Discover the charm of Orange Beach, Alabama, with its pristine beaches, award-winning trails, diverse dining options, and a variety of accommodations. From relaxing on the sand to exploring nature and indulging in culinary delights, Orange Beach offers a perfect vacation experience for every traveler.
Alabama lawmakers ended their legislative session without passing a gambling bill, despite significant effort and support in the House of Representatives. A scaled-back version of the measure failed in the Senate by a single vote, preventing voters from having a say on the issue in this year’s elections.
Alabama has taken a significant step in its controversial use of nitrogen gas as a method of execution. Months after executing Kenneth Smith using nitrogen gas, the Alabama Supreme Court has granted the state attorney general’s request for an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who survived a lethal injection attempt in 2022. Miller was convicted in 1999 for the murder of three men during a workplace shooting.
Despite Miller’s ongoing legal challenges against the use of nitrogen gas as an unconstitutional method of execution, the state maintains that it will proceed with the execution. However, Miller’s attorneys are expected to seek a federal court order to block the execution from moving forward.
An Alabama bill aimed at restricting discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools has passed the state House, prompting concerns about its impact on LGBTQ+ students and teachers.
The current law prohibits such discussions in classrooms from kindergarten through fifth grade, but the bill would extend this restriction to eighth grade and prohibit flags symbolizing sexual orientations or gender identities in all K-12 schools.
Critics argue that this would broadly restrict conversations about gender and sexuality, including non-LGBTQ identities, and could violate First Amendment rights by silencing LGBTQ students and teachers in classrooms.
An Alabama bill designed to boost workforce participation by making childcare more accessible and affordable is moving forward in the state legislature. The bill (HB358) offers tax credits to employers providing on-site childcare and to childcare providers expanding their services. Nonprofit childcare providers would also be eligible for grants. The bill aims to create childcare options for thousands of Alabama families, with an estimated 7,000 families benefiting in the first year and up to 24,000 over three years. It is part of the ‘Working for Alabama’ package, which seeks to address barriers to workforce participation, as Alabama’s labor force participation rate is among the lowest in the US. The bill passed the Alabama House unanimously and will now be considered by the state Senate.
The highly anticipated South Star Festival, taking place from September 28-29 in Huntsville, Alabama, has announced its star-studded lineup. Gwen Stefani, known for her electrifying performances with No Doubt at Coachella, and iconic pop-punk band Blink-182 will headline the event. Joining them on stage will be a diverse array of renowned artists from the ’90s and beyond, including Beck, Shinedown, Jane’s Addiction, Sublime, Goo Goo Dolls, Jimmy Eat World, TLC, and Ludacris. The festival promises an extraordinary musical experience with a lineup that caters to all tastes.
Michigan basketball has been on a recruiting tear through the transfer portal, and the latest addition is wing Sam Walters from Alabama. Walters is a 6-foot-10 Florida native who played in 37 games for the Tide last season, averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds. He’s a versatile player who can shoot from beyond the arc and will bring some much-needed depth to the Wolverines’ lineup.
108 Death Masks by Nikesha Breeze stands as a poignant centerpiece in Montgomery, Alabama’s new Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. Conceived by the Equal Justice Initiative, this 17-acre park confronts the horrors of slavery and its lasting impact through immersive art installations. Visitors journey through a landscape that physically represents the lives of enslaved people, from cramped rail cars to the stark living spaces they endured.
