Top headlines this week: Selma mayor gives 100-day report, Vaiden Field gets license reinstated, SRA says $6M investments made downtown, Selmont moves forward with incorporation, Demopolis gets tough on code violations and more!
News
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The clock is ticking for businesses in the city of Montgomery to file for grants from the American Rescue Plan Act.
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The Selmont community held a town hall meeting last week where organizers wanting to incorporate into its own municipality answered question for residents. Organizers also say they got enough signatures to put the incorporation effort on the ballot. Todd and Cindy talk about that in this seg…
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The city of Demopolis is getting tough on code violations, with a push to reinforce actions against those breaking city codes including a trailer park and burned building. Todd and Cindy talk about the efforts in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.
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Selma Mayor Johnny Moss III gave his 100-day report last week. He took over the job in November after winning the 2025 municipal election. Todd and Cindy talk about the state of the city addre…
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Vaiden Field Airport regained its operating license after the Alabama Department of Transportation confirmed that all previously cited safety deficiencies have been corrected. ALDOT suspended …
Two Rivers Arts Council will present a one-woman play titled “Fireball” on April 10 at 6 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church in Demopolis.
The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is "strongly" discouraging outdoor burning as dry conditions and elevated winds will cause the risk of wildfires this weekend.
A man and a woman from Montgomery have been arrested on charges related to child sex abuse, said a recent announcement from the Montgomery Police Department.
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Demopolis gets tough on code violations
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Selma Redevelopment Authority reports $6M in private investments downtown
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Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy cheers with Keith High cheerleaders, connects with teens
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Selmont community talks incorporation at Q&A meeting, gets enough votes to put on a ballot
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'Selma is entering a new era,' Moss says at his first state of the city address
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Selma High School basketball coach Willie Edward Maxey was recently honored with a video by the Alabama High School Athletics Association following his induction into their Hall of Fame in 2025.
The Demopolis City Council unanimously voted to give $150,000 to the Demopolis City School athletic department.
Brad Fisher
Associate Publisher
High school sports is experiencing record participation. It is also experiencing unprecedented pressure.
Local Events
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Four Selma women won $1,000 each to go toward starting or growing their businesses by giving the best “pitch” at the second annual business competition held by the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse School of Business on Thursday.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
Independent pharmacy Whitaker Drugs is the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce's (WACC) March Business of the Month.
Communities Unlimited (CU), a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), has extended its lending program to businesses in the Black Belt who need financing.
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The Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting Tuesday evening to celebrate the renovation of a historic downtown building that will soon house a bank and two new apartments.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
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The Lowndes County Schools district will close three of its seven campuses, citing the costs to operate them amid declining enrollment.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama senators approved last week a bill that would strengthen criminal penalties for school threats and require students charged with making them to be removed from the regular classroom until a hearing is held.
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This story originally ran in the Keith Bear Nation News, a student-run newspaper at Keith High School in Dallas County.
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Excitement is in the air! Selma is gearing up to welcome guests from seven countries around the world, presenting 23 films and several student reels in the Selma Film Festival that starts Thursday and ends Sunday.
April McCartney, Selma Art Guild Artist of the Month for February and March, said she was “excited” to have a show of her weaved baskets at the SAG Gallery on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Friends of the Vaughan-Smitherman Museum will welcome guests Thursday for their “Bubbles and Blues” fundraiser.
Todd Prater
Reporter
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (March 20, 2026) – When the first thunderous gobble echoes through the hardwood bottoms and longleaf pines, hunters across the state know exactly what it means — spring turkey season has arrived in Alabama’s legendary Black Belt.
The largest youth archery competition in Alabama, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Alabama State Championship, will be held Thursday and Friday, April 9-10, 2026, at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl located at 220 Hall St. in Montgomery, Alabama. The media and public are invit…
PELHAM, Ala. (March 3, 2026) – The outdoors is calling — and Alabama’s next generation of explorers is invited to answer.
Opinion
The Affordable Care Act turns 16 on March 23. It should be a moment to celebrate one of the most important expansions of health coverage in modern history. Instead, recent federal cuts have left thousands of Alabama families facing rising premiums and growing uncertainty about how to afford …
Americans have seen this cycle before: Gas prices surge, and family budgets feel it almost overnight.
Obituaries
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Funeral arrangements have been announced for civil rights leader Jo Ann Bland, who passed aw…
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Those who knew and loved civil rights leader Jo Ann Bland of Selma have been sharing outpour…
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Demopolis High School is closing early on Friday for the funeral of junior Hunter Bowen Howe…
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Thayer “Bear” Spencer of Selma has announced he is running for the 23rd District Alabama Senate Seat representing the Republican Party of Alabama. Read moreThayer 'Bear' Spencer of Selma qualifies to run for state Senate as a Republican
No Republicans qualified for county races in Dallas County, according to Dallas County Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn. Read moreRepublicans field no candidates in Dallas County races; two Democrats qualify for sheriff
Robert Tony Sykes has announced he is running for Perry County Sheriff in the May 2026 election. Read moreRobert Tony Sykes announces candidacy for Perry County Sheriff
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Roy Fikes, who was appointed Sheriff of Perry County by Gov. Kay Ivey in April, announced he is running for the position in the 2026 election. Read morePerry County Sheriff Roy Fikes announces run for the job in 2026 election
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In the Black Belt Newscast wrapup of 2025, Todd and Cindy talk about the eventful municipal elections that took place across the Black Belt. See the Election Hub at blackbeltnewsnetwork.com for more detail. Read moreWatch: Election wrap up in 2025
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2025 was an unusual municipal election year as cities voted for new leaders in what is typically an off year after Alabama lawmakers moved city elections back a year to be off the federal cycle. Read more2025 Year in Review: Black Belt voters choose new municipal leaders
The Zeta Delta Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. hosted a Pass the Torch Ceremony honoring two wives of Selma’s elected leaders on Nov. 15. Read moreLocal sorority chapter hosts Pass the Torch ceremony for mayoral wives of Perkins, Moss
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The city of Marion swore in the mayor and five city council members in their Nov. 3 meeting in council chambers. Read moreMarion swears in mayor, council in first meeting Monday night
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Councilman Michael Johnson was elected the Selma City Council’s new president pro tem Nov. 3. Read moreMichael Johnson named Selma City Council president pro tem
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The Demopolis Mayor and City Council were sworn into office in a ceremony on Monday at Rooster Hall. Read moreDemopolis swears in mayor, council that includes three newcomers
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