The Alabama Beacon

Alabamians who may be struggling to navigate voting rights restoration and voter eligibility will soon have access to more resources thanks to a new initiative – Return My Vote – set to launch May 16. The initiative is a joint effort between Greater Birmingham Ministries and the University of Alabama faculty, specifically Dr. Richard Fording, UA political science professor. “Dr. Fording...

Alabama Poppy Project honors, memorializes deceased service members

For the third year in a row, local potter, Julianne Hansen and her husband, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Steven Hansen will transform the greenspace near the dam in historic downtown Prattville into a field of red ceramic poppies in honor of those who have served our country, but are no longer living. In fact, starting three...

Blue Cross awards $291k in grants to Alabama schools for wellness

In its commitment to help prevent childhood obesity, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama’s Be Healthy School Grant Program is awarding $291,000 in grants to 31 schools statewide enrolling students in grades K through eighth for the 2022-2023 school year. The grants are for the implementation of school-based health and wellness programs, emphasizing increased...

ALFA implores Alabama’s drivers: be cautious during planting season

by Josie Chance The Alabama Farmers Federation is urging drivers to practice extra caution as farmers and large machinery hit the roadways during spring planting and summer growing seasons. “This time of year, farmers are on the roads working hard to produce food and other crops we all rely on,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell....

Opinion: Vote ‘Yes’ on Amendment One for Alabama’s State Parks

by: Chris Blankenship Alabama State Parks provide improved access to some of the state’s most scenic and picturesque areas – from our state’s highest point at Cheaha State Park, to the iconic Gulf State Park beaches, to the 11,000-acre oasis in the midst of urban sprawl at Oak Mountain State Park, and many others. All...

Alabama teacher’s ‘Color Run’ promotes fun, fitness

Friday, May 13 was a colorful afternoon for the students at Abbeville Elementary School. As a part of the school’s annual field day, hundreds of students celebrated completing a series of classroom-wide physical activity challenges with a day of movement and fun. Working within the confines of the Move Alabama Challenge put forth by the Alabama...

Alabama Historical Commission studies underwater wreckage of Clotilda, America’s last slave ship

In its 2021 budget, the State of Alabama appropriated $1 Million to the Alabama Historical Commission (AHC) to begin Phase 3 of preservation efforts for the Clotilda, the last ship to bring enslaved people from Africa to America. The Clotilda arrived in America after Congress had already banned the transatlantic slave trade—though the practice remained lucrative, and still...

Community Foundation gives $100k to West Alabama Food Bank

Glenn Taylor of the CFWA is shown making the presentation to Jean Rykaczewski, Executive Director of the West Alabama Food Bank as Sam Faucett and Roger Sayers look on. More information about the Community Foundation of West Alabama is available by calling 205-366-0698 or by visiting the website at www.thecfwa.org. The Community Foundation of West...

Ivey appoints Smitherman to Alabama’s top EMA post