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
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
February 1, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
And these income caps are scheduled to come off on Jan. 1. Without legislative action, that means Alabama taxpayers will subsidize even wealthier families as this effective voucher program likely blows a hole in the state education budget, as it has in other states.
February 1, 2026 at 12:04 AM
And these income caps are scheduled to come off on Jan. 1. Without legislative action, that means Alabama taxpayers will subsidize even wealthier families as this effective voucher program likely blows a hole in the state education budget, as it has in other states.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Federal judge has ordered the release of Liam Ramos (the bunny hat boy) and his father. A brief and rather remarkable order. Clearly written to be shared widely, so please do. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 31, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Federal judge has ordered the release of Liam Ramos (the bunny hat boy) and his father. A brief and rather remarkable order. Clearly written to be shared widely, so please do. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
There’s great footage of Jimmy Breslin — who was instantly dismissive of the Goetz-self-defense story — telling a hostile Donahue audience that they were dumb to believe Goetz was some kind of hero.
Stomachache-inducing how the tabloids constructed a heroic act of self-defense out of whole cloth. The actual story was a mentally unwell, radicalized gutter racist.
January 31, 2026 at 9:18 PM
There’s great footage of Jimmy Breslin — who was instantly dismissive of the Goetz-self-defense story — telling a hostile Donahue audience that they were dumb to believe Goetz was some kind of hero.
Not since Krishnamurti have I run into a philosopher so angry at the stupid questions from his hypothetical audience.
January 31, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Not since Krishnamurti have I run into a philosopher so angry at the stupid questions from his hypothetical audience.
I'd be interested in separating all those "five classes you took in college" answers by the time people went to college. Based on my kids' college experience, I think I had a lot more leeway to study a broad range of subjects than they do now.
January 31, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I'd be interested in separating all those "five classes you took in college" answers by the time people went to college. Based on my kids' college experience, I think I had a lot more leeway to study a broad range of subjects than they do now.
Never want to hear criticisms of “performative” behavior from those who unironically applauded people in tricorne hats defending health care bankruptcies.
I really wish we could take some of the negative valence off of “performative” because performance is tremendously important right now especially
"In response to criticisms she's heard about the hat being 'performative,' Mashaal, the shop owner, said the thousands of dollars that have gone toward supporting their community speaks for itself."
January 31, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Never want to hear criticisms of “performative” behavior from those who unironically applauded people in tricorne hats defending health care bankruptcies.
My column from Monday. Alabama politicians give voters little but paranoia and niche right-wing issues, which may be why just 37% of voters turned up for the last midterm in 2022. Those politicians who truly want to make a government for Alabama have to restore Alabamians’ faith in the process.
A better Alabama government requires a bigger Alabama electorate | Alabama Reflector
What Alabama voters want is not necessarily what Alabamians want. Because in state elections, most Alabamians don't vote.
alabamareflector.com
January 31, 2026 at 3:25 PM
My column from Monday. Alabama politicians give voters little but paranoia and niche right-wing issues, which may be why just 37% of voters turned up for the last midterm in 2022. Those politicians who truly want to make a government for Alabama have to restore Alabamians’ faith in the process.
Reposted by Brian Lyman
Via Elisha Brown: Even though many legislative sessions only just convened across the country this month, efforts to restrict access to abortion pills are in full swing, particularly in states that already ban abortion. https://ow.ly/OGFH50Y64kO
January 31, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Via Elisha Brown: Even though many legislative sessions only just convened across the country this month, efforts to restrict access to abortion pills are in full swing, particularly in states that already ban abortion. https://ow.ly/OGFH50Y64kO
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