Alabama public libraries must move “inappropriate” material for children, mandate library cards specifically for minors, and obtain advanced approval for obtaining materials in order to receive state funding. Those changes need to be made this summer. AL.com reports that after more than 6,000 letters and 87 public comments, many in opposition, the executive board approved new legislative code changes Thursday. Legislators had made $6.6 million in state aid contingent on the changes.
Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill this week that requires students to complete kindergarten or an equivalent assessment to go to first grade. The bill sponsored by Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, passed the Legislature earlier this month after years of stalling in the Senate. The Alabama Reflector notes that no student will be prevented from entering first grade in the 2025-26 school year, but the assessment will determine developmental readiness in the 2026-27 school year.
Huntsville added over thirty-five hundred people, or nearly 10 per day, from 2022 to 2023. That’s according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today. No city in Alabama added more people in one year. Huntsville is now home to nearly two hundred twenty-six thousand people. AL.com reports that of Alabama’s four major cities, Huntsville is the only one that’s growing. In terms of percentage, Athens grew faster than any other Alabama city with at least 10,000 residents. The city in Limestone County is now home to nearly 31,000 and grew by nearly 8% from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023.
Maple Hill Cemetery, which experienced several downed trees last week, reopened this week. The City expects the majority of the debris on the ground to be removed by early next week and crews will proceed with the removal of damaged trees over the coming weeks. Assessment of damage to markers continues and the cemetery will contact families of loved ones whose markers were affected by the storm. Families visiting Maple Hill are asked to use extreme caution and avoid areas where workers are present. A news item from the City of Huntsville says City crews have removed 1.4 million pounds of debris as cleanup efforts continue following last week’s storms.
Officials at Alabama A&M University have confirmed that they have made a $52 million offer to purchase the Birmingham-Southern College campus. If granted, the campus would operate as a standalone, independent campus. Shannon Reeves of Government Affairs at AAMU tells WHNT TV the offer would secure all financial responsibility from Birmingham Southern. BSC officials noted that no historically black college or university has ever bought a predominantly white institution in the South.
Huntsville’s Pizzelle’s Confections has been nominated by USA Today as one of the best chocolate shops in the US. Huntsville Blast reports it’s one of 20 shops across the country nominated for the title. The winner will be chosen based on the number of votes received from the public. You can vote once per day for your shop of choice at www.10best.usatoday.com. Pizzelle’s Confections is a supporter of WLRH.