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Articles from the January 1, 2026 edition


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  • Governor Ivey Kicks Off School Choice Week, Celebrates Education Freedom Wins for Alabama Students

    Governor's Press Office|Jan 1, 2026

    MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday kicked off School Choice Week by celebrating Alabama's education freedom wins for Alabama students. "Our students are the foundation for a better future for Alabama," said Governor Ivey. "Every child deserves access to a quality education that meets their unique needs and helps them reach their full potential. My goal is to continue to make Alabama the most school choice friendly state in the nation." Throughout her administration, she has and will c...

  • Kay Ivey adds three more counties to the state of emergency over the winter weather

    Governor's Press Office|Jan 1, 2026

    MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday signed a proclamation issuing a state of emergency for 19 northern counties ahead of the anticipated wintery and icy forecast for the state. "In Alabama, we are no stranger to Mother Nature. However, when it comes to winter weather, we are not as familiar. So, as we head into this weekend, I am urging my fellow Alabamians, especially in the northern part of our state, to stay weather aware," said Governor Ivey. "Based on the current forecast, we have a...

  • KettenWulf to Open Auburn Manufacturing Facility, Bringing $34 Million Investment and 70 New Jobs

    A.I. generated content, Based on a governor's office news release|Jan 1, 2026

    AUBURN, Ala. - Governor Kay Ivey announced Monday that German chain manufacturer KettenWulf will establish a new U.S. manufacturing operation in Auburn, marking a major international investment in East Alabama's growing industrial sector. The project represents a $34 million capital investment and is expected to create 70 new jobs. KettenWulf, founded in 1925 and celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is a family‑owned global manufacturer specializing in high‑performance engineered con...

  • Governor Ivey Backs Legislation to Limit Screen Time in Early Childhood Education

    A.I. generated content|Jan 1, 2026

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced her support for the Healthy Early Development and Screen Time Act, a new proposal that would limit electronic screen exposure in early childhood education programs and licensed childcare facilities across Alabama. The governor highlighted the measure as a priority during her State of the State address on January 13. Ivey said the legislation is a necessary step to protect young children from the developmental risks associated with...

  • Alabama Trustee Group Shares 2025 Coastal Restoration Update, Public Comments Open Through Jan. 28

    A.I. generated content|Jan 1, 2026

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Trustee Implementation Group has released its 2025 annual update detailing ongoing restoration efforts in coastal Alabama tied to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which devastated Gulf ecosystems in 2010. The update was presented on January 21, 2026, and is now available for public viewing on the Gulf Spill Restoration YouTube channel. The Alabama Trustee Group is part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) process, which coordinates long‑term recovery a...

  • 2026 college playoffs will remain at twelve teams

    Brandon Moseley|Jan 1, 2026

    INDIANAPOLIS - The College Football Playoff will remain limited to just 12 teams in 2026. The deadline for establishing a new format was December 1; but had been extended several times with no compromise ever reached. Since the parties involved could not agree on a new format for the 2026 season the format will stay the same as in 2024 and 2025. The CFP Management Committee opted to preserve the current structure, citing the need for further evaluation and consensus. The CFP Management...

  • Governor Ivey Introduces a CHOOSE Act Family: Meet Charlie Perkins and Susan Stacy

    Governor's Press Office|Jan 1, 2026

    MOBILE – Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday continued highlighting School Choice Week by introducing Charlie Perkins and his grandmother Susan Stacy, an Alabama family utilizing the CHOOSE Act, the governor's education savings account (ESA) program. Charlie Perkins is in the 4th grade at St. Dominic Catholic School in Mobile. "The CHOOSE Act is for all kinds of Alabama families," said Governor Ivey. "Susan and Charlie are exactly what this program is about – putting faith, family and a child's fut...

  • Republican Senate incumbents poised well for 2026 races

    A.I. generated content|Jan 1, 2026

    Republican incumbents and challengers in the 2026 Alabama Senate race closed out 2025 with sizable campaign war chests, while Democrats remained largely absent from the financial landscape, according to year-end filings. The top war chest was by Senator Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), who reported over $1.1 million in cash on hand. End-of-Year Spending in the 2026 Alabama Senate Race A financial snapshot of campaign momentum heading into the election year Context: Year-End Reports Filed in January 2026...

  • UAH transportation engineering team advances to regional finals of international NHTSA Enhanced Safety of Vehicles student competition

    Russ Nelson, UAH Research writer|Jan 1, 2026

    HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (JAN. 27, 2026) – The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, is gaining national attention for its growing leadership in transportation safety and engineering innovation, as a team of UAH students has been selected a finalist in the 2026 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV) Student Competition. The regional North American finals take place this month, with the winners advancing t...

