Alander Rocha

@alander.bsky.social

Posts

Reporter for the Alabama Reflector, covering state government and health policy // Tulane, Georgia alum // dogdad & Ezra's uncle // 📧 [email protected] // www.alabamareflector.com

Posts Replies Media

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social : U.S. District Judge Corey L. Maze wrote that the plaintiffs, who included six Black inmates, had failed to establish that a “racially discriminatory intent or purpose” motivated a 2019 change to parole standards.

Federal judge denies temporary stay in lawsuit over Alabama prison labor • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com A federal court denied an injunction against Alabama prisons, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to prove racial bias in parole standards changes.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Alabama in 2022 had over $113 million in unspent money in its Temporary Aid of Needy Families (TANF) funds, despite a growing need and a monthly benefit that (until last year) had not been raised since 2002.

Millions in federal aid for Alabama low-income families remains unused • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Alabama is holding onto millions of dollars in unspent federal funds meant to support low-income families, despite a need for assistance.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: A Clarke County OB-GYN told the Alabama Department of Public Health Thursday that conversions of hospitals into rural emergency hospitals could make it harder to address the state's maternal health woes.

OB-GYN: Hospital conversions in rural Alabama could undermine maternal care • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com OBGYN Dr. Max Rogers warned the Alabama Department of Public Health about deteriorating maternal health outcomes in rural Alabama.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social and @jemmakstephenson.bsky.social: For the last time this year (we hope): Here's a list of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week, the final week of the 2024 regular session.

What passed in the Alabama Legislature: May 7-9, 2024 • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature from May 7 to May 9, the 13th and final week of the 2024 regular session.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill that could lead to the arrest of librarians if a person accuses them of distributing obscene or harmful materials to minors or exposes them to people dressed in revealing clothing.

Alabama House passes bill that could lead to prosecutions of librarians • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The bill expands the term “sexual conduct” and could lead to the arrest of librarians if a person accuses them of distributing harmful materials to minors.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social & @jemmakstephenson.bsky.social: Here's our round-up of the bills that passed the Alabama Legislature this week.

What passed in the Alabama Legislature: April 16-18, 2024 • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Here is a list of bills that passed the Alabama Legislature from April 16 to April 18, the ninth week of the 2024 regular session.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social and @jemmakstephenson.bsky.social: Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson's victories mean Alabama's 2nd Congressional District race will feature two first-time candidates in a contest that could have national implications. alabamareflector.com/2024/04/16/2...

2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson head to general election • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Democratic candidate Shomari Figures and Republican candidate Caroleene Dobson are headed to the November general election after winning runoffs Tuesday.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Polls are open for the runoffs in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, a race that could have national implications. Here’s a guide from @alander.bsky.social.

A voter’s guide to the Alabama 2nd Congressional District runoffs • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Four candidates -- two Democrats and two Republicans -- are seeking their party's nominations for the 2nd Congressional District.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Scoop from @alander.bsky.social.

Via @alander.bsky.social: President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign Wednesday urged Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen to put the president on the ballot, and hinted at litigation if he didn’t.

Joe Biden campaign hints at litigation if Alabama keeps president off ballot • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com A Birmingham attorney said the party could provisionally certify Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's nominees.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Alabama House Republicans Thursday killed a bill that would have allowed some people sentenced to life in prison under the state's Habitual Offender Act to have their sentences reviewed.

Alabama House Republicans kill 'second chance' bill • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The bill, sponsored by Rep. Chris England, would allow some inmates sentenced to life in prison to have their sentences reviewed.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The Alabama House of Representatives Tuesday voted for a bill that makes significant changes to the state's ethics code for public officials.

Alabama House approves legislation overhauling state ethics code • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The bill would would repeal the current ethics laws for public officials and employees and replace the code with tougher punishments for ethics violations.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands, whose campaign emphasized reproductive rights, won a Huntsville-area Alabama House seat Tuesday, the Democrats' first net gain in either chamber since 2002.

Marilyn Lands, Democrat who ran on reproductive rights, flips Alabama House seat • Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Lands campaigned on reproductive rights. The victory is the Democrats first net gain in either legislative chamber since 2002.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Bills aimed at protecting in vitro fertilization in Alabama advanced in the Alabama Legislature Wednesday as IVF patients and providers held at rally at the Statehouse.

Bills aimed at protecting IVF advance in Alabama Legislature - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Alabamians gathered on the front steps of the Alabama State House to advocate and share their journeys in starting a family.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

From @alander.bsky.social. Alabama is one of the last states without a lottery.

The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed an ambitious legislative package that, if approved by the Senate and Alabama voters, could create a state-regulated gambling industry for the first time in history.

Alabama House approves legislation establishing lottery, casino gambling, sports wagering - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The Alabama House Thursday passed an ambitious legislative package that could create a state-regulated gambling industry for the first time in history.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The Alabama House of Representatives could vote today on an ambitious gambling package that could allow voters to decide whether to authorize a lottery, casinos and sports wagering in the state.

