Our governor likes to say Alabama is “open for business.” Our leaders insist we are the most “pro-business” state in the nation.   This...

  Those of us who follow Alabama politics had been awaiting late May like kids waiting for Santa Claus at Christmas.   We knew May 19 would ...

  There are two elements critical to a functioning prison system. Security and hope.   Alabama doesn’t do well on either.   Start with secur...

  Gov. Kay Ivey is a sure-footed politician.   She’s walked the narrow and dangerous path of Alabama politics all the way to summit. It requ...

  I can’t go to Goat Hill lately without feeling déjà vu.   It started with Gov. Kay Ivey’s State of the State address on Feb. 6. There was...

  The Alabama Legislature rushed a bill to Gov. Kay Ivey last week. It was so important that House Republicans limited debate on the measure...

  Pity the poor state lawmaker.   They work hard on a law to punish Alabamians showing kindness to the vulnerable — normal, everyday stuff i...

  You probably know what a rage room is. People fork over cash and spend time destroying household items like dishes and furniture cabinets....

  The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down federal abortion rights affects much more than reproductive health.   Exhibit A: the batt...

  The regular legislative session of the Alabama Legislature ended on May 9, with the final passage of both budgets, which is the only const...

  Gov. Kay Ivey did something good last year. And as far as I can tell, she never told anyone about it.   As Alander Rocha recently reported...

  Republican lawmakers this spring approved SB 186, sponsored by Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), prohibiting ranked choice voting in the state. Gov....

  There’s a lot that can get an Alabama politician mad.    Black history lessons . Voting assistance . Acknowledging the danger of firearms ...

  Imagine if Alabama politicians started treating geothermal energy as a crisis.   And not just criticizing particular practices or business...

  Here are two reminders of how our state leaders feel about unions.   “These are out-of-state special interest groups, and their special in...

  My sister and I attended Catholic schools for 12 years.   These were not elite institutions. None of my classmates, as far as I know, went...

  Toforest Johnson should not be on death row.   I’m not the first person to think that. I doubt I’ll be the last.   A jury convicted Johnso...

  Alabama politicians chase so many imaginary problems that it’s worth noting when they dialogue with reality.   For example, the recent cre...

  My 9-year-old daughter recently asked me if reading really makes you smarter.    Put on the spot, I garbled my answer. I was driving, and ...

  Three federal judges order the Alabama Legislature to draw fair districts for Black voters.    Lawmakers drag their feet. They submit a pl...