Ruth Serven Smith
@ruthservensmith.bsky.social
Sr Editor at @aldotcom.bsky.social. I sew my own clothes on IG. Proud Okie + Mizzou alum
Ruth is one of the best journalists I've ever met. When she talks about internet hoaxes, the crisis in the news biz, & seriously bad actors, pay attention. 👇🏽
Ruth Serven Smith@ruthservensmith.bsky.social · 3w agoThe local newspapers all are real… but the reporter claiming they have been systematically bought up and killed appears to be fake. As Joshua Benton at Nieman found, it’s pretty easy to convince people that local news is dead and dying— but we’re very much alive.
Quick story from me: Tommy Tuberville is building an "action team" of people who will shape his first moves as governor. One of the group's focuses is streamlining state govt -- and it includes people with a background in correctional healthcare, oil and tax credits. www.al.com/news/2026/07...
Tuberville announces team to ‘clean up’ Alabama government, find waste
The team is reviewing state agencies and developing personnel, spending, and policy priorities.
al.com
New from me and @hdenham.bsky.social -- As more local governments in Alabama rush to restrict new data centers, some Democrats are calling for a statewide ban – at least temporarily. Gift link -- www.al.com/politics/202...
2 Alabama candidates call for halt to new data centers: ‘Let’s put a pause on this’
So far, temporary bans on data centers in Alabama have been at the city level. But pressure is growing for action from the state.
al.com
The local newspapers all are real… but the reporter claiming they have been systematically bought up and killed appears to be fake. As Joshua Benton at Nieman found, it’s pretty easy to convince people that local news is dead and dying— but we’re very much alive.
Tommy Tuberville said he’ll release records that prove he has lived in Alabama since 2019. An opponent has asked for state income tax records. Link: www.al.com/news/2026/06...
Tommy Tuberville promises to release tax records, proof of Alabama residency
The Alabama GOP will hold a hearing about Tuberville’s residency later this month.
al.com
Today is the deadline for Alabama to certify results of its May 19 primary, but the state won't certify results for 4 congressional districts. Election officials outlined a tight timeline for making changes to ballots before an August special primary. www.al.com/news/2026/05...
What happens now with Alabama’s special congressional primary? ‘Anybody’s guess’
Republican leaders are hoping the Supreme Court allows the state to use a GOP-favored map.
al.com
Covering Alabama primary elections and what they mean for the state and US midterms today for @al.com. See live updates on line and check back for results tonight. #alpolitics
Nice turn of phrase from John Sharp at @al.com about the crazy redistricting situation here in Alabama -- candidates are still running in "ghost" districts on May 19 ballots. Those votes will be void, per SOS, and August special elections will decide 4 congressional seats. #alpolitics
Birmingham is one of several Alabama school districts national researchers say are "on the rise" after improvements in math, reading in recent years. Glad to contribute to this piece with @APNews colleagues -- www.al.com/educationlab...
Alabama school districts stand out among US for these education gains
Researchers say the science of reading works.
al.com
Good morning Alabama! Planning to go on CNN shortly to discuss redistricting and the outcome of the Callais decision and our reporting from @al.com. Tune in if you’re up!
New: Tommy Tuberville received a $30,000 campaign contribution from a controversial gaming company. www.al.com/news/2026/04...
Alabama governor’s race: Tommy Tuberville gets $30,000 donation from controversial gambling company
Alabama is one of only five states without a lottery.
al.com
One of Tommy Tuberville's GOP challengers for Alabama governor has filed an ethics complaint, saying the Senator improperly spent campaign money in Florida. Gift link: www.al.com/news/2026/04...
Alabama governor’s race: Tommy Tuberville’s Florida travel subject of ethics complaint by GOP rival
An Alabama candidate for governor claims Sen. Tommy Tuberville improperly used campaign funds.
al.com
It was great to be back inside a school and get a feel for a few of the things that are contributing to improvements in Birmingham City Schools: 1. Taking attendance seriously. 2. Students who want to be in the building. 3. Community partnerships. Gift link for @al.com: www.al.com/news/2026/04...
