State News

Who Pays for North Alabama’s Data Center Boom?

September 30, 2026 Bouldin 0

Google promises to cover its expansion costs. Communities still need clear answers about power, water, and the benefits they will receive. SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A $1.5 billion expansion in Jackson County is putting North Alabama […]

A Legacy That Gives Back: ASU Students Receive $22,000 in Scholarships

September 30, 2026 Bouldin 0

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Eleven Alabama State University students received a financial boost toward their college education through a scholarship honoring two educators who helped shape generations of ASU graduates. Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, […]

Legal Fees Detailed in Alabama’s $100Million TikTok Settlement

September 30, 2026 Bouldin 0

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Alabama’s settlement with TikTok and its parent company ByteDance includes $14.2 million in legal fees and $2 million in litigation expenses for outside law firms that worked on the state’s case, according to a court […]

Sewell Leads Bipartisan Letter Over Alabama Company’s Mexico Dispute

September 30, 2026 Bouldin 0

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is leading a bipartisan congressional appeal to Mexico over its treatment of Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials Co. Sewell, an Alabama Democrat, joined Republican Reps. Gary Palmer of Alabama and August Pfluger […]

State Audit Finds Repeated Financial Control Problems in Birmingham Schools

September 29, 2026 Bouldin 0

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A state audit found 11 compliance and internal-control problems in Birmingham City Schools, including issues involving vendor payments, payroll, and the handling of student fees. Eight findings had also appeared in the district’s previous audit. […]

Alabama Community Colleges Bring AI Training to Manufacturing Programs

September 29, 2026 Bouldin 0

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS (Source: Huntsville Business Journal) Alabama community college students will gain access to new training on how artificial intelligence is used in manufacturing under a statewide partnership announced Tuesday. The Manufacturing Institute […]

Alabama families seek more affordable afterschool and summer programs

September 22, 2026 Bouldin 0

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Alabama parents are calling for more affordable afterschool and summer programs, stronger academic support and greater access to science and technology activities as state officials examine how learning opportunities outside the classroom […]

Alabama libraries face new pressure over transgender-related books

September 22, 2026 Bouldin 0

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS MONTGOMERY — Alabama librarians are facing renewed demands for stricter enforcement of state rules governing transgender-related materials in public-library youth sections, intensifying an already divisive debate over parental authority, local control […]

Alabama sports-betting debate returns as football season begins

September 22, 2026 Bouldin 0

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS MONTGOMERY — Alabama remains without legal sports betting as another football season generates millions of dollars in wagers across the country, renewing debate over consumer protection and tax revenue leaving the […]

Seventeen Alabama Rural Hospitals Face Immediate Closure Risk

September 15, 2026 Bouldin 0

Financial losses threaten emergency care, maternity services and local economies across rural communities By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Seventeen rural hospitals in Alabama are at immediate risk of closing, placing the state among the nation’s most […]