NEWS FROM OUR PUBLISHERS

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Families in Huntsville’s District 1 will have the opportunity to enjoy a free evening of live theater as Arts Huntsville, in partnership with the City of Huntsville – […]

Story and Photo Submitted By Palmer Milton The Potter’s Hand Church Ministries celebrated the 4th Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Zachary B. Williams on Sunday, January 11, at 3:00 p.m. Bishop Daniel J. Richardson and Eagles’ Nest Cathedral International were in charge […]

By: REV. DR. ISAIAH ROBINSON, JR.   Scriptural text: LUKE 15 “11-24; ACTS 2:   38-39, KJV KEY VERSE: “This son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  So they […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The City of Huntsville is donating a historic “AAR” railroad boxcar to the Scottsboro Boys Museum, offering a powerful, tangible link to one of the most pivotal civil […]

By Speakin’ Out News Staff CULLMAN, Ala. — Anglers from across Alabama and beyond are expected to cast their lines toward Cullman this weekend as the Ultimate Fishing Expo arrives, billing itself as the largest fishing expo in […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Kintavious Dozier poured in 31 points and led a balanced offensive attack as Alabama A&M University placed six players in double figures in a 100–91 Southwestern Athletic Conference […]

John Forté, the Grammy-nominated Brooklyn-born artist and producer who helped shape the Fugees’ landmark album “The Score,” died Jan. 12 at age 50. After rebuilding his life following a federal prison sentence that was later commuted, Forté became a voice of redemption through music, film and public speaking centered on accountability and renewal.
The post John Forté, creative force behind ‘The Score’ and voice of redemption, dies at 50 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The celebration of life for legendary gospel artist Richard Smallwood will take place Jan. 24 at First Baptist Church of Glenarden International in Upper Marlboro, Md. Smallwood, 77, died of complications from kidney failure on Dec. 30, 2025.
The post Richard Smallwood, gospel icon, to be honored at Jan. 24 celebration of life appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Dr. Kevin James was removed from his role as president of Morris Brown College after seven years, with the Board of Trustees citing gratitude for his service but providing no specific cause. Nzinga Shaw, a current trustee and co-chair of the Board’s Facilities Committee, will serve as interim president, while James criticized the timing and governance of the decision in a LinkedIn statement.
The post Morris Brown College President Dr. Kevin James removed by board appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The 2026 Maryland General Assembly session opened Jan. 14 with a focus on a $1.5 billion deficit. Lawmakers face tough decisions regarding budget cuts, redistricting and new leadership during the 90-day legislative term.
The post Maryland General Assembly kicks off 2026 legislative session appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

LifeLink of Georgia’s Multicultural Donation Education Program has spent years partnering with historically Black institutions in Georgia to expand education around organ donation and transplantation. Program leaders say the effort builds trust, broadens medical career paths and increases donation awareness in underserved communities.
The post Building trust, saving lives: HBCUs expand organ donation education in Georgia appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

As Alabama A&M University prepares to welcome students back to campus, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday in the Event Center for the Spring 2026 Faculty/Staff Conference. Students are moving in this week and will return […]

Alabama A&M University graduate student Jalisa Williams has been named Teacher of the Year at Huntsville Junior High School, earning the honor during her first year at the school and just her second year in […]

For Alabama A&M University alumna Tiarra Smith, the path to space exploration began long before she stepped onto campus. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Smith always knew two things about her future. “I knew growing […]

Battles over the Department of Education, immigration and artificial intelligence in the classroom aren’t going away in 2026.
The post 3 education fights that aren’t going away in 2026 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO Over the next week, Americans and others around the world will celebrate the birthday, life and legacy of “the drum major for peace,” the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga., the Baptist minister represents one of the greatest minds of the […]
The post Local UNCF and MLK Holiday DC Committee prepare to celebrate Dr. King’s birthday appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Ashleigh FieldsSpecial to the AFRO Local journalists, church members and the broader community in the District are mourning the loss of 26 year old Marckell Williams, who was killed in a Jan. 7 car crash.  Williams, an internationally known photojournalist, is remembered for frequently capturing the essence of political, religious and public events that […]
The post Community remember Marckell Williams as a brother, friend and photography master appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Huntsville has determined that the personal property described below has been identified by Fleet Services as surplus to the needs of the City of Huntsville and is […]

WHEREAS, the City of Huntsville is the owner of the Historic Huntsville Depot (the “Depot”), a historic passenger train depot located in downtown Huntsville; and  WHEREAS, the City also owns a certain railroad car located […]

Maryland Attorney General Brown is proud to announce that the Health Education and Advocacy Unit saved nearly $2.6 million for patients in FY 2025.
The post Annual report reveals health insurance denials rarely challenged, but appeals often successful appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS MONTGOMERY, Ala. — An Alabama lawmaker has prefiled legislation that would allow ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to be sold over the counter while limiting the ability of state regulators and employers to discipline […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Huntsville native Rodney Smith Jr., founder of the nationally recognized Raising Men & Women Lawn Care Service, will be among the special guests honored during Governor Kay Ivey’s final […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS Airport officials say fraudulent calls reported across the region are not connected to Huntsville International Airport or any airline operating there. Scammers are using caller ID spoofing to make calls appear to […]

PRESS RELEASE After serious consideration and encouragement from community leaders, colleagues, and supporters across the state, Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards announces her run for Alabama State Auditor on the Democratic ticket, citing her record […]

By Walter Fields Do our boys really matter? That is the question I have pondered since learning that Baltimore City Public Schools is threatening to not renew the charter of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys (BCSB). This school is the only all-male, public school of its kind in Maryland, and provides a safe and nurturing […]
The post Our boys deserve better: Why Baltimore must protect its only all-male public school appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Alabama is seeing a sharp increase in the arrest and detention of immigrant children as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, according to newly released federal data. […]

SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville City Council opened its Thursday, January 8, 2026, meeting with solemn reflection and community recognition, honoring military sacrifice, civic service, and ongoing efforts to strengthen equity and […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS ENTERPRISE, Ala. — A tragic domestic incident has left the Enterprise community shaken after a 90-year-old man was arrested and charged with murder in the death of his wife, authorities confirmed […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS BEAUREGARD, Ala. — A disturbing animal cruelty investigation is underway in Lee County after authorities discovered 29 dead dogs discarded in plastic bags and piled in the backyard of a Beauregard […]

By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS A 17-year-old Pleasant Grove High School senior is facing a long road to recovery after being seriously wounded in a Birmingham shooting that claimed the life of his best friend. Sam […]

By Speakin’ Out News Staff BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A former high-ranking Birmingham Fire and Rescue official and his son are facing multiple felony charges following a state investigation into alleged Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan […]

BY SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS ATHENS, Ala. — The Alabama Department of Workforce has opened a new Athens-Limestone Career Center at Athens State University, positioning Workforce Alabama to better meet growing workforce demands in one of […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HUNTSVILLE, Ala. –Drake State Community and Technical College has earned accreditation from the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), a nationally recognized organization. The 2025 accreditation positions the college to meet growing […]

It was easy to predict what happened in Minneapolis. It’s what happens every time we give too much power and too little oversight. By Josh Moon What happened in Minneapolis on Wednesday was wrong.  You […]

By Speakin’ Out News Staff HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — North Alabama communities are set to receive more than $12 million in federal funding following the U.S. House of Representatives’ approval of a wide-ranging appropriations bill that includes […]