Latest news with #Alabamian
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Alabama state employees' usernames and passwords compromised in ‘cybersecurity event'
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — According to the Alabama governor's office, a 'cybersecurity event' was discovered Friday night. It stated the passwords and usernames of some state employees were compromised. The state of Alabama's Office of Information Technology stated Monday it is working to minimize any potential impacts to state operations. A release from the governor's office reminded state employees to look out for malicious emails. Amanda Senn, director of the Alabama Securities Commission, could not speak directly about what happened but offered insight on cybersecurity and data breaches. Senn said there's a difference between a cyber 'event' and a cyber 'breach.' 'Maybe a username had accidentally been provided to someone who didn't have authorized access to that information, or a password may have been shared …,' Senn said. 'There could be an incident, but not yet a breach where information has been stolen and been provided.' In this event, no information is believed to have been stolen or retrieved from any Alabamian, according to the governor's office. It said it is still working to find out who is responsible for the compromise, and some state websites could be disrupted in that process. New features added for EBT cards in Alabama Senn said there's risk to the public with any compromise. 'There's always a risk, though, to every organization,' Senn said. 'Even individuals at home put themselves at risk for compromising their own personal information just sitting on their computers and cell phones.' The Alabama Securities Commission is not investigating the event. When investigating other cybercrimes around the state, however, Senn said it encourages people to check their credit scores and bank accounts. 'Change your passwords,' Senn said. 'That's the first thing that we advise any organization to do, large or small, within the organization. So that likewise applies to members of the public as well. Change the passwords you have to access those services within the organization.' As the investigation continues, updates will be posted here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Cybersecurity event affecting some state systems in Alabama
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The Office of Information Technology is currently responding to a cybersecurity event that is affecting certain state systems on Monday, according to the Governor's Office. According to state officials, immediate steps have been taken to contain the situation while working with a leading third-party cybersecurity firm to investigate, secure and restore impacted services. Temporary disruptions such as website accessibility, as well as email and phone communication, may occur. Teams are actively working to establish a timetable and to ensure continuity of essential services to minimize any impact. 'The event was first detected Friday evening, and teams have been working around-the-clock to identify and mitigate any impacts. The source of the cybersecurity event is being investigated, but all state employees are being reminded to be cautious for potentially malicious emails. Investigations are currently underway to identify the entity responsible for the cybersecurity event. Investigations are also underway to understand the full scope of the event, and while some state employee usernames and passwords were compromised, it is currently believed that no Alabamian's personally identifiable information has been retrieved.' Office of Gov. Kay Ivey. Updates and additional information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Huntsville grocery shoppers react to lowering of Grocery Tax
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Starting in September, shoppers in Alabama will pay less sales tax on their groceries. A bill to lower the Grocery Tax from 3% to 2% is on its way to Governor Kay Ivey's desk. On Thursday, News 19 stopped by a grocery store in Huntsville to see how shoppers are feeling about this news. 'It's a good thing, you know, anytime they lower the cost for consumers, I'm happy with it,' said Tim Bright. He was one of many shoppers that News 19 spoke with who seemed to be excited by the change. Bright said this may bring a little relief to his wallet, as the prices of groceries have soared. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. 'You get sticker shock,' he said about walking into a grocery store. 'You go to the store and you're going like 'Where have I been?'' The sales tax change comes as both the Alabama House and Senate voted earlier this week to lower the statewide Grocery Tax. The new 2% rate will go into effect on Sept. 1 if signed by Governor Kay Ivey. A spokesperson for Governor Ivey's Office did not provide News 19 with a timeline for when she will sign it into law. However, the spokesperson said, 'The bill now goes before the governor for her signature.' The non-profit, public policy group Alabama Arise showed support for the bill, saying it 'will improve life for every Alabamian.' Executive Director Robyn Hyden told News 19 that it will help families save money. 'It does mean for the average Alabama family, another $150 a year that they get to hold on to,' she said. Hyden said it is a good move, especially for lower-income and working families. 