Gambling bills headed to Alabama House vote - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Alabama House committee approved a bill authorizing casinos, a lottery, and sports betting, potentially bringing the state $1.2 billion annually.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Alabama's senior senator said Ukraine fighting Russia was like a "junior high playing an NFL team in football" and speculated about the reasons for former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban's departure at a speech in Montgomery Wednesday.

Tuberville talks immigration; questions Ukraine aid; denounces paid student athletes - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Alabama's senior senator discussed a number of issues during a speech at the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Wednesday.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Alabama's medical cannabis rollout has been delayed by lawsuits over the licensing process. But even after that litigation is resolved, it could be months before the product gets to Alabamians.

When will Alabamians get medical cannabis? - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Even when ongoing litigation over the state licensing process is resolved, it could take months for medical cannabis to reach patients.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The Alabama House's proposed gambling bill drew support from education and mental health groups who said it could provide new resources, and opposition from groups that said it could exacerbate addiction issues.

Supporters and opponents of Alabama gambling bill make case at public hearing - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The Alabama House committee’s public hearing featured supporters who said it could bring needed revenue and opponents who said gambling could exacerbate existing problems of gambling and mental illnes...

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Buried deep in Alabama’s draft gambling bill, a notable (if non-binding) provision.

The bills would create a lottery, casinos and sports wagering in the state. Proceeds could be allocated to "non-recurring" expenses, including -- but not mandating -- a "rural health" program that looks broadly similar to Medicaid expansion.

Alabama House gambling bills include lottery, casinos, sports betting - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Lawmakers introduce gambling legalization legalizing casinos, lottery & sports betting, with a focus on regulation.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The Alabama Democratic Party voted Saturday to approve new bylaws that restore almost all diversity caucuses eliminated at a meeting of the party last May. The party faced a February deadline from the DNC to act.

Alabama Democrats restore most diversity caucuses after DNC order - Alabama Reflectort.co The SDEC vote came after the DNC gave the state party an order to amend or pass a new set of bylaws to resolve a battle over the eliminated caucuses.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Alabama saw an almost 50% increase in Affordable Care Act sign-ups this winter, due to increased eligibility.

Affordable Care Act enrollment soars in Alabama, but coverage gap persists - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The number of enrollments went from 250,000 last year to about 385,000 this year as expanded subsidies and eligibility took hold.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Always do the opposite of what Alabama says

“Alabama has done it, and now so can you,” Marshall said at a press conference hours after Kenneth Eugene Smith was executed in Atmore for the 1988 murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett.

Via @alander.bsky.social: Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Friday the nitrogen gas execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, who gasped and convulsed during the procedure, was "textbook" and predicted other states would employ the method.

Alabama attorney general defends first execution by nitrogen gas, anticipates national trend - Alaba...alabamareflector.com Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the execution of death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen gas was "textbook."

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) said Thursday that respiratory virus cases hit a seasonal high in the first week of January but remain manageable.

Respiratory virus cases high but manageable, says Alabama State Health Officer - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Dr. Harris said that he’s most concerned with RSV numbers, which have declined from a peak late last year but remain high in Alabama and across the country.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The final part of our series on Alabama's rural depopulation. Shrinking counties are getting older, with worsening health outcomes. But there are a lack of providers, and for many patients, it's hard to reach them.

The Long Decline: Health care access grows difficult in shrinking rural communities - Alabama Reflec...alabamareflector.com Rural Alabama is aging, and shrinking. Health care resources are coming under strain, and transportation barriers limit access to care.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: Polls have opened in a Republican primary election in Senate District 9 in north Alabama, and a general election for House District 16 around Tuscaloosa. Here's a voter guide.

Senate District 9 and House District 16 elections take place Tuesday. Here's what to know. - Alabama...t.co Three Republicans are seeking the nomination in the north Alabama Senate District. A Republican and Democrat are vying for the House seat.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: In tomorrow's election for Alabama House District 16, the Democratic and Republican candidates agree on prioritizing education and infrastructure, but differ on approaches.

Republican Brinyark, Democrat Underwood vie for Tuscaloosa-area state House Seat - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com Bryan Brinyark and John Underwood both said they wanted to prioritize education and financial assistance for hospitals but differed on the approach.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: About 119,000 Alabamians were removed from Medicaid rolls over the summer -- higher than estimates earlier this year, though experts suggest they could also mirror similar challenges other states face.

Alabama sees higher-than-expected Medicaid disenrollment after pandemic freeze lifts - Alabama Refle...alabamareflector.com Just over 100,000 terminations, or about 87%, were due to procedural or administrative reasons, such as not turning in required paperwork on time.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: A bill filed for the Alabama Legislature's next session in February would ban mask mandates in a state where more than 22,000 people have died from COVID-19.

Bill in Alabama Legislature would prohibit mask mandates - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The bill would “prohibit governmental entities and the State Health Officer from imposing a face mask mandate" to prevent disease spread.

Reposted by

Alander Rocha

Via @alander.bsky.social: The final installment of our Biography of a district series. What's the biggest health care problem in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District? A lack of access to it.

Biography of a district: Alabama 2nd district residents lack health care access - Alabama Reflectoralabamareflector.com The number of uninsured residents in the 2nd congressional district is higher than state averages, and outcomes are worse.