Alabama
Proposed bills in Alabama Legislature would expand animal cruelty laws
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – House Bills 149 and 249 filed in the Alabama Legislature would provide stricter laws towards the mistreatment of pets.
House Bill 149, proposed by Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery), would place limitations on how you can tether your dog.
“Dogs are not meant to be tethered to a tree outside on a short leash,” said Shauna Eakin with River Region Animal Rescue, based out of Montgomery.
The bill requires certain methods to be used to tether a dog and make the penalty for failing to properly tether a dog a Class A misdemeanor.
“We’ve answered so many calls about animals that have no shelter, no food, no water, we’ve done so many rescues of dogs that are burned severely that are just tied outside, they’re freezing, they’re dying of heat stroke, it’s horrific,” Eakin said.
House Bill 249, proposed by Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville), would make abandonment of a domesticated dog or cat a Class A misdemeanor by adding abandonment to the definition of animal cruelty. If it passes, that means anyone convicted would be fined up to $3,000 and face up to a year in jail.
Both bills have been referred to the House Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
According to the Animal Legal and Historical Center, 23 states have some form of tethering laws.
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Alabama
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.
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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
CLASS 6A QUARTERFINALS
Benjamin Russell 40, Hueytown 13
Clay-Chalkville 35, Homewood 17
Muscle Shoals 24, Mountain Brook 7
Saraland 56, Pike Road 32
CLASS 5A QUARTERFINALS
Moody 51, Briarwood 27
Scottsboro 16, Fairview 14
Vigor 14, Central-Clay County 0
Williamson 41, Catholic-Montgomery 10
CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS
Anniston 31, Deshler 7
Jackson 50, W.S. Neal 7
Plainview 28, Good Hope 7
St. Michael 52, Bullock County 22
CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS
Bayside Academy 30, Montgomery Academy 13
Mars Hill Bible 42, Geraldine 0
Piedmont 28, Gordo 20
Southside-Selma 34, Glenwood 21
CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS
Coosa Christian 17, Tuscaloosa Academy 0
Lanett 35, Luverne 16
Pisgah 26, Southeastern-Blount 15
Reeltown 28, Providence Christian 7
CLASS 1A QUARTERFINALS
Addison 28, Marion County 22
Leroy 60, McKenzie 38
Maplesville 42, Southern Choctaw 0
Wadley 62, Hubbertville 38
AISA CHAMPIONSHIPS
(at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery)
CLASS AAA
Chambers Academy 32, Lowndes Academy 14
CLASS AA
Abbeville Christian 50, South Choctaw Academy 28
CLASS A
Macon East Academy 34, Escambia Academy 14
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Alabama
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).
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:
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.
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:
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.
Here’s more from the weather service:
NORTH ALABAMA
CENTRAL ALABAMA
SOUTH ALABAMA
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Alabama
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.
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.
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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