The Alabama Beacon

West Alabama employers looking for students to fill their open positions now have a centralized location to do so, and it’s all online. The Tuscaloosa County Commission and West AlabamaWorks! have partnered to launch a student employment jobs portal called ‘I.G.N.I.T.E Student Jobs’. Employers will be able to make sure they have the ‘manpower’ to...

ALEA honors Alabama State Troopers for saving lives in the line of duty

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor is pleased to announce the recipients of the Agency’s Lifesaving Award and Certificate of Recognition for outstanding professionalism and skills displayed through heroic acts that saved the life of another as well as preserving public safety, while simultaneously upholding ALEA’s proud tradition of selfless service. Secretary...

‘Return My Vote’ initiative to help with voting rights restoration, other ballot access issues in Alabama

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