Alabama has authorized the execution of a second inmate by nitrogen gas. The Alabama Supreme Court on Thursday granted the state attorney general’s request for an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller, who survived a 2022 lethal injection attempt. WHNT TV reports the Alabama attorney general’s office said the execution would be carried out by nitrogen gas. Miller has an ongoing federal lawsuit challenging the execution method as a violation of the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, citing witness descriptions of the death Kenneth Smith who was executed in January using nitrogen gas. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall maintained that the execution was “textbook” and said the state will seek to carry out more death sentences using gas.
Boeing plans to lay off 128 workers in Huntsville. The layoffs are planned to begin on June 28, according to the notice Boeing filed with the Alabama Department of Commerce. In a statement to AL.com, a Boeing spokesperson said they have notified some team members in Huntsville of a potential layoff, as programs are affected by decisions external to Boeing. And they will continue to be transparent with team members and explore alternative placement opportunities within Boeing for impacted employees.
Two controversial bills that would limit LGBTQ topics and sex education in Alabama classrooms are advancing for a final vote in the state legislature. After last-minute public hearings, a Senate committee voted along party lines to approve House Bill 195, which would update the state’s sex education curriculum, and House Bill 130, an expanded “Don’t Say Gay” bill that would prevent K-8th grade teachers from discussing LGBTQ topics in the classroom. AL.com reports a Republican majority voted in committee to move the bills forward, despite pushback from Democrats and members of the public. If approved by the full Senate without amendments, they go to Gov. Kay Ivey for signature.
Alabama A&M University is planning to extend an offer to purchase the campus of Birmingham-Southern College and operate it as the Birmingham branch of the university. Shannon Reaves, vice president of governmental affairs and external relations at Alabama A&M, tells AL.com the university is conducting due diligence to prepare to extend an offer. BSC issued a statement Monday in response to a request for comment about Alabama A&M’s plans. It said that the college is having conversations with several interested parties about the sale of the campus.
The 15th annual Mayor’s Bike Ride and Block Party is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Big Spring Park. There will also be a block party with yard games, an inflatable obstacle course, scavenger hunts, music, prizes and more. Food trucks will have concessions available for purchase. Those who wish to ride with Mayor Battle should arrive by 10:30 a.m. for check-in and registration. Free parking is available at the VBC parking garage entrance on Church Street.
Beginning Friday and extending through next week, Huntsville Animal Services will waive adoption fees on most shelter pets. Huntsville Blast reports this is part of a “clear the kennels” initiative. Each pet is spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. The animals also come with a city license and a free bag of pet food. More info is at www.Huntsvilleal.gov./animal.