MONTGOMERY, Ala. A new bill making its way through Alabama’s legislative session will give police more authority to enforce speed limits even outside of their city or town’s limit.
The bill which was introduced late in the session would allow municipal police to enforce speed limits outside city limits, extending their authority into surrounding police jurisdictions. Essentially, this would mean that more than one police agency could enforce these laws in the same area.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Kristin Nelson (R) and first read on March 19, would amend state law to permit municipalities to enforce speed limits not only within their corporate boundaries but also in adjacent areas that fall under their police jurisdiction.
With the growth of many areas of our state and the increased wrecks most often caused by speeding and reckless drivers, some law enforcement agencies say it makes sense.
Under current law, municipal law enforcement officers are limited to enforcing speed regulations strictly within city limits. The proposed change would broaden that authority, potentially increasing enforcement coverage in unincorporated areas just outside municipalities.
The bill is currently in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security committee.
If approved, the legislation would take effect Oct. 1, 2026
The Census Bureau recently said that slower growth, or even decline, in the populations of the largest counties in some of our largest states can be traced to more births than deaths and negative net migration.
The U.S. continues to see a loss of population in some areas while other parts of the country are booming with new residents.
States along the southeast coast of the U.S. experienced the fastest growth of anywhere in the country, according to the census data.
New estimates show the region outpaced the rest of the country in population growth, with 9 of the 10 fastest-growing counties with populations greater than 20,000 people concentrated in the South.
The population in Jasper County, S.C., a rural county bordering Georgia, grew by 6 percent between 2024 and 2025 to 38,533 residents. The remainder of the 10 fast-growing counties included four in Texas, three in Georgia and one in North Carolina.
The Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areas topped the list for numeric growth over the data period, followed by the Atlanta metro area.
Growth rates among metro areas were highest in Florida and South Carolina.
Ocala, located in north central Florida between Gainesville and Orlando, led the nation with 3.4 percent growth. The Myrtle Beach area in South Carolina, a popular tourist and retirement destination, was next with 3.2 percent, followed by Spartanburg, S.C., at 2.8 percent.
Population also increased in many micropolitan areas, defined as having at least one urban area of between 10,000 and 50,000 residents, across the South.
Jefferson, Ga., about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta, grew by 5.3 percent over the data period, nearly double the rate of any other area of its size.
Seven of the 10 states with the largest numeric growth were in the South, spread across Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida. The remaining three were Seaford, Del.; Cedar City, Utah; and Shelton, Wash.
Population growth in the South has historically been driven by an increase in people moving from other states in search of warmer weather and more favorable tax policies.
Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky and North Carolina have among the lowest income tax rates on the highest earners, making up four of the Top 11, according to TurboTax.
Florida and Texas do not collect state income tax, and lawmakers in South Carolina have moved to reduce the state income tax to eventually eliminate it.
Retirees are also flocking to the South, with a recent study finding that South Carolina added 5,427 residents over the age of 65 in 2025 — the highest net gain in the country.
The study, conducted by moving platform HireAHelper, also found that nearly every state in the South experienced a net gain in movers older than 65, with South Carolina, Texas and North Carolina leading the pack. Virginia was the only Southern state to experience a net migration loss among that age group.
The census data also reflected a growing trend of people fleeing blue states such as California and New York to move to red states, raising questions about the potential impact on future elections.
Population estimates for 2030 suggest some prominent Democratic-led states could lose seats in the House, while Republican-held states could gain seats.
That shift could potentially complicate the electoral math for Democrats at the presidential level, forcing them to become more competitive in traditionally solid red states. The Hill
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MOBILE, AL. The Mobile Police Department is investigating a fatal traffic collision that has resulted in the death of a child.
According to Mobile Police on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at approximately 2:40 p.m., officers responded to a local hospital in reference to a child arriving by personal vehicle with injuries sustained during an incident that occurred a short time earlier.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a female victim was struck by a vehicle in the 2200 block of Clinton St.
The child died of her injuries at the hospital.
The preliminary investigation reveals the driver of the vehicle has been cooperative with police.
The age of the victim, and additional details, will not be released at this time. This remains an active investigation according to Mobile police.
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GULF SHORES, Ala. The Gulf Shores Police responded to complaints of a large group of teens gathering near the 2400 block of West Beach Blvd and officers responded to investigate.
According to GSPD when their officers arrived in the area, they immediately observed dozens and dozens of apparent spring breakers and as officers approached the home, a large amount of beer was poured on one of the officers from a balcony, soaking his uniform.
Over 100 people were arrested after police shut down the large house party.
This comes as 30 schools from around the country are visiting the Gulf Coast for spring break.
The Gulf Shores police said that most of the arrests involved underaged drinking and other misdemeanors.
Those arrested were from states like Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas, to name a few.
We have contacted GSPD to see if the homeowner was or will be charged for allowing the “Open House” party.
Under Alabama law (Code § 13A-11-10.1), it is a Class B misdemeanor for an adult to allow an “open house party” to continue if they know, or should know, that minors are consuming alcohol or drugs on their property. Adults must take reasonable steps to prevent this, with penalties including up to six months in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
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MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. A two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, 2026, has claimed the life of an Irvington woman.
According to ALEA, Tonya Denise Burnett Bracknell, 54, was fatally injured when the 2016 Toyota Highlander she was driving collided head-on with the 2017 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Trevor L. Wilkerson, 19, of Theodore.
Bracknell was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The crash occurred on Irvington Bayou La Batre Highway near Oliver Clark Road, in Mobile County.
Wilkerson was injured and transported to USA Health University Hospital in Mobile for medical treatment.
A 7-year-old and a 4-year-old, who were both passengers in the Toyota, were injured and transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.
Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division continue to investigate.
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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. More nuclear reactors are destined for northern Alabama according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last week announced Japan’s commitment of up to $40 billion for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, known as SMRs, in Alabama and Tennessee as part of the second tranche of investments under last year’s U.S.-Japan trade deal, which commits the Asian country to $550 billion in direct investment.
These reactors can be deployed faster and at lower cost than traditional units.
The result could be lower utility prices for Alabamians.
Hollywood, Alabama, approximately 45 miles east of Huntsville, is expected to be the site of the reactors. Bellafonte is the site of a dormant nuclear power plant owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority and they would be built there.
According to the current information, GE Vernova-Hitachi, will handle the proposed project, and is currently building several small reactors in Canada but none have been built in the U.S. yet. Under the new U.S.-Japan trade deal, however, the company will build 10 nuclear reactors. Each reactor will produce 300 megawatts of power, or enough to power 200,000 to 300,000 homes.
“The groundbreaking commercial deployment of the advanced SMRs in the U.S. will serve as a next-generation stable power source, stabilizing electricity prices for the American people and strengthening the U.S. leadership in global technological competition,” the department said.
“The project aligns with the U.S. energy dominance agenda by expanding domestic power generation, enabling long-term national energy security. Nuclear power from SMRs would fuel industrial growth by adding firm, dispatchable capacity.”
Alabama Congressman Dale Strong said it is important to expand American energy capacity amid growing demand for affordable power. “Alabama has a strong history of supporting nuclear energy initiatives, and our second-to-none workforce stands ready to deliver on advanced energy innovation,” Strong, R-Monrovia, said.
Similarly, U.S. Senator Katie Britt said the investment shows President Trump’s commitment to making America energy dominant.
“We need electrons on the grid, and Bellefonte is a great location to house these small modular reactors. This investment will result in more jobs and reliable power for Alabamians, which is always cause for celebration,” she said in a statement to AL.com. “Alabama is proud to support and advance the Trump Administration’s vision for American reindustrialization.”
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FAIRHOPE, Ala. The city of Fairhope now has a new ordinance which allows consumable help products to be sold.
Alabama banned smokeable hemp sales last July but allowed cities to adopt consumable sales starting January 1, 2026.
However, not everyone agreed with the passing of the ordinance, and some have said that it will open the door for other things such as marijuana.
Even the city council had mixed decisions, and the vote was not unanimous.
Joshua Gammon, who is serving his first term on the council, voted against the proposal, saying he doesn’t want possible negative impact such as minors being exposed or more people in the hospital.
