State lawmakers with state jobs could keep both after the next election, the State Board of Education could not adopt Common Core Standards, and local school districts could hire trained, armed law enforcement officers to patrol campuses if legislation approved by a Senate committee on Wednesday becomes law. With little discussion, the Senate Education Policy [...]
Sen. Jerry Fielding announced Thursday he would switch from the Democratic to Republican Party, nearly two years after scoring a rare victory for the Democrats in the 2010 elections. Fielding said his political and moral views were more in line with the GOP and said he was “in a good place.” Republicans praised Fielding’s decision [...]
A Sylacauga state senator said Tuesday he will make an announcement on his party affiliation some time this week, a day after the Alabama Democratic Party chairman said he was joining the Republicans. Sen. Jerry Fielding, D-Sylacauga, said in a brief phone interview Tuesday that the party’s release Monday was “not entirely accurate” but acknowledged [...]
Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Robert Vance has become the Alabama Democratic Party’s nominee for chief justice. Vance, a circuit court judge since 2002, said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon it was an “honor” to be the party’s nominee. “It’s also a heavy responsibility,” he said. “It is my intent to run an honorable, [...]
Gov. Robert Bentley has called a special election in House District 34. The seat, encompassing most of Blount County and a portion of Jefferson County, was previously held by Rep. Elwyn Thomas, who is leaving the seat after being appointed executive director of the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission. A primary for the seat will be held on [...]