Shelby Harris
Verified
As seen in:
Alabama Media Group,
USA Today,
Yahoo News,
KCNC-TV (Denver, CO),
Newsweek,
Birmingham Business Journal,
International Business Times (U.S.),
AL.com,
Miami Herald,
Big Think,
MindBodyGreen
and
Covers:
Government, politics, crime, courts, human interest, business
Doesn't Cover:
Sports
@aldotcom reporter | she/her | tips, thoughts and pet pics welcome at sharris@al.com
Articles by Shelby Harris
Man charged with lewd conduct, sexual battery after police say he touched teenage girl
POCATELLO — A 30-year-old local man faces three felony sex crime charges after police say he molested a 14-year-old girl in July 2025. Braydon Jay Spanton, of Pocatello, was charged Sept. 18 with one count of felony lewd conduct with a child under 16 and two counts of felony sexual battery of a minor child, according to police and court records the Idaho State Journal recently obtained.
Cabrera Capital Welcomes Andrew Belinfanti Knight as Managing Director and Head of the West
Cabrera Capital Welcomes Andrew Belinfanti Knight as Managing Director and Head of the West News provided by Cabrera Capital Markets LLC Jun 17, 2026, 11:19 AM ET LOS ANGELES, June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cabrera Capital announced that Andrew Belinfanti Knight has joined the firm as Managing Director and Head of the West. He succeeds Shawn Dralle as she transitions to a public service role with Los Angeles County as Assistant Treasurer/Tax Collector.
Ύπνος στον καναπέ: Πώς αυτή η συνήθεια μπορεί να σαμποτάρει την ποιότητα της ξεκούρασής σας
Μια φαινομενικά αθώα συνήθεια μπορεί στην πραγματικότητα να επηρεάζει αρνητικά την ποιότητα της ξεκούρασής σας. Ο ύπνος στον καναπέ, ιδιαίτερα στο τέλος μιας απαιτητικής ημέρας, προσφέρει χαλάρωση και γρήγορη αποσύνδεση από την καθημερινότητα. Ωστόσο, οι ειδικοί επισημαίνουν ότι όταν αυτή η πρακτική επαναλαμβάνεται συστηματικά, μπορεί να διαταράξει την ποιότητα του ύπνου, επηρεάζοντας συνολικά την αποκατάσταση του οργανισμού το βράδυ.
The physiology of dreams, explained by 2 scientists
Every 90 minutes, our bodies go paralyzed while our brains become more active than during waking life. Sleep psychologist Dr. Shelby Harris and neuroscientist Dr. Patrick McNamara, Associate Professor of Neurology at Boston University, dig into one of the most fascinating mysteries in human biology: why we dream and what our brains are actually doing during REM sleep.
Pocatello man arrested after threatening to stab woman with scissors
CHUBBUCK — A 42-year-old local man was recently arrested after police say he threatened to stab a Chubbuck woman with a pair of scissors. Jesse Ryan Wellard, of Chubbuck, has been charged with felony aggravated assault following an investigation that unfolded after the woman reported the incident to Chubbuck police the afternoon of Jan. 2, according to police and court records the Idaho State Journal recently obtained. The woman came to the Chubbuck Police Department around 3 p.m. Jan.
New Chapters in an Old Book: New Discoveries in Transferrin's Blood Stream Modulators and Analytical Methods
Chemistry and Biochemistry; Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/ Harris, Shelby Thomas, "New Chapters in an Old Book: New Discoveries in Transferrin's Blood Stream Modulators and Analytical Methods" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 11072. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/11072 Dissertation transferrin, micellar electrokinetic chromatography, pyrophosphate, zoledronic acid
I'm A Sleep Doctor & This Easy Habit Changed My Sleep For The Better
Graphic by mbg creative x Vlada Karpovich / Pexels September 27, 2024 Our new sleep series, The Wind Down, provides a minute-by-minute peek into the wind-down routines that get well-being experts ready for bed. Today, we're relaxing with clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM, who has her wake-up and bedtime routine down to a science.
Alabama jails more people per capita than every country except one, report finds
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments.
