Alabama top stories in brief

Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall joined 18 other attorney general’s from other states in signing a letter opposing recently proposed federal rule changes for foster children. New rules proposed by the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children’s and Families would require that states agencies must ensure LGBTQ+ children who wish it are given “safe and appropriate placement.” The ACF defines this as “an environment free of hostility, mistreatment, or abuse based on the child’s LGBTQI+ status” and requires certain resources are in place. The letter signed by Marshall and the other attorney generals argues that this discriminates against faith-based organizations and violates freedom of speech.

A draft of new bylaws for the Alabama Democratic Party is set to bring back most of the diversity caucasus that were removed in May, but will not include the disability caucus. The ADP voted in May to abolish the youth, LGBTQ+ and disability caucuses. After several members complained, the Democratic National Committee launched an investigation, which ended in them ordering the ADP to draft new bylaws. According to leaders with the ADP, the decision was made because of a lack of clear definition for the disability caucus. The chair of the disability caucus, Josh Raby expressed disappointment in the decision and pointed out that 23 other states had disability caucuses and that the DNC had a disability caucus.

On Nov. 28, the Birmingham City Council approved $5 million in city loans for Birmingham-Southern College. The loans were approved as the college continues to face financial troubles. However, after the city loan, BSC President Daniel Coleman said that the college will be able to stay open until fall 2024. Coleman said that BSC will now be working towards a similar arrangement with Jefferson County.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced on Nov. 27 that the Alabama Department of Commerce has begun building a $30 million electric vehicle workforce training center in Decatur, AL. The center aims to help train workers for careers in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry. It is expected to be operating in 2025.

Now on their third attempt, the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission has awarded licenses to 20 companies to grow and sell cannabis on Dec. 1. The commission has awarded licenses two previous times, but due to a long series of lawsuits claiming that the AMCC licensing process was flawed, they redid their process again. The AMCC awarded five of six categories of licenses including, growing, selling, processing, transporting and testing cannabis. Licenses have been awarded after a week of presentations of companies making their case to the commission. Integrated facilities, the sixth licensing category and places where companies can do all of the above, will be awarded licenses beginning Dec. 8. Before the third time licensing however, the AMCC ratified a settlement agreement that courts would not consider similar lawsuits that are suing based on the commission’s scoring, as long as the AMCC agreed to disregard initial licensing scores.

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“Hope isn’t a subconscious decision. At least, not at first.” In this month’s edition of The Breathing Room, Hannah Irvin explores how hope is a habit that must be intentionally developed and why it’s so important that we prioritize it, now more than ever.

Alabama Invitational: An exhibition featuring work created by current and former Alabama artists in the mediums of sculpture, glass, photography, painting and textiles produced by artists originally from or currently based in Alabama. View more details about this event on The Sunrise News event calendar.

If you’re interested in having your event advertised on our calendar, you can submit events here.

Xander Swain

Xander Swain helps write the Alabama Roundup and writes The Longleaf Hiker. He has a BS in political science, environmental studies and sociology and is excited to help out with Alabama Roundup. In his free time, Xander enjoys hiking around Alabama and cooking for his friends and family.
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Harrison Neville | Editor in chief

Harrison Neville is the editor in chief for The Sunrise News. He graduated the University of Montevallo with a BA in English and a minor in game studies and design. While at UM he worked for four years at the university’s collegiate newspaper, The Alabamian, and served as editor in chief his senior year. He is an avid outdoorsman who loves to spend time backpacking and hiking. He also has been a soccer referee for over 8 years. When he’s not on the trail or the field, you can probably find him reading books, writing or playing games with friends.
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