Ralph Chapoco
Verified- Senior Reporter, Criminal Justice System, Alabama Reflector
- Senior Reporter, News from the States
Montgomery
Recovering scientist turned journalist. Reporter for @ALReflector. Opinions are my own. Retweets not endorsements.
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Articles by Ralph Chapoco
Alabama Power says it will not charge customers for most advertising costs Original
Alabama Power said this week it would stop charging customers for advertising costs except those related to public safety, following a request from the Alabama Public Service Commission, the state utility regulator. A state law passed in the spring will require the utility to stop using customer money for advertising by 2029. But PSC President Cynthia Almond moved to ask the utility to implement it on an interim basis at the commission’s meeting on Nov. 3.
Independent candidate claims victory in tight Alabama Senate battle Original
An independent conservative candidate claimed victory Tuesday in a tight battle for a northeastern Alabama Senate district, but the Republican incumbent had not conceded as of early Tuesday evening. Independent candidate Jesse Battles said in a Facebook post that he had won the race by 74 votes out of more than 40,000 cast, following the counting of provisional and write-in votes. He posted a photo of Etowah County Circuit Judge Sonny J. Steen administering him the oath of office.
Report: Alabama parole rates declined in fiscal year 2026 Original
Alabama’s parole rates fell this year after rising in 2025, according to a report released last month. The ACLU of Alabama’s Parole Watch reported that the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles granted parole to about 19% of parole applicants for fiscal year 2026, which ended on Sept. 30. That was down from 23% in 2025.
Three authors sue over Alabama library restrictions on transgender content
Three authors and a free-speech organization Friday filed a federal civil lawsuit against the state board overseeing Alabama’s libraries, alleging a rule that limits minors’ access to books with transgender-related content violates the First Amendment. The plaintiffs argue the code changes approved by the Alabama Public Library Service last November amount to content-based discrimination.
Alabama executes Michael Shannon Taylor for the 1991 murder of a couple in Gadsden
The state of Alabama executed Michael Shannon Taylor, 54, Thursday for the 1991 murders of Ivan and Lucille Moore in Gadsden. Taylor did not make a final statement. Taylor’s execution was the third in Alabama this year. Jeremy Tremaine Williams was executed in August and Jeffery Lee in September, both by lethal injection. Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentences of Charles “Sonny” Burton in March and Toforest Johnson in October.
Alabama executes Michael Shannon Taylor for the 1991 murder of a couple in Gadsden
The state of Alabama executed Michael Shannon Taylor, 54, Thursday for the 1991 murders of Ivan and Lucille Moore in Gadsden. Taylor did not make a final statement. Taylor’s execution was the third in Alabama this year. Jeremy Tremaine Williams was executed in August and Jeffery Lee in September, both by lethal injection. Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentences of Charles “Sonny” Burton in March and Toforest Johnson in October.
Alabama executes Michael Shannon Taylor for the 1991 murder of a couple in Gadsden
The state of Alabama executed Michael Shannon Taylor, 54, Thursday for the 1991 murders of Ivan and Lucille Moore in Gadsden. Taylor did not make a final statement. Taylor’s execution was the third in Alabama this year. Jeremy Tremaine Williams was executed in August and Jeffery Lee in September, both by lethal injection. Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentences of Charles “Sonny” Burton in March and Toforest Johnson in October.
Alabama executes Michael Shannon Taylor for the 1991 murder of a couple in Gadsden
The state of Alabama executed Michael Shannon Taylor, 54, Thursday for the 1991 murders of Ivan and Lucille Moore in Gadsden. Taylor did not make a final statement. Taylor's execution was the third in Alabama this year. Jeremy Tremaine Williams was executed in August and Jeffery Lee in September, both by lethal injection. Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentences of Charles "Sonny" Burton in March and Toforest Johnson in October.
Straight-ticket ballots reach 70% of all Alabama votes; Democrats increase share Original
More than 70% of Alabama voters cast straight-ticket party ballots on Tuesday, a record that also featured a higher percentage of those votes going to Democrats. The Secretary of State’s Office published a news release Thursday that said almost 1.2 million of the nearly 1.7 million votes were straight ticket. Of those, about 645,000, 54%, voted straight-party ticket for Republican candidates. Almost 550,000, about 46%, went to Democrats. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Alabama scheduled to execute death row inmate for 1991 murder of couple Original
Alabama is scheduled to execute a death row inmate Thursday for his role in the murders of a couple in Gadsden in 1991. Michael Shannon Taylor, 54, is set to be put to death by lethal injection for the deaths of Ivan and Lucille Moore during a robbery. Taylor would be the third person executed in Alabama this year. Jeremy Tremaine Williams was put to death in August. Jeffery Lee was executed in September.
