Brian Lyman
@brianlyman.bsky.social
Editor, Alabama Reflector. Podcaster, Becoming Lincoln. 2024 Pulitzer finalist. Past: MGM Advertiser; Press-Register; The Anniston Star; Norwich Bulletin; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Politics, history, science, horrific puns.
Pinned
Brian Lyman
@brianlyman.bsky.social
· Nov 12
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
Here’s our mission statement at @alreflector.bsky.social. From my first column on launch day in February 2023.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Journalist Georgia Fort has been released from custody (video @fox9mn.bsky.social)
January 30, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Journalist Georgia Fort has been released from custody (video @fox9mn.bsky.social)
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Auburn people who might not know yet: tremendously sad to share that Phillip Marshall has passed away
an absolute titan of sportswriting in this state and the single greatest storyteller I’ve ever met
learned so much from this man, and he will be incredibly missed
an absolute titan of sportswriting in this state and the single greatest storyteller I’ve ever met
learned so much from this man, and he will be incredibly missed
Legendary Auburn sportswriter Phillip Marshall passes away
Phillip Marshall, an award-winning writer and columnist, and the pre-eminent voice of Auburn athletics coverage for decades, passed away Friday at the age of 76.
247sports.com
January 31, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Auburn people who might not know yet: tremendously sad to share that Phillip Marshall has passed away
an absolute titan of sportswriting in this state and the single greatest storyteller I’ve ever met
learned so much from this man, and he will be incredibly missed
an absolute titan of sportswriting in this state and the single greatest storyteller I’ve ever met
learned so much from this man, and he will be incredibly missed
Even before Dobbs, Alito's death penalty jurisprudence was enough to have him hooted down the corridors of history. His opinion in Glossip v. Gloss -- saying that inmates challenging a method of execution had to propose an alternative way of dying -- is utterly depraved.
Why now are we being flooded with all these, "actually Justice Alito is nice and kind" stories?
January 30, 2026 at 11:14 PM
Even before Dobbs, Alito's death penalty jurisprudence was enough to have him hooted down the corridors of history. His opinion in Glossip v. Gloss -- saying that inmates challenging a method of execution had to propose an alternative way of dying -- is utterly depraved.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
BREAKING: After a brief hearing in L.A., Don Lemon was released.
January 30, 2026 at 11:05 PM
BREAKING: After a brief hearing in L.A., Don Lemon was released.
SCTV was a murderer's row of talent. I'm not sure any other television show, even SNL, had a cast that did so much quality work in their post-SCTV careers.
January 30, 2026 at 8:54 PM
SCTV was a murderer's row of talent. I'm not sure any other television show, even SNL, had a cast that did so much quality work in their post-SCTV careers.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Shauneen Miranda: The release, which in the 3 million pages includes more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, comes more than 40 days after the agency was legally required to release the full set of files involving the disgraced financier, in compliance with federal law.
DOJ releases 3 million pages of Epstein files, taking in 180,000 images and 2,000 videos | Alabama Reflector
The release, which in the 3 million pages includes more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, comes more than 40 days after the agency was legally required to release the full set of files involving the disgraced financier, in compliance with federal law.
alabamareflector.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Via Shauneen Miranda: The release, which in the 3 million pages includes more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images, comes more than 40 days after the agency was legally required to release the full set of files involving the disgraced financier, in compliance with federal law.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Ralph Chapoco: A former Republican state representative is challenging a former Republican party chair’s bid for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, alleging John Wahl does not meet residency requirements for the office. https://ow.ly/INzB50Y6u6x
January 30, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Via Ralph Chapoco: A former Republican state representative is challenging a former Republican party chair’s bid for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, alleging John Wahl does not meet residency requirements for the office. https://ow.ly/INzB50Y6u6x
Catherine O’Hara, a great one.
SCTV Lola Heatherton in Concert with Catherine O'Hara
YouTube video by SCTV
youtu.be
January 30, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Catherine O’Hara, a great one.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Jennifer Shutt: The federal government hurtled Friday toward a partial shutdown this weekend, even though Senate Democrats and President Donald Trump reached a deal that allows lawmakers more time to negotiate new constraints on immigration enforcement.
With US Senate still tied up over spending deal, partial shutdown begins at midnight | Alabama Reflector
The Senate will not be able to pass the reworked government funding package before a midnight deadline unless all of its members agree to speed up the vote.
alabamareflector.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Via Jennifer Shutt: The federal government hurtled Friday toward a partial shutdown this weekend, even though Senate Democrats and President Donald Trump reached a deal that allows lawmakers more time to negotiate new constraints on immigration enforcement.
Our weekly listing of the legislation moving through the Legislature.
Via Anna Barrett and Andrea Tinker: Here's our round-up of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week.
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: Jan. 27-29, 2026 | Alabama Reflector
Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature from Jan. 27 to Jan. 29, the third week of the 2026 regular session.
alabamareflector.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Our weekly listing of the legislation moving through the Legislature.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
very fun to think that there are at least four votes for "the president can unilaterally rewrite a constitutional amendment"
A different kind of April fools
*SUPREME COURT SETS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENTS FOR APRIL 1
*SUPREME COURT SETS BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ARGUMENTS FOR APRIL 1
January 30, 2026 at 4:35 PM
very fun to think that there are at least four votes for "the president can unilaterally rewrite a constitutional amendment"
Reposted by Brian Lyman
The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill removing a 1965 mandate from the Code of Alabama requiring the University of Alabama to have a stand alone school for Social Work. https://ow.ly/HKGX50Y5FWj
January 30, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday approved a bill removing a 1965 mandate from the Code of Alabama requiring the University of Alabama to have a stand alone school for Social Work. https://ow.ly/HKGX50Y5FWj
Ron Casey, a great Birmingham News editorial writer, said “If you want to drink fine wine, move to France; if you want to write editorials, move to Alabama.”
