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Alabama lawmakers fail to approve state’s controversial gaming legislation

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Alabama lawmakers fail to approve state’s controversial gaming legislation


Alabama lawmakers failed to approve controversial gaming legislation on Thursday, the final day of the state’s legislative session.

The proposed measures would have legalized a state education lottery, electronic games of chance, traditional raffles, and paper bingo but continued to prohibit tables, cards, dice, and dealers. The bill would not authorize sports betting.

The state House approved the conference reports on the gaming bills, sending the legislation to the Senate for consideration. The measure, which required 21 votes to move forward, failed by a single vote after State Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Baldwin, voted against it.

“I want to publicly thank this body … it’s amazing when you work together as a team when things don’t have Rs or Ds by their names,” said the bill’s sponsor, Republican state Rep. Russell Blackshear, when the legislation passed in the House hours before the Senate failed to do the same.

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The gambling legislation would also have authorized the Alabama educational lottery to be paper only, while allowing electronic games of chance at seven locations throughout the state. No other locations would have been granted without new legislation being passed in both bodies and voted on by the citizens of the state.

More: Back to the drawing board: Alabama House doesn’t concur with Senate gambling bill

The lottery was set to be solely for education, with all other forms of gaming going to general funds. Alabamians would also have been able to participate in national lotteries, including the Mega Millions and Powerball lotteries.

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The Alabama Gaming Commission would have regulated the approved forms of gambling and worked to stop cases of illegal gambling in the state. Republican Gov. Kay Ivey would also have been required to enter negotiations for a compact with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to limit in-person activities on land.

Gaming of any kind was last on a ballot in Alabama in 1999, and it was defeated in a statewide vote.

Ivey said she would not call a special session to address the gaming bills.

Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser.



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See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3

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See all of the Alabama high school football playoff scores from Round 3


The third round of the Alabama high school football playoffs brought some instant classics to the table.

Thompson held off a Central-Phenix City rally on a last-minute 2-point conversion stop and Opelika fended off archrival Auburn, with the two teams set to face off in the Class 7A championship.

See top statewide highlights from Friday’s Round 3 playoff action

Alabama high school football 1A-6A semifinal matchups set

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Also, Piedmont held off Gordo with a 28-20 home win, Lanett upset Class 2A No. 1 Luverne to advance and Vigor dealt Central-Clay County a shutout.

Here are all the scores from the second round of the high school football playoffs in Alabama as compiled by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.

CLASS 7A SEMIFINALS

Opelika 31, Auburn 28

Thompson 35, Central-Phenix City 34

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CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS

Benjamin Russell 40, Hueytown 13

Clay-Chalkville 35, Homewood 17

Muscle Shoals 24, Mountain Brook 7

Saraland 56, Pike Road 32

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CLASS 5A QUARTERFINALS

Moody 51, Briarwood 27

Scottsboro 16, Fairview 14

Vigor 14, Central-Clay County 0

Williamson 41, Catholic-Montgomery 10

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CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS

Anniston 31, Deshler 7

Jackson 50, W.S. Neal 7

Plainview 28, Good Hope 7

St. Michael 52, Bullock County 22

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CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS

Bayside Academy 30, Montgomery Academy 13

Mars Hill Bible 42, Geraldine 0

Piedmont 28, Gordo 20

Southside-Selma 34, Glenwood 21

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CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS

Coosa Christian 17, Tuscaloosa Academy 0

Lanett 35, Luverne 16

Pisgah 26, Southeastern-Blount 15

Reeltown 28, Providence Christian 7

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CLASS 1A QUARTERFINALS

Addison 28, Marion County 22

Leroy 60, McKenzie 38

Maplesville 42, Southern Choctaw 0

Wadley 62, Hubbertville 38

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AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS

(at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery)

CLASS AAA

Chambers Academy 32, Lowndes Academy 14

CLASS AA

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Abbeville Christian 50, South Choctaw Academy 28

CLASS A

Macon East Academy 34, Escambia Academy 14

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Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today

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Level 1 severe weather risk added for Alabama today


A cold front will bring a low risk for a few strong storms to parts of Alabama starting later today, according to forecasters.

The strongest storms could have wind gusts strong enough to take down tree limbs and power lines, and there is a low risk for a tornado.

And this may not be the only chance for severe weather. The National Weather Service thinks more storms could be possible on Tuesday, although as of now severe weather isn’t officially in the forecast.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center has added a Level 1 out of 5 (marginal) risk for severe weather for part of Alabama for Friday (see the map above).

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The Level 1 risk area includes most of north Alabama and northern and western portions of central Alabama.

The weather service said strong storms will be possible in Alabama starting this afternoon, and they could linger into the overnight hours.

Damaging winds are the main threat, but the Storm Prediction Center also has a very low risk for a tornado in its forecast for Alabama:

The areas in green in Alabama will have a very low probability for a tornado starting this afternoon.SPC

Rain was moving into Alabama as of Friday morning, and scattered rain and storms will be possible through the day today.

The chances for stronger storms will increase starting this afternoon as the cold front approaches, according to the weather service.

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Areas that don’t get a lot of rain could again come close to record high temperatures, the weather service said.

Highs today are again expected to be in the 70s and 80s statewide:

Friday highs
Near-record high temperatures will be possible on Friday in parts of Alabama. Above is the forecast for Friday.NWS

No big cooldown is expected after this front passes through.

However that won’t be the case with the next system, which could affect Alabama from Tuesday into Wednesday.

There’s a chance for more storms with that system, according to the weather service, although severe weather isn’t in the forecast for Alabama so far.

The weather service said much cooler air will follow the Tuesday system, and Thanksgiving Day (Thursday) looks to be clear and cooler for much of the state.

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Here’s more from the weather service:

NORTH ALABAMA

CENTRAL ALABAMA

SOUTH ALABAMA

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Alabama divorce rate considerably higher than many other states. Where it ranks nationally

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Alabama divorce rate considerably higher than many other states. Where it ranks nationally


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Divorces in Alabama are climbing, putting the state among the leaders in the nation for marriage splits.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama had one of the highest divorce rates in the country in 2023. Experts point to economic pressures, cultural factors and changing social norms as reasons more marriages are ending legally rather than quietly.

Here’s what to know about Alabama’s divorce rates and where it stands compared to other states.

What is the divorce rate in Alabama?

Alabama’s divorce rate is notably higher than that of many other states. According to the CDC, the most recent data puts the state’s divorce rate at roughly 3.2 divorces per 1,000 people.

A look at state-level trends shows that this hasn’t always been the case. In 1990, Alabama’s rate was about 6.1 per 1,000, but it has declined significantly over time and has stayed relatively stable in recent years.

The divorce trend explained

Experts point to a cultural shift as one reason Alabama’s divorce rate remains high. A recent Times report notes that more women in the state are rejecting traditional “trad-wife” roles, gaining financial independence and confidence to leave unhappy marriages. Psychologist and divorce attorneys say this trend reflects changing expectations around marriage, religion and personal identity in the Deep South.

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How does Alabama rank nationally?

Compared nationally, Alabama’s divorce rate is still among the higher end of U.S. states’ rates. Here are the top 9 states with the highest divorce rates in 2023:

  • Nevada 3.8
  • Idaho: 3.4
  • Wyoming: 3.4
  • Oklahoma: 3.3
  • Alaska: 3.1
  • Utah: 3.1
  • Alabama: 3
  • Arkansas: 3
  • Florida: 3

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@gannett.com.



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