Top headlines: Selma to get new Ward 1 council member, Marengo County bypass opens, Demopolis names road for industry advocate, escaped inmates caught, Selma Auburn football news and more.
Weather Alert
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM MONDAY TO 9 PM CDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Heat index values up to 107 expected. * WHERE...All of central Alabama. * WHEN...From 11 AM Monday to 9 PM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stoke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. &&
News
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Preferred Waste Solution will take over curbside garbage pickup in Selma on Oct. 1, according to company CEO Julia Isaac.
Brad Fisher
Associate Publisher
Though a majority of ballots cast in the June 16 Republican primary runoff were for Republicans, the party saw a decrease in the number of ballots cast while Democratic ballots increased.
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The Perry County Commission held a contentious meeting Tuesday night with a new chairman at the helm and repeated financial concerns.
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Demopolis leaders unveiled a new sign of a connector road in the Demopolis Industrial Park bearing the name of industry advocate John Cox Webb.
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The Alabama Department of Transportation has opened the final section of the Linden Bypass to traffic as part of construction of the West Alabama Highway.
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Selma’s Ward 1 will be getting a new city councilperson after the Selma City Council June 23 declined to reinstate Troy Harvill to the city council. The vote was required because Harvill has n…
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The remaining two Dallas County inmates who escaped from a Perry County facility in May were captured at GWC Homes Wednesday.
A man was arrested by Montgomery police after they say that he fired more than 30 rounds at officers responding to a domestic disturbance call.
Most Popular
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Remaining two escaped inmates captured at GWC Homes in Selma Wednesday
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ALDOT opens final section of Linden Bypass in West Alabama Highway expansion
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Troy Harvill of Ward 1 removed from Selma City Council
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Montgomery County commissioner doubts future of Jackson Hospital, suggests possible new facility
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Parole results for June 16-18
College football is a tradition unlike any other. Every year, millions of fans cram into stadiums to watch their alma mater on the gridiron. But while there is a lot to love about college foot…
Free tennis lessons are now being offered in Selma starting on June 3.
Thomasville High School has released its schedule for the 2026 football season beginning in August.
Local Events
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The unemployment rate for Alabama increased to 3%, up from 2.8% in April, said a recent report from the Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL).
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Demopolis leaders on Thursday will celebrate the naming of a connector road in the Demopolis Industrial Park after industry advocate John Cox Webb.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
Selma funeral director Constance Smith Hendricks was named Woman of the Year by the Alabama Funeral Directors & Morticians Association.
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Main Street Alabama has selected Selma as a new community to join the program with full designation.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday morning that Alabama will have 64 new First Class Pre-K classrooms this fall.
The Alabama Coalition for Healthy Mothers & Children has partnered with the Perry County School System to launch the Perry County: No Child Without a Bed Project.
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Less than two months before welcoming its first students, the Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences announced reaching several major milestones as it prepares to open its doors this fall.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
Bambi Hoggle has been singing most of her life, but this summer the Perry County native is stepping onto a much bigger stage.
Todd Prater
Reporter
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Music filled the air and the back porch of the Tally Ho was packed Saturday as friends, family, and supporters gathered for Amesfest for Hope, a benefit music festival held to support Amy and Clay Carmichael as they navigate Amy's battle with Stage 4 breast cancer.
Todd Prater
Reporter
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Perry County country music singer Bambi Hoggle, who goes by Bambi Leigh, has released her first album. Todd and Cindy talk about the album in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (June 23, 2026) – The Alabama Black Belt is one of the South’s most captivating destinations, offering unforgettable experiences, rich history, breathtaking landscapes and authentic Southern hospitality.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (June 17, 2026) — Alabama State Parks has launched a new statewide habitat restoration initiative that will expand its ability to combat invasive species, restore native landscapes, improve wildlife habitat and engage communities in hands-on conservation efforts across Alabama.
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The Millers Ferry Marina has opened on the Alabama River in Wilcox County that provides a boat ramp and community center with food options. It also sells gas. Todd and Cindy talk about the marina and its future plans in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.
Opinion
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If Americans want to understand where democracy is headed next, they should continue watching Selma.
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Recently, I had the honor of joining leaders, historians, preservationists, and members of the Jackson family in Dearborn, Michigan, for the dedication of the Jackson House at The Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village.
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, when the Civil War was still raging. But it was nearly two and a half years later, on June 19, 1865, before the Union Army arrived in Galveston, TX, to emancipate all enslaved people.
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…
Weather Alert
...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM MONDAY TO 9 PM CDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...Heat index values up to 107 expected. * WHERE...All of central Alabama. * WHEN...From 11 AM Monday to 9 PM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stoke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1. &&
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Though a majority of ballots cast in the June 16 Republican primary runoff were for Republicans, the party saw a decrease in the number of ballots cast while Democratic ballots increased. Read moreRepublican ballot numbers drop, Democratic ballot numbers increase as voter turnout declines
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Perry County Commissioner Albert Turner Jr. took his one vote loss in the District 1 Democratic primary to Montgomery on June 15, arguing before the State Democratic Executive Committee that the race was either tied or should be overturned because of what he called voting irregularities. Tod… Read moreWatch: Democratic Party hears case of one-vote loss in Perry County election
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The primary runoff election took place on June 16 throughout the Black Belt. Wilcox County was the only county with a runoff for District 4 commission. Todd and Cindy talk about the results in this segment of the Black Belt News Network. Read moreWatch: Primary runoff election quiet in the Black Belt
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The primary runoff election on Tuesday night was quiet for the Black Belt as most contested elections won’t be on the ballot until November. Read moreElection night quiet in Black Belt except for Wilcox County; results of statewide races
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The Alabama Democratic Party has set a hearing for June 15 to discuss the Perry County Commission District 1 primary election results that ended in a one-vote win. Read moreState Democratic Party sets hearing for Perry County Commission seat won by one vote
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The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday evening allowed Alabama to use a 2023 congressional map, reversing a lower court’s ruling that repeatedly deemed the map racially discriminatory. Read moreSupreme Court allows Alabama to use 2023 congressional map in August special primary
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Plaintiffs seeking to maintain Alabama’s current congressional maps on Monday afternoon urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a lower court’s ruling requiring Alabama to use a “race-blind” congressional map for the 2026 elections. Read moreMilligan plaintiffs urge SCOTUS to let Alabama use ‘race-blind’ congressional map
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Perry County election officials said Monday that there will be no recount in the County Commission District 1 seat. Read moreNo recount for Perry County District 1 election after officials say Turner missed key deadline
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Perry County District 1 Commissioner Albert Turner Jr. has filed a request with the Perry County Probate Judge asking for a manual recount of the May 19 primary election where he came up one vote short of winning. Read moreWatch: Perry County District 1 election goes to a recount
Alabama officials Wednesday filed an emergency application to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the justices to block a lower court’s order requiring the state to use a court-ordered congressional map in the 2026 midterm elections. Read moreAlabama appeals congressional map ruling to US Supreme Court
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