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.
Alabama candidate qualifying ended Friday with Democrats appearing to have their largest slate of candidates since 2018; AL GOP Chair John Wahl jumping into the lieutenant governor race after a Trump endorsement and former U.S. Rep Mo Brooks running for Alabama House.
Alabama candidate qualifying ends; Dems have largest slate since 2018 | Alabama Reflector
At least 94 Democrats and 153 Republicans qualified to run for the 2026 elections on Friday. Here are highlights.
alabamareflector.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Alabama candidate qualifying ended Friday with Democrats appearing to have their largest slate of candidates since 2018; AL GOP Chair John Wahl jumping into the lieutenant governor race after a Trump endorsement and former U.S. Rep Mo Brooks running for Alabama House.
Via Andrea Tinker: Under the new AHSAA classification, private schools and public schools will still compete against each other in the regular season but will not compete for the same championships, the first time that will happen in state history.
AHSAA reclassifies public school, private school championships | Alabama Reflector
The AHSAA reclassification includes taking steps toward removing "financial barriers for private school eligibility."
alabamareflector.com
January 23, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: Under the new AHSAA classification, private schools and public schools will still compete against each other in the regular season but will not compete for the same championships, the first time that will happen in state history.
Reposted by Alabama Reflector
For eight weeks, our journalists at the @minnesotareformer.com have been reporting from the front lines of the federal government's immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
January 23, 2026 at 7:41 PM
For eight weeks, our journalists at the @minnesotareformer.com have been reporting from the front lines of the federal government's immigration crackdown in the Twin Cities.
Via Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco and Andrea Tinker: Here's our weekly round-up of what passed in the Alabama Legislature.
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: Jan. 20-22, 2026 | Alabama Reflector
Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature from Jan. 20 to Jan. 22, the second week of the 2026 regular session.
alabamareflector.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Via Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco and Andrea Tinker: Here's our weekly round-up of what passed in the Alabama Legislature.
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: As a growing number of encounters between civilians and Department of Homeland Security agents are scrutinized in court records and on social media, federal officials are returning to a familiar response: self-defense. https://ow.ly/xFBY50Y1JG6
January 23, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: As a growing number of encounters between civilians and Department of Homeland Security agents are scrutinized in court records and on social media, federal officials are returning to a familiar response: self-defense. https://ow.ly/xFBY50Y1JG6
Via Ashley Murray: President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops came under scrutiny again in federal court Thursday — this time before a three-judge appeals panel considering the merits of the president’s executive order.
Trump’s ban on transgender troops challenged in key appeals court hearing | Alabama Reflector
The policy has been challenged in two major federal cases, one of which the administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s emergency docket.
alabamareflector.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Via Ashley Murray: President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender troops came under scrutiny again in federal court Thursday — this time before a three-judge appeals panel considering the merits of the president’s executive order.
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill Thursday morning that bans the use of an education strategy known as the three-cueing system. https://ow.ly/7VJB50Y1uJL
January 23, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill Thursday morning that bans the use of an education strategy known as the three-cueing system. https://ow.ly/7VJB50Y1uJL
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill that would require app stores to have age verifications for minors. https://ow.ly/s13v50Y1uI2
January 23, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill that would require app stores to have age verifications for minors. https://ow.ly/s13v50Y1uI2
Via Ariana Figueroa: The U.S. House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country.
Many Dems refuse to vote to fund ICE as US House passes 4 spending bills | Alabama Reflector
A majority of Democrats said they could not vote to approve the agency’s funding because of ICE’s actions.
alabamareflector.com
January 22, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Via Ariana Figueroa: The U.S. House Thursday passed four appropriations bills to fund the government and avert a partial shutdown, but Democrats largely objected to spending on the Department of Homeland Security amid aggressive immigration enforcement in communities across the country.
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature passed two bills this week prohibiting civil courts from issuing nondisclosure agreements against survivors of sexual assault.
Alabama Legislature passes bills banning NDAs against sexual abuse survivors | Alabama Reflector
The bills, known as Trey's Law, aim to protect survivors and allow discussion and healing following sexual abuse.
alabamareflector.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature passed two bills this week prohibiting civil courts from issuing nondisclosure agreements against survivors of sexual assault.
Via Ralph Chapoco: An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved legislation that would make it a crime to give a police officer false information during a stop or refuse to disclose information to an officer investigating a possible felony or misdemeanor. https://ow.ly/T5w650Y1lVm
Bill would criminalize withholding or giving false information in some law enforcement stops | Alabama Reflector
The bill adds to the list of information that people must provide law enforcement when asked, such as their name and address.
ow.ly
January 22, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved legislation that would make it a crime to give a police officer false information during a stop or refuse to disclose information to an officer investigating a possible felony or misdemeanor. https://ow.ly/T5w650Y1lVm
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature has altered its meeting schedule next week in the face of winter weather that could impact north Alabama and make it dangerous for legislators from the area to travel.
Alabama Legislature alters schedule amid winter weather threats | Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Legislature has altered its meeting schedule next week in the face of winter weather that could impact north Alabama and make it dangerous for legislators from the area to travel.
alabamareflector.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Legislature has altered its meeting schedule next week in the face of winter weather that could impact north Alabama and make it dangerous for legislators from the area to travel.
Via Ariana Figueroa: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials placed an asylum seeker who is eight months pregnant on a deportation flight Wednesday afternoon, even though she was in medical distress, her attorneys told States Newsroom.