And I’m so sorry the nation is closer to the latter than the former.
And I’m so sorry the nation is closer to the latter than the former.
I gotta write. But how write when doomscroll never stop
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Ron Casey, a great Birmingham News editorial writer, said “If you want to drink fine wine, move to France; if you want to write editorials, move to Alabama.”
And I’m so sorry the nation is closer to the latter than the former.
And I’m so sorry the nation is closer to the latter than the former.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
24 hours later: Trump has two journalists arrested
January 30, 2026 at 1:57 PM
24 hours later: Trump has two journalists arrested
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House Thursday approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Patrick Sellers, D-Pleasant Grove, that would criminalize smoking marijuana in a car with a child present after an unusual, intra-Democratic debate on the floor over the bill's consequences. https://ow.ly/bxZw50Y5J0e
January 30, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama House Thursday approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Patrick Sellers, D-Pleasant Grove, that would criminalize smoking marijuana in a car with a child present after an unusual, intra-Democratic debate on the floor over the bill's consequences. https://ow.ly/bxZw50Y5J0e
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Lawmakers on Thursday morning heard budget requests for fiscal year 2027 from state agencies, despite a level-funded budget proposal from Gov. Kay Ivey. https://ow.ly/7gjx50Y5Hvr
January 30, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Lawmakers on Thursday morning heard budget requests for fiscal year 2027 from state agencies, despite a level-funded budget proposal from Gov. Kay Ivey. https://ow.ly/7gjx50Y5Hvr
This is an … odd story, but the problem with the American immigration system is that to avoid being shoved into a class of people forced to live outside the rule of law, you have to be wealthy and well-connected, two things immigrants traditionally are not.
Did Trump Really Give Nicki Minaj a $1 Million ‘Gold Card’ Visa?
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:57 AM
This is an … odd story, but the problem with the American immigration system is that to avoid being shoved into a class of people forced to live outside the rule of law, you have to be wealthy and well-connected, two things immigrants traditionally are not.
Among other … developments, I remember 2016 for having a stupidly high number of deaths of cool people.
A severe bout of nostalgia is spreading in America, but it’s not for the postwar prosperity of the 1950s. Everyone’s yearning for a return to the simple days of 2016. 🔗 on.wsj.com/46fia8L
January 30, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Among other … developments, I remember 2016 for having a stupidly high number of deaths of cool people.
Fun thing about Mary Lincoln is that in Springfield she had a reputation for pinching pennies; haggling with merchants (not considered ladylike) and hiring fewer servants than a woman of her class would have been expected to hire, taking on more of the household chores herself.
Ranking first ladies seems... like an unnecessary thing to do for historians in this way. Jane Pierce was depressed as hell. Edith Wilson was de facto president for awhile. Mary Todd Lincoln spent a lot of money; also depressed as hell. Pretty sure Margaret Taylor was partially a victim of sexism.
Enten: "Historical critics don't really like Melania Trump either. Just take a look, historians' First Lady rankings -- dead last! Melania Trump"
January 29, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Fun thing about Mary Lincoln is that in Springfield she had a reputation for pinching pennies; haggling with merchants (not considered ladylike) and hiring fewer servants than a woman of her class would have been expected to hire, taking on more of the household chores herself.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill banning vaping in all indoor public spaces Thursday afternoon.
Alabama Senate approves ban on vaping in public indoor spaces | Alabama Reflector
The Alabama Senate passed a bill banning vaping in all indoor public spaces Thursday afternoon on a 33-1 vote.
alabamareflector.com
January 29, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Via Anna Barrett: The Alabama Senate passed a bill banning vaping in all indoor public spaces Thursday afternoon.
Jim Crow regimes relied on violence against Black Americans and ostracism and/or boycotts of whites who dared complain or ally with them.
January 29, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Jim Crow regimes relied on violence against Black Americans and ostracism and/or boycotts of whites who dared complain or ally with them.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: Crime continued to decline in 2025, with homicides down 21% from 2024 and 44% from a peak in 2021, according to a new analysis of crime trends in 40 large U.S. cities released by the nonpartisan think tank Council on Criminal Justice.
January 29, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Via Amanda Watford and Stateline: Crime continued to decline in 2025, with homicides down 21% from 2024 and 44% from a peak in 2021, according to a new analysis of crime trends in 40 large U.S. cities released by the nonpartisan think tank Council on Criminal Justice.
Tuberville?
The massive government funding package just failed badly in the Senate, 45-55.
Needed 60.
Zero Democrats voted for it.
SEVEN Republicans opposed it:
Budd
Johnson
Lee
Paul
Moody
Rick Scott
Tuberville
(John Thune switched his vote to no for procedural reasons.)
Needed 60.
Zero Democrats voted for it.
SEVEN Republicans opposed it:
Budd
Johnson
Lee
Paul
Moody
Rick Scott
Tuberville
(John Thune switched his vote to no for procedural reasons.)
January 29, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Tuberville?
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa: The U.S. Senate was unable to advance a funding package Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown as Democrats press for restrictions on immigration enforcement.
US Senate fails to advance spending package, with partial shutdown looming Friday night | Alabama Reflector
The 45-55 vote needed at least 60 senators to agree to move forward with debate on the six appropriations bills that have been bundled together ahead of a Friday midnight deadline.
alabamareflector.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Via Jennifer Shutt and Ariana Figueroa: The U.S. Senate was unable to advance a funding package Thursday, pushing the federal government closer to a partial shutdown as Democrats press for restrictions on immigration enforcement.