Government & Politics

A circular state chamber. A window can be seen at the top of the chamber, and seven columns extend across the wall.

Anti-democratic moves by state lawmakers raise fears for 2024 election

BY: - September 23, 2023

In Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers are threatening to impeach both the state’s election administrator, who is highly regarded nationally, and a state Supreme Court justice despite a ruling by the state’s judicial commission that the justice had done nothing wrong — effectively nullifying a recent statewide election she won, Democrats say. In North Carolina, a bill […]

President Joe Biden giving the thumbs up from inside a car

Biden will travel to Michigan on Tuesday to support striking UAW workers

BY: - September 22, 2023

President Joe Biden will travel to Michigan next week in a historic show of support for striking Ford, GM and Stellantis UAW workers. “Tuesday, I’ll go to Michigan to join the picket line and stand in solidarity with the men and women of UAW as they fight for a fair share of the value they […]

A woman holds up a sign saying "Get wise organize" on a picket line. "Get wise" is written in red; "Organize" is written in green.

Workers at 38 GM and Stellantis auto suppliers called to join UAW strike

BY: - September 22, 2023

Workers at 38 auto parts plants will join the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against Detroit Three auto manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. All the parts distribution facilities for General Motors and Stellantis across the country are called to the stand up and strike at noon Friday. The UAW declared the strike one week […]

Dr. Scott Harris, state health office for the Alabama Department of Public Health, presented a report on the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic on Feb. 16, 2023 in Montgomery.

Federal government shutdown could affect Alabama Department of Public Health

BY: - September 22, 2023

The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) could feel impacts from a federal government shutdown. Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)­, said at the monthly State Committee of Public Health meeting Thursday a shutdown could make it harder for the department to spend federal dollars. “Not sure […]

An Alabama congressional map showing two major areas: the 7th Congressional District in west Alabama, colored tan, and the 2nd Congressional District in southeast Alabama, colored pink. Below them is a proposed 1st Congressional District, centered on Mobile and colored purple.

Alabama Attorney General’s Office says state is not defying redistricting court order

BY: - September 22, 2023

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office told the U.S. Supreme Court that letting a third party draw new maps would harm the state, and insisted that Alabama was not defying federal court orders.  In a 32-page response to plaintiffs urging the court to let a lower court ruling go into effect, attorneys wrote that they followed […]

State officials discuss health insurance changes

Alabama state employee health insurance premiums up, benefits down

BY: - September 21, 2023

The State Employee Insurance Board (SEIB) Wednesday approved an increase in Alabama state employees health premiums and a decrease in benefits. The changes to the State Employee Health Insurance Program (SEHIP), which SEIB officials said were needed to address a deficit, amount to an increase of about $20 per month per member, and increases to […]

A woman stands between two cameras.

Ozark Library increases parental supervision requirements but doesn’t remove books

BY: - September 20, 2023

OZARK– The Ozark Dale County Library Board of Trustees Wednesday approved new policies that will require more parental supervision of children in libraries but did not explicitly remove or ban any books.  The approval came in a meeting that was far less tense – and far less crowded – than a special called meeting in […]

A person holds a sign saying "UAW on Strike" on a dark street.

Nearly 200 workers go on strike at Tuscaloosa Mercedes supplier

BY: - September 20, 2023

The United Auto Workers said Wednesday that 190 workers had gone on strike at ZF Custom Chassis, a Tuscaloosa Mercedes parts supplier. UAW, which is engaged in a larger strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, said in an article published on their website on Tuesday that UAW members had rejected a contract offer from […]

A cannabis greenhouse

Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, companies still negotiating license terms

BY: - September 20, 2023

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) and lawyers for companies that sued over the licensing process are continuing negotiations over a possible settlement. The AMCC canceled a scheduled Tuesday meeting after lawyers for both sides met on Friday to discuss the impasse that has prevented the commission from issuing licenses to companies awarded one. Alabama […]

An Alabama congressional map showing two major areas: the 7th Congressional District in west Alabama, colored tan, and the 2nd Congressional District in southeast Alabama, colored pink. Below them is a proposed 1st Congressional District, centered on Mobile and colored purple.

Milligan plaintiffs: Alabama defying federal redistricting orders

BY: - September 19, 2023

Attorneys for plaintiffs challenging Alabama’s congressional maps Tuesday accused the state of defying federal court orders to draw a second opportunity district for Black voters.   In a 51-page brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, the attorneys asked the justices to reject a request from the state to stay a special master from drawing new […]

Shawn Fain, UAW president, wearing shades.

UAW president sets new deadline for automakers, promising additional strikes

BY: - September 19, 2023

Shawn Fain, president of the United Auto Workers union (UAW), on Monday night announced that more locations may be called to join the union’s strike on Friday. The UAW declared a historic strike against all three members of the Big Three automakers at midnight Thursday, after contracts expired with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. “I […]

A man bundled in a jacket and wearing a hat and mask pedals a bike through the streets of Manhann with a large package in front.

States and cities eye stronger protections for gig economy workers

BY: - September 19, 2023

Joshua Wood remembers days during the COVID-19 lockdown when New York City’s streets were practically empty, save for workers like him. That experience convinced the 25-year-old Brooklynite — who makes deliveries for both Uber Eats and a package delivery service — that the gig economy needed some urgent changes. Roughly 1 in 6 American adults […]