Jacksonville State University is the first public college in Alabama to announce compliance with a new law passed in March by the Alabama Legislature and signed by Governor Kay Ivey, prohibiting state funds from being spent on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and initiatives.

In a university-wide announcement, JSU President Don Killingsworth Jr. said the school will formally close its Office of Diversity and Inclusion, effective May 31.

Killingsworth wrote that the decision is rooted in compliance with the new law and “was not made lightly, but is necessary,” in his message to students, faculty and staff.

Ivey signs ban on teaching, promoting ‘divisive concepts’ in schools, state agencies

“All current employees within the Office of Diversity and Inclusion have been offered and have accepted positions in other areas across campus,” he announced. “The decision to close the office ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline, as mandated by the state, is to ensure these employees have sufficient time to transition to their new roles before the flurry of the fall semester begins.”

“As we undergo this transition we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of the Jax State community.”

The new law was championed through the Alabama Legislature this year with unanimous support of Republicans in both chambers, sponsored by State Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road), State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), and ultimately signed by Governor Ivey at the end of March.

It places several prohibitions into law effective October 1, 2024: State agencies, public schools, state colleges and universities cannot use taxpayer funds for DEI offices or initiatives. State institutions are also prohibited from directing or compelling a student or employee to affirm, adopt, or adhere to any of the nine divisive concepts defined under the law.

UA System, Presidents issue update on Alabama DEI reform implementation

The law explicitly states the law will not prevent students, faculty, organizations, or associations from hosting DEI programs or discussions that may involve divisive concepts — so as long as no state funds are used.

Other states across the country are implementing similar measures, most notably Florida, which recently saw its largest public college, the University of Florida, eliminate its office of diversity, instead investing a $5 million DEI earmark into a retirement fund to benefit faculty members.

Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270

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Saving moms

The folks at the Alabama Department of Health are looking for more insight into maternal mortality in the state, and they’re hoping that’s what they’ll get by taking an autopsy program statewide, reports AL.com’s Amy Yurkanin.

The program provides cost-free autopsies on women who died during pregnancy or within a year after giving birth. It’s been in place since December in Baldwin, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, Mobile, Montgomery, Shelby and Walker counties.

Alabama has one of the nation’s highest maternal mortality rates. AL.com’s Anna Claire Vollers did reporting back in 2019 that showed there were issues with the state’s tracking of expectant or new mothers who had died. The state then put a half million dollars into investigating the high mortality rate.

Also, a maternal mortality review committee found that 15 of the 24 pregnancy-related deaths in Alabama in 2018 and 2019 were preventable. Infections, heart problems and hemorrhage accounted for the highest number of deaths.

However, the ADPH says that autopsies are performed on only about half the pregnant and new-mom deaths. Enter this free-autopsy program, which is now being rolled out statewide over the coming months. Complete autopsies will be done at UAB and the University of South Alabama.

An Alabama Voice

Alabamians are having a big week on reality television.

Yesterday we had the story of a 12-year-old who won Gordon Ramsey’s MasterChef Junior competition.

Then, last night, Asher HaVon became the first Alabama native to win a season on NBC’s The Voice, reports AL.com’s Mary Colurso.

His win in the finals wasn’t a shock. The soul singer, who’s originally from Selma, has been a frontrunner this season and was strongly championed by his team coach, Reba McEntire.

A recording contract comes along with the title.

Flying violations

You can’t say that the Hangout Festival environment isn’t keeping up with the latest trends in illegal activity.

Firing one up in the Port-a-Potty is archaic. AL.com’s Warren Kulo reports that a man was arrested at this year’s event after his drone buzzed a police drone, Gulf Shores Det. Carl Wittstruck said, “like in Top Gun.”

Police say the man launched on the first two days of Hangout. They figured out where it came from after the first day, so they were ready for it on the second day.

There are federal laws regulating drones, but local rules can be spotty. Gulf Shores prohibits them from being flown over public beaches without a permit from the city and the Federal Aviation Administration. If you break that one, you could face up to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

Katie Britt to talk child care, and you’re invited

If you’ve tried to put a kid in day care lately, you know how tough it can be to find a spot, then be able to afford it. It’s barely even a joke anymore when people say you really need to put a child on a waiting list before he or she is born.

Policy wrangling on the issue is something that you might see play out over the coming months. So I wanted to let y’all know about a virtual event co-hosted by AL.com’s Alabama Education Lab that’ll feature U.S. Senators Katie Britt of Alabama and Patty Murray of Washington. Our Trisha Powell Crain will be one of the moderators, and it’ll be at 2:30 p.m. Alabama time today. You can see it on AL.com’s Facebook page or YouTube Channel.

If you follow this Facebook event, you’ll get an alert when they go live.

Quoting

“The practice of filing lawsuits and requests for stay of execution at the last minute where the facts were known well in advance is ineffective, unworkable, and must stop.”

Chief U.S. District Judge Emily Marks of Montgomery, in a decision rejecting a request to stay Jamie Ray Mills’ scheduled May 30 execution.

By the Numbers

That’s how many days in jail you can get just for being a spectator for illegal exhibition driving or street racing in Birmingham, according to a new ordinance.

More Alabama News

Born on This Date

In 1914, the late jazz pianist Sun Ra of Birmingham.

In 1959, humorist, author and speaker Andy Andrews of Birmingham and Dothan.

The podcast

Veteran food reporter Bob Carlton is on the show to talk about food in Alabama.

You can find “Down in Alabama” wherever you get your podcasts, including these places: