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 @ashleymurray.bsky.social: The governors’ visit to the nation’s capital comes amid rising tensions over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and surge of federal immigration border patrol agents into Democratic-led states.
Trump shuts out Democratic governors from traditional White House gatherings | Alabama Reflector
The governors’ visit to the nation’s capital comes amid rising tensions over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and surge of federal immigration border patrol agents into Democratic-led states
alabamareflector.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Via @ashleymurray.bsky.social: The governors’ visit to the nation’s capital comes amid rising tensions over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and surge of federal immigration border patrol agents into Democratic-led states.
Via @chatlanis.bsky.social and @stateline.org: As the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown, health care workers say ICE is increasing its presence in health care facilities, deterring people from seeking medical care, creating chaos and jeopardizing safety. ow.ly/tUiL50YbNQL
Health care workers want ICE out of hospitals, and blue states are responding | Alabama Reflector
As the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown, health care workers in multiple states say ICE is increasing its presence in health care facilities, deterring people from seeking me...
ow.ly
February 9, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Via @chatlanis.bsky.social and @stateline.org: As the Trump administration intensifies its immigration crackdown, health care workers say ICE is increasing its presence in health care facilities, deterring people from seeking medical care, creating chaos and jeopardizing safety. ow.ly/tUiL50YbNQL
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My column this week. The anti-DEI hysteria in Alabama in the last several years has given us an inadvertent lesson in Black history: That the foundational principle of Alabama is the control and silencing of Black voices.
How Alabama gives us a never-ending lesson in Black history | Alabama Reflector
By pushing their voices off campuses and out of classrooms, leaders remind us that controlling Black Alabamians has always been this state's priority.
alabamareflector.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
My column this week. The anti-DEI hysteria in Alabama in the last several years has given us an inadvertent lesson in Black history: That the foundational principle of Alabama is the control and silencing of Black voices.
Editor Brian Lyman writes that by inhibiting the teaching of Black history and driving Black Alabamians out of public spaces, state leaders are giving all of us an endless education in the state's foundational desire to control Black lives. https://ow.ly/mvxa50YauLa
February 9, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Editor Brian Lyman writes that by inhibiting the teaching of Black history and driving Black Alabamians out of public spaces, state leaders are giving all of us an endless education in the state's foundational desire to control Black lives. https://ow.ly/mvxa50YauLa
Via Ralph Chapoco: A multibillion prison construction project was sold to Alabama lawmakers in part with the promise that it would allow the closing of old prisons and bring cost savings. But with the state prison population soaring, that outcome seems in doubt. (Fixed link)
Alabama prison closings, key to new construction plan, seem far off | Alabama Reflector
One of the selling points for building the two men's prisons was the cost savings gained from closing several prisons throughout Alabama.
alabamareflector.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: A multibillion prison construction project was sold to Alabama lawmakers in part with the promise that it would allow the closing of old prisons and bring cost savings. But with the state prison population soaring, that outcome seems in doubt. (Fixed link)
Via Lee Hedgepeth and Inside Climate News: U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, running for Alabama's open U.S. Senate seat with President Donald Trump's endorsement, has his priorities. Among them? A reform effort aimed at the modern gas can. https://ow.ly/W3Z950Y9XqP
February 9, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Via Lee Hedgepeth and Inside Climate News: U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, running for Alabama's open U.S. Senate seat with President Donald Trump's endorsement, has his priorities. Among them? A reform effort aimed at the modern gas can. https://ow.ly/W3Z950Y9XqP
Via Stateline: President Donald Trump’s calls to “nationalize” elections capped a year of efforts by his administration to exert authority over state-run elections. The demands have some state and local election officials fearing — and preparing for — a tumultuous year. https://ow.ly/R5TC50Ya0xR
February 8, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Stateline: President Donald Trump’s calls to “nationalize” elections capped a year of efforts by his administration to exert authority over state-run elections. The demands have some state and local election officials fearing — and preparing for — a tumultuous year. https://ow.ly/R5TC50Ya0xR
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
"The Alabama Reflector is an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in our state. We look at the problems affecting Alabamians, and search for solutions." I've spent maybe a week in Alabama, tops, but I subscribed to the Reflector's Bluesky feed for links to excellent reporting.
The @alabamareflector.com, this nonprofit outlet I’m honored to edit, turns three years old today. This was my introductory column on launch day; may we always strive for — and reach — the goals laid out here.
