By CAROLINE BECK, Alabama Daily News MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Board of Education in November approved a scoring system to determine which third graders will get promoted to fourth grade based on standardized reading tests under the Alabama Literacy Act. That system included a “cut score” of 452, the lowest score students can...
Author: Caroline Beck (Caroline Beck)
Labor: More than 389,000 cases of potential unemployment fraud pending investigation
ADOL has said most of the concerns of unemployment fraud were surrounding the federal programs like the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance fund, or PUA, that were approved under the 2020 CARES Act because many of the normal checks and balances were not required for those programs.
New highly detailed broadband map shows where unserved areas
The FCC also has its own map of where in Alabama people are unserved but it is much less detailed compared to the new state-created map. Based on the new map, Hovis said that the cost to reach all those unserved areas will cost around $4 billion to $6 billion. She said the wide range of possible costs is due to a number of different contingencies like supply chain issues, labor availability and inflation pressures.
Top state lawmakers: expect gambling legislation in regular session
“We can either choose to ignore it, or we can do what the government is supposed to do, and that’s control industries like this so that we can regulate it properly and tax it and benefit from it," he said. “It’s not a matter of us letting gaming in, it’s a matter of exercising the proper controls over it.”
Blanchard begins race for governor
Former U.S. Ambassador Lindy Blanchard officially launched her campaign for governor Tuesday, switching from running for the U.S. Senate to challenging incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey in the Republican primary.
Legislation would address school food supply chain shortages
Schools in Alabama have been reporting issues about obtaining enough of certain food products since September. It is a trend seen across the nation as shortages in the workforce and supply chain problems across all sectors of the economy are hindering school nutrition programs.
Auburn City Council member Hovey challenging Whatley for Senate seat
According to Whatley’s most recent campaign finance report, he has $246,933 on hand and this year has raised $355,071 for his campaign.
McCarty not running for reelection to state school board
McCarty, R-Anniston, has represented District 6 since 2015, serving one year as the board's vice president and another as president pro tem.
Ball to sponsor monument law revision
Ball said his bill will have local officials work with the Department of Archives to determine the future of the monument that a community would like removed. He said he wants to preserve history but also allow more local control into the situation.
Powell to challenge Allen for Tuscaloosa Senate seat
Powell told Alabama Daily News he's running because of his deep commitment to west Alabama and desire to focus on issues surrounding businesses, education and workforce development specifically.
Patrice ‘Penni’ McClammy takes HD76 seat unopposed
Patrice “Penni” McClammy, daughter of former Alabama House Representative Thad McClammy, has won House District 76 after no other candidates challenged her during the special election.
Ivey promotes key executive staff
Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday office announced more updates to her executive staff, including two new deputy chiefs of staff and a dual role for state Finance Director Bill Poole.
Marshall sues to stop Biden health care worker vaccine mandate
Monday’s lawsuit seeks to block the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccine mandate President Joe Biden announced on Nov. 4.
Ivey recommends a one-year delay on holding back of third grade readers
The board voted on setting the reading score on standardized testing that will determine which students would continue on to the fourth grade. In order to implement Ivey's recommended delay, the Alabama Legislature will have to approve the change during its regular session starting in January.
Advocates suggest housing assistance for those leaving prison
The commission is tasked with identifying, implementing and promoting policies and strategies to support the successful reentry of state inmates into society. Tuesday’s meeting was its fifth meeting of the year and members have agreed to hold more meetings beyond their originally planned conclusion early next year.