Heather Gann

Tuscaloosa

Breaking News Reporter at AL.com

•Reporter for Birmingham edition of The Lede •UA Alum '22

Articles

Bill to make Juneteenth a state holiday advances in Alabama House

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

The Alabama House of Representatives approved a bill Thursday that would make Juneteenth a state holiday. HB165, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Abbeville, passed by a vote of 85 ayes and 4 nays. Juneteenth, or June 19, commemorates the day upon which Black slaves learned of their emancipation in 1865. Former President Joe Biden signed a bill in 2021 recognizing the day as a federal holiday. And Gov. Kay Ivey has declared it a state holiday each year since.
State troopers identify pedestrian struck and killed in Mobile County over the weekend

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

A pedestrian killed in a single-vehicle crash that occurred in Mobile County this weekend has been identified, according to a release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Melissa B. Phillips, 45, was fatally injured at approximately 10:06 p.m. on Saturday when she was struck by a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Antoine L. Eager II, 20, the release says. Phillips was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Vandalized Alabama historical marker honoring Black heritage replaced

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

An African American heritage historical marker that was destroyed last month in Decatur has been replaced, according to an announcement from local historian Peggy Towns. “Thrilled to see the Old Town African American Heritage marker back up,” Towns wrote Tuesday in a post to Facebook. “Thank you Mayor [Tab] Bowling for all your assistance.” The Decatur Preservation Society previously said the marker would cost thousands of dollars to replace and could take up to a year to do.
Alabama lawmaker resigns from office, cites family as reason for leaving

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

After over a decade in the state legislature, Rep. Corey Harbison, R-Good Hope, delivered his official resignation to Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter on Tuesday, according to reports from several state outlets. “Mr. Speaker, please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from Alabama House District 12,” the letter reads. This move came as no surprise to other lawmakers; Harbison told the Cullman Tribune in March about his plans to resign by April 15.
Father and son identified in north Alabama murder-suicide

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

The two men killed in a murder-suicide Tuesday in Lauderdale County have been identified as father and son, according to a release from county sheriffs. “On 4/15/2025 at around 3:00 a.m. Jesse Payne, 34, arrived at his father’s house on Sylvan St.” the release reads.
Alabama veteran rescues neighbor from fiery explosion: ‘I’m not a hero, I just did what I was supposed to’

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

Over the weekend, a Center Star veteran rescued his neighbor from an explosive house fire in what he said was an act of “divine intervention.”Perry Gooch was walking in his front yard in Lauderdale County at around 6:30 Friday morning, earlier than he said he would normally be out and about, when he noticed his neighbor Bobby standing in front of her house, which was partially engulfed in flames.
North Alabama hospital ambulance service improves response times after facing fines

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

The Decatur Morgan Hospital ambulance service has met its required response time for the last two quarters after facing fines from the city last year for failing to do so. Tyler Stinson, the hospital’s Emergency Medical Services Director, said working to resolve ongoing staffing issues was a major factor in the recent improvement. According to city requirements, the service must respond within 13 minutes to an area encompassing one and a half miles beyond city limits.
Alabama firefighter dies in weekend motorcycle accident

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

A Mobile firefighter was killed on Sunday in a motorcycle accident near Wilmer, the department confirmed in a release Tuesday. “The Mobile Fire-Rescue Department (MFRD) is deeply saddened to announce the death of Fire Service Driver Marcine Crawford Jr., who served at Seelhorst Station as a Driver for Engine 7 on B Shift,” it reads. Crawford was a member of the department for nearly a decade and was promoted to driver in August 2022.
PepsiCo to meet with Al Sharpton over proposed boycott due to DEI rollbacks

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

PepsiCo representatives have agreed to meet with civil rights advocates from the National Action Network this week to discuss the company’s recent rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, Rev. Al Sharpton told AP News. Earlier this month, Sharpton, the Network’s founder and president, penned a letter expressing his “profound disappointment” to PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta.
Two teens riding electric scooter killed in south Alabama crash

1 week ago | al.com | Heather Gann

Two teens were killed Sunday evening in a collision involving a pickup truck and an electric scooter. On April 13, at approximately 9 p.m., Foley Police responded to County Road 65 south of Airport Road in response to the collision, according to a police statement. Brandon Alexis Esquivel Palencia, 19, of New York and Cesar Ariel Villatoro Chavez, 18, of Foley, were killed.