There are several education and library-related bills I'll be monitoring when the state legislature starts up next week. One is a re-filed bill with a few amendments from Sen. Elliott, which changes how library boards operate. Gift link for @al.com - www.al.com/news/2026/01...

I remember borrowing my Mom's electronic typewriter on a Friday night to apply for college. Thank God it's not that difficult any more. Some tips and key dates for applying to Alabama public colleges in my latest for @al.com .

Just checked my grades for the term: Straight A's. Managed to maintain 4.0 average! Woot woot!!!

NEW: Immigrants in Alabama Can Face Harsher Sentences Than Citizens for the Same Crimes, by @amyyurkanin.bsky.social

Had a nice conversation with Troy's president and chancellor.

How subtle!

Thrilled to contribute to our 31 Days of Good News series. Meet Makitha, who makes it her job to brighten Auburn students' day. Her back story is incredible. My latest for @al.com. www.al.com/life/2025/12...

Hey everyone, it is time for my annual request to give to the @alabamareflector.com. Our end-of-the-year fundraiser helps raise awareness about our work and to secure donations to keep the newsroom going. Support is greatly appreciated. alabamareflector.com/donate/

The Education Department responded to backlash about reducing the number of professional degrees. My latest for @al.com www.al.com/education/20...

Big ol' news here: www.al.com/education/20...

Millions nationwide could be cut off from access to government food assistance Saturday due to the shutdown, including those who are pregnant or have babies and young children, reports @kelciemmorris.bsky.social.

Democratic AGs, governors sue Trump over SNAP benefits as shutdown hits day 28 by @fischler.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/demo...

LOL Thank you @jacobholmes.bsky.social ! 😭 www.alreporter.com/2025/10/22/m...

Love that @alabamareflector.com picked up my latest. Shout out to @rchapoco.bsky.social , who is covering broadband at the local level. And to former Reflector staffer @alander.bsky.social who treated me to an unforgettable lunch in Montgomery while I was reporting my Dead Zone series

This is an instant classic. Oh, what a match! youtu.be/D8s9Kjb9d94?...

Ya, I'll admit it--worth seeing on the big screen. youtu.be/fsQgc9pCyDU?...

Read all about it: The final installment from @bshelburne.bsky.social. Enjoy!

Read all about it: Part 3 in @bshelburne.bsky.social series regarding complaints filed against the ADOC.

Read all about it: Part two dropped today. Take a read please!

Read all about it: First in a series of four stories regarding how ADOC settles lawsuits related to use of excessive force.

Read all about it: The first in a series of four that details how the Alabama Department of Corrections handles lawsuits concerning excessive force. @bshelburne.bsky.social #ALPolitics alabamareflector.com/2025/05/19/b...

Woohoo, straight A's this semester. It is the first semester, but it still counts!

Final exam taken, final project completed, first semester of graduate school finally done.

Got this in the mail today--guess that means I am part of the Thurndering Herd family!

Now I wonder if he earned the season he had last year when he became an all-star: Braves' Jurickson Profar gets 80-game PED ban, calls it 'most difficult day' of his career apnews.com/article/brav...

Food for thought: www.wsj.com/opinion/the-...

BREAKING: We just learned Alireza Doroudi is being held at the Pickens County jail awaiting to be transported to an ICE facility, which should happen in the next couple days.

USDA is canceling programs that paid Kentucky farmers to grow food for school cafeterias, food banks. www.kentucky.com/news/politic...

Via @alander.bsky.social: The law ends the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs' powers to set policy and rules on veterans' issues, reducing it to an advisory board.

Via @annabjournalist.bsky.social: The bill from Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, would cut the state grocery tax from 3% to 2%. Another bill would allow local governments to lower their grocery taxes but not require it.

Check this out: www.notus.org/alabama/shom...

Sending good vibes to the families affected by the storm. @ us if communities are in need of assistance. ✊️

Read all about it: States turn to different methods to execute people sentenced to death: scdailygazette.com/2025/03/07/s...

Via @rchapoco.bsky.social: Two Alabama House committees Wednesday approved bills enhancing penalties for crimes committed by people living in the country without legal authorization and one invalidating out-of-state licenses issued to those without legal status.

They are all going to TikTok and YouTube now.

Doomscrolling has never been good for my mental health, but I am seeing on my LinkedIn feed a lot of journalists getting laid off. At first it was frustrating, but now it is maddening. Honestly people, how are you supposed to know what is happening in the world without us here to tell you!

This has been the wildest story @al.com haa covered all year. Between this and Tarrant...oof. www.al.com/crime/2025/0...

Not from me, but worth a look regardless: apnews.com/article/hanc...

Breaking news everyone!

Dismantling the death penalty is a responsibility that belongs to all of us. Inspiring to see how a group of nuns are trying to save women on death row in Texas: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Farmers across the United States are finding themselves in precarious economic positions, as they attempt to navigate a strained farm economy and a barrage of executive orders from the Trump administration that put some farm programs in limbo.

Attention journalists.

Just wanted to let everyone know that the @alabamareflector.com turned 2 years old today! I am also taking this moment to hit you guys up for money. Just wondering if people could donate to a nonprofit that reports on state issues in Alabama. Thank you! alabamareflector.com/donate/?emci...

Via @washingtonstatestandard.com: “I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that is a constitutional order,” U.S. District Judge John Coughenour told the Trump administration’s attorney. “It boggles my mind.”

Prisons and jails across the U.S. are overcrowded and understaffed, jeopardizing the safety of incarcerated people, correctional officers and their communities. This year, state lawmakers are focusing on one key issue: more oversight. @amandavhernan.bsky.social reports: stateline.org/2025/01/13/p...

Via @ashleymurray.bsky.social: New York Justice Juan Merchan sentenced the president-elect to an “unconditional discharge,” handing down no jail time or fines but cementing a mark on Trump’s record 10 days before he takes the oath of office to become the 47th president.

It is an absolute trip to let Google import contacts into LinkedIn and then scroll through the profiles of those whose paths have crossed my life, if even for the briefest moments. ALL OF YOU HAVE GONE ON TO DO REMARKABLE WORK IN THIS LIFE. KEEP GOING, KEEP STRIVING!

I have not had time to reflect on this and celebrate--until now. So proud of what the @alabamareflector.com team has accomplished in its short tenure so far.

"If you knew that you were going to succeed, it wouldn't be worth doing to begin with. That fact that you are uncertain when you start is what makes it worthwhile."--I'll let you guess the author of the quote.

My sister and BIL last night welcomed a beautiful baby into the world, and I'm officially a girl uncle for the first time! My only job is to spoil her rotten, so share tips if you got 'em.