Alabama jails more people per capita than every country except one, report finds
Alabama jails more people per capita than every country in the world except El Salvador. With 898 inmates per 100,000 Alabama residents, the state has the sixth highest incarceration rate on the planet, according to a Prison Policy Initiative report published in June. “It is usually a mix of southern states kind of jockeying for those top few spots, and Alabama always does get up there, along with Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas,” said Wanda Bertram with the Prison Policy Initiative.
Environmental group to preserve peninsula near old coal mine in Jefferson County
An environmental group says it will preserve 366 acres near the site of an old coal mine in west Jefferson County. The Freshwater Land Trust announced that Drummond Company has donated another 107 acres of a peninsula that sits where Mulberry Fork, Locust Fork and the Black Warrior River connect in the Black Warrior River basin. In 2016, the land trust filed a federal lawsuit against Drummond Company for polluting an abandoned coal mine.
Birmingham’s far-flung suburbs add thousands of new residents as city center shrinks
Across the Birmingham metro area, residents are passing up downtown apartments and short city commutes for quieter lives and more affordable homes in far-flung suburbs. Even the suburbs in Jefferson County, those closest to the core of the Magic City, are shrinking as cities in Shelby County welcome new residents by the thousands. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Here are Birmingham suburbs with the highest, lowest monthly housing costs
In most Birmingham suburbs, the cost of housing surpasses the statewide average. The median monthly cost of housing in Alabama is $1,293, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. But in cities in the Birmingham metro, the average cost climbs to $1,619. That’s based on an analysis of monthly housing costs in 2022 in the 20 metro cities with more than 10,000 residents. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
Baby rescued from near drowning at Destin beach, Florida sheriff says
A bystanders and first responder revived an 11-month-old baby who nearly drowned at a Destin beach on Friday evening, the authorities said. The baby was face down and unresponsive in the water at Norriego Point Beach Access and Park, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. A family member and bystander pulled the child out of the water around 7 p.m., the sheriff’s office said in a release on Facebook. Okaloosa County is in northwest Florida along the Alabama state line.
Longtime Huntsville pastor dies at 84: ‘A statesman among Alabama Baptists’
A longtime Huntsville pastor and former president of the Alabama Baptist Convention has died. Jimmy Jackson, who served as pastor at Whitesburg Baptist Church for 40 years, died Friday. He was 84. “Dr. Jackson’s impact and legacy continues, not only in the life of Whitesburg Baptist Church, but around the world,” senior pastor Darryl Craft said in a post on the church’s Facebook page. Jackson was the pastor at Whitesburg Baptist from 1978 until he retired in 2018.
Alabama woman killed, 2 injured in roadside collision
A woman died when two vehicles left a Walker County roadway and crashed on Friday, state troopers said. Melissa S. Parker, a 42-year-old from Dora, died when a Chevrolet Silverado struck the Toyota Tundra she was driving, according to a press release from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. “Prior to impact, both vehicles left the roadway, which resulted in the roadside crash,” said Brandon Bailey, a senior state trooper, in the release.
Alabama virtual school graduate competing in Paris Olympics for Singapore
Two months ago, Levenia Sim was a virtual high school student. Now, she’s headed to compete for Singapore in the Summer Olympics in Paris. Baldwin County Virtual School this week shared Sim’s accomplishment on Facebook and noted she just graduated in May. “Congratulations and best wishes as you compete this summer,” the post said. Sim will swim the 4x100m medley relay for Singapore.
1 in 4 residents in this lower Alabama city have postgraduate degrees
Most adults in the Mobile area went to college, at least for a while, but one city boasts far more people who stuck it out and went to earn advanced degrees. Fairhope is the best educated city in the Mobile and Baldwin County area, according to the U.S. Census. About 39% of adults older than 25 in Fairhope graduated with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. And a quarter of the adults in Fairhope went on to earn a postgraduate degree. Spanish Fort follows close behind.
More than half of adults have a college degree in this Birmingham suburb
More than a third of adults living in cities in the Birmingham metro have a college degree. That’s based on an analysis of the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data for cities with at least 10,000 residents. Roughly 34%, or 87,000 adults older than 25, have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, according to the Census estimates from 2022. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
World games, buses, venues: How will Birmingham spend remaining pandemic recovery funds?
