Anna Barrett, Alabama Daily News Journalist Profile

Articles

Alabama bill removing English language learners from school athletic classifications dies

1 week ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

A bill that would have excluded certain English language learner (ELL) students from a public school’s average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification failed to move in this year’s session. But the bill’s sponsor said it will likely return next year. “We just ran out of time,” said Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, in an interview last week.
Alabama bill removing English language learners from school athletic classifications dies

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Anna Barrett

Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, applauds during a session of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 17, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. Colvin plans to bring back his bill that would have excluded certain English language learner (ELL) students from a public school’s average daily membership when determining athletic competition classification next year.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville to run for Alabama governor

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Anna Barrett

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, addresses a crowd at a breakfast hosted by the Chamber of Commerce in Montgomery on Feb. 14, 2024. Tuberville announced his 2026 campaign for Alabama governor on Tuesday on Fox News. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector)U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville formally entered the 2026 campaign for governor of Alabama Tuesday, launching a campaign website shortly before announcing his candidacy on Fox News Tuesday afternoon.
Sponsor of 'Don't Say Gay' expansion plans to revive bill next year

2 weeks ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

An Alabama lawmaker plans to bring back a bill next year that would prohibit all discussions of gender identity and sexuality during instructional time in public schools. HB 244 got approval from the House on April 18 and from the Senate Education Policy Committee on May 1. Sen.
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth not running for governor in 2026

2 weeks ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector May 21, 2025 Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth will not run for governor next year. In a social media post Wednesday morning, Ainsworth said the decision came after prayers and discussions with his family. “Kendall and I have decided that focusing on our children during their last years in high school and transitioning to the private sector makes the most sense for all of us at this time in our lives,” he wrote. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Alabama Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled officials fear federal cuts

2 weeks ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector May 21, 2025 The Alabama Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled (ALBPD) serves about 7,000 Alabamians with free audio and books in braille. BPD officials fear that could all go away if the Trump administration continues to make funding cuts to the National Library Service. The ALBPD is part of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 14, 2025

3 weeks ago | alabamareflector.com | Anna Barrett |Alander Rocha

by Anna Barrett and Alander Rocha, Alabama Reflector May 16, 2025 Here are the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature on Wednesday, the final day of the 2025 regular session. HouseHB 199, sponsored by Rep. Travis Hendrix, D-Birmingham, allows the Board of Pardons and parole to electronically monitor a juvenile delinquent before their court hearing. The House concurred with Senate changes 101-0. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill on Thursday. HB 202, sponsored by Rep.
Shroud Award given to bill updating vehicle safety guidelines for children

3 weeks 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

3 weeks 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 weeks 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.