A federal judge has denied a request by Alabama death row inmate James Edward Barber for a preliminary injunction to block his execution by lethal injection. AL.com reports U.S. Chief District Judge Emily C. Marks of the Middle District of Alabama ruled that Barber failed to show that his execution by lethal injection would violate the 8th Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. Barber’s execution is scheduled for a 30-hour period that starts on July 20. He would be the first inmate put to death in Alabama since Gov. Kay Ivey called for a pause in executions last year.
Alabama’s Democratic representatives are looking to answer your questions about the upcoming special legislative session. The session was called in order to adopt a new congressional map following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that Alabama’s current map violates the Voting Rights Act. A number of town halls will be held statewide. The meeting in Huntsville is set for Monday, July 17, at 4 p.m. at Mae Jemison High School. Minority leader representative Anthony Daniels tells WSFA TV in Montgomery they want to educate the public on what the congressional map could look like and on the legislative process. Daniels adds that they will also recap the 2023 legislative session.
When state lawmakers convene in the special session next week, it’s unclear whether they will also fix a bill that was incorrectly signed by the governor last month. Under HB82, a person can be charged with manslaughter if they deal certain drugs that result in a user’s death. The amended version limited the scope to just fentanyl or fentanyl-laced drugs. Due to a clerical error, the governor signed the earlier version of the bill, which is now set to become law Sept. 1. Governor Kay Ivey’s communications director says the governor wants the focus to be on redistricting next week. She expects that the bill will be refiled for the next regular session in February. WIAT TV in Birmingham notes that if that happens, the wrong bill would be law for at least five months.
The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission formally voted this week to delay granting licenses for the growth, manufacture and production of medical cannabis until a third party reviews how applications for the licenses were scored earlier this year. The decision, following a June 16 meeting where the commission decided for delay amid controversy over the process, also signaled a rejection of calls to restart applications entirely. The Alabama Reflector reports the commission granted about 20 licenses for medical cannabis last month, but decided to delay the grants a few days later, citing potential irregularities in scoring applications.
Huntsville International Airport is adding a cell phone lot convenient to its terminal. Construction on the $600,000 project has already kicked off. Business Alabama reports the cell phone lot will provide a convenient place for people to wait when picking up incoming passengers. The incoming passenger texts or calls to let their ride know they’ve arrived, so the car arrives at the airport entrance just in time for pickup. Airport officials expect that offering a cell phone lot will ease congestion at passenger pick-up areas.
Registration is now open for the Huntsville Parks and Recreation After-School Program. It’s for students in grades 1-6 in Huntsville City Schools. Beginning on Aug. 7, the after-school program includes snacks, art, indoor and outdoor activities, homework time, and quiet time. More information is on the Huntsville Parks and Recreation Facebook page and at https://www.huntsvilleal.gov/environment/parks-recreation/activities-services/youth-programs/after-school-programs