Alabama

Opinion | Alabama Court denies IVF rehearing, uncertainty persists

Published

2 years ago

May 6, 2024

Opinion | Alabama Court denies IVF rehearing, uncertainty persists

The Alabama Supreme Court’s recent ruling, declaring embryos as children under the law, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, and rightfully so. This decision not only lacks scientific basis but also reflects a troubling intrusion of religious ideology into legal matters, raising serious concerns about reproductive rights and healthcare in the state.

Let’s dissect the ruling. Embryos, in the context of in vitro fertilization (IVF), are a far cry from fully formed children. They are clusters of cells with the potential for life, but to legally and morally equate them with born children or gestating fetuses is a stretch beyond reason. This classification stems from a particular religious viewpoint, one that doesn’t align with the diverse beliefs of our society or the principles of medical science.

The defendants in the original lawsuit, The Center for Reproductive Medicine and the Mobile Infirmary, had petitioned the justices to reconsider the issue. Additionally, The Medical Association of the State of Alabama and the Alabama Hospital Association filed a brief supporting the request for a rehearing of the February decision. They emphasized that despite the resumption of IVF services, the ruling continues to cast a shadow of uncertainty over the medical community.

However, the Alabama Supreme Court on Friday declined to grant a rehearing on what has become its most contentious ruling of the year. This ruling, issued in the case of James LePage, et al. v. The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Mobile Infirmary Association, deemed frozen embryos to be akin to unborn children under state law.

The practical implications of this decision are dire. IVF clinics, vital lifelines for many hopeful parents, were forced to halt operations out of fear of legal liability. Patients who rely on these clinics for their chance at parenthood found their dreams dashed, all due to a ruling that prioritizes ideology over the well-being of individuals and families.

While the Alabama State Legislature attempted to remedy the situation with a hastily drafted law, the underlying issues remain unresolved. The fact that the Supreme Court denied a rehearing on this matter speaks volumes about the entrenched nature of its stance, despite dissenting voices within the court itself.

Justice Will Sellers, in his dissenting opinion on the rehearing, aptly pointed out the far-reaching ramifications of the original ruling. It’s not just about the immediate parties involved in the case; it’s about the broader community affected by the court’s decision. By failing to consider the voices of those impacted and rushing to a judgment based on dubious grounds, the court has done a disservice to the very people it’s meant to protect.

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“This case has removed us from any notion of ivory-tower isolation and has subjected us to the scrutiny of world opinion, thrusting us into a public discussion that was as unwarranted as it was unanticipated,” Sellers wrote.

“While many of our opinions have unintended consequences, oftentimes such consequences nevertheless are foreseeable because our decisions impact others who, although they were not parties to the case, were generally aware of the potential repercussions of a reasonable decision. In this case, our decision was a surprise, if not a shock, to our citizens.

“The majority opinion on original submission had significant and sweeping implications for individuals who were entirely unassociated with the parties in the case. Many of those individuals had no reason to believe that a legal and routine medical procedure would be delayed, much less denied, as a result of this Court’s opinion.”

Sellers noted the case’s effect on others not involved in the case, writing that he “would have granted the request to conduct oral argument on the applications for rehearing, including providing …. an opportunity to voice their concerns, to explain the legal bases of their positions, and to highlight the various loose ends left dangling by this Court’s opinion.”

The failing of the original opinion, Sellers argued, left those affected by the original ruling with no legal recourse.

“Because those individuals never had an opportunity to submit briefs in this case to explain their positions and the law supporting them, they now have a new regime that has been forced upon them for which they had neither input, nor redress, nor a hearing,” he wrote.

“The majority opinion on original submission also addressed issues and arguments that were never raised in the parties’ initial briefs and never argued by the parties.”

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At its core, this issue is about bodily autonomy and individual freedom. Women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and reproductive choices without undue interference from the government or religious doctrines. To deny them this fundamental right is to undermine the principles of liberty and equality that form the bedrock of our society.

In a free and just society, we must ensure that the law respects the autonomy and dignity of every individual. The Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling falls short of this standard, and it’s high time for a course correction that upholds the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs or personal circumstances.

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Alabama

By The Numbers, Alabama A-Day 2026

Published

11 hours ago

April 12, 2026

Press Room

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football scrimmaged inside Bryant-Denny Stadium for its annual A-Day spring football finale on Saturday. The Crimson Tide spent two hours with the offense and defense fighting for dominance in the April sun.

The afternoon wasn’t exactly a game, but looked more like real football than the 2025 A-Day and therefore gave fans and pundits quality content to evaluate.

“I thought the guys competed again,” Kalen DeBoer said. “It’s a unique situation with our practices, two of them still being next week, so we’re not done yet. Get back to work Tuesday and Thursday, still got a lot of opportunities to get better, a lot of situational that we can get to. But it was a good back and forth, much like many of the other scrimmages; you can see how we orchestrate it with the ball where we spot it. There’s some advantages the offense gets towards the end. We’ve got to get that red zone work in, but there’s a lot of things to learn, a lot of situational stuff that we can get better at.”

Disclaimer: These statistics were taken by hand and therefore not official

Passing

Keelon Russell: 21-33, 242 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Austin Mack: 6-12, 101 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Jett Thomalla: 4-5, 44 yards
Tayden-Evan Kaawaa: 4-5, 37 yards

Rushing

Kevin Riley: 10 carries, 12 yards
Daniel Hill: 10 carries, 31 yards
AK Dear: 4 carries, 2 yards
Trae’Shawn Brown: 6 carries, 19 yards
Khalifa Keith: 1 carry

Receiving

Derek Meadows: 9 Targets, 5 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD
Cederian Morgan: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD
Ryan Williams: 3 targets, 3 receptions 60 yards
Trae’Shawn Brown: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 50 yards
Lotzeir Brooks: 4 targets, 3 receptions, 15 yards, 2 TDs
Marshall Pritchett: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 8 yards, 1 TD
Tyler Henderson: 3 targets, 3 receptions, 38 yards
Rico Scott: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 30 yards
Jay Lindsey: 2 targets, 1 reception, 5 yards
AK Dear: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 16 yards
Kevin Riley: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Kaleb Edwards: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 27 yards
Maurice Mathis Jr.: 1 target, 1 reception, 5 yards
Mack Sutter: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Daniel Hill: 1 target, 1 reception, 10 yards
Noah Rogers: 2 targets
Josh Ford: 1 target

Defense

Ivan Taylor: 6 tackles
Luke Metz: 4 tackles, sack, 2 TFL
Red Morgan: 4 tackles, 1 PBU
Caleb Woodson: 4 tackles
Justin Hill: 4 tackles, 2 TFL
Carmelo O’Neal: 4 tackles
Cayden Jones: 3 tackles
Jorden Edmunds: 3 tackles, 2 PBU
Keon Sabb: 3 tackles
Dijon Lee: 3 tackles, 1 INT
Zavier Mincey: 3 tackles
Duke Johnson: 3 tackles, 1 TFL
Jireh Edwards: 2 tackles, 1 PBU
Kendrick Bingley-Jones: 2 tackles, 2 TFL
Mahri Johnson: 2 tackles, sack
Abduall Sanders: 2 tackles
Terrence Green: 2 tackles, 1 PBU
Brody McCutcheon: 2 tackles, sack
Jake Ivie: 2 tackles
Yhonzae Pierre: 1 tackle
Devan Thompkins: 1 tackle
Xavier Griffin: 1 tackle
Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.: 1 tackle, 1 INT
Walter Sansing: 1 tackle
Zay Hall: 1 tackle
Jamarion Matthews: 1 tackle
Grant Johnson: 1 tackle
Griffin Hanson: 1 tackle

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Alabama

Alabama’s Willy Wilcox returns to Masters in new role after overcoming addiction

Published

23 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Alabama’s Willy Wilcox returns to Masters in new role after overcoming addiction

(Willy Wilcox/Instagram)

The story of Willy Wilcox begins with his mom. Kim Wilcox won over 50 tournaments as a junior golfer, was a four-year letter winner at Auburn, and finished runner-up in the 1988 Alabama State Women’s Amateur Championship. She had aspirations of joining the LPGA Tour, but life intervened. In the late 1980s, she had Willy, and by 1991, she became the club manager and golf pro at the now-defunct Pine Harbor Golf and Racquet Club in Pell City, Alabama.

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Alabama

Prattville 19 year old creates Alabama Children’s Theatre

Published

1 day ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Prattville 19 year old creates Alabama Children’s Theatre

PRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) – Maggie Kervin has a passion for the theater. She started as a little girl and loved it ever since.

“I went to Prattville Christian Academy and got my start in theater there,” said Kervin.

After graduating from high school, she got a job, but noticed something was missing in her community. So, she started the Alabama Children’s Theatre. Keep in mind she’s just 19 years old.

At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started the Alabama Children’s Theatre.(WSFA)

“There’s just not a lot of opportunities for kids in theater. I really wanted to provide that opportunity.”

Two years ago, she had $50 in her pocket and a dream. Now things are picking up steam and she’s enjoying the ride. This is for kids between the ages of five and 18. Right now, they’re working on Annie Jr.

“We’ve had so many kids why are shy and timid the first time they are one stage. When it’s their third or fourth time, they are very different.”

It’s different for her too. She’s used to being the one up on stage. Now she’s behind the computer, with them for every word, in every song.

At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started... — At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started the Alabama Children’s Theatre.(WSFA)

“I didn’t think I’d ever be in the position of running my own theater.”

The reward for Maggie, getting to see her always improving stars, continue to shine.

“It’s just so exciting to see them put the hard work into something and watch it blossom. They are so excited and so dedicated.”

You can check out Annie Jr. this month. The shows are at the Pine Level Community Center.

She’s hoping you come see them for yourself, at the Pine Level Community Center. Here’s a link to show times and ticket prices for the end of the month. Her next goal is to find a facility of their own one day. Visit the Facebook page if you’d like to help make that happen.

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