Thank you @andreadotweb.bsky.social for covering this important health meeting while I'm off in DC at a conference. This is the first across-the-board premium increase for state employees in 11 years.

Alabama Reflector@alabamareflector.com · 2w ago

Via Andrea Tinker: The Alabama State Employees Insurance Board Wednesday voted to increase premiums for state employees and dependents, citing rising healthcare costs and concerns over the stability of the program. https://ow.ly/UnCK50ZQOGC

Despite the heat, I had a blast talking to Tuskegee students about their new dress code policy. It was interesting to see how many of them thought it was a thoughtful gesture but not nearly close to what the university should be focusing on.

Alabama Reflector@alabamareflector.com · 2mo ago

Via Andrea Tinker: Dress code changes at Tuskegee University sparked strong debates over the summer, but students returning to campus on Wednesday questioned the focus on them. https://alabamareflector.com/2026/08/20/tuskegee-students-question-focus-on-dress-code-changes/

We have started our TikTok journey at the Reflector! Check out our Linktree for links to our website and our socials. linktr.ee/AlabamaRefle...

A busy week in the Legislature. Catch up on all the bills that passed in our weekly bill roundup from @andreadotweb.bsky.social and I. We were warned by the Pro Tem that pace will pick up and it will get "spicy" in the second half of session. Hold on, everybody. @alabamareflector.com

What passed in the Alabama Legislature: Feb. 24-26, 2026 | Alabama Reflector

Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26, the seventh week of the 2026 regular session.

alabamareflector.com

Via Andrea Tinker: HB 44, sponsored by Rep. Donna Givens, R-Loxley, would direct the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow recipients of SNAP benefits to buy hot rotisserie chickens. https://ow.ly/N9ct50X8oKg

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: A Baldwin County man said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained him twice and continued holding him even after he provided proof of citizenship.

Baldwin County man says ICE detained him twice despite proof of citizenship | Alabama Reflector

An Alabama man from Baldwin County has filed a lawsuit against several U.S. officials and agencies because of his two ICE detainments.

alabamareflector.com

University of Mississippi announced it has terminated an employee due to “hurtful, insensitive comments” made on social media regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. via @mississippitoday.org www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ole-...

Ole Miss fires employee over social media post on fatal Charlie Kirk shooting

University of Mississippi announced it has terminated an employee due to “hurtful, insensitive comments” made on social media regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk, CEO and co-founder of Turning...

newsfromthestates.com

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: The uncertainty over the funding forced Central Alabama Community College to suspend Upward Bound, a prep program for Low-income and first-generation college students. Administrators are trying to restart it.

After weeks of uncertainty, Alabama community college gets federal funding for prep program | Alabama Reflector

After weeks of uncertainty, the Upward Bound program at Central Alabama Community College has secured funding.

alabamareflector.com

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: The Alabama Securities Commission (ASC) has been receiving a large volume of phone calls regarding an alleged Ponzi scheme involving a prominent Georgia man, ASC Director Amanda Senn said Tuesday.

Alabama Securities Commission receives influx of calls about alleged Georgia Ponzi scheme | Alabama Reflector

Alabama Securities Commission has been receiving a large number of calls regarding an alleged Ponzi scheme in Georgia.

alabamareflector.com

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: Attorneys for Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter added a new plaintiff last week to a lawsuit against the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) over transfer student-athlete eligibility.

Attorneys for Ivey, Ledbetter add plaintiff to AHSAA lawsuit | Alabama Reflector

Attorneys for Gov. Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter filed an amended complaint with a new plaintiff last week in AHSAA lawsuit.

alabamareflector.com

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: It was not clear Wednesday afternoon how many employees were terminated by Auburn, or what the nature of the posts were that led to their terminations.

Auburn employees fired over social media posts, says university president | Alabama Reflector

Multiple Auburn University employees were fired on Wednesday over what university President Christopher Roberts deemed "insensitive" social media posts.

alabamareflector.com

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: Alabama State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey said the letter stemmed from what he described as three “inexcusable” social media posts by three Alabama educators about the shooting of right-wing political commentator and talk radio show host Charlie Kirk.

Alabama schools superintendent sends letter about 'inappropriate' social media posts | Alabama Reflector

Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey sent a letter to school superintendents stating inappropriate social posts will result in disciplinary action.

alabamareflector.com

Law enforcement arrested Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Washington County resident suspected in the assassination of Charlie Kirk, after a family member reported the young Utahn who had grown increasingly political had suggested he was behind the shooting. utahnewsdispatch.com/2025/09/12/2...

22-year-old Utahn suspected of killing Charlie Kirk in custody • Utah News Dispatch

22-year-old Tyler Robinson is in custody after a family member said he had suggested he shot Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

utahnewsdispatch.com

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: The state’s community college system plans to launch a task force with a goal of improving outcomes for incarcerated people in the system’s educational programs.

Alabama community colleges to study ways of improving prison education outcomes | Alabama Reflector

The Alabama Community College System will be participating in a task force aimed to help inmates get a job after being released.

alabamareflector.com

Video of clash over gender-identity content in Texas A&M children’s lit class leads to firings

Video of clash over gender-identity content in Texas A&M children’s lit class leads to firings

After the video fueled outrage, two college leaders were removed from their administrative roles for approving plans to teach content inconsistent with the course’s published description.

texastribune.org

Via @andreadotweb.bsky.social: Rep. Mark Gidley, R-Hokes Bluff, prefiled HB 8 for the 2026 legislative session, which starts in January. It would allow school boards to decide whether to allow campus chaplains and teachers in public school.

Alabama lawmaker revives bill to allow chaplains in public schools | Alabama Reflector

Rep. Mark Gidley has pre-filed a bill for the 2026 legislative session that would allow public schools to request volunteer chaplains.

alabamareflector.com

Please give a warm welcome (and a follow) to our newest reporter, @andreadotweb.bsky.social, who will be covering education and the Alabama House of Representatives for us in the next year. Andrea did a phenomenal job with over the summer, and we're thrilled to have her aboard.