Alabama Reflector: Covering the pain and promise of our home | Alabama Reflector
Laws are made in the State House. Alabama is made outside it. Alabama Reflector will cover these dynamics that shape our home.
alabamareflector.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:33 PM
"The Alabama Reflector is an independent nonprofit website covering politics and policy in our state. We look at the problems affecting Alabamians, and search for solutions." I've spent maybe a week in Alabama, tops, but I subscribed to the Reflector's Bluesky feed for links to excellent reporting.
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
The @alabamareflector.com is 3 years old everyone! I have been here since it began and it has been both an honor and a pleasure. Please consider donating so that we can keep it going.
Alabama Reflector turns three years old on Saturday. We wouldn't be here without your support, which allows us to keep reporting on the stories that matter most to you. Will you join the celebration today? https://alabamareflector.com/donate
Donate | Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Reflector is committed to independent journalism for the people of our state. We do not accept ads; do not use a paywall and make our stories available for republication in outlets around Alabama.
alabamareflector.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:06 PM
The @alabamareflector.com is 3 years old everyone! I have been here since it began and it has been both an honor and a pleasure. Please consider donating so that we can keep it going.
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If you’d like what we’ve done since 2023 — all without ads or paywalls — consider a small donation. Or subscribe to our newsletter, always free. alabamareflector.com/donate/
Donate | Alabama Reflector
alabamareflector.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:08 PM
If you’d like what we’ve done since 2023 — all without ads or paywalls — consider a small donation. Or subscribe to our newsletter, always free. alabamareflector.com/donate/
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
The @alabamareflector.com, this nonprofit outlet I’m honored to edit, turns three years old today. This was my introductory column on launch day; may we always strive for — and reach — the goals laid out here.
Alabama Reflector: Covering the pain and promise of our home | Alabama Reflector
Laws are made in the State House. Alabama is made outside it. Alabama Reflector will cover these dynamics that shape our home.
alabamareflector.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:05 PM
The @alabamareflector.com, this nonprofit outlet I’m honored to edit, turns three years old today. This was my introductory column on launch day; may we always strive for — and reach — the goals laid out here.
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
My column from Monday. Alabamians deserve clear answers on whether the state’s leading gubernatorial candidate is violating constitutional residency requirements. But the Alabama courts’ recent history of advancing GOP policy through petty and tendentious readings of the law give us no hope of that.
What Tommy Tuberville’s residency issues say about Alabama | Alabama Reflector
Alabamians can't trust our state institutions to determine whether the leading candidate for governor is following the law. That's a problem.
alabamareflector.com
February 7, 2026 at 2:41 PM
My column from Monday. Alabamians deserve clear answers on whether the state’s leading gubernatorial candidate is violating constitutional residency requirements. But the Alabama courts’ recent history of advancing GOP policy through petty and tendentious readings of the law give us no hope of that.
Via madi mcvan: “Recent federal activity near child care centers is creating fear and causing disruptions to familiar routines for children and families in Minnesota,” a spokesperson for the state Department of Children, Youth and Families said in a statement. https://ow.ly/ycIN50YauAP
February 7, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via madi mcvan: “Recent federal activity near child care centers is creating fear and causing disruptions to familiar routines for children and families in Minnesota,” a spokesperson for the state Department of Children, Youth and Families said in a statement. https://ow.ly/ycIN50YauAP
Via Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco and Andrea Tinker: Here's our weekly round-up of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature.
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: Feb. 3-5, 2026 | Alabama Reflector
Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature from Feb. 3 to Feb. 5, the fourth week of the 2026 regular session.
alabamareflector.com
February 6, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Via Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco and Andrea Tinker: Here's our weekly round-up of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature.
Update: The White House has taken down the post and now claims a “staffer erroneously made the post” that was shared on President Donald Trump’s social media platform late Thursday night. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt claimed earlier that the criticisms amounted to "fake outrage."
Via Jennifer Shutt “Donald Trump is a vile, unhinged and malignant bottom feeder,” U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote. “Why are GOP leaders like John Thune continuing to stand by this sick individual? Every single Republican must immediately denounce Donald Trump’s disgusting bigotry.”
GOP senator calls Trump's Obama meme ‘the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House’ | Alabama Reflector
South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott said the president should remove the racist meme depicting the former president and first lady as monkeys.
alabamareflector.com
February 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Update: The White House has taken down the post and now claims a “staffer erroneously made the post” that was shared on President Donald Trump’s social media platform late Thursday night. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt claimed earlier that the criticisms amounted to "fake outrage."
Via Jennifer Shutt “Donald Trump is a vile, unhinged and malignant bottom feeder,” U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote. “Why are GOP leaders like John Thune continuing to stand by this sick individual? Every single Republican must immediately denounce Donald Trump’s disgusting bigotry.”