With the passing of this local law, hemp products such as drinks, topical and edibles can now be sold within city limits and police jurisdiction with strict product testing.
Councilman Jimmy Conyers said he’s heard from more people for it than against it, while the Mayor Sherry Sullivan had no opinion. She pointed out that neighboring communities have passed it, and said the city “will have to deal with issues anyway.” She said the benefit to the ordinance is that it has more regulatory practice.
“We can pull their business license if the ABC Board has issues with them,” she said.
Those licensed to sell the products will include pharmacies, grocery stores and hemp dispensaries.
However, hemp is a derivative of marijuana and does have low amounts of THC.
Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a versatile Cannabis sativa plant cultivar grown specifically for industrial and consumable products, containing very low levels of THC. It is a fast-growing, sustainable crop used to produce textiles, paper, biodegradable plastics, insulation, food, and biofuel. Hemp is a relative of marijuana but is not as potent.
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FOLEY, Ala. An announcement by the Department of Justice reported that six Foley area people previously charged with drug trafficking have been sentenced for their part in the operation.
According to the news release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Alabama, Douglas McArthur Watts, Jr., 40, of Foley, Daryl Wayne Thomas, 46, of Elberta, David Joel Murphy, 52, of Summerdale, Benny Joe Ray, Jr., 48, of Foley, Danielle Lea Morris, 51, of Foley, and Jack Carnell Rowe, 34, of Foley pleaded guilty to taking part in a “massive drug-trafficking organization,” led by Watts.
The organization is blamed for distributing kilograms of bulk methamphetamine. Agents reportedly seized large amounts of methamphetamine, firearms, cash and other drugs from Watts and the members of the organization between June 2022 and July 2024.
According to authorities, numerous times during 2023 and 2024, undercover narcotics agents and operatives made audio- and video-recorded controlled purchases of different amounts of methamphetamine from Watts, Thomas, Murphy, Ray, Morris, and Rowe at several locations in Baldwin County:
On June 20, 2023, Rowe sold an informant 9.5 grams of methamphetamine in Foley
On July 18, 2023, Watts sold an informant 91.17 grams of methamphetamine in Foley
On Sept. 28, 2023, agents seized 20.14 grams of methamphetamine and other evidence from a trailer belonging to Ray and Morris in Foley
On Jan. 16, 2024, agents seized 96.4 grams of methamphetamine from Thomas during a “buy-bust” in Foley
On Feb. 14, 2024, Murphy sold an informant 27.3 grams of methamphetamine in Summerdale
Finally, in July 2024, agents searched the apartment of one of Watts’ suppliers in Pensacola, where they seized more than 3 kg of methamphetamine, more than 221 grams of fentanyl, several loaded firearms and $56,949 cash.
Additionally, cell phones seized during that search revealed tens of thousands of dollars worth of drug-related Cash App payments and discussions of purchases and sales of pounds of methamphetamine.
The defendants received the following sentences:
Watts will serve 120 months in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release
Thomas will serve 141 months in prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release
Murphy will serve 131 months in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release
Ray will serve 60 months in prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release
Morris and Rowe will be sentenced at a later date according to the release.
During the supervised release, each defendant will be required to submit to drug testing and treatment. Murphy will receive a mental health evaluation and treatment.
No fines were imposed, but the defendants were ordered to pay a total of $400 in special assessments.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
By Rick McCann/Dale Hines Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
March 26, 2026
MOBILE, Ala. The ALEA state troopers in conjunction with ICE agents continue their crackdown along Alabama’s highways looking for undocumented and unlicensed commercial truck drivers.
As announced last year, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) has coordinated efforts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit (MCSU).
ALEA troopers continue their mission and in recent weeks here along the Gulf Coast, jail records indicate that there have been at least a dozen arrests of illegal migrants in Mobile and Baldwin County, specifically truck drivers that have no legal status, no driver’s license and are operating motor vehicles illegally.