Birmingham has 1 remaining school on ‘failing’ list: Inside the effort to help
Hayes’ turnaround has been a community effort.
al.com
I’m stopping by Hayes K-8 in Birmingham city schools this morning to check on a new learning lab and the turnaround effort at this school. Check back for more coverage later @al.com.
I covered a utilities committee meeting about the future of the public service commission today for AL.com . #alpolitics. www.al.com/politics/202...
al.com
Our CHOOSE coverage has been a huge team effort. More on tuition trends, policy questions and future outlooks here: bsky.app/profile/gree...
Rebecca Griesbach@greezbock.bsky.social · last yr.The first installment in a series of stories about private school enrollment is out today. @williesha.bsky.social and I spent a ton of time nailing down the numbers and talking with schools and parents about how Alabama’s newest school choice program is unfolding. www.al.com/educationlab...
🧵 For some students, Alabama is a uniquely challenging state to pursue a college degree. Thanks to a grant from @edwriters.bsky.social, I was able to spend the past year speaking with 20+ Latino students and staff about how they're navigating higher ed today. www.al.com/educationlab...
Latino college students look for support as Alabama DEI programs vanish
Hispanic and Latino students are about 15% less likely than their peers to go to college.
al.com
Ann Bedsole tribute: Beloved Alabama trailblazer ‘wrote the book on getting things done’ www.al.com/politics/202...
Our second story in this mini-series is out today: www.al.com/educationlab...
Startups, out-of-state vendors are cashing in on Alabama school choice money
Alabama is appealing to companies that want to profit from state-funded vouchers
al.com
Rebecca Griesbach@greezbock.bsky.social · 9mo agoIn Alabama, millions of dollars in taxpayer money are going to private schools that teach that humans lived among dinosaurs, and that rock music and mental health conditions are signs of rebellion. Our latest story on the rollout of the state’s new CHOOSE Act: www.al.com/educationlab...
In Alabama, millions of dollars in taxpayer money are going to private schools that teach that humans lived among dinosaurs, and that rock music and mental health conditions are signs of rebellion. Our latest story on the rollout of the state’s new CHOOSE Act: www.al.com/educationlab...
In Alabama, money goes to textbooks that downplay slavery, call rock music ‘rebellion’
The new school choice program does little to ensure the quality of private schools.
al.com
Really glad to share this reporting from @greezbock.bsky.social out of Alabama for @al.com. It was fun to edit. www.al.com/educationlab...
In Alabama, public money buys textbooks that downplay slavery, call rock music ‘rebellion’
The new school choice program does little to ensure the quality of private schools.
al.com
Here's what we know about today's announcement regarding the dismantling of ED www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
McMahon Says “Clock Is Ticking” on Education Department
Trump officials are reportedly planning to enact a number of agreements Tuesday that could send key ED responsibilities to other agencies.
insidehighered.com
I’m covering education topics live today in Montgomery for @al.com . We’ll hear about state report card results today and already saw a a slate of schools honored for boosting AP test scores via a ALSDE/ A+ Education Partnership program
t-6 hours until virginia candidates stop texting me every 5 minutes.
@al.com has been exploring Alabama's dramatic expansion of school choice -- and what it means for both public and private schools. @greezbock.bsky.social visited a school that just opened and is taking tax credits. www.al.com/educationlab...
Inside one new school cashing in on Alabama’s CHOOSE Act: ‘Changed our world’
Peach City Academy is one of at least a dozen private and microschools that have opened in Alabama recently.
al.com
The University of Alabama is unique in heavily recruiting out of state students. I talked with a UA admin, two new students, an alum and a researcher as to what's drawing folks here. My latest for @al.com.
AL.com@al.com · 11mo ago
West Point in the mix of academic freedom: apnews.com/article/west...
West Point is violating the First Amendment with a crackdown on professors, lawsuit says
A law professor at West Point has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Military Academy, saying it violates the First Amendment by banning professors' opinions in the classroom and restricting certain boo...
apnews.com
