Anna Barrett, Alabama Daily News Journalist Profile

Articles

Shroud Award given to bill updating vehicle safety guidelines for children

2 days ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector May 14, 2025 The House of Representatives’ annual Shroud Award Wednesday went to a bill that died on the House floor in February. HB 18, sponsored by Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, would have updated safety regulations for children in vehicles for the first time in almost 20 years. The award is given to the “deadest bill of the session.” GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. “There’s no question of Rep.
Shroud Award given to bill updating vehicle safety guidelines for children

2 days ago | yahoo.com | Anna Barrett

Rep. Ron Bolton, R-Northport, smiles as he holds up The Shroud Award in the Alabama House of Representatives on May 14, 2025. Bolton received the award, given to "the deadest bill of the session," for legislation that would have revised weight and height standards for children's safety seats. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)The House of Representatives’ annual Shroud Award Wednesday went to a bill that died on the House floor in February. HB 18, sponsored by Rep.
Heath Allbright wins GOP nomination in HD 11 special election

3 days ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector May 13, 2025 Heath Allbright, a businessman and former Cullman County Board of Education member, won the Republican nomination Tuesday for the House District 11 special election. Voters in Cullman and Blount counties chose Allbright, 39, over 60-year-old military veteran Don Fallin. As of 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Allbright received 1,909 votes (54.3%), while Fallin got 1,609 votes (45.7%) in unofficial election results.
Heath Allbright wins GOP nomination in HD 11 special election

3 days ago | yahoo.com | Anna Barrett

House District 11 candidate Heath Allbright. Allbright won the GOP nomination for the House District 11 special election and will face Democrat Alex Braswell on Aug. 26. (courtesy of Allbright)Heath Allbright, a businessman and former Cullman County Board of Education member, won the Republican nomination Tuesday for the House District 11 special election. Voters in Cullman and Blount counties chose Allbright, 39, over 60-year-old military veteran Don Fallin.
A voter's guide to the House District 11 special primary election

3 days ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

Republican voters in Cullman and Blount counties go to the polls Tuesday to elect a GOP nominee for the House District 11 special election. Heath Allbright, a 39-year-old business man and former member of the Cullman County Board of Education, will compete against Don Fallin, a 60-year-old military veteran. The district covers part of Cullman and Blount counties. When do polls open? Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Alabama Republicans and the religious instruction bill: It's complicated

4 days ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett |Anna Barrett

After an Alabama House committee failed to move a bill requiring local school boards to adopt a policy on released time religious instruction (RTRI), Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth took his disappointment to social media.
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 6-7, 2025

1 week ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett |Alander Rocha

Here are the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week. Tuesday, May 6 HouseSB 211, sponsored by Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, requires local school superintendents or their designees to serve as the primary liaison with law enforcement for school bus safety incidents. The bill passed 94-0. It goes to Gov. Kay Ivey. SB 280, sponsored by Sen.
Alabama State Board of Education to adopt policy for paid parental leave at June meeting

1 week ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector May 9, 2025 The Alabama State Board of Education will adopt temporary rules for paid parental leave for public education employees at its June meeting, State Superintendent Eric Mackey said Thursday. The move comes a few weeks after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law extending the benefit to the workers. SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, goes into effect on July 1.
New committee, same result: Religious instruction bill stalls in Alabama House

1 week ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

A bill that would require local school boards to adopt policies on extending academic credit for “religious instruction” outside the classroom failed an Alabama House committee on Wednesday. SB 278, sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, is identical to HB 342, sponsored by Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, that failed the House Education Policy Committee on April 2. DuBose presented the legislation to the House State Government Committee.
Alabama House passes two bills targeting immigrants without legal status

1 week ago | timesfreepress.com | Anna Barrett

The Alabama House passed two bills Tuesday that target immigrants without legal status in the state. Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Sen. Wes Kitchens, R-Arab, would require law enforcement to determine the legal status of those they have a "reasonable suspicion" of being in the country without status during stops.