“Alabama is leading the way when it comes to going after illegal bad actors in trucking. I’m proud of ALEA for taking decisive action and grateful for our strong partnership with ICE. Alabama will not look the other way while illegal immigration and illegal operators threaten the safety of our communities or undermine the integrity of our trucking industry,” said Governor Ivey. “If you are here illegally and breaking our laws or putting folks at risk on our highways, you will be held accountable in our state.”
Similar operations continue across the state but the total number of those arrested since the initiative began has not been released.
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FAIRHOPE, Ala. Two new businesses are set to open in the same area of Fairhope soon.
Chick-fil-A and a new grocery store called “Apple Market” will soon be neighbors.
The grocery store will open in the vacated Winn Dixie while Fairhope’s first Chick-fil-A restaurant will open nearby.
According to a Chick-fil-A news release, the new store, located at 901 Fairhope Avenue, will officially open March 27, at 6 a.m. with Daniel Nance as the owner-operator. Nance has been the owner-operator of Chick-fil-A Daphne since 2005.
Nance and his team invite the public to “show their spots” at a “Moove-In” party on opening day.
“Whether it’s a full cow suit or a simple cow-spotted accessory, guests of all ages are invited to join the fun,” the release said. “Anyone who visits the restaurant on opening day dressed in cow spots can redeem one free entrée (exclusions may apply) or kid’s meal inside the restaurant or in the drive-thru.”
The restaurant’s dining room will be open Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., while the drive-thru will stay open until 10:30 p.m. They will also offer carry-out, third-party delivery, mobile pick-up and Mobile Thru, offering pickup through the drive-thru.
Nance and Chick-fil-A are already supporting the local community, with a $25,000 donation from Chick-fil-A to Feeding the Gulf Coast, participation in the Chick-fil-A Shared Table program that gives surplus food to local non-profits and creating approximately 100 jobs.
This Chick-fil-A joins another new one being built on State Highway 181 in Fairhope and two other established locations in Daphne and Spanish Fort.
The “Apple Market” is owned by Manning, Inc. which also operates several Piggly Wiggly stores in the area. They report that they are currently hiring and that the opening date will be announced soon!
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FOLEY, Ala. On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at around 2:00 p.m., officers responded to a call of a woman who had been stabbed with a screwdriver on Dailey Lane in Foley.
Upon arrival, officers learned that there had been an incident of domestic violence and began searching for the suspect in the vicinity of the home. This led to a brief standoff as the suspect, 37-year-old Bruce Sterling Williams, when he refused to comply with repeated verbal commands to exit the residence or respond to law enforcement. After several warnings were issued, a canine with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office was deployed into the home to locate the individual.
The police dog successfully located and apprehended Williams hiding inside the structure, leading to his arrest.
Williams was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries sustained during the dog apprehension. He faces charges of Assault 2nd Degree and Domestic Violence – Strangulation.
Williams is currently being held at the Baldwin County Detention Center.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, AL. Mobile police officers said that were patrolling the neighborhood in the 3700 block of Carlyle Close East near The Hamptons at Pine Bend when they observed a male subject carrying multiple bags and a large pair of box cutters.
Officers believing that this was suspicious activity attempted to approach the subject, but the subject ran from officers and a pursuit ensued.
Police were able to capture the man identified as Andrew Pope, Jr., 35 near an apartment complex.
Upon further investigation, officers discovered the subject entered the Azalea Pointe Apartments (651 Azalea Road) the night prior and cut copper on the property.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. A joint police operation recently netted four arrests and a boat load of drugs, money and firearms.
The North Alabama Drug Task Force, assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Region F Alabama Drug Enforcement, executed search warrants at two homes in Brownsboro and Huntsville after an extensive investigation.
Agents found evidence of manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and other illegal narcotics.
During the searches, agents seized the following:
1.3 lbs. of opiates
24 lbs. of Etizolam
5.8 lbs. of marijuana
32 lbs. of THC vape products
A pill press used to manufacture counterfeit pills
$255,575 in cash
25 firearms
Multiple law enforcement agents also arrested the following people on an assortment of charges:
William Jones, 68, was arrested for trafficking opiates, trafficking synthetic narcotics and trafficking marijuana. His bond is set at $4.5 million.