GOP senator calls Trump's Obama meme ‘the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House’ | Alabama Reflector
South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott said the president should remove the racist meme depicting the former president and first lady as monkeys.
alabamareflector.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Via Jennifer Shutt “Donald Trump is a vile, unhinged and malignant bottom feeder,” U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote. “Why are GOP leaders like John Thune continuing to stand by this sick individual? Every single Republican must immediately denounce Donald Trump’s disgusting bigotry.”
Via Jennifer Shutt: Congress has approved the first public health funding bill since President Donald Trump began his second term, with lawmakers largely rejecting his proposed spending cuts and the elimination of dozens of programs.
'It is astonishing': Congress rebuffs Trump push to slash $33B from health, human services | Alabama Reflector
A bipartisan group of negotiators struck a deal to increase funding on several line items within the Department of Health and Human Services' annual appropriations bill.
alabamareflector.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Via Jennifer Shutt: Congress has approved the first public health funding bill since President Donald Trump began his second term, with lawmakers largely rejecting his proposed spending cuts and the elimination of dozens of programs.
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill Thursday that would require app stores to have age verification for minors. A similar law in Texas has been blocked by a federal judge as unconstitutional. https://ow.ly/jjU550Y9CbX
February 6, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill Thursday that would require app stores to have age verification for minors. A similar law in Texas has been blocked by a federal judge as unconstitutional. https://ow.ly/jjU550Y9CbX
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House of Representatives passed two bills Thursday addressing definitions of and punishments for terrorist threats. https://ow.ly/JPLO50Y9F59
February 6, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House of Representatives passed two bills Thursday addressing definitions of and punishments for terrorist threats. https://ow.ly/JPLO50Y9F59
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill that cuts the costs of voter rolls but restricts the information available on them. https://ow.ly/W81R50Y9BSt
February 6, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill that cuts the costs of voter rolls but restricts the information available on them. https://ow.ly/W81R50Y9BSt
Via Stateline: As Americans grow increasingly frustrated over their electricity bills, states are trying to keep the nation’s growing number of data centers from causing higher energy costs for consumers. https://ow.ly/wMua50Y9reT
February 6, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Via Stateline: As Americans grow increasingly frustrated over their electricity bills, states are trying to keep the nation’s growing number of data centers from causing higher energy costs for consumers. https://ow.ly/wMua50Y9reT
Via Ralph Chapoco: Charles Lee Burton, 75, was convicted of the murder of Auto Zone employee Doug Battle during a robbery in 1991. Burton participated in the robbery but did not shoot Battle; the man who did had his sentence reduced to life without parole in 2002.
Alabama schedules March execution for Charles Lee Burton | Alabama Reflector
Charles Lee Burton was convicted and sentenced to death in 1992 for his role in the death of Doug Battle during a robbery in 1991.
alabamareflector.com
February 6, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Via Ralph Chapoco: Charles Lee Burton, 75, was convicted of the murder of Auto Zone employee Doug Battle during a robbery in 1991. Burton participated in the robbery but did not shoot Battle; the man who did had his sentence reduced to life without parole in 2002.
Via Ashley Murray: Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal Thursday to sue the Trump administration over allegations that it did not fully release the Epstein files, as mandated under a law unanimously approved by senators and signed by the president nearly three months ago.
US Senate Republicans block attempt to sue Trump administration over Epstein files | Alabama Reflector
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said that among the records released, many have been “redacted to an absurd degree.”
alabamareflector.com
February 5, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Via Ashley Murray: Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal Thursday to sue the Trump administration over allegations that it did not fully release the Epstein files, as mandated under a law unanimously approved by senators and signed by the president nearly three months ago.
Via @timhenderson.bsky.social and Stateline: Despite the high-profile U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota, ICE arrests were down slightly in January compared to December, according to new data.
Immigration detention passed 70,000 in January | Alabama Reflector
Despite U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota, ICE arrests were down slightly in January compared to December, according to new data. Immigrant detention nationwide reached a new high in January, and a growing percentage — nearly three-quarters — of people in detention have no criminal convictions.
ow.ly
February 5, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Via @timhenderson.bsky.social and Stateline: Despite the high-profile U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota, ICE arrests were down slightly in January compared to December, according to new data.
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, setting up a possible court battle over its constitutionality.
Alabama Legislature sends bill extending death penalty to child sexual assault to Gov. Kay Ivey | Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, setting up a possible court battle over its constitutionality.
alabamareflector.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate gave final approval to a bill Thursday that would allow prosecutors to seek the death penalty for those convicted of sexual assault of a child under the age of 12, setting up a possible court battle over its constitutionality.