Birmingham has just months to decide how to spend the remaining millions of dollars of pandemic recovery money the city received from the federal government during the past few years. Birmingham already allocated more than $86 million, money spent on the Birmingham Xpress bus rapid transit project, the 2022 World Games and other projects, according to data from the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee last fall. But is still has $50 million to decide how to spend.
21 new fire trucks, tourism, recreation: How Huntsville spent pandemic recovery money
Huntsville spent roughly half of its $34 million federal pandemic recovery funds on 21 new fire trucks to help keep up with massive population growth. As the federal government handed out money to local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, Huntsville spent nearly $18 million of its State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds on ladder trucks, pumper trucks and a hazardous materials truck.
Housing, quality of life and economic development: How Mobile spent pandemic recovery money
Nearly a thousand families in Mobile received help with rent and utilities as Mobile invested its pandemic recovery money toward affordable housing — an initiative experts say is much needed in Alabama’s oldest city. Mobile spent nearly $21 million, or roughly half of its obligated State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds on housing, according to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee.
Birmingham restaurant catches fire, closes indefinitely
A smoker at Moe’s Original BBQ in Birmingham’s popular Lakeview district caught fire Saturday afternoon. The Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service responded to calls of a small fire at 731 29th St. S. at 2:37 p.m., Battalion Chief Chad Brodeur said at the scene. Restaurant guests were evacuated, and the fire department contained the flames within an hour. No one was injured.
Montgomery’s Legacy Museum offers free admission on Juneteenth
The Legacy Sites in Montgomery will offer free admission to commemorate Juneteenth. On Wednesday, June 19, visitors will not have to purchase the $5 hourly tickets to view exhibits at the Legacy Museum, the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and the Freedom Monument Sculpture Park. The Legacy Museum is Alabama’s second-most attended paid attraction behind the U.S. Space & Rocket Museum in Huntsville, according to the Alabama Tourism Department.
These are Alabama’s youngest and oldest counties by median age
The Alabama counties with the youngest median age are home to some of the state’s largest colleges. With a median age of 30.8, Pike County , home of Troy University, is the youngest county in Alabama. And that’s about 19 years younger than Coosa County, the oldest in Alabama by median age. That’s based on an analysis of the median age of residents in each county in the state in the most recent headcount by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020.
Growth continues in Birmingham’s southern and eastern suburbs
Only four of the larger cities in Jefferson County grew from 2022 to 2023. From wealthy over the mountain towns to the northern suburbs, most of the larger cities around Birmingham are losing people. Not a lot of people. But according to the latest federal estimates, the cities aren’t growing. If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
These were Alabama’s 10 fastest-shrinking cities in 2023
Most of the fastest-shrinking Alabama cities in 2023 were in the Birmingham metro area – continuing the trend of a declining population around what was long the state’s largest city. But the Jefferson County cities aren’t losing population as fast as Selma, the Black Belt’s iconic civil rights town, which was the fastest-shrinking city from 2022 to 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
These were Alabama’s 10 fastest-growing cities in 2023
While most Alabama cities saw population increases in 2023, one in the booming Huntsville metro outpaced the rest. Athens, in , is now home to nearly 31,000 people, making it the fastest-growing Alabama city with more than 10,000 residents, new Census estimates show. Athens added 2,262 people from July 1, 2022- July 1, 2023, marking an increase of nearly 8% in a single year, according to the Census data released this week. The second fastest growing city, Foley, saw a 5% increase.
Huntsville added nearly 10 people a day in 2023, leading Alabama cities
Huntsville continues to pull away from Alabama’s other large cities, gaining thousands of new residents each year. The state’s largest city added 3,534 people, or nearly 10 per day, from 2022 to 2023, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released today. No city in Alabama added more people in one year. Huntsville is now home to 225,564 people. Of Alabama’s four major cities, Huntsville is the only one that’s growing.
Which Alabama county has the most Dollar Generals? It depends.
It seems impossible to drive through just about any part of Alabama without passing a Dollar General — or a few. Alabama is home to 922 Dollar General stores, according to DataDated, which collects data on popular brands. Alabama ranked No. 8 among states with the most Dollar General locations, according to the latest available data. Texas holds the top spot with 1,947 Dollar General stores. But which county in Alabama has the most Dollar General stores? It depends how you look at it.