Micah Jones, 49, was arrested for trafficking opiates, trafficking synthetic narcotics and trafficking marijuana. His bond is set at $4.5 million.
Melissa Jones, 23, was arrested for conspiracy to commit controlled substance crime involving trafficking. Her bond is set at $500,000.
William Childress, 26, was arrested for conspiracy to commit controlled substance crime involving trafficking. His bond is set at $500,000.
The police department said the investigation is still ongoing and that additional arrests are expected.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
MOBILE, Ala. In a Mobile Fire and Rescue Department news release, several firefighters have been praised for their quick actions. The release stated that during an after-incident review of the scene from an early-morning fire on Plover Street, a man was rushing down the street, carrying a newborn, and yelling for help.
A woman had just given birth nearby. Teams immediately jumped to action and administered emergency care to mother and child.
District Chief Brandon Jackson praised, “This is a good example of crews being adequately trained and ready for anything at any given moment. They responded to the entire situation with the utmost respect for the mother, child, and community as a whole.
Moving without thought, seeing our neighbors in need, and helping to get the proper care our irefighters made the difference for the mother and her child.
I would say the actions this morning represented the entire MFRD, reacting to hectic situations with grace and calm. This is why we train, prepare, and do the job each and every day. We stand ready to go!”
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BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. Two people are in the Baldwin County Detention Center after being charged with multiple child sexual abuse charges.
The sheriff’s office, acting on a tip, arrested Daniel and Ashley Coon in the Stockton area on Live Oak Road.
The charges against 41-year-old Ashley Coon include rape, sodomy, and permitting a child to engage in pornography and Daniel Coon is charged with sodomy. Both are also charged with giving drugs to the minor.
Bond for Ashley Coon has been set at $450,000 and Daniel Coon’s total bond is set at $300,000.
Authorities say that the victim was a young boy who is currently in the care of the Department of Human Resources.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
The following arrests were made by the Fairhope Police Department during the last twelve days. Each person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Name: Paul Randall Dolihite
Date/Time: 03/09/2026 – 18:34
Offense: Driving Under the Influence/Failed to Appear in Court
Location: 100 block of N Section Street, Fairhope, AL
Name: James Michael Leslie
Date/Time: 03/10/2026 – 11:06
Offense: Possession of Marijuana Second Degree
Location: 400 block of Equality Street, Fairhope, AL
Name: Peggy Tolbert Grass
Date/Time: 03/10/2026 – 11:42
Offense: FTA- False Statement/ Expired Tag
Location: 100 block of N Section St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Voncille James Sloan
Date/Time: 03/10/2026 – 11:47
Offense: Public Intoxication
Location: Fairhope Ave / Fairwood Blvd, Fairhope, AL
Name: Otha Earl Windham
Date/Time: 03/10/2026 – 14:46
Offense: FTA Theft of Property 4th
Location: 100 block of N Section Street, Fairhope, AL
Name: Zackary Hunter Nelson
Date/Time: 03/10/2026 – 16:45
Offense: Harassment
Location: 400 block of Equality St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Flemon Cooks
Date/Time: 03/11/2026 – 12:17
Offense: FTA Poss. of Marijuana 2nd
Location: 100 block of N. Section St., Fairhope, AL
Name: James Marvin Rowe
Date/Time: 03/11/2026 – 14:31
Offense: FTA Permit Dogs To Run At Large
Location: 100 block of N Section St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Terica Lakisha Tillman
Date/Time: 03/11/2026 – 15:15
Offense: Failure to Appear- Domestic Violence 3rd Harassment
Location: 100 block of N. Section st., Fairhope, AL
Name: Robert Maury Leslie
Date/Time: 03/12/2026 – 01:27
Offense: Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine)
Location: 10000 block of St. Hwy. 181 Unit 42, Fairhope, AL
Name: Phillip Len Wilson
Date/Time: 03/12/2026 – 22:52
Offense: Public Intoxication
Location: Main St/ Parker Rd, Fairhope, AL
Name: Leroy Andrey Chambers
Date/Time: 03/13/2026 – 21:51
Offense: Criminal Trespass Third Degree
Location: 20 block of N Section ST, Fairhope, Ala.
Name: Jennifer Pattye Scott
Date/Time: 03/14/2026 – 14:35
Offense: DUI- Controlled substance
Location: 70 block of 75 S Section St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Riley Jerome Brooks
Date/Time: 03/15/2026 – 00:29
Offense: Driving Under the Influence
Location: Scenic Hwy 98, Fairhope, AL
Name: Tarra M Jordan
Date/Time: 03/15/2026 – 15:04
Offense: FTA- Driving while Suspended
Location: 100 block of N Section St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Christy Lynn Carlisle
Date/Time: 03/15/2026 – 20:02
Offense: Driving Under the Influence
Location: Fairhope Ave / Bishop Rd, Fairhope, AL
Name: Brittani Nicole McCrimmon
Date/Time: 03/15/2026 – 23:48
Offense: FTA Driving While Revoked
Location: 100 block of N Section St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Otha Earl Windham
Date/Time: 03/16/2026 – 11:20
Offense: Theft of Property 4th
Location: 100 block of N Section St, Fairhope, AL
Name: Kenneth A Wilson
Date/Time: 03/16/2026 – 18:50
Offense: FTA (Driving While Suspended)
Location: 100 block of N. Section Street, Fairhope, AL
Name: Perdo DeJesus Polanco
Date/Time: 03/17/2026 – 06:15
Offense: Failure to Appear- Driving While Suspended
Location: 100 block of N. Section St., Fairhope, AL
FOLEY, Ala. A report of smoke inside the Baldwin Health Hospital on Monday, March 23rd, 2026, brought a large response from the Foley Fire Department.
There was a large concern that a fire was burning inside the hospital and firefighters set out to try to locate the source of the fire.
When firefighters entered the hospital at 10:20 a.m., they found smoke on the first floor.
The source of the smoke was found to be an equipment failure in the sterilization area. Firefighters rendered the area safe and removed the smoke with positive pressure ventilation fans.
While there was some evacuation of non-essential personnel on the first floor during the incident, the remainder of the hospital continued with normal operations.
The affected equipment was isolated, and the hospital resumed normal operations at around 1:00 p.m. according to Fire Chief Joey Darby.
There were no injuries reported.
While firefighters were deployed to the hospital, the Magnolia Springs Fire Department were stationed at Foley’s station one to respond to other calls for service.
Copyright 2026 Blue RAM Media. All rights reserved.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. Eight University of Alabama students have filed a federal lawsuit after the school ended the publication of the university’s magazines. The students say that it’s a violation their First Amendment rights. The lawsuit includes the UA’s board of trustees and Gov. Kay Ivey over the decision to shut down the magazines Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six in 2025.
Students say that the magazines were their voice and the cancellation of those magazines violates their freedom of speech and the freedom of the press.
The magazines highlighted Black student and women’s issues and were caught in the university’s efforts to follow new federal anti-DEI policy. Some point out that this are important issues on campus and worldwide.
“There’s an important constitutional principle at stake that the university should not be able to censor and can’t constitutionally censor student media,” Sam Boyd, Southern Poverty Law Center’s senior supervising attorney, told AL.com. The SPLC is among other groups representing the student plaintiffs.
On March 23, the plaintiffs said they were filing a lawsuit because the university “unlawfully censors disfavored student voices and perspectives, violating their rights.”
“I believe that freedom of expression on campus should neither be censored nor restricted because of its perceived value or audience,” said Rihanna Pointer, one of the plaintiffs, in a news release. “Nineteen Fifty-Six and Alice have always provided a platform for diverse voices and perspectives that are vital for fostering an inclusive community amongst students on campus.”
Other plaintiffs include Grant Sturdivant, Timoni Taite, Jaleel Matanmi, Jermaine Ball, Sara Beth Caddell, Gabrielle Gunter and Emmy Waugh.
The attorneys include representatives from Southern Poverty Law Center, NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund and ACLU of Alabama.
Masthead, a communications alumni organization, raised more than $28,000 to publish new versions of the magazines off campus.
The magazines, called Selene and Sixty-Three, will be published in the spring, according to Masthead’s Instagram.
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