Alabama top stories in brief

• Representatives from both Birmingham Southern College and Miles College have confirmed to The Birmingham Times that negotiations have begun between the two institutions to purchase BSC’s campus. Miles College is a private, historically Black college located in Fairfield, and is the second Historically Black College or University reported to be interested in the campus. Alabama A&M University had previously expressed interest as well. 

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System Authority announced June 25 that it would purchase the Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System in Central Alabama. The acquisition, totaling $450 million, will give UAB ownership of St. Vincent’s sites in Birmingham as well Blount, Chilton and St. Clair Counties. 

• According to the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles Monthly Statistical Report, paroles for March of this year rose to their highest point since 2020, rising to over 18%. The parole board has come under fire by activists, who have pointed to the low parole grant rate as a key component to Alabama’s overcrowded prison system. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by incarcerated individuals in December of 2023, has alleged that ADOC is engaging in a modern day form of slavery. A key argument in the over 100 page lawsuit, is that individuals classified as low risk have been granted parole at a lower rate than those classified as a moderate risk. While this remains the case in the latest report, the grant rate for low risk individuals in March rose to 22%, with the grant rate for moderate risk individuals was 23%. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs told Alabama Daily News that they attributed this change to the new legal pressures being brought against the board. 

• Totally Cool, Inc., a bulk ice cream manufacturer, issued a recall for over 60 different products spread across 13 different brands. The recall was issued due to a potential Listeria Monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have yet been reported. The affected brands are: Friendly’s, Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Yelloh!, Jeni’s, Cumberland Farms, The Frozen Farmer, Marco, ChipWich,  AMAFruits, Taharka, Dolcezza Gelato and LaSalle. A list of the specific products affected for each brand can be found here. 

• A bill has been prefiled in the Alabama Senate that would allow the Alabama attorney general or governor to appoint police chiefs in local municipalities if they believe the town is in need of a stronger police force. Only after reviewing crime statistics, if the number of employed officers is less than 30% of the average employment in the last decade and after consulting with local authorities can the attorney general or governor make an appointment. The attorney general or governor would oversee the hired police chief while also finding their salary while the town would continue to fund police operations. Legislators against the bill claim that it would encourage state overreach and would interfere with local agencies. 

Our articles you might have missed

• In the latest edition of The Breathing Room, Hannah Irvin discusses the idea of legacy as we move on to new chapters in our lives. 

• In Alabama, fishing is a common pastime. Fly fishing, however, is less common here than in other states. In the latest edition of The Longleaf Hiker, Xander Swain visits the Alabama Sipsey Fork — the only place in Alabama to fish year-round for trout — for his first experience with fly fishing.