Latest news with #jenn
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What animals are illegal to own in Alabama? Here's what the penalty could be if caught
Macon County, Ala. authorities responded to a two-car crash on Interstate 85 Wednesday morning caused by a furry, hopping marsupial. A kangaroo escaped its enclosure from a nearby resident, who kept it as a pet for a local petting zoo. While it's not common to spot these Australian natives in Alabama, their non-native status in the state makes them illegal to own as pets. What other animals are prohibited to keep as pets in Alabama? Here's what we know: The state has banned the possession, sale or release of dozens of animals and fish that officials say could harm local ecosystems or pose risk to people. The list includes notorious species like walking catfish, black carp and venomous snakes not naturally found in Alabama. It also covers animals already listed as dangerous under federal law. The regulations aim to protect Alabama's native ecosystems from environmental damage and threats to public safety. In Alabama, it is illegal to own or transport animals unless you are a licensed game breeder or have a special permit such as: Tegu Mongooses Jackrabbits San Juan rabbits Deer Elk Coyotes Raccoons Foxes Skunks Bobcats Wild pigs Wild turkey Mountain lion Bears Kangaroos Nonindigenous venomous reptiles Protected wild birds The law even covers releasing non-native species of seafood into public waters. You must also have written permission from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to intentionally stock or release seafood into the waters they originate from. There are exceptions for farmers raising turkeys for personal use and for accredited research or wildlife rehab centers, but only with written permission from the state. In Alabama, there are significant penalties if you are caught possessing or importing a banned animal. There are fines up to $5,000 and jail time of up to 30 days as it is a Class C misdemeanor. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What animals are banned in Alabama and what happens if you're caught?
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
AL legislators introduce bill to mandate prayer in school or face funding reductions
Alabama legislators have introduced an amendment to the Alabama Constitution of 2022 that would mandate all public K-12 schools to begin the school day with both the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer rooted in Judeo-Christian values. HB231 was introduced on February 6, 2025. The amendment grants local school boards the authority to establish policies ensuring compliance with its requirements. Any violations can be reported to the State Superintendent of Education, who will initiate an investigation through the State Department of Education. Schools or school boards that deliberately fail to comply may face a reduction of up to 25% of their state funding, withheld by the State Superintendent for the following school year. Repeated violations could result in further funding cuts imposed by the legislature from the state's annual education budget. If passed by the legislature, HB231 will be placed on the ballot for public voting as a proposed amendment to the Alabama Constitution. While the bill does not specify an exact election date, constitutional amendments in Alabama are typically decided during statewide elections. This means the measure would likely appear on the ballot in the next general election, expected in November 2026, unless a special election is scheduled earlier by lawmakers. While the bill says that it allows the students to voluntarily recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag, it does not explicitly state whether participation in the prayer would be voluntary. Given First Amendment protections and legal precedents regarding religious activities in public schools, this requirement could face legal challenges unless an opt-out provision is clarified. The Supreme Court has ruled that states may permit voluntary prayer and religious expression but cannot mandate school-led prayer. Students are allowed to pray privately and participate in religious clubs outside of school hours. In Massachusetts, students in public schools may participate in a voluntary prayer at the start of each school day, provided they have parental consent. The law also ensures that no funding will be withheld from the schools. In North Dakota, students in both public and private schools are allowed to pray at any time before, during or after school. They can also discuss religion just as they would any other non-religious topic. Additionally, students can be excused for up to an hour each week to attend religious instruction at the request of their parent or guardian. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama legislators want prayers in school with new bill introduction
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Will skies be clear in Montgomery for Thursday's lunar eclipse? What forecasts are saying
