Alabama Public Television will once again consider dropping their partnership with PBS, with APT executive director Wayne Reid announcing last week that the Alabama Educational Television Commission will be forming a new commission to gauge Alabamian’s opinions on PBS.  

APT considered ending its PBS partnership in November 2025, after two AETC commissioners proposed dropping PBS programming due to the federal defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting — a non-profit corporation that helped fund public broadcasting services, such as PBS and NPR, throughout the country. 

The commission ultimately voted in favor of maintaining their contract with PBS through June, after an outpouring of support from Alabamians in favor of keeping PBS programming on the air in the state. Gov. Kay Ivey also weighed in on the issue, sending a letter to AETC saying the commission should dedicate efforts to gauging Alabamian’s opinions on PBS before voting to sever ties to the broadcaster. 

Financial feasibility will play a big factor in the commission’s decision to maintain ties to PBS. CPB officially ceased operations earlier this month, raising new questions about funding for public broadcasters. Reid reported last week that APT is still waiting on updated financial information from PBS regarding how much it would cost APT to maintain ties to the national broadcaster.

“They’re saying this month we should get our dues information. I think they’re still, I think, getting feedback from stations and trying to figure out how to proceed forward there,” Reid said.

APT has seen a significant increase in donations since the federal defunding of CPB. APT received $422,350 from major donors during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 — a 179% increase when compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Alabama top stories in brief

SNAP, Medicaid fraud bill passed by Senate committee could cost state $16.7 million annually

• SB61, a bill that would require the Alabama Medicaid Agency and Department of Human Resources to cross-check eligibility for assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid, was approved by the state Senate’s General Fund Finance and Taxation Committee this week.
• However, according to the Legislative Fiscal Office, if passed the bill would cost the state an additional $16.7 million per year in additional resources and labor.
• The bill would require the two agencies to enter into data matching agreements with other state agencies as a way to cross-check factors such as income and employment status of individuals receiving Medicaid or SNAP benefits. This is in an attempt to reduce “waste, fraud and abuse” for these assistance programs, according to Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, who helped carry the bill through the Senate committee.
• Alabama’s SNAP program, in particular, has a lower rate of erroneous payments than the national average. Of the $1.77 billion of SNAP benefits issued in fiscal year 2024, only $36,000 of payments were issued incorrectly, with DHR officials saying these errors were rarely due to fraud. 

AHSAA announces public-private school split amid CHOOSE Act disagreement

• The Alabama High School Athletic Association announced last week that it will separate private and public school athletics beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
• Under the new system, public schools and private schools will be able to play each other during regular season play. However, there will be separate playoffs and championships for each.
• AHSAA’s decision comes amid disagreements between state officials and the AHSAA about how to handle eligibility for student-athletes who have transferred to a private school using funds from Alabama’s new school voucher program, the CHOOSE Act. The AHSAA has had a long-standing rule that students receiving financial aid to attend a private school are ineligible for their first year attending their new school.
• Under the new system, CHOOSE Act transfer students will no longer be affected by AHSAA eligibility requirements.

Documentary about Alabama prisons receives Oscar nomination

• “The Alabama Solution,” a documentary detailing life in Alabama’s prisons, received an Academy Award nomination last week in the “Best Documentary Feature” category. 
• The documentary, directed by Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman, uses footage taken by inmates in Alabama’s maximum security prisons using contraband cellphones. Birmingham-area journalist Beth Shelburne was also a producer for the film.
• The filmmakers behind the documentary say that it is meant to expose “the inhumane conditions inside Alabama’s prisons,” with footage showing leaking sewage, rats, overcrowded conditions and more inside of Alabama prisons.
• The Academy Awards will air on March 15 on ABC. “The Alabama Solution” is streaming on HBO Max.

Disability accommodation area will be provided for Mobile Mardi Gras for first time

• The city of Mobile announced last week the city would be partnering with a company that provides disability accommodation solutions, Special Needs Assistance Station for You, to provide accommodations during its Mardi Gras parade season.
• SNASY will provide ADA-compliant restrooms, a climate-controlled tent and seating in a special tailgate area for downtown parades starting on Feb. 12 through Fat Tuesday on Feb. 17. SNASY will also provide accessible free parking by Fort Conde for each parade.
• The company is asking those interested in attending a parade to register in advance. Registration is free.
• SNASY has provided accessible tailgate areas for Auburn home football games since 2023.

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