A standing-room-only crowd filled the Lowndes County Commission chamber on April 28 as residents delivered hours of testimony opposing a proposed billion‑dollar data center.
Todd Prater
Reporter
A standing-room-only crowd filled the Lowndes County Commission chamber on April 28 as residents delivered hours of testimony opposing a proposed billion‑dollar data center.
Reporter
Associate Publisher
Harvesters of Hope will be presented with the 2026 Fairness Award by Legal Services Alabama (LSA) at the Justice, Fairness & Hope Awards in Montgomery.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host an information session on small business funding through its loan programs in Selma on May 6.
A town hall meeting for a possible data center in Marengo and Hale counties will be held Thursday at 6 p.m.
A woman from Montgomery was arrested and charged for arson after a house fire occurred on Tuesday.
The suspect of a shooting in Union Springs that injured a 65-year-old man on Sunday has turned himself in, said an announcement from CrimeStoppers 215 Stop.
The Selma City Council received familiar news April 27: there are not enough employees, not enough money and not enough oversight of the budget to get all the work done.
Associate Publisher
The Equal Justice Initiative's (EJI) 2026 Juneteenth event will feature jazz artists Nate Smith and Lizz Wright.
Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) issued a statement following a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down a congressional map in the Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which she said "guts" the Vot…
Former Selma High School (SHS) Coach Willie Maxey was recently honored alongside two student athletes by the Selma City Schools District on Tuesday.
Morgan Academy’s girls tennis team won the AISA State Championship at the tournament in Montgomery on Tuesday.
Publisher
A ribbon cutting was held on Monday for the newly constructed Montgomery Biscuits Clubhouse at Dabos Park, formerly the Riverwalk Stadium.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will host an information session on small business funding through its loan programs in Selma on May 6.
Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Montgomery Thriving Small Business Grant Program is set to be opened for businesses in need of financial assistance.
Craig Field Executive Director Ryan Corrigan gave an update on progress of projects at the former Air Force base since he took over in August. Todd and Cindy talk about the projects in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.
Montgomery officials recently celebrated the opening of a new $415 million alcoholic beverage facility maintained by Diageo North America.
After seven years of serving as a creative hub, technology lab and safe haven for young people across Dallas County, Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Selma is closing at the end of April as national grant funding from Best Buy comes to an end.
Publisher
Michael Love Jr., a freshman at Wallace Community College, has been selected to serve as an intern at a national film studio in Chicago helping to produce a television series.
The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) is taking nominations for its 2026 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
ArtsRevive in Selma has been awarded a $66,000 Creative Places Arts Facilities grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to support renovations across several of its downtown properties.
Publisher
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is bringing an arts education program to Selma this summer, offering a free weeklong theater camp for local students at the historic Walton Theater.
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is bringing an arts education program to Selma this summer, offering a free weeklong theater camp for local students at the historic Walton Theater.
Reporter
From the mountains of the Tennessee Valley to the shores of the Gulf Coast, and everything in-between, our state is second to none in the country when it comes to beautiful outdoors and recreation.
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…
Congress created the 340B Drug Pricing Program to allow certain hospitals to buy drugs at deep discounts and use those savings to help lower-income, vulnerable patients access care. While its stated mission remains vital—particularly as communities grapple with access and affordability chall…
Congress created the 340B Drug Pricing Program to allow certain hospitals to buy drugs at deep discounts and use those savings to help lower-income, vulnerable patients access care. While its stated mission remains vital—particularly as communities grapple with access and affordability chall…
Selma is a city the world remembers in March. But if we are honest with ourselves, Selma’s future will not be decided by what happened in March. It will be determined by what we choose to do in April and May.
Funeral arrangements have been announced for civil rights leader Jo Ann Bland, who passed aw…
Those who knew and loved civil rights leader Jo Ann Bland of Selma have been sharing outpour…
Demopolis High School is closing early on Friday for the funeral of junior Hunter Bowen Howe…
Currently in Selma
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In addition to selecting nominees for the general election, Alabama primary voters on May 19 will have the opportunity to weigh in on two proposed amendments to the state’s constitution. Read moreVoters to decide on two constitutional amendments during May 19 primary
The Coalition of Concerned Families in Selma held a Candidates’ Forum on April 2 for the 2026 Sheriff of Dallas County election. Read moreDallas County sheriff candidates outline platforms at CCF forum
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
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
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
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
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