As the celestial skies prepare for a lunar eclipse, weather experts are closely monitoring another phenomenon: storm systems that could cloud a skywatchers' view. While the moon's fiery red hue promises to be a spectacle, unpredictable weather patterns may steal the show, casting a shadow over the highly anticipated event. Get ready for a glowing red moon March 13- 14th, as a lunar eclipse takes over the skies. But will the weather hide the show for those in Alabama? forecasts Thursday to be mixed with sunshine and thunderstorms, reaching a high of 74 degrees. As the evening approaches, expect mostly cloudy skies with a few showers and a 79% chance of cloud coverage. This could prohibit views of the lunar eclipse, as stormy weather may obscure the event. A dangerous storm outbreak is expected this week with the possibility of tornadoes. According to AccuWeather, Friday will be the first major day for severe weather, with an extensive storm system affecting nearly 500,000 square miles of the Central U.S. Severe thunderstorms are expected to stretch from the Gulf Coast up to near the Canadian border. This includes Alabama. On Saturday, warm weather will likely get people outside, but severe storms are also a risk. The worst storms are expected in southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, eastern Tennessee and parts of Florida and Georgia. AccuWeather says that both Friday and Saturday pose threats of tornadoes, but you can also expect heavy rain, damaging winds and hail. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center has placed Montgomery under a risk level of 2 out of 5. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Severe weather could impact lunar eclipse in Alabama this week
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Kroger to offer free food Tuesday and Friday in preparation for daylight saving time
To help customers prepare for daylight saving this weekend, Kroger will offer free Kroger Hour Back Boxes starting at noon ET on Tuesday and free breakfast items starting at noon ET on Friday while supplies last. Get a preview of what is in the hour back boxes and see which Alabama location you can pick yours up at. Each limited-edition box Kroger Hour Back Box is stocked with Our Brands breakfast essentials, including Private Selection™ Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, Simple Truth™ Oatmilk Creamer and Kroger Frozen Breakfast Sandwiches. Boxes will also include a Boost gift card redeemable for one year of a Kroger Boost membership ($59 value). Starting Tuesday, March 4, customers can head to to grab a special box, available while supplies last. Then, on Friday, March 7, Kroger will give away 39,000 Our Brands breakfast items. Customers must download a one-time, limited-use digital coupon to claim their free items. When you visit the Kroger website, you receive access to simple breakfast recipes, such as at-home coffee recipes and croissant breakfast sandwiches, that will help you start the day right. There are 11 Kroger locations in seven different cities across Alabama: Auburn: 300 N Dean Rd Decatur: 1101 Beltline Rd. SE STE A Hartselle: 241 Highway 31 SW Ste. K Huntsville: 6070 Moores Mill Rd., 2110 Oakwood Ave. NW; 8404 Memorial Pkwy SW; or 7090 Highway 72 W. Lanett: 1401 S Gilmer Ave Madison: 8855 Highway 72 W or 4579 Wall Triana Hwy, Opelika: 2460 Enterprise Dr. Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 9 at 2 a.m., unfortunately leading to a loss of one hour of sleep for Americans as we will be "springing forward". However, most Americans look forward to the extra hour of sunlight, especially with warmer weather and summer on the horizon. Americans will "fall back" an hour in November. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Kroger giving away free food ahead of daylight savings time. How to score
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What is the top spring break destination in Alabama? Tripping.com ranks the best for 2025
Spring break is the sweet escape we all look forward to. It offers the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and the promise of unforgettable memories. released the top eight spring break destinations in Alabama. Where will you and your family travel to for that sweet escape? Ranked at No.1 is Gulf Shores. This coastal city along the Gulf is known for its stunning white-sand beaches, family-friendly atmosphere, perfect spring break laid-back vibes and a great mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Here are some other Alabama destinations that ranked on Gulf Shores2. Orange Beach3. Mobile4. Dauphin Island5. Huntsville6. Birmingham7. Fort Morgan8. Fairhope In Gulf Shores, those who seek the great outdoors can enjoy activities like fishing, kayaking, and hiking. If you plan on fishing, you'll find that redfish, speckled trout and snappers will be biting at the lures during your spring break fishing adventures. If you want to stay more indoors, you can check out The Wharf, which has an AMC Theater, arcade, escape room and a VR experience. If you need a bit of family-friendly competition, check out one of the many indoor putt-putt ranges. Suppose you don't mind a short drive from Gulf Shores, you can head to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla., and immerse yourself in the rich history of naval aviation or drive to Mobile to spend the day at Exploreum Science Center where you can have a hands-on experience with its numerous interactive exhibits. Gulf Shores is also home to many annual festivals; you can catch four festivals The Ballyhoo Festival will take place March 1-2, 2025. This festival focuses on the fine arts and culture of American heritage. It will host numerous vendors and artists and feature a fiddle and banjo competition. The Orange Beach Festival of Art will happen March 8-9. It is known for celebrating the arts, including visual, culinary, musical, and more. The Wharf Boat and Yacht show will be hosted in Orange Beach from March 21-23. It will feature over $100 million in boats and marine products. The Inaugural Gulf Shores L.O.L (Love Our Locals) Festival will occur March 28-30. This festival aims to support the talented and hard-working locals of Gulf Shores by allowing them to come together to showcase their art, organizations, music, and food. Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@ This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: What are the best spring break destinations in Alabama?
