Jacob Holmes

Montgomery

Reporter at Alabama Political Reporter

News Editor at the Alex City Outlook, Dadeville Record, Wetumpka Herald and Tallassee Tribune.

Articles

Librarians, supporters rail against new regime at Alabama Public Library Service

6 days ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

More than 30 people showed up to speak out at the latest meeting of the Alabama Public Library Service on Thursday, with the vast majority expressing harsh criticism of the board’s actions since Chairman John Wahl took over. The contention started early when Gadsden Public Library Director Craig Scott, immediate past president of the Alabama Library Association, criticized the board for looking for controversy rather than the good libraries are doing.
Senate Democrats block Archives restructuring bill at last minute

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

It looked like a bill to reshape the board governing the Alabama Department of Archives and History would finally makes its way to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey after getting approval from both houses on Tuesday. APR reported in error that the bill, Senate Bill 5, was on its way to Ivey’s desk, but the bill had been amended on the House floor to remove a portion of the bill that would have required appointees to the board to be confirmed by the Senate.
Legislature approves bill banning cell phone use in classrooms

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

Alabama students will not be allowed to use their cell phones in classrooms moving forward after the Alabama Senate approved a bill prohibiting cell phone use in schools Wednesday. Hb166, known as the FOCUS Act, by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, had already passed the House of Representatives.
Rescheduled APLS meeting raises concerns about public participation, representation

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

Numerous people looking to sign up for public comment at the upcoming Alabama Public Library Service meeting were surprised Monday to have their requests denied. Traditionally, the deadline to sign up for public comment has been 5 p.m. on the Monday ahead of the Thursday meeting. But several people reported being told the deadline for this particular meeting was Friday, despite the APLS code allowing sign-ups up to two days before the meeting.
Alabama House sends bill to reshape Archives board to Ivey's desk

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

The Alabama Department of Archives and History board of trustees will soon serve at the pleasure of their individual appointing authorities. The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 5 by Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, along party lines.
Senate passes portmanteau bill making major restrictions on CBD products

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

Smokable hemp and CBD products including flower buds and vapes will soon be banned in Alabama. That’s just one of many new restrictions on hemp and CBD approved by the Alabama Senate on Tuesday, sending the legislation to Gov. Kay Ivey’s desk to be signed into law. The bill is nominally House Bill 445 by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, but Senators simply used the bill as a vessel to sub in a bill they’ve been working on behind closed door.
In Spanish Fort, LGBTQ picture books housed in adult section

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

In Alice B. McGinty’s “Bathe the Cat,” a family’s attempt to clean the house before Grandma comes goes hilariously awry as the members of the family mix up their subjects and verbs — feed the fishes and wash the dishes becomes wash the fishes and feed the dishes. At the Spanish Fort Public Library, patrons will need to be 18 or older to check out the book themselves, or have a parent approve them to have access to the entire adult collection.
Bill mandating default filters for minors' phones heads to Ivey's desk

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

The Alabama Senate concurred Thursday on a bill that would require content filters to be enabled on internet-connected devices for minors. While numerous new bills have advanced in this session to add safeguards against minors accessing adult sites and apps, this bill has been tried in the Legislature numerous times. Senate Bill 186 by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, would require tablets and smartphones to automatically enable content filters when activated by a minor.
Bill allowing Farmers Federation to offer health plans goes to governor

1 week ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

A bill that would authorize the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health coverage plans to its members is headed to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey to be signed into law. After being amended 18 times in the House, House Bill 477 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, escaped further changes in the Senate despite attempts to add coverage for pre-existing conditions by Senate minority leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro.
Committee advances bill to expand school vaccine exemptions

2 weeks ago | alreporter.com | Jacob Holmes

A bill that would allow parents or guardians to opt their children out of vaccines with a simple note is moving toward a final vote in the Alabama House of Representatives. The House Health Committee approved Senate Bill 87 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, after a public hearing rife with vaccine misinformation.