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Supreme Court decision puts Alabama maps back in play

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed three emergency motions last week, the day after the Lousiana v. Callais Supreme Court decision.

Politics

Alabama moved quickly to capitalize on last week&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Supreme Court decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" data-vars-content-id="7989d553-a8b4-4274-a6e5-b3fb614d1854" data-vars-headline="Supreme Court decision puts Alabama maps back in play" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/29/supreme-court-redistricting-race-gerrymander" target="_self">Supreme Court decision</a> on how the Voting Rights Act applies to redistricting.Why it matters: The move could throw Alabama&#x27;s congressional districts into limbo with primary elections approaching May 19. <ul><li>The decision also could impact cases brought against Madison County, and at the state Senate level.</li></ul>

Legislature readies for SCOTUS redistricting decision

The high court is expected to decide whether to lift an injunction preventing Alabama from using a previously struck-down congressional map.

Alabama lawmakers are preparing for a possible Supreme Court decision to lift a federal injunction blocking the state from using <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="congressional maps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.scotusblog.com/2023/09/court-denies-alabamas-request-to-use-voting-map-with-only-one-majority-black-district/" data-vars-content-id="48f7c5a2-5c4f-4c98-a31b-f0430d8bbeaf" data-vars-headline="Legislature readies for SCOTUS redistricting decision" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.scotusblog.com/2023/09/court-denies-alabamas-request-to-use-voting-map-with-only-one-majority-black-district/" target="_blank">congressional maps</a> that were found to violate the Voting Rights Act. Why it matters: The decision could have big impacts on elections this year, potentially turning two Alabama congressional districts from blue to red.

Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products

The bill, proposed by Sen. Tom Butler, is awaiting action in committee.

Business

State Sen. Tom Butler has introduced <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bill" data-vars-click-url="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB321-int.pdf" data-vars-content-id="55975aa7-c5d7-44c9-82fb-d314bb08e2ba" data-vars-headline="Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2026RS/SB321-int.pdf" target="_blank">a bill</a> to ban all psychoactive cannabinoid products in Alabama. Why it matters: The action would further impact businesses in the state still adjusting to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent law changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/16/new-thc-rules-july-1-huntsville-alabama-legislature" data-vars-content-id="55975aa7-c5d7-44c9-82fb-d314bb08e2ba" data-vars-headline="Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/06/16/new-thc-rules-july-1-huntsville-alabama-legislature" target="_self">recent law changes</a>. <ul><li>It would also rank Alabama among the nation&#x27;s least hemp-friendly states, leaving only non-intoxicating hemp products like CBD available.</li></ul>

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Eli Lilly plans to start work next year on a facility that will produce orforglipron, officials announced Tuesday in Huntsville.

Eli Lilly chose Huntsville for its newest manufacturing plant — a $6 billion project and the largest single-site investment in Alabama history.Why it matters: The project aims to transform Huntsville, and the state, into a world leader in biopharma manufacturing.

Alabama braces for SNAP stop

The state Department of Human Resources said it received notice that funds for November would not come from the USDA due to the shutdown.

Health

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="will not be issued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/government-shutdown-snap-food-banks" data-vars-content-id="60515b66-4fbc-4330-a824-6e4f859f3742" data-vars-headline="Alabama braces for SNAP stop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/27/government-shutdown-snap-food-banks" target="_self">will not be issued</a> in November because of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal government shutdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/10/23/shutdown-drags-on" data-vars-content-id="60515b66-4fbc-4330-a824-6e4f859f3742" data-vars-headline="Alabama braces for SNAP stop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/huntsville/2025/10/23/shutdown-drags-on" target="_self">federal government shutdown</a>. Why it matters: More than 750,000 Alabamians depend on the more than $140 million in federal support each month, according to the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Celeste Bradley lost her limbs to sepsis. Now she's raising awareness.

"Anyone can go into septic shock," Bradley said. "It's scary."

Celeste Bradley is on a mission to raise awareness about sepsis.Why it matters: After a routine procedure, the 25-year-old Madison County native developed sepsis and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lost her hands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/10/im-a-25-year-old-quadruple-amputee-and-im-eager-to-get-back-to-work-op-ed.html" data-vars-content-id="d5f6badf-d0c5-444e-878c-9aef8d482565" data-vars-headline="Celeste Bradley lost her limbs to sepsis. Now she&#x27;s raising awareness." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2025/10/im-a-25-year-old-quadruple-amputee-and-im-eager-to-get-back-to-work-op-ed.html" target="_blank">lost her hands</a> and feet. Now, she&#x27;s urging others — and Alabama hospitals — to be ready for it.

Alabama's new THC rules start July 1

Some opponents say the new rules could hurt small businesses.

News

All smokable hemp products are now illegal in Alabama, as key parts of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House Bill 445" data-vars-click-url="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/HB445-enr.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c19ea9a2-bef2-4c20-bed0-37c51bb264d0" data-vars-headline="Alabama&#x27;s new THC rules start July 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/files/pdf/SearchableInstruments/2025RS/HB445-enr.pdf" target="_blank">House Bill 445</a> take effect. Other provisions, including licensing for sellers and manufacturers, start Jan. 1, 2026. Why it matters: The hemp industry is about to change drastically in Alabama, affecting businesses that sell and folks who use hemp-derived compounds like delta-8 THC or CBD either medicinally or recreationally.

Health 🩺

Butler bill would ban all psychoactive THC products

Eli Lilly makes Alabama history with $6B Huntsville plant

Alabama braces for SNAP stop

Celeste Bradley lost her limbs to sepsis. Now she's raising awareness.

Maternal health care access law takes effect today