Makyla Simmons

Dothan

MultiMedia Journalist at WTVY-TV (Dothan, AL)

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Articles

Student makes school history at Daleville High

May 14, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

DALEVILLE, Ala. (WTVY) - Daleville High School’s halls are filled with excitement. One student is making school history for this year’s graduating class. LaShundra Straw, the valedictorian of the Class of 2024, serves as senior class president and is part of multiple extracurricular activities. ”I do almost everything, I play volleyball, softball...” Straw said. She does almost everything and now this soon-to-be Warhawk grad is doing something never done at Daleville High.
Mayor Jimmy Money gives update on the city of Abbeville

May 10, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

ABBEVILLE, Ala. (WTVY) - Mayor Jimmy Money said he is proud of what has been accomplished so far with the city of Abbeville. He said his job is not complete and there are more projects underway. Mayor Money oversees multi-million projects he claims will continue to build the city. He tells News4 that with their small population, they are limited to the things they can do but are fortunate to do what they can. “I love the city, you have to love it,” Money said.
Fort Novosel conducted Integrated Protection Exercises to prepare for sudden emergencies

May 1, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

FORT NOVOSEL, Ala. (WTVY) - Fort Novosel was busy Wednesday preparing for the “what if” by practicing emergencies that could happen in real life. All to prepare them for how well they can respond in a crisis. It’s called integrated protection exercises. It’s a scenario-based training. Throughout the day they were put to the test on how well they can respond to complex situations where every second counts.
Potential pay increase for teachers could still have challenges

Apr 30, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

A recent report from the National Education Association claims Alabama teacher salaries are still below the minimum living wage, despite a potential pay increase.
USDA makes changes to school lunch menus in the 2025-2026 school year

Apr 29, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - Changes are coming to school cafeterias. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating school menus with healthier options, limiting sugar and sodium. School menus will look a little different starting in the 2025 school year. It’s divided into two phases. It begins in the 2025-2026 school year by limiting sugar on specific products such as cereal, yogurt, and flavored milk. Phase two will add a 10 percent cap on added sugars by the 2027 school year.
Expungement clinic in Dothan gives people a second chance at life

Apr 26, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - Legal Services Alabama is changing lives for those with a criminal record. It’s their road to redemption, and it helps those charged with crime seek expungement. “Some of us have made mistakes earlier in life that it’s hard to get over those humps. We are trying to get over those humps in life,” Nicholas Jones with Work Plus Workforce Development Program said. Jones said this clinic is beneficial.
“Supplying Minors” bill could prosecute Alabama librarians

Apr 24, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - Proposed legislation in Alabama could target the state’s public libraries and what’s on their shelves. HB 385, otherwise known as the “Supplying Minors” bill, would add an amendment to current state obscenity laws, which currently makes it a crime to distribute obscene content to minors with an exception for public libraries.
Abbeville military veteran shares life story through book

Apr 23, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

ABBEVILLE, Ala. (WTVY) - One military veteran from Abbeville is sharing his life story through a new book. Danny Lampkin served in the Navy for five years and the Army for seventeen years. He wrote this book, “What Was It Really Like? Behind-The-Scenes Military Stories No One Ever Tells,” after he got out of the Army. Lampkin says this book shares the ups and down and raw emotion of his life and what it’s like to serve in the military.
Ann Rudd Art Center unveils ‘Crossroads: Change in Rural America’ art exhibit

Apr 23, 2024 | wtvy.com | Makyla Simmons

OZARK, Ala. (WTVY) - The Ann Rudd Art Center in Ozark have unveiled a new exhibit that highlights rural Alabama and America. The exhibit, ‘Crossroads: Change in Rural America,’ is from the Smithsonian Institute and was made possible with the help of the Alabama Humanities Alliance. Since September, the Ann Rudd Art Center have been organizing this interactive informational art display showcasing the past, present and future of rural Alabama.
Troy University chancellor gives updates on the school

Apr 23, 2024 | wsfa.com | Makyla Simmons

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr. paid a visit to the Dothan Rotary Club on Monday to give updates on the school. Among the updates included Troy’s recent reclassification as a doctoral institution, which had opened up a lot of opportunities. The university is preparing to add their next two doctoral degrees, criminology and business administration. Dr. Hawkins says these degrees will benefit the students because of the need for both of those programs.