ACLU says pregnant immigrant in medical distress deported through Atlanta airport | Alabama Reflector
Zharick Daniela Buitrago Ortiz, a 21-year-old national of Colombia, has a pending asylum case, said one of her attorneys, Nora Ahmed, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana.
alabamareflector.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Via Ariana Figueroa: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials placed an asylum seeker who is eight months pregnant on a deportation flight Wednesday afternoon, even though she was in medical distress, her attorneys told States Newsroom.
Via Ralph Chapoco: A bill that would further allow local law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement drew criticism from immigrants’ rights groups during a public hearing hosted by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. https://ow.ly/MzMO50Y0Yke
January 22, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: A bill that would further allow local law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement drew criticism from immigrants’ rights groups during a public hearing hosted by the Alabama House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. https://ow.ly/MzMO50Y0Yke
Via Andrea Tinker: An Alabama House committee Wednesday passed a bill that would implement screen time limits for children under the age of five in licensed child care facilities. https://ow.ly/ck6r50Y0Xbt
January 22, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: An Alabama House committee Wednesday passed a bill that would implement screen time limits for children under the age of five in licensed child care facilities. https://ow.ly/ck6r50Y0Xbt
Via Andrea Tinker: A House committee Wednesday passed a bill that would require public higher education institutions to report state and federal funds received and spent. https://ow.ly/UTBP50Y0Xw6
January 22, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: A House committee Wednesday passed a bill that would require public higher education institutions to report state and federal funds received and spent. https://ow.ly/UTBP50Y0Xw6
Via Ashley Murray: U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Wednesday of President Donald Trump’s swift, informal dismissal of Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, and his effort to influence the independent bank that governs monetary policy in the United States. https://ow.ly/Abyz50Y0VWz
January 22, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Via Ashley Murray: U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared skeptical Wednesday of President Donald Trump’s swift, informal dismissal of Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, and his effort to influence the independent bank that governs monetary policy in the United States. https://ow.ly/Abyz50Y0VWz
Via Jacob Fischler: The next step would be consideration by the full House. If approved on the House floor, the matter would be referred to the federal prosecutor’s office in Washington, D.C.
US House panel says Clintons should be held in contempt of Congress over Epstein subpoena | Alabama Reflector
The votes on both resolutions were bipartisan, though Democrats argued over several points during the nearly day-long meeting.
alabamareflector.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Via Jacob Fischler: The next step would be consideration by the full House. If approved on the House floor, the matter would be referred to the federal prosecutor’s office in Washington, D.C.
Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency and Department of Human Resources to cross-check eligibility for assistance programs.
Senate committee approves bill requiring cross-checks for Medicaid, SNAP enrollees | Alabama Reflector
An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency and DHR to cross-check eligibility for assistance programs.
alabamareflector.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 PM
Via Anna Barrett: An Alabama Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency and Department of Human Resources to cross-check eligibility for assistance programs.
Via Jennifer Shutt: Trump insisted during a 75-minute, wide-ranging speech that Greenland represents “a core national security interest” that “would greatly enhance the security of the entire” NATO alliance if it were fully controlled by the United States.
Trump at Davos pitches US acquisition of Greenland, while claiming he 'won’t use force' | Alabama Reflector
Trump signaled any European country that objects to the U.S. making Greenland part of the country will face repercussions, possibly the tariffs he threatened over the weekend.
alabamareflector.com
January 21, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Via Jennifer Shutt: Trump insisted during a 75-minute, wide-ranging speech that Greenland represents “a core national security interest” that “would greatly enhance the security of the entire” NATO alliance if it were fully controlled by the United States.
Via Stateline: As many people struggle to afford housing and tenant populations grow in some regions, more cities are turning to official registries to answer questions about their rental housing market. https://ow.ly/y9F050Y0FMS
January 21, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Via Stateline: As many people struggle to afford housing and tenant populations grow in some regions, more cities are turning to official registries to answer questions about their rental housing market. https://ow.ly/y9F050Y0FMS
Via Ralph Chapoco: An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved legislation that would prevent courts from extending youthful offender status to anyone between the age of 16 and 19 charged with murder.
Alabama House committee approves bill limiting youthful offender status in murder cases | Alabama Reflector
The bill drops the maximum age for youthful offender status from 19 to 16 for indictments for murder or capital murder.
alabamareflector.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: An Alabama House committee Wednesday approved legislation that would prevent courts from extending youthful offender status to anyone between the age of 16 and 19 charged with murder.
Via Anna Barrett: SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, moves the state Sickle Cell Commission under Alabama Department of Public Health oversight. The senator said the move will improve access to care. https://ow.ly/e08K50Y0pXo
January 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Via Anna Barrett: SB 128, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, moves the state Sickle Cell Commission under Alabama Department of Public Health oversight. The senator said the move will improve access to care. https://ow.ly/e08K50Y0pXo
Via Andrea Tinker: The director of Alabama Educational Television Commission (AETC) said Tuesday he is still waiting for financial information to be used in a decision later this year on renewing with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). https://ow.ly/MuiK50Y0ox2
January 21, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: The director of Alabama Educational Television Commission (AETC) said Tuesday he is still waiting for financial information to be used in a decision later this year on renewing with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). https://ow.ly/MuiK50Y0ox2
Commentary by Catherine Dorrough: About an hour and a half into last week’s Alabama Public Library Service board meeting, one simple question from Fairhope Public Library Director Robert Gourlay captured the frustrations between the APLS and the Fairhope library. https://ow.ly/8lm750Y0oBW
January 21, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Commentary by Catherine Dorrough: About an hour and a half into last week’s Alabama Public Library Service board meeting, one simple question from Fairhope Public Library Director Robert Gourlay captured the frustrations between the APLS and the Fairhope library. https://ow.ly/8lm750Y0oBW