Top headlines this week: Judson College project announced, St. James Hotel owner tries again next week, update on Craig Field projects, Demopolis warns downtown property owners, Linden courthouse getting facelift, Selma skateboard to get new look and more!
News
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After decades of limited progress, a full restoration of the old Marengo County Courthouse in Linden is underway to turn the historic structure into a venue for community events. Led by the Linden Historical Society and President Mike Peppenhorst, the 1848 Greek Revival structure is one of t…
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Owners of property in downtown Demopolis will have 45 days to tell the city their plan for getting their building up to code. The Demopolis City Council April 16 approved a letter giving property owners 45 days to tell the city council what “known or suspected issues requiring correction” ex…
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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.
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St. James Hotel's owner Jim Lewis will be going before the Selma City Council on Monday night to show proof of taxes being paid so he can reopen. The hotel closed in August. Todd and Cindy tal…
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The new owners of Judson College’s campus in Marion unveiled plans on April 20 to turn the campus into what they’re calling Atlas Complex that they say will bring hundreds of jobs and a major …
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Jessica Allen has been named director of Whitfield Home Health, a division of Whitfield Regional Hospital.
Montgomery Whitewater is now a Rescue 3 Certified Training Facility for swiftwater rescue, said an announcement from the City of Montgomery.
The City of Selma received a $4.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support programs providing free home repairs to eligible residents.
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Suspect arrested in shooting at GWC Homes on Wednesday
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Judson College's new owners to bring pharmaceutical manufacturing, 500 jobs to Marion campus
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Demopolis City Council puts downtown property owners on notice, buys parcel for parking lot
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Selmont leaders officially file to become municipality
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Parole hearings for April 22-23
Former Selma High School (SHS) Coach Willie Maxey was recently honored alongside two student athletes by the Selma City Schools District on Tuesday.
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Morgan Academy’s girls tennis team won the AISA State Championship at the tournament in Montgomery on Tuesday.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
A ribbon cutting was held on Monday for the newly constructed Montgomery Biscuits Clubhouse at Dabos Park, formerly the Riverwalk Stadium.
Local Events
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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.
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When Mark Peterson talks about food insecurity in Alabama’s Black Belt, he frames the issue a little differently than most.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
Pike Road has kicked off IGNITE, a new initiative that is said will support local businesses.
The Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS) is taking nominations for its 2026 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.
Meadowview Elementary School will hold several promotional ceremonies to be followed by an awards ceremony from May 18 to May 22.
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Selma High School Eshwaa Godfrey is now among four finalists for State Department of Education's Alabama Teacher of the Year Awards after being among the "Sweet 16" finalists.
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.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
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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.
Todd Prater
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…
Opinion
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…
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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.
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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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
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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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