Alabama Politics
Alabama GOP moves to protect legislative seats in Madison, Limestone
Republican leaders are leaning on a pledge to eliminate the state’s remaining 2% grocery tax to shore up support in Madison and Limestone counties, where Republican primary turnout has dropped sharply since 2022 while Democratic turnout has risen. House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said lawmakers will file the grocery tax repeal when the 2027 session opens.
Source: Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama has 4 constitutional amendments on the ballot in November. Here’s what they’re about
Voters will decide four statewide amendments on Nov. 3, including measures on filling lieutenant governor vacancies, letting county school systems consolidate absent a voter protest, requiring the Pledge of Allegiance and allowing student prayer, and requiring a weekly performance of the national anthem in schools.
Source: WBHM
In Alabama congressional races, incumbents hold fundraising advantages
FEC reports show incumbents in six of Alabama’s seven U.S. House districts outraised their challengers between July and September; in the competitive 2nd District, Rep. Shomari Figures raised $1 million, the most of any candidate statewide.
Source: Alabama Reflector
Alabama Education
Jacksonville State University Board of Trustees to vote on alternate faculty senate board
JSU trustees are expected to vote today to create a new Presidential Faculty Academic Roundtable to replace the faculty senate the board dissolved in August under a new state law; critics note a majority of the new body’s seats are presidential appointments rather than elected.
Source: Alabama Reflector
Alabama Educational Television Commission member resigns
Tijuanna Adetunji resigned from the Alabama Educational Television Commission, leaving just one member untouched by a wave of dismissals and removals over the past month; Gov. Kay Ivey’s office has not named a replacement or given a reason for the resignation.
Source: Alabama Reflector
Economic Development
Sewell announces $27M grant to modernize rural rail infrastructure in the Black Belt
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell announced a $27 million federal grant to upgrade track, signals and 34 at-grade crossings on two rural railways serving the Black Belt region, building on earlier rail investment she secured for the area in 2023.
Source: Alabama Political Reporter
Gov. Ivey awards $1 million for Lockheed Martin plant expansion in Pike County
Gov. Kay Ivey awarded a $1 million grant for a water line supporting Lockheed Martin’s planned $35–50 million expansion of its Troy plant, which is expected to create 300 jobs and nearly quadruple THAAD interceptor production over seven years.
Source: ADECA
Rural Health
UA receives nearly $2 million to improve rural medical care during 911 emergencies
The University of Alabama will use a nearly $2 million grant to equip rural EMS crews across 13 west Alabama counties with telemedicine tools, letting paramedics consult an on-call UA physician on scene about whether a patient needs the ER or can be treated in place.
Source: WBRC
Compiled from Alabama news sources for Bibb Voice. — Automated daily briefing.
