Alabama top stories in brief
- Gov. Kay Ivey has asked the Alabama Public Library Service to make state funding for local libraries contingent upon them adopting policies that set rules regarding the location and relocation of library materials deemed inappropriate for children. This is the second letter regarding this topic sent to APLS by Ivey. In mid September, Ivey wrote a letter to Director of APLS Nancy C. Pack, asking whether reform was needed in the library system, and listed several books she deemed inappropriate, several of which contained LGBTQ+ characters, topics and themes. In response, Pack went over each specific point raised, and assured Ivey that Alabama Libraries value, and some enforce, parental supervision when children check out books. Ivey has said Pack’s response did not address her concerns and is pushing for policy changes. There have been several recent pushes by local groups in Alabama to remove books containing LGBTQ+ characters and themes from the children sections of libraries. Matthew Layne, president of the Alabama Library Association, expressed concerns that it seemed those pushing for policy changes were equating LGBTQ+ families in books with sexually explicit content.
- The Alabama Department of Health has asked Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Greg Griffin to reconsider his recent ruling blocking ADPH from requiring hospital licensing from birth centers. On Sept. 30, Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Greg Griffin ruled in favor of plaintiffs in the case between the ADPH and several Alabama birth centers. In a supplemental order written last Wednesday, Griffin explained that he made his ruling because the centers proved that ADPH’s regulations caused birthing centers, which have been limited in operation by ADPH regulations, serious harm.
- The U.S. Supreme Court has dismissed a petition to review the case of Toforest Johnson, an Alabama death row inmate whose case has drawn criticism in recent years from advocates. Johnson was convicted of a murder in 1998. Attorneys representing Johnson have argued that since the primary testimony responsible for convicting Johnson came from a witness who the defense were unaware was rewarded for her testimony, the case should be re-examined. Johnson has other appeals besides the one dismissed by the Supreme Court waiting.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that it had launched an investigation to examine whether Alabama discriminated against Black residents when distributing funds for wastewater infrastructure. A complaint was filed in the spring by the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice that argued Alabama’s distribution policies had made it particularly difficult for Black residents in the Black Belt to gain sanitation assistance. ADEM has restated their disagreement with the original complaint and said it welcomes the opportunity to counter the allegations.
New congressional map officially selected by federal court
A three-judge federal court has officially selected Alabama’s new congressional map, which will be used in elections next year. The new map will make changes to District 2, so that it will have close to a majority of Black voters.
The map is the result of a long fought battle between the state and plaintiffs in the Allen v. Milligan court case. The Supreme Court recently sided with the three judge court’s ruling that Alabama’s congressional districts violated the voting rights act, and ordered them to create a new map that included a second minority district or something close to it.
Alabama’s population is 27% Black, but despite this, District 7 has been the only district that has a majority Black population. Represented by Terri Sewell in Congress, Alabama’s only Black U.S. Representative, it is also the only district to send a Democratic representative to congress from Alabama.
After Alabama failed to present a map that the court felt fulfilled their requirement, the court ordered a court appointed special master to create three potential maps. Last Thursday, the three judge panel selected the map known as Remedial Plan 3.
The new map will significantly increase the population of Black voters for District 2, raising it to 48.7%. District 7, will remain a majority district, but will now have its population of Black voters slightly reduced from 55% to 51.9%.
The redrawn District 2 will encompass most of Mobile city, which has drawn negative reactions from several Republican politicians in the area. Certain sections of Mobile city and county will remain in District 1, where they were originally, while others will now be a part of District 2.
Politically, this change will have the largest impact on District’s 1 and 2. District 2 no longer has a representative that lives within its boundaries. Its current Representative, Barry Moore, now lives within the boundaries of District 1. Moore has not said whether he intends to run for reelection in 2024.
The newly drawn districts are expected to create changes on the national political stage as well. Since Black Alabamians are expected to elect a democrat to office, it is likely that this new map will cause Republicans to lose a seat in congress.
Our articles you might have missed
- In the latest edition of The Alabama Ramble, travel columnist Wesley Miller returns to Wetumpka Alabama, where he sees more art, peers into Alabama’s past and, of course, samples more of Wetumpka’s unique food options.
- “The Elevator Pitch,” the first episode of our podcast, From Dusk to Dawn, came out last week. In it, we talk about who we are, what we do and where we are headed. Check it out on Spotify and learn more about the inspiration for Sunrise and the ethics that guide us.
- In “Take care of yourself first,” the most recent edition of The Breathing Room, Editor Hannah Irvin discusses how caring for ourselves makes us more capable of caring for the people and things that we love.
Events this week
- 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 on our event calendar.
- If you’re interested in having your event advertised on our calendar, you can submit events here.
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