News from the South - Alabama News Feed
Bill to create nontraditional high school diploma program passes House
Bill to create nontraditional high school diploma program passes House
by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
February 25, 2025
A bill that would create a nontraditional high school diploma program for people who have dropped out passed the Alabama House unanimously on Tuesday.
HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Matt Woods, R-Jasper, allows former students to enroll in a program to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma at 18 years old. Woods said the Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School Act expands the options for people who’ve dropped out to get back on track with their education.
“This bill addresses a segment of our population that’s falling between the cracks,” Woods said. “We believe that we can help them pursue their educational pathway.”
There is a nontraditional diploma option for adult education, but Woods said the minimum age is 19. He said his bill lowers the age to 18.
“The idea behind that is that a student who drops out of high school won’t have to wait as long before they can finish their high school diploma,” Woods said.
Although supportive of the bill, Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, said she wants to look into preventing high school withdrawals.
“At some point we’ve got to challenge those things that cause these young people to be at the point where they are dropping out of school,” Hall said.
Rep. Van Smith, R-Clanton, offered an amendment to allow students to enroll in the REACH program before they withdraw to expand their options.
“It will put in an opportunity for students to enroll in this program that Rep. Woods is presenting to us,” Smith said. “Then that individual will not be counted as a dropout.”
The amendment passed 103-0. The bill goes to the Alabama Senate.
Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.
The post Bill to create nontraditional high school diploma program passes House appeared first on alabamareflector.com
News from the South - Alabama News Feed
A very dry September forecast with hot afternoons ahead for Alabama.
SUMMARY: Alabama faces a very dry September with hot afternoons continuing through the last week of summer before the autumnal equinox. Sunday begins comfortably cool in the 60s, warming to low 90s by mid-afternoon under mostly sunny skies. A weak wave may bring a few showers tonight, mainly to northwest Alabama, but widespread rain is unlikely. Temperatures will remain above average, hitting mid-90s Tuesday and Wednesday. By next weekend, a trough and front may increase cloud cover and rain chances slightly, potentially lowering temperatures closer to average. Overall, the forecast calls for persistent dry and warm conditions into next week.
A very dry September forecast with hot afternoons ahead for Alabama.
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News from the South - Alabama News Feed
Huntsville Fire & Rescue Holds 9/11 Memorial Service | Sept. 11, 2025 | News 19 at 5 p.m.
SUMMARY: On September 11, 2025, Huntsville Fire & Rescue held a memorial service to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Military members and first responders gathered at Huntsville Fire Station One, where at 7:46 a.m., lights, sirens, and air horns sounded to replicate the sounds heard during the attacks. Fire Chief Howard McFarland emphasized the importance of remembering the tragedy to educate younger generations and prevent history from repeating. Former Captain Lynn recalled the shock of witnessing the attacks and noted how 9/11 reshaped emergency preparedness. This annual event is held across all 20 Huntsville fire stations.
The Huntsville Fire & Rescue held a 9/11 memorial service.
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News from the South - Alabama News Feed
News 5 NOW at 8:00am | September 11, 2025
SUMMARY: On September 11, 2025, News 5 NOW covered 9/11 commemorations, including first responders climbing 2,000 steps at Hancock Whitney Stadium to honor the World Trade Center’s 110 stories. The Original Oyster House offered free meals to first responders in Mobile and Baldwin counties. The program also reported a new Vibrio bacterial infection case in Escambia County, highlighting health warnings for beachgoers. Additionally, they discussed a study linking chronic insomnia to increased dementia risk, election recounts in Gulf Shores, and a recent political shooting in Utah, sparking debate over harsher punishments for political violence. Viewer opinions on extraterrestrials and political violence were shared in an interactive social media segment.
First Responders in Mobile honored the heroes of September 11th, a Pensacola woman is in the hospital after being infected with the flesh eating bacteria vibrio vulnificus, and a vote re-count wrapped up in Gulf Shores…
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