Republicans hold on to Alabama state offices, but by reduced margins Original
Alabama Republicans won most statewide office contests Tuesday, though their margins were smaller than four years ago. Former Republican Party Chair John Wahl won the Lieutenant Governor’s race after he received 911,304 votes, about 54.3% of the electorate, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. Former Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, garnered 765,203, about 45.6% of the total vote. Lt. Gov.
Republican Katherine Robertson wins race for Alabama attorney general Original
Katherine Robertson won the race for Alabama attorney general Tuesday night, becoming the first woman to hold the office in state history. As of 7:01 a.m., Robertson, chief counsel in the AG’s office, received 919,903 votes (54.9%) in unofficial returns. Democratic nominee Jeff McLaughlin, a former state representative from Guntersville, garnered 753,384 votes, almost 45%. The numbers were taken from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
Selma native Katherine Robertson wins race for Alabama attorney general
Katherine Robertson won the race for Alabama attorney general early Wednesday morning, becoming the first woman to hold the office in state history. As of 7:01 a.m., Robertson, chief counsel in the AG’s office, received 919,903 votes (54.9%) in unofficial returns. Democratic nominee Jeff McLaughlin, a former state representative from Guntersville, garnered 753,384 votes, almost 45%. The numbers were taken from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website.
Alabama voters go to polls with affordability and national issues on their minds Original
13:58 News Story Alabamians cast ballots throughout the morning in what could be one of the more critical midterms in recent memory. In more than 30 separate interviews in Jefferson, Montgomery, Autauga, DeKalb and Lee counties, voters choosing most frequently cited the economy as their number one concern, but national issues were also on many people’s minds.
Alabama Supreme Court upholds ruling keeping nonprofit out of PSC docket Original
The Alabama Supreme Court Friday upheld a lower court ruling preventing a nonprofit organization from weighing in on how Alabama Power charges customers for fuel used to generate electricity. The court said that the Public Service Commission acted within its jurisdiction in denying Energy Alabama, which advocates for more renewable energy use in the state, the ability to intervene in a docket to decide the rate ECR (Energy Cost Recovery) that Alabama Power gets to charge its customers.
Three authors sue over Alabama library restrictions on transgender content Original
Three authors and a free-speech organization Friday filed a federal civil lawsuit against the state board overseeing Alabama’s libraries, alleging a rule that limits minors’ access to books with transgender-related content violates the First Amendment. The plaintiffs argue the code changes approved by the Alabama Public Library Service last November amount to content-based discrimination.
In Alabama state auditor race, candidates highlight election administration Original
4:57 News Story The two candidates vying to be Alabama state auditor are focused on a unique power of the office: its role in election administration. Republican incumbent Andrew Sorrell, a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives, is seeking his second term as auditor. He faces Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards, the Democratic nominee.
Alabama’s Prison Costs Climb as Governor Rejects Calls to Stop Second Project
by Ralph Chapoco, Alabama Reflector October 30, 2026 The speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives on Oct. 29 called for construction on a men’s prison in Escambia County to stop amid rising costs and delays in the completion of another prison in Elmore County. In a Thursday letter to Gov.
In contested majority-Black legislative districts, candidates focus on affordability Original
Four majority-Black legislative districts where Republicans did notably well in 2022 will be contested again this fall. The contests include three districts in the Black Belt region as well as an open seat in Anniston left by Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston, who is retiring from the Legislature.
Alabama House Speaker calls for pause on Escambia prison construction project Original
The speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Thursday called for construction on a men’s prison in Escambia County to stop amid rising costs and delays in the completion of another prison in Elmore County. In a Thursday letter to Gov.
In contested majority-Black legislative districts, candidates focus on affordability
Four majority-Black legislative districts where Republicans did notably well in 2022 will be contested again this fall. The contests include three districts in the Black Belt region as well as an open seat in Anniston left by Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston, who is retiring from the Legislature.
Alabama sells $190 million worth of bonds to Regions division to finance Escambia prison Original
Alabama sold more than $190 million worth of bonds earlier this month to Regions Capital Advantage, a division of Regions Bank, to finance the construction of a new men’s prison in Escambia County. A document of the bond sale on the Electronic Municipal Market Access indicated the bonds were issued by the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority in August and were sold in a private transaction on Oct. 6. The identity of the buyer was initially redacted from the documents.
Alabama Democrats highlight decades-long effort to repeal grocery tax
Democratic candidates for state office Monday highlighted their party’s decades-long efforts to repeal the state sales tax at a press conference where they pushed their affordability message a week before the general election. The press conference featured former Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, a former chair of the House Ways and Means General Fund committee, who for decades sponsored legislation to repeal the tax.
Alabama Democrats highlight decades-long effort to repeal grocery tax
Democratic candidates for state office Monday highlighted their party’s decades-long efforts to repeal the state sales tax at a press conference where they pushed their affordability message a week before the general election. The press conference featured former Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, a former chair of the House Ways and Means General Fund committee, who for decades sponsored legislation to repeal the tax.