FAFSA issues make Alabama student college decisions difficult: ‘It’s been tough’
As graduation approaches, fewer than a third of Alabama high school seniors have successfully completed federal financial aid forms. That’s a significant dip from completion rates last year, and could spell trouble for both students, who need to fill out the FAFSA to get college aid money, and colleges, who are scrambling to determine how much aid to budget for future students.
Tuskegee gets $20 million donation toward STEM programs, scholarships
An anonymous donor has given Tuskegee University $20 million – the second donation of the amount in four years. The donation, which the university announced April 12, will fund STEM programming and research, scholarships, faculty positions, campus improvements and a match for Tuskegee’s United Negro College Fund endowment. “This contribution is a testament to our collective efforts and the enduring trust inspired by the Tuskegee legacy,” President Charlotte P. Morris said.
Gov. Kay Ivey: Auto worker union a ‘threat from Detroit’ that doesn’t want Alabama to succeed
Gov. Kay Ivey has again pushed back at the United Auto Workers gains in Alabama. After AL.com published an article about Alabama becoming the No.1 state to export passenger vehicles, Ivey took to X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, to voice opposition of the auto union’s attempted move into Alabama. “It’s no wonder the UAW wants a piece of the pie here in Alabama,” the governor’s office posted Thursday afternoon.
Alabama leads the nation in car exports, topping $11 billion in 2023
Alabama led the country in passenger vehicle exports last year, shipping out more than $11 billion in cars. Alabama surpassed South Carolina, the second highest vehicle exporter, by more than $1 billion, according to World Institute of Strategic Economic Trade, an international trade data and statistics provider. Alabama has been steadily gaining ground as a leading exporter of motor vehicles, said Christina Stimpson, director of the state commerce department’s office of international trade.
In rare competitive Alabama election, Democrat focuses on reproductive rights, outraises Republican
A Democratic candidate has outraised her Republican opponent in today’s special election to replace a Republican lawmaker in north Alabama. Marilyn Landis, a licensed counselor and the Democrat in a special election in Madison, received $236,465 in donations since August of 2023. About 84% of that comes from individual donors. She leads Republican Teddy Powell, a city councilman in Madison, by more than $69,000, according to the Alabama Fair Campaign Practices Act database.
House flipping in Birmingham — renovators discuss Magic City projects - Birmingham Business Journal
Cicely Jones knew she wanted to make a smart investment with the money she inherited after her father’s death. So Jones, an accountant, and her brother decided to use that money to buy and renovate a foreclosed house in Birmingham. And she’s not the only one deciding on such an investment.
Five local nonprofits receive funding through regional competition - Birmingham Business Journal
Five Birmingham nonprofits received $720,000 through the first regional Catalyze Challenge, funded by the Walton Foundation. Last year, Birmingham became the first city to host a regional version of the nationwide Catalyze Challenge, which has awarded $10 million to more than 40 organizations nationwide.
Girl Scouts breaks ground on huge project in Vestavia - Birmingham Business Journal
Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama broke ground on the Southeast's first Girl Scout DreamLab in Vestavia Hills. The 11,300-square-foot Dreamlab, located in the Vestavia City Center at 600 Montgomery Highway, Suite 208, will be the largest in the country. A Girl Scout DreamLab as “an innovative program-based experience center concept designed to enhance the Girl Scout presence in communities and host one-of-a-kind programming for children, families and Girl Scouts,” according to a release.
United Way grant bolsters community resources in Fairfield
United Way of Central Alabama received a grant to add community resource coordinators to Fairfield City Schools — the latest of many community resource additions to Fairfield. The U.S. Department of Education grant provides $2.5 million over five years — in combination with the $1.5 million United Way already dedicated to the first three years of the program. Together the funds will establish community school coordinators in each of Fairfield City Schools.
Hardware Park cohort to make device to prevent opioid overdoses
A group of Birmingham students are working at Hardware Park to develop a wearable device that could detect opioid overdoses. A group of Birmingham students are looking to develop a wearable device that could detect opioid overdoses. Twelve students — from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Ramsey, Carver and Woodlawn high schools — are developing OD Revive as part of Hardware Park’s spring 2024 NextGen cohort, according to a release.