'You know, everyone has to buy food, and as a result, poor people are disproportionately taxed via these sales taxes,' Hyden said. The Alabama Legislature already lowered the Grocery Tax from 4% to 3% in 2023. However, Hyden said that Alabama Arise would like to see that percentage disappear altogether. 'We still are, you know, wanting to finally get rid of all of the state sales tax on food,' she said. Shopper Tim Bright said he wouldn't mind that either. 'Anytime they want to lower them, go ahead,' he said about the grocery tax. Food City just opened the doors of its newest north Alabama location off of Old Gurley Road in northwest Huntsville. Store Manager Michael West said he thinks his customers will appreciate the lower sales tax. 'Having that extra percentage knocked off is going to be a real saver for a lot of people,' West said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama House passes ‘Don't Say Gay' expansion, drag performance restrictions
Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, speaking on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives in the Alabama State House in Montgomery, Alabama, on April 17, 2025. Rafferty, the only openly gay representative, defended LGBTQ+ Alabamians Thursday. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives passed an expansion of the state's 'Don't Say Gay' law on Thursday. HB 244, sponsored by Rep. Mack Butler, R-Rainbow City, would prohibit public school teachers at all grade levels from teaching or discussing gender identity or sexuality, an expansion from K-5. The legislation also prohibits the display of pride flags and insignia in the classroom. 'This bill will expand the existing prohibitions that are currently in K-5 schools on the classroom discussions of gender identity or sexual orientation,' he said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The chamber adopted a committee substitute 76-8 that removed a portion of the bill that would prohibit educators from referring to students by their preferred gender if it conflicts with their assigned sex at birth. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, objected to the measure, saying kids would be less receptive to learning if they did not feel welcome in a classroom. 'If they don't trust a teacher, if they think a teacher doesn't like them or use them differently or views them as unequal, they're not going to be as open to learning,' he said. Gidley rebutted, saying students could still confide in a teacher, but the teacher has to stick to the curriculum during instructional time. He said he has received complaints from a student that said their teacher could not teach without mentioning 'all things gay and transgender.' He did not say, and has previously declined to say, which school this happened in. 'That is not part of the curriculum, or what the parents signed up for, and not what the parents are paying for,' he said. Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, the only openly gay member of the House, used his debate time to address LGBTQ+ Alabamians. 'I want you to know you are not the problem. You are not broken, and you're absolutely not alone,' Rafferty said. 'They're not theories. They're not talking points, not threats to be neutralized. They're people. They're Alabamian, and they deserve better than what we are offering them right now.' The bill now moves to the Senate. The House also passed a bill that prohibits public schools and libraries from hosting drag performances in the presence of children without parental consent. HB 67, sponsored by Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, passed 76-9 with no discussion. The legislation defines drag performances as 'a performance in which a performer exhibits a sex identity that is different from the sex assigned to the performer at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical markers.' The bill now moves to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama senators working to lower state's grocery tax
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — A bill is moving through the Alabama Legislature that would cut the state's grocery tax. 'The grocery tax is one I think touches pretty much every Alabamian that has to eat, so that's all of us from youngest to oldest,' said state Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur). Orr said he supports taking another penny off of the grocery tax. He said it would affect everyone in the state. 'We don't need to be taxing Alabamians for excess revenue that we're just going to spend because we have it,' Orr said. 'But we do need to adequately fund both education and our general fund agencies.' University of Alabama confirms immigration authorities detained student On a $100 grocery bill, that tax cut would save you a dollar, according to Robyn Hyden, executive director of Alabama Arise. While it seems small, she said those savings add up quickly. 'That 1% is around $150 per year for most working families of four,' Hyden said. 'But it really depends on how many groceries you buy.' State Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma) said he is for it as well but not without caution. ' I want to ensure that we're not cutting essential services that Alabamians need, and I don't want our state government to be rendered ineffective to provide those services,' Stewart said. He said that means ensuring education is funded effectively. Stewart said families need the tax cut. 'My grandfather always used to say, 'a penny saved is a penny earned,'' Stewart said. 'Like I said, any relief would be good.' The bill passed in the House unanimously. If enacted, the tax cut would start Sept. 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