Alabama Democrats highlight decades-long effort to repeal grocery tax
Democratic candidates for state office Monday highlighted their party's decades-long efforts to repeal the state sales tax at a press conference where they pushed their affordability message a week before the general election. The press conference featured former Rep. John Knight, D-Montgomery, a former chair of the House Ways and Means General Fund committee, who for decades sponsored legislation to repeal the tax.
Tolls on Mobile Bridge and Bayway project become election issue in coastal Alabama Original
5:01 News Story Key Points Both Democrats and Republicans oppose tolls planned for the Mobile Bridge and Bayway project. The tolls are not expected to take effect until 2031, when the first phase of the project is completed. Candidates have politicized the issue. Democrats placed the blame on President Donald Trump and Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, the Republican nominee for Governor.
Alabama commission warns four law enforcement agencies about crime stats reporting
A close-up of police lights. The Alabama Justice Information Commission Thursday threatened to revoke access to criminal justice database to four local law enforcement agencies for not reporting their crime data. (Getty) The Alabama Justice Information Commission voted to impose sanctions on four law enforcement agencies who did not appear at a meeting to explain the reasons for not reporting their crime numbers to the AJIC.
Black Belt law enforcement agencies sanctioned for not reporting crime data to Alabama commission
The Alabama Justice Information Commission Thursday voted to impose sanctions on four law enforcement agencies who did not appear at a meeting to explain the reasons for not reporting their crime numbers to the AJIC. The Perry County and Sumter County sheriffs’ offices and Napier Field and York police departments will have 15 days to report their statistics or risk losing access to state criminal justice databases.
Alabama commission warns 4 law enforcement agencies about crime stats reporting Original
The Alabama Justice Information Commission Thursday voted to impose sanctions on four law enforcement agencies who did not appear at a meeting to explain the reasons for not reporting their crime numbers to the AJIC. The Napier Field and York police departments and the Perry County and Sumter County sheriffs’ offices will have 15 days to report their statistics or risk losing access to state criminal justice databases.
Newcomer challenges 30-year incumbent in Alabama’s most Republican U.S. House district Original
4:59 News Story Candidates for Alabama’s 4th Congressional District both said residents are facing ongoing hardships but the two focused on different issues as part of their campaigns. Democratic nominee Amanda Pusczek, a first-time political candidate, is challenging U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, who has represented the district since 1997. The district comprises parts of the northern part of Alabama.
Gov. Kay Ivey commutes death sentence of Toforest Johnson
Gov. Kay Ivey Tuesday commuted the death sentence of Toforest Johnson, whose conviction for the murder of an off-duty Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy in 1995 has faced years of questions over the conduct of prosecutors and the reliability of a key witness. Ivey said in a news release on Tuesday that she had concerns there was not enough evidence to carry out the death penalty that jurors recommended 10-2.
In Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District, a longtime GOP incumbent faces a newcomer
How to register to vote Oct. 19 is the last day to register to vote for the Nov. 3 election. If you haven't registered to vote, you can do so here. And if you're not sure of your registration status, you can double-check it here. The race in Alabama's 3rd Congressional District features a well-entrenched Republican incumbent and a Democratic newcomer.
In Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District, a longtime GOP incumbent faces a newcomer
The race in Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District features a well-entrenched Republican incumbent and a Democratic newcomer. The 3rd Congressional District in east Alabama, covering includes Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Etowah, Lee, Randolph, St. Clair and Talladega counties, will feature U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, against Democratic nominee Lee McInnis. The contest is not expected to be competitive.
New men’s prison in Elmore County will miss completion deadline, says Corrections
The Alabama Department of Corrections said Friday that completion of the $1.25 billion Gov. Kay Ivey Correctional Complex, a 4,000-bed men’s prison in Elmore County, will be delayed. The department said in a statement Friday that Caddell Construction, a Montgomery-based design-build contractor for the prison, “failed to timely meet the contractual final completion deadline” but that the company remains responsible for completing the project.
New men’s prison in Elmore County will miss completion deadline, says Corrections
Follow New men’s prison in Elmore County will miss completion deadline, says Corrections Fri, October 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM EDT An officer is seen in the yard of Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama on Oct. 22, 2019. The Alabama Department of Corrections said Friday completion of the $1.25 billion men's prison in Elmore County would be delayed. (File) More The Alabama Department of Corrections said Friday that completion of the $1.25 billion Gov.
New men’s prison in Elmore County will miss completion deadline, says Corrections
The Alabama Department of Corrections said Friday that completion of the $1.25 billion Gov. Kay Ivey Correctional Complex, a 4,000-bed men’s prison in Elmore County, will be delayed. The department said in a statement Friday that Caddell Construction, a Montgomery-based design-build contractor for the prison, “failed to timely meet the contractual final completion deadline” but that the company remains responsible for completing the project.
