Civil rights leaders, former foot soldiers and community members gathered Wednesday at Tabernacle Baptist Church to honor the life and legacy of Bernard Lafayette Jr., a key organizer in the 1960s voting rights movement who died March 5.

The Selma City Council on Tuesday outlined a plan to address crime and nuisance issues tied to some downtown clubs by having staff, police conduct business license checks to ensure club owners and subleasers are operating legally.

More than 1,000 people gathered in Selma on Saturday for the first leg of All Roads Lead South’s National Day of Action for Voting Rights protests that oppose a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that organizers say weakens protections under the Voting Rights Act.

A Selma artist has a plan to protect vacant Byrd school with art-filled window panels, but he’s going to have to wait to put the panels in place.

The Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting Thursday to mark the end of the latest $1.4 million phase of improvements to the historic home on Cedar Avenue.

Gov. Ivey on Monday signed the bill that allows the city of Demopolis to annex over 100 acres in Gallion for future commercial development.

The Council on Substance Abuse hosted “Talk It Out: Vaping & Mental Health Forum” at three schools in Wilcox County on May 5.

Foot Soldiers Park recently held their fourth annual "Still We Rise” Juneteenth Oratorical Contest that also serves as a lesson in public speaking for young people from schools throughout Selma-Dallas County.

Selma's Interim Police Chief Michael Perry said the police department is willing to work with local, state and federal agencies to address crime in the city.

Selma police are investigating a series of shootings that took place in Selma on Sunday morning.

Marion police arrested a man Tuesday for firing a gun into a vehicle occupied by a woman and an infant before fleeing the scene in a semi-truck. www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/marion-...

The U.S. Supreme Court Monday overturned a 2023 ruling blocking use of a congressional map the courts ruled as racially discriminatory, which could open the way for Alabama to use new district lines this year.

Ryan Corrigan has resigned as executive director of the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority to accept a senior position related to national security, which he called a decision driven by a moral responsibility. Check out this video interview with Corrigan

Ryan J. Corrigan has resigned as executive director of the Craig Field Airport and Industrial Authority, less than a year after taking over.

As the city of Demopolis pushes downtown property owners to meet building codes, one city councilman thinks the city should change its appeals process.

Data center expert and Lowndes County resident Jeff Berry says communities need to understand them before approving projects of this scale. He gives the pros and cons: www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/business/dat...

A developer is planning to redo the former armory in Selma. Todd talks about it in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.

We believe quality local journalism should be accessible to everyone — that’s why our stories are always free to read. We’re committed to shining a light on the people, issues, and communities that make Alabama’s Black Belt strong, informed, and connected. donorbox.org/support-blac...

Primary elections in the Black Belt are coming up May 19 and deadlines are approaching to apply for absentee ballots. We have links to read your ballots, so check it out here: www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/primary...

A woman from Camden died in a two-vehicle crash that took place in Wilcox County on Thursday morning.

The first Big Daddy Lawler Memorial Crappie Tournament was held Wednesday at Miller’s Ferry Marina to honor the late outdoors guru from Wilcox County.

Dallas-Wilcox Bama Club awarded more than $75,000 in scholarships to area seniors during its annual banquet Monday that featured former UA quarterback Tyler Watts.

A $7,500 reward is being offered for information on the unsolved murder of Keshon Gardner in Montgomery in 2020.

Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford resigned from the police department’s top position on Wednesday just as the City Council was preparing to hold a personnel hearing about his being placed on administrative leave in April. Read more: www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/selma-p...

Greensboro developer Pride Forney has purchased the former Uniontown United Methodist Church and is transforming the 1858 sanctuary into a music hall with the first concert set for Friday.

Faith Community Outreach in Selma is working to ease food insecurity in the Black Belt with a twice monthly food pantry that offers families a dependable place to turn when groceries run short.

A week after losing their longtime head football coach to rival Selma High, Southside High School announced on Tuesday a new coach has been named - and Josh Thacker is not a stranger to coaching teams in the Black Belt.

As Alabama legislators Monday convened for a special session on potential redistricting, at least 400 people turned out for a protest at Alabama State House, calling the session unconstitutional and demanding the state’s current maps be preserved.

The Blackbelt Benefit Group was given funding from Sen. Robert Stewart to host free bicycle workshops any first Saturday of the month from June through October.

A hearing regarding the future of Selma Police Chief Kenta Fulford has been set for May 6 at city council chambers.

A woman from Uniontown died while two others were injured in an accident in Dallas County on early Sunday morning.

The Alabama Legislature will begin a special session Monday afternoon that could lead to new congressional and legislative maps — if the U.S. Supreme Court allows it.

Almost 100 people gathered in downtown Demopolis Thursday to get more information about a proposed data center in Marengo County.

In addition to selecting nominees for the general election, Alabama primary voters on May 19 will have the opportunity to weigh in on two proposed amendments to the state’s constitution. www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/voters-...

$100,000 in scholarships is available from Alabama Community College System and the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation, & Development Councils for students who are studying aviation and construction.

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Lowndes County Commission chamber on April 28 as residents delivered hours of testimony opposing a proposed billion‑dollar data center.

Selma’s city attorney will work with the owner of the St. James Hotel to settle a tax issue that has stalled the hotel’s sale and eventual reopening.

After seven years of serving as a creative hub, technology lab and safe haven for young people across Dallas County, Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Selma is closing at the end of April as national grant funding from Best Buy comes to an end.

Data center projects being proposed for several Black Belt counties will be discussed at two public meetings this week. www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/business/two...

Selma High School announced a major coup on Monday: the hiring of two star coaches from rival Black Belt schools. Southside High’s football coach Charles Moody is switching sides to lead the Saints team and RC Hatch’s 2025 state championship-winning basketball coach Johnathan Harris leads basketball

Michael Love Jr., a freshman at Wallace Community College, has been selected to serve as an intern at Fresh Films studio in Chicago, where he will help produce a television series. www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/education/be...

How did Auburn football star and Selma native Jeremiah Wright get to the NFL playing for the New Orleans Saints? Get the history and a behind-the-scenes look at his Selma NFL Draft Watch Party on Saturday: www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/behind-...

After three decades of limited progress, a full restoration of the old Marengo County Courthouse in Linden is underway to turn the historic structure into a venue for community events. www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/news/linden-...

More than six months into the job as executive director of Craig Field in Selma, Ryan Corrigan outlines changes made already on the path to transform the airfield into a regional aviation hub.

Fire safety was the topic of the night Tuesday at a town hall meeting hosted by state Sen. Robert Stewart, City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas and State Fire Marshal Scott Pilgreen at Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church. Selma has had a rash of house fires and the state warns of drought conditions.

Six seniors from high schools throughout Dallas County won scholarships from the Rotary Club of Selma in the 2026 Renee Kelley Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship competition. www.blackbeltnewsnetwork.com/education/se...

Selma Police have arrested a suspect in a shooting at GWC Homes on Wednesday where no one was injured.

An officer with the Thomasville Police Department was killed on Tuesday morning in a collision while on duty.

The Hale County Commission received a $46,772 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) for LED lighting in the Hale County Courthouse in Greensboro.

The Black Belt Community Foundation awarded more than $365,000 in arts and community grants at the 2026 Arts & Community Grants Awards ceremony held on Saturday in Selma.