointed board is dead for the session
Usually when discussing legislative action, the focus is on what's moving forward. But plenty of bills in a legislature stall or even die. Leaders in the Alabama legislature say a bill involving the Public Service Commission is dead for the session. We get details on that from Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Feds announce $4.1 billion loan for electric power expansion in Alabama
Federal energy officials said the loan will save customers money as the companies undertake a huge expansion driven by demand from computer data centers.
Lack of transportation keeps many Alabamians from working. Rural public transit programs are trying to help
While lack of transportation is a major employment barrier in Alabama, few people take public transit to work. That dynamic is even more pronounced in rural areas.
Bill limiting environmental regulations goes to the governor’s desk
President Trump has taken steps to roll back environmental regulations. Some of that same action is taking place in statehouses, including Alabama's. Lawmakers gave final passage this week to a bill that would ban the state from enacting environmental rules more stringent than those at the federal level. That's where we start our weekly legislative update with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Following Trump’s lead, Alabama seeks to limit environmental regulations
The Alabama Legislature on Tuesday approved legislation backed by business groups that would prevent state agencies from setting restrictions on pollutants and hazardous substances exceeding those set by the federal government. In areas where no federal standard exists, the state could adopt new rules only if there is a “direct causal link” between exposure to harmful emissions and “manifest bodily harm” to humans.
Citing national security, Trump has abandoned fenceline monitoring at coke ovens
The administration ended a program that documented excessive levels of a carcinogen at industrial facilities across the country. Environmental groups who say the move leaves polluted communities behind have filed suit.
Bill overhauling Alabama Public Service Commission delayed
Alabama lawmakers are considering what would be a sweeping change to the state's utility regulatory board. The members of the Public Service Commission are currently elected to their positions. Under this new proposal, commissioners would be appointed. We talk about that and other legislative matters with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Alabama’s ‘pretty cool’ plan for robots in maternity care sparks debate
During a January White House roundtable touting the first grants to states under a new $50 billion rural health fund, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz called the idea “pretty cool.” Later that day, Sen. Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, said it is decidedly not cool.
Community organizations step up in Gulf South winter storm recovery: ‘The need is so big’
After January's winter storm, the Oxford community has come together to take care of those in need — not just while waiting for other responders, but also fill persistent gaps.
Camp Mystic parents from Alabama seek stronger camp regulations
Sarah Marsh of Birmingham, Ala. was one of 27 Camp Mystic campers and counselors swept to their deaths when floodwaters engulfed cabins at the Texas camp on July 4, 2025. Sarah’s parents are urging lawmakers in Alabama and elsewhere to tighten regulations.
Judge rules 7-foot center Charles Bediako is no longer eligible to play for Alabama
Bediako was playing under a temporary restraining order that allowed the former NBA G League player to join Alabama in the middle of the season despite questions regarding his collegiate eligibility.
Alabama sets execution for man in auto parts store customer’s death
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday set a March 12 execution using nitrogen gas for Charles “Sonny” Burton. Burton was convicted as an accomplice in the shooting death of Doug Battle, a customer who was killed during an 1991 robbery of an auto parts store in Talladega.
Lawmakers advance bill banning candy and soda from SNAP benefits
Alabama is one of the most obese states in the nation. One state lawmaker says SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, could be used to turn that around. We talk about that and other legislative matters this week with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Alabama seek to bring back death penalty for child rape convictions
Alabama approved legislation Thursday to add rape and sexual torture of a child under 12 to the narrow list of crimes that could draw a death sentence.
At NOCHI, students learn the art of making a Mardi Gras-worthy king cake
With Carnival in full swing, the New Orleans culinary school gave its students a crash course — and a rite of passage — in baking their first king cake.
Alabama man faces execution despite not pulling the trigger in auto store customer’s death
Charles "Sonny" Burton is facing execution for his role as an accomplice in a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store where customer Doug Battle was killed. No one disputes that another man shot and killed Battle.