In Public Service Commission race, reorganization bill looms over candidates Original
The Alabama Legislature’s decision to expand the Alabama Public Service Commission forced those running to sit on the utility regulator to make some campaign adjustments. Gov. Kay Ivey this spring signed HB 475, which expanded the PSC from three members to seven; put the PSC under the supervision of a secretary of energy to be appointed next year, and banned formal rate hearings on the state’s high residential energy prices until 2029.
Families want meeting with UAB officials over organ harvesting of loved ones
Exponential Interactive, Inc d/b/a VDX.tv Cookie duration: 90 (days). Data collected and processed: IP addresses, Device identifiers, Probabilistic identifiers, Browsing and interaction data, Non-precise location data, Users’ profiles, Privacy choices more Cookie duration resets each session. View details | Storage details | Privacy policy Consent Cookie duration: 365 (days).
University accused of harvesting deceased prisoners’ organs; families demand meeting
Families of incarcerated Alabamians whose organs were harvested after their deaths demanded a meeting with University of Alabama Birmingham officials Tuesday as delays in their civil lawsuit continue to mount. Speaking after a court hearing in Montgomery, in which UAB sought to have some counts dismissed, relatives said they wanted administrators to listen to stories of their relatives and demanded justice for their loved ones.
Families want meeting with UAB officials over organ harvesting of loved ones
Families of incarcerated Alabamians whose organs were harvested after their deaths demanded a meeting with University of Alabama Birmingham officials Tuesday as delays in their civil lawsuit continue to mount. Speaking after a court hearing in Montgomery, in which UAB sought to have some counts dismissed, relatives said they wanted administrators to listen to stories of their relatives and demanded justice for their loved ones.
Families want meeting with UAB officials over organ harvesting of loved ones
Families of incarcerated Alabamians whose organs were harvested after their deaths demanded a meeting with University of Alabama Birmingham officials Tuesday as delays in their civil lawsuit continue to mount. Speaking after a court hearing in Montgomery, in which UAB sought to have some counts dismissed, relatives said they wanted administrators to listen to stories of their relatives and demanded justice for their loved ones.
Doug Jones outlines data center policies at Lowndes County town hall Original
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones Monday made his position on data centers the focal point of a town hall in Fort Deposit in Lowndes County that was attended by about 50 people.
Hurricane Isaias brings wind, water and destruction
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night in Destin, Florida, packing 110 mph winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across a large swath of the Southeast. Heavy rains from the storm’s remnants could still cause major flooding over the weekend, forecasters warned. At least four deaths in Florida and Alabama have been attributed to the storm, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. Florida Gov.
Jay Waagmeester, Author at Ohio Capital Journal
Hurricane Isaias brings wind, water and destruction Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night in Destin, Florida, packing 110 mph winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across a large swath of the Southeast. Heavy rains from the storm’s remnants could still cause major flooding over the weekend, forecasters warned. At least four deaths in Florida and Alabama have […]
Doug Jones outlines data center policies at Lowndes County town hall
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones Monday made his position on data centers the focal point of a town hall in Fort Deposit in Lowndes County that was attended by about 50 people.
Hurricane Isaias brings wind, water and destruction
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night in Destin, Florida, packing 110 mph winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across a large swath of the Southeast. Heavy rains from the storm’s remnants could still cause major flooding over the weekend, forecasters warned. At least four deaths in Florida and Alabama have been attributed to the storm, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. Florida Gov.
Alabama voters to consider Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, school prayer Original
Alabama voters will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to require school boards to adopt policies the daily recital of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools and student-led prayer, as well as the broadcast of the Star-Spangled Banner every week. Amendment 3, sponsored by Rep. Reed Ingram, R-Pike Road, requires K-12 public schools to adopt policies on the Pledge of Allegiance to draft another policy that would allow for student-led prayer.
Michael Moline, Author at Nebraska Examiner
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night in Destin, Florida, packing 110 mph winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across a large swath of the Southeast. Heavy rains from the storm’s remnants could still cause major flooding over the weekend, forecasters warned. At least four deaths in Florida and Alabama have […]
Hurricane Isaias brings wind, water and destruction
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night in Destin, Florida, packing 110 mph winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across a large swath of the Southeast. Heavy rains from the storm’s remnants could still cause major flooding over the weekend, forecasters warned. At least four deaths in Florida and Alabama have been attributed to the storm, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. Florida Gov.
Hurricane Isaias brings wind, water and destruction
Hurricane Isaias made landfall Friday night in Destin, Florida, packing 110 mph winds that knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across a large swath of the Southeast. Heavy rains from the storm’s remnants could still cause major flooding over the weekend, forecasters warned. At least four deaths in Florida and Alabama have been attributed to the storm, which made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane. Florida Gov.
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