In her eighth State of the State address at the State Capitol this week, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said public safety is her number one priority during the new legislative session. She said she would support a package of bills to support police and crack down on felons who commit gun crimes. She also pledged to help President Trump’s initiatives on illegal immigration. AL.com reports the governor praised Alabama students for their gains on national tests in math and reading. And she put her support behind a bill to establish a statewide policy to restrict students’ use of cellphones in public schools.
Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey says the current law that leaves cell phone policies up to individual school districts is outdated. He is expressing support for a bill moving through the Alabama Senate to ban phones in school altogether. Madison City Schools already banned phones before this school year. Madison City Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols tells WAFF TV students put their phones in a pouch at the front of the classroom each day. He says they have seen that students interact more with each other, and there’s a sense of students doing better in the classroom.
Alabama state Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscumbia, has filed a bill to raise the age at which people can make their own medical decisions. Currently, a minor who is at least 14 years of age, who has graduated from high school, or who is married, divorced, or pregnant may give legal consent to medical, dental, and mental health services for themselves. Stutts’ bill would raise the age to 18 unless someone is married, divorced, pregnant, or emancipated. AL.com reports these restrictions would also apply to school counseling services, testing for or treating pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, alcohol or drug dependency, and receipt of a vaccine. The bill also prohibits healthcare providers or other government entities from denying a parent access to their child’s health information, unless a court order prohibits the access, or the parent is under investigation for a crime against the child.
Decatur Police Chief Todd Pinion tells AL.com that he does not plan to leave his post any time soon. A city council vote to keep Pinion on as chief was deadlocked this week at 3-2. Councilors Carlton McMasters and Hunter Pepper backed Pinion and Council President Jacob Ladner voted for his removal along with Councilors Billy Jackson and Kyle Pike. Calls for Pinion’s resignation began after the police shooting death of Stephen Perkins on his lawn in September 2023.
The Decatur City Council approved a new location for the Clearview Cancer Institute this week. WAFF TV reports The new 50,000-square-foot center will be built on 6th Avenue SE. The $30 million project will help the cancer institute handle the population growth and growing need for cancer research.
Beginning March 1, the Von Braun Center will implement a new bag policy for all events at Propst Arena. The new bag policy will only impact events at inside the arena. It does not apply to events in the other spaces at the VBC. WHNT TV reports that you can bring in a small bag or any other non-clear bag if it is less than 5×7 inches. Any bags larger than that must be clear, including diaper bags.
Seniors in North Alabama can get their taxes for filed for free under the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. The program is now available for anyone who is elderly and low-income. Program Director Betty Ruth tells WAFF TV there is no minimum or maximum age that qualifies for elderly nor is there a cap for who qualifies as low-income. Volunteers will be available at the Athens, Decatur, and Ardmore public libraries. You can make an appointment by calling Retired Senior Volunteer Program at (256) 232-7207.