Latest Alabama state government News

Supreme Court rejects case of woman on Alabama death row

Jun. 05, 2023 10:54 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is leaving in place the sentence of a woman on death row in Alabama who helped her boyfriend kill his two young children. The high court on Monday rejected an appeal from lawyers for Heather Leavell-Keaton. As is typical, the court rejected the...

Today in History: June 4, Battle of Midway begins

Jun. 04, 2023 00:01 AM EDT

Today in History Today is Sunday, June 4, the 155th day of 2023. There are 210 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On June 4, 1942, the World War II Battle of Midway began, resulting in a decisive American victory against Japan and...

Lawmakers vote to shield release of their personal information

Jun. 02, 2023 13:46 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers voted Thursday to include themselves in legislation that would allow judges, law enforcement and prosecutors to shield personal information from being released on public records, such as a home address, phone number or driver’s license number. ...

Alabama approves enhanced penalties for 'criminal enterprise'

Jun. 01, 2023 22:40 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers gave final approval on Thursday to legislation that could lead to lengthier prison sentences for felonies committed as part of a "criminal enterprise." The House of Representatives voted 95-6 for the Senate-passed bill intended to allow...

After decades of attempts, major Alabama bill to cut state's 4% grocery tax wins final passage

Jun. 01, 2023 21:10 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama families could soon pay less at the grocery store after lawmakers gave final passage Thursday to a landmark bill that would gradually remove half of the 4% state sales tax on food, capping decades of fruitless attempts at such a tax cut. The...

Lawmakers approve tax cut on part of overtime pay

Jun. 01, 2023 19:38 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Thursday approved legislation to exempt at least a portion of a worker's overtime pay from state income taxes. The Alabama Senate voted 34-0 to approve a compromise version of the legislation to exempt overtime pay from the 5% state...

Lawmakers approve expansion of private school scholarship program

May. 31, 2023 22:18 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers approved on Wednesday an expansion of a scholarship program aimed at helping low- and moderate-income students attend private schools. The House of Representatives voted 75-22 for the bill that would expand income eligibility and make other...

Alabama expands ban on trans athletes to include college teams

May. 30, 2023 17:17 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday signed legislation that will ban transgender women from playing on female sports teams in college, becoming the latest state to place restrictions on transgender athletes. The legislation expands the state's existing 2021...

Alabama lawmakers approve tax rebates of $150 per person

May. 26, 2023 00:35 AM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Thursday gave final approval to a one-time tax rebate that will give $150 to single people and $300 to married couples. Legislators agreed to a late-night compromise between different rebate amounts that had been approved in the House...

Lawmakers advance bill to cut Alabama's grocery sales tax in half

May. 25, 2023 23:20 PM EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama lawmakers on Thursday advanced legislation to remove half of the state’s 4% sale tax on groceries, a proposal that garnered broad bipartisan support in the face of soaring food prices. The House of Representatives voted 103-0 for the legislation...