U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson ruled this week that the Alabama attorney general can't prosecute people or groups who help women travel outside the state in order to have an abortion. AL.com notes that there haven't been any such criminal cases, but state AG Steve Marshall had said he would be looking at whether helping an out-of-state abortion take place would violate the state's criminal conspiracy laws. The Yellowhammer Fund, which assists those seeking abortions, and some medical providers then sued Marshall over the issue. In his ruling, Thompson said that prosecuting those cases would violate the First Amendment and the right to travel.
Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a paid parental leave bill into law. It will give state employees paid time off after the birth of a child. The law, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, goes into effect July 1. AL.com reports the law will give Alabama female employees eight weeks of paid parental leave in the event of a birth, stillbirth or miscarriage of a child. Male employees would receive two weeks of leave under the same circumstances. Adoptive parents of a child aged three or younger will also be eligible for parental leave.
The leader of the Alabama Senate said Thursday there would be no efforts to create a lottery or expand gambling in the state in the current legislative session. In an emailed statement, Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, said that passing gambling legislation in the chamber will require “long-term and intense negotiations among members” and votes to be secured before beginning another legislative session. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, had been shopping what he described as a “trimmed-down” version of a gambling package filed last year that failed to pass the Legislature. That package included a constitutional amendment and legislation to legalize a state lottery and gambling, which stalled in the Senate. The Alabama Reflector reports he also confirmed he’s not introducing a bill in the 2025 legislative session.
The Alabama House of Representatives approved a $3.7 billion 2026 General Fund budget 95-3 on Thursday morning. The budget is $347 million more than the current budget, about a 10% increase. The Alabama Reflector reports The House version of the budget is about $6 million higher than Gov. Kay Ivey’s proposed budget, filed in February. The budget now goes to the Senate.
The Huntsville City Council has voted to limit access to city government buildings, including City Hall. They are looking to prevent city officials and residents from being harassed by so-called “First Amendment Auditors” and others seeking to post confrontations on social media. AL.com reports that under the new ordinance, people will not be allowed to drop in unannounced, record videos or take photographs in restricted or private work areas without the consent of those conducting business. The rules will not apply to areas designated as open meeting areas such as the City Council Chambers.
The Huntsville Botanical Garden has opened its newest installation: a 20-ft-tall troll named “Mama Zelda.” It was designed by Danish Artist Thomas Dambo and built by over 100 volunteers. Dambo is known for his larger-than-life troll statues that are placed around the world, attracting an international fan base. WHNT TV reports the Mama Zelda exhibit is built using repurposed material from local businesses and landowners. The permanent installation is located between the Garden of Hope and the Fern Glade at Huntsville Botanical Garden.