List Extra: Minority-owned business leaders discuss challenges - Birmingham Business Journal
What has been the biggest challenge to your company's growth over the past year, and what strategies have you used to address it? “The limited labor pool has been a large deterrent. We could grow exponentially if we had the proper talent.
List Extra: Engineering firm executives discuss workforce
What's your outlook on the state of Birmingham's workforce? Do you expect engineering firms to have trouble finding talent for the foreseeable future? The workforce pipeline for new engineers is strong given the presence of universities with reputable engineering programs and Birmingham’s reputation as a fun city for young graduates.
List Extra: Accounting firm executives talk future of the industry - Birmingham Business Journal
Accounting is a key business in Birmingham, and thousands of individuals in the field keep an eye on current and upcoming trends. The industry has faced the challenges of the Great Resignation, unease among regulators, a slowly shrinking talent pipeline and more. To combat the shrink, sign-on bonuses are in play, according to a recent Business Journals article.
Women’s Foundation awards $1.2M in grants to these organizations - Birmingham Business Journal
The Women’s Foundation of Alabama awarded more than $1.2 million in grant funding in 2023 — an amount the foundation says could impact more than 6,400 Alabama women and girls. According to a Women’s Foundation news release, 46 programs in 44 counties across the state received $1,205,724 in grants to bolster the effort of elevating women in Alabama.
Bimingham's new $100K jobs: The salary surge pushed these roles to six-figure status - Birmingham Business Journal
Salaries soared during the economic recovery from the pandemic, and that surge pushed several jobs in Birmingham over the $100,000 per year threshold. That’s according to a Business Journals analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data, which showed how median annual income changed by occupation from 2021 to 2022. In the Birmingham-Hoover metropolitan area, 11 jobs eclipsed the six-figure threshold between 2021 and 2022.
First electric aircraft charger arrives at Alabama airport - Birmingham Business Journal
Alabama’s first electric aircraft charging station has been installed at the Montgomery Regional Airport. Partnering with Alabama Power Co. and Vermont-based aerospace company BETA Technologies, the airport installed two chargers capable of powering electric aircrafts and ground vehicles. The airport celebrated the installation Feb. 5 with the powering of an all-electric ALIA aircraft. It charged in Montgomery after a months-long deployment with the U.S. Air Force at Duke Field in Florida.
Multicultural supermarket opening in Center Point
A supermarket specializing in South and Central American food will open in Center Point later this year. On Jan. 18, the city of Center Point approved a $10,000 business grant to Mi Tierra Linda, which will be located in the newly renovated Center Point Plaza at 2375 First St. NE, according to the Trussville Tribune. Mi Tierra Linda will employ 35 people and sell products showcasing the food and culture of Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina and others.
How did gerrymandering begin in North Carolina? Consider Vance County
Editor’s note: This article, originally published Sept. 14, 2022, examines the roots of gerrymandering in Vance County, North Carolina. In 2023, the North Carolina Press Association recognized this article in its annual competition, winning first place for political reporting. CPP is reposting this article and other award-winning impactful journalism as we begin 2024.
The sleep and health benefits of friendship
Most people experienced some form of social isolation early on in the pandemic. A lack of connection with other humans isn’t just isolating—it’s terrible for your health. Loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, a weakened immune system, and more. If you’ve ever experienced the thrill of reuniting with friends after a long time away, then you know how important friendship is to life.
KEYSYS executive talks challenges, company growth
As the world continues to adapt to lean more toward technological growth, the BBJ gained insight into what the local tech sphere is encountering. Kelly Knudsen is the chief impact officer for KEYSYS, a software development company with clients such as startups, enterprise companies and nonprofits. Here's what she had to say about KEYSYS, which ranked No. 3 on this year's Software Development Companies List, and the growth the business is sustaining.
BBJ names Marie Leech managing editor
The Birmingham Business Journal has named Marie Leech managing editor. Leech, a graduate of Auburn University, comes to the Birmingham Business Journal after spending eight years as a freelance writer. Her work has recently been featured in American City Business Journal publications through the Bizwomen platform. She also wrote for Town Square Publications, which publishes Chamber of Commerce magazines nationwide.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Shelby
Contact Shelby, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack