Alabama Reflector

08/06/2025

President Donald Trump’s freeze on $8 billion of congressionally appropriated funding to the National Institutes of Health was illegal, the Government Accountability Office reported Tuesday. https://alabamareflector.com/2025/08/06/repub/trump-illegally-froze-1800-nih-medical-research-grants-congress-watchdog-says/

08/06/2025

The executive committee of the Local Government Health Insurance Program (LGHIP) will recommend a 4.75% rate increase for 2026 premiums for local government employees in Alabama, a proposal that will be presented to the full board next week. https://ow.ly/yGSO50WAlfu

08/06/2025

Alabama officials have returned at least $58,800 of contributions stemming from an alleged Georgia-based Ponzi scheme, according to campaign finance records. https://ow.ly/Jsf650WAp8m

08/05/2025

The House Committee on Oversight issued subpoenas Tuesday for testimony from former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, among other ex-government officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations, regarding knowledge of Florida s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chair James Comer of Kentucky also subpoenaed the U.S. Department of Justice for records of Epstein’s federal s*x trafficking investigation. https://ow.ly/wYRy50WAk76

08/05/2025

President Donald Trump is bringing back a physical fitness test to public schools after over a decade, but details of the new test, including timing and implementation, remain to be seen.

The test was introduced in 1956 and has been changed several times. Details of the new test, including timing and implementation, remain to be seen.

08/05/2025

Commissioners also approved the company’s request to increase the monthly electricity rates it charges to its residential customers by $3.32 to offset the cost of acquiring the plant.

Alabama Power requested permission to purchase the Lindsay Hill natural gas power plant in October to offset future capacity reductions.

08/05/2025

Via Stateline: U.S. families lose nearly $350 billion each year due to the incarceration of a loved one in jail or prison, according to a recent report from the criminal justice advocacy group FWD.us. The estimate includes both direct expenses and long-term losses in household income. https://ow.ly/LgLC50WA5Yt

08/05/2025

Commentary via Colorado Newsline: A myth often repeated in the debate around immigration suggests there is a “right” way to come to America and a “wrong” way. The supposed distinction is sometimes equated with “legal” or “illegal” entry into the U.S. It’s sometimes likened to waiting in line versus cutting the line. This framework does not reflect reality. https://ow.ly/UtzL50WzFMK

08/05/2025

Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, has pre-filed a bill that would increase the fine for violating the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 from a one-time $25,000 fine to $5,000 per day every day there is a violation of the law. https://ow.ly/mNXC50WzJQQ

08/05/2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has asked the parties in a Louisiana redistricting case if majority-minority districts violate the U.S. Constitution, a move that experts say could mean the overturning of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which would have major ramifications for Alabama's current redistricting battle. https://ow.ly/uPC050WzJOx

08/04/2025

Via SC Daily Gazette: Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina’s coastal 1st Congressional District became the fifth GOP candidate to enter the 2026 governor’s race Monday, saying she’s running “to hold the line.” https://ow.ly/zb6m50WzGxE

08/04/2025

Via Michigan Advance and Wisconsin Examiner: A coalition of 15 state attorneys general have filed a multistate lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s effort to restrict access to medically-necessary care for transgender, inters*x and nonbinary youth. https://ow.ly/J48K50WzCCA