Top headlines this week: Jubilee safety for the future, two big projects announced in downtown Demopolis, Marion water projects delayed, Dallas Academy redevelopment and more.
Weather Alert
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY... ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM MONDAY TO 10 AM CDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 expected. * WHERE...A portion of central Alabama. * WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 1 PM CDT Monday. For the Freeze Warning, from 10 PM Monday to 10 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. &&
Weather Alert
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY... ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM MONDAY TO 10 AM CDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 expected. * WHERE...A portion of central Alabama. * WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 1 PM CDT Monday. For the Freeze Warning, from 10 PM Monday to 10 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. &&
News
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The Selma City Council may have a buyer for the city-owned Dallas Academy building that has been shuttered for years in Old Town. A developer is looking to buy the property for $30,000, with plans to put another $100,000 in repairs to use it as a studio and event space, according to city doc…
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A dispute between the Marion City Council and the city’s mayor about how the city handles sealed bids could delay critical water system repairs. Marion residents went a week without water around Thanksgiving when a water line pump broke, one of many problems in the city's aging water system.…
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The George Building, located in a prominent location of downtown Demopolis, is being renovated into office space for H&M Construction Company. Another historic property in downtown Demopolis on Strawberry Street was reopened by the developer and the area chamber during a ribbon cutting l…
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After two shootings occurred during the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee weekend March 6-8, organizers tell the Black Belt News Network they will increase security next year. Thousands came for t…
Selma Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred Thursday night in the Felix Heights apartments.
Todd Prater
Reporter
A man from Lapine died in a single-vehicle traffic accident on Thursday afternoon, said a report from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Volunteers with Cemetery Preservation Group, Inc. have kicked off the Green Fence Project, described as an effort to restore the New Live Oak Cemetery after it suffered damage from a tornado i…
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Top headlines this week: Jubilee safety for the future, two big projects announced in downtown Demopolis, Marion water projects delayed, Dallas Academy redevelopment and more.
Most Popular
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Multimillion-dollar office project set for downtown Demopolis
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Selma Municipal Court makes special arrangements for Jubilee arrests
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Dallas County Commission questions Selma police preparedness during Jubilee in wake of two shootings
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Dallas County man killed in drive by shooting on Wednesday
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Selma police chief defends response to Jubilee weekend shootings, asks for patience
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.
High school sports is experiencing record participation. It is also experiencing unprecedented pressure.
Local Events
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.
Clay Seafood officially opened its doors in a spot on Citizens Parkway on Monday, March 2, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Todd Prater
Reporter
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A new restaurant opened in Selma - Clay Seafood on Citizens Parkway next to the Marathon. Todd and Cindy talk about the new restaurant in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.
Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) is sponsoring a bill that he says will help retain researchers at universities by allowing the sharing of intellectual property that professors can "personally benefit" from.
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Selma University is among 20 other institutions that was awarded an AT&T Connected Learning Center.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A bill requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms advanced Wednesday without debate in the Alabama House Education Policy committee.
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
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The Selma Art Guild is hosting a reception for a basket weaver artist on Feb. 22.
Cindy Fisher
Publisher
PELHAM, Ala. (March 3, 2026) – The outdoors is calling — and Alabama’s next generation of explorers is invited to answer.
Gov. Kay Ivey has signed a proclamation honoring the Annual Doe Rodeo in Braggs, said an announcement by the nonprofit Cornwallis 1828 on Monday.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Feb. 19, 2026) – Bubba Williams and his 6-year-old son, Cason, frequently make the trip from Bay Minette to Alabama’s famed Black Belt in pursuit of deer season memories.
Opinion
For decades, Southern states have chronically ranked at the bottom of the Nation when it comes to academic achievement.
I recently qualified to run for Alabama State Senate District 24 and became the presumptive Republican nominee. Like many of you, I stepped forward because I believe our district deserves bold, principled, and accountable conservative leadership. I was prepared to carry that message into the…
Obituaries
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Funeral arrangements have been announced for civil rights leader Joanne Bland, who passed aw…
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Those who knew and loved civil rights leader Joanne 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
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY... ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM MONDAY TO 10 AM CDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 expected. * WHERE...A portion of central Alabama. * WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 1 PM CDT Monday. For the Freeze Warning, from 10 PM Monday to 10 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. &&
...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM CDT MONDAY... ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM MONDAY TO 10 AM CDT TUESDAY... * WHAT...For the Wind Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures as low as 20 expected. * WHERE...A portion of central Alabama. * WHEN...For the Wind Advisory, until 1 PM CDT Monday. For the Freeze Warning, from 10 PM Monday to 10 AM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Trees could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly. &&
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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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