There are many stories about people running away and joining the circus. Gallion, Alabama's Warren Adams Bacon IV not only joined the circus, he influenced the circus world for years to come. This is the story of Warren Bacon, human cannonball and circus instructor who passed away in 2025. B…
Warren Adams Bacon IV left Gallion, Alabama, to join the circus and came back years later to teach others the skills of acrobatics and being a "human cannonball." Todd and Cindy talk about how Bacon influenced the circus world for years to come in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast. See…
Voting and democracy took center stage in a photo exhibit at Selma Social during the annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. In the alley on Lauderdale Street next to Selma Social, large photos documented the fight to vote in action across two dozen states, including in Selma. The photographs …
Black Belt Community Foundation got a new leader in 2025: Christopher Spencer, who replaced Felecia Lucky after she served for 21 years. Spencer talks about his experience with BBCF for the last two decades and his plans for the future. Todd and Cindy also talk about the scholarship in his n…
SABRA Sanctuary, a nonprofit that helps women and children in domestic violence situations, has a new executive director. Susan Youngblood, who helped start SABRA many years ago, has returned to lead the organization that is an emergency shelter and advocacy agency for women and children lea…
The Dallas County community of Selmont is nearing a major milestone in its effort to become Alabama’s newest municipality, with organizers saying they are now only about 20 signatures away from the number needed to move incorporation forward.
Top headlines this week: Selmont continues push to incorporate, SABRA gets new leader, meet BBCF's new Executive Director Chris Spencer, photo exhibit about voting comes to Selma, Gallion man changes circus acts, Selma Renfair is back and more!
For this episode of Voices & Visionaries, Black Belt Community Foundation's new Executive Director Christopher Spencer talks about taking on the nonprofit and growing it for the future.
The Keith High School journalism class on Friday handed out copies of their first school newspaper that was made in partnership with the Black Belt News Network and Dallas County Schools. The class - with help from Keith teacher Kiesela Foster and BBNN Publisher Cindy Fisher - wrote the stor…
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…
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.…
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…
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 the event that commemorated the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday when marchers protested for equal v…
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.
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.
Selma police are investigating two shootings that happened over the weekend when the Queen City was hosting the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee. Friday night, six were injured at a gathering on Alabama Avenue that was not part of the Jubilee. On Saturday, two 18 year olds were injured in a sh…
Todd and Cindy talk about this year's Jubilee and share video from the weeklong event marking the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Thousands came to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma for the commemoration.
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.
Bernard LaFayette, civil rights leader who was scheduled to be honored at the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee this weekend, passed away on March 5 of a heart attack. He was 85.
A patch of concrete where nearly 600 voting rights marchers assembled before the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march was formally recognized Monday with the unveiling of a historical plaque at George Washington Carver Homes.
Historic Brown Chapel AME reopened its sanctuary for the Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee on March 6. Todd and Cindy talk about the renovations over the last several years that closed the church for years and its reopening this year. The also talk about the history of its pulpit being the spot …
Top headlines: Selma Jubilee begins, civil rights leader lost, Brown Chapel to host events, foot soldiers plaque unveiled, new song written for Selma, BBNN celebrates third anniversary, Whitfield honors nurse and more!
Brown Chapel in Selma, Alabama, is a historic centerpiece of the civil rights movement, hosting many leaders including Martin Luther King Jr. who preached for equality from its pulpit. Pastor Leodis Strong talks about the years-long effort to renovate the sanctuary and the decision to reopen…
A patch of concrete where nearly 600 voting rights marchers assembled before the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march in Selma, Alabama, was formally recognized on March 4, 2026, with the unveiling of a historical plaque at George Washington Carver Homes.
UAB’s Live HealthSmart Alabama opened their new grocery store on wheels called the Mobile Market in Selma on Thursday in front of City Blocks Wellness Center on Broad Street. Todd and Cindy talk about it in this segment of the Black Belt Newscast.
Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that Jackson Hospital and Clinic in Montgomery is receiving $40 million in support after an Amendment 666 Bond Commission meeting.
Lowndes County will once again take its place along the historic road from Selma to Montgomery as the Lowndes County Area Chamber of Commerce prepares to host its annual Voter Rights Jubilee Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 28.
{{summary}}
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