  • NPO Backs Rep. Kenneth Paschal's Push to Modernize Alabama Custody Laws

    A.I. generated content|Jan 1, 2026

    MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The National Parents Organization (NPO) has formally endorsed Rep. Kenneth Paschal's reintroduction of the Best Interest of the Child Protection Act, a bipartisan proposal aimed at updating Alabama's decades‑old child custody laws and improving outcomes for families across the state. NPO leaders said they encouraged Paschal to bring the bill back after receiving extensive positive feedback from Kentucky, where similar shared‑parenting reforms enacted in 2018 have been cre...

  • How credit card limits work, and why they're risky

    Stacker, Anna Caldwell for Accredited Debt Relief|Jan 1, 2026

    How credit card limits work, and why they’re risky Getting approved for a higher credit card limit is exciting. When you’re given access to a high spending limit, it’s tempting to take advantage of that access. If your creditor thinks you can handle it, why not use the fund you’ve been cleared to access? Unfortunately, just because you can spend more, doesn’t mean you should. In fact, that mentality could be keeping you stuck in debt. Accredited Debt Relief breaks down how credit card limits ar...

  • The hidden cost of your commute: Why new builds closer in may be more affordable than resale homes

    Stacker, Heather Wright for NewHomeSource|Jan 1, 2026

    The hidden cost of your commute: Why new builds closer in may be more affordable than resale homes If you are choosing between a cheaper resale home that is farther out of the city and a pricier new-construction home closer to work and other amenities, which option is more affordable? Spoiler alert: The lower sticker price isn’t always the least expensive over time. While house hunters often dial in on list price and mortgage rates to determine a potential home’s affordability, those costs are o...

  • The states aging fastest and what it means for communities

    Stacker, Lisa Garity for QMedic|Jan 1, 2026

    The states aging fastest and what it means for communities Across the United States, the population is getting older, but not at the same pace everywhere. While every state is experiencing some degree of demographic aging, recent data shows that growth among older adults is happening especially quickly in certain parts of the country. In those places, the shift is already influencing everyday aspects of community life, from housing availability to transportation needs and local services. QMedic...

  • Conservation Advisory Board Meets in Montgomery on February 28

    AL Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources|Jan 1, 2026

    The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) will hold its first meeting of 2026 on Saturday, February 28. The meeting will take place at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Richard Beard Auditorium, 1445 Federal Dr., in Montgomery, Alabama. Registration for those wishing to address the board will be from 8-8:30 a.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Attendees with printed information they wish to share with CAB members should bring 16 copies of the material for...

  • Alabama Farmers Federation Endorses Patrick Johnson in HD 8

    Jeff Helms|Jan 1, 2026

    MORGAN COUNTY, Ala., Jan. 28 - The Alabama Farmers Federation has announced its endorsement of Republican Patrick Johnson for House District 8 in Morgan County. The Republican Primary Election is May 19. "Patrick grew up on a farm and is a small business owner who knows the needs of both business and agriculture," said Mike Reeves, president of the Morgan County Farmers Federation. "He will carry that experience and knowledge to Montgomery to represent us in the Legislature." Johnson graduated...

  • 60 Super Bowl trivia questions and answers for your 2026 Super Bowl party

    Stacker, Christian Hardy for PrizePicks|Jan 1, 2026

    6 Super Bowl trivia questions and answers for your 2026 Super Bowl party Hosting friends for a Super Bowl party? Super Bowl trivia is an easy way to get everyone locked in before kickoff — and figure out who actually knows ball. From iconic plays and dynasties to halftime shows and commercials, PrizePicks shares these 60 Super Bowl trivia questions, which cover the full history of the NFL’s biggest game. Looking back at historical stats — like passing yards, touchdowns, or memorable perfo...

  • The state of home insurance in 2026: Increasing rates, climate change, and consumer frustration

    Stacker, Leslie Kasperowicz for Insurance.com|Jan 1, 2026

    The state of home insurance in 2026: Increasing rates, climate change, and consumer frustration Rate increases over the past few years have been hitting homeowners hard, thanks to increasingly volatile weather, inflation, and other factors. 2026 should see stabilization in the home insurance market, but, depending on where you live, you probably shouldn’t count on seeing lower rates on your renewal. The Consumer Federation of America’s April 2025 report, Overburdened, found that U.S. hom...