Kim Chandler, Author at The Rapid City Post

Star-shaped balloons and flowers were tied to street lights in downtown Montgomery, Ala., on Oct. 6, 2025 at the site of a mass shooting that killed two people and wounded a dozen others. (Kim Chandler/Associated Press)

Alabama governor vows action after Montgomery shooting leaves 2 dead, 12 injured

October 6, 2025

Following a mass shooting in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, that killed two people and injured 12 others, Gov. Kay Ivey has announced that the state will increase its role in public safety efforts in the city. The shooting happened Saturday night in a busy area filled with bars and restaurants. Montgomery Police Chief James Graboys says they believe one victim was targeted, leading to chaotic gunfire. Seven of the victims are under age 20. Ivey plans to extend Capitol trooper patrols and request more resources for state law enforcement. No arrests had been made as of Monday.

Will Berry speaks during a protest outside the Capitol in Montgomery, Ala., on Tuesday, Sept. 23,2025. (AP Photo/Kim Chandler)

Victim’s son asks Alabama to stop execution of man who killed his mother in a gas station holdup

September 23, 2025

Alabama is scheduled to execute Geoffrey West on Thursday for the 1997 murder of Margaret Berry. Berry was killed during a gas station robbery. Berry’s son has asked the state to not execute West and let him serve life in prison. The two exchanged letters ahead of West’s scheduled execution by nitrogen gas. The two have asked to meet, but prison officials declined the request. Gov. Kay Ivey indicated she does not plan to commute the death sentence. Ivey has commuted one death sentence. The Republican governor said she did so only because of questions about the person’s guilt.

FILE - State troopers swing billy clubs to break up a civil rights voting march in Selma, Ala., March 7, 1965. (AP Photo, File)

The Voting Rights Act is turning 60. Civil rights marchers recall a hard-won struggle

August 6, 2025

The nation is marking the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. President Lyndon Johnson signed the landmark legislation into law on Aug. 6, 1965 after marchers were beaten in Selma, Alabama. Those at the epicenter of the fight for voting rights for Black Americans recalled the struggle. The Voting Rights Act led to sweeping change across the American South. But the anniversary of the legislation comes amid trepidation about what’s ahead and fear that those hard-won rights are being eroded.

Family of Alabama teen shot by police seeks access to video of shooting

July 8, 2025

Lawyers representing the family of a Black teenager killed by police in an Alabama suburb said the state’s refusal to release body-camera video during an investigation is fueling mistrust. Family members of Jabari Peoples and lawyers representing the family held a press conference Tuesday as they continue to seek access to the body-camera footage of the fatal shooting. Ben Crump, a lawyer representing the family, said the family is seeking transparency and accountability. Peoples, 18, was shot June 23 by a police officer in the parking lot of a soccer field in Homewood, an affluent suburb near the central city of Birmingham.

This undated photo from the Alabama Department of Corrections shows Geoffrey West. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

Alabama sets nitrogen execution for man convicted of killing store clerk during 1997 robbery

July 3, 2025

Alabama has scheduled a September execution with nitrogen gas for a man convicted of killing a gas station attendant during a 1997 robbery. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set a Sept. 25 execution date for Geoffrey Todd West. West was convicted of killing Margaret Parrish Berry in Etowah County. Berry was shot once in the back of the head. A jury convicted West of capital murder and voted 10-2 to recommend a death sentence. Alabama last year became the first state to carry out an execution with nitrogen gas.

FILE - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall speaks at a press conference across the street from the Manhattan criminal court on May 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah, File)

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announces run for US Senate

May 29, 2025

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced he’s running for the U.S. Senate. He’s seeking the position being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville. Tuberville is running for governor in 2026. Marshall announced his candidacy Thursday in a video that included multiple clips of him being introduced or praised by President Donald Trump. The video called Marshall the senator that “our state needs and our president can count on.” As attorney general, Marshall worked with other Republican-led states in filing lawsuits challenging multiple Biden administration policies. Marshall was first appointed as attorney general in 2017 by then-Gov. Robert Bentley. He won a full term in 2018, and was reelected in 2022.

US Sen. Tommy Tuberville announces 2026 bid for Alabama governor

May 27, 2025

Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville says he’s running for governor of Alabama next year. His announcement on Fox News came after weeks of speculation and associates saying Tuberville planned to enter the race. The Arkansas native was the head football coach at Auburn from 1999 to 2008, where he led the team to eight consecutive bowl appearances and one Southeastern Conference championship. He also served as head coach at Mississippi, Texas Tech and the University of Cincinnati. Tuberville, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is expected to be a formidable entry in the governor’s race. Two-term Republican Gov. Kay Ivey cannot run again because of term limits.

FILE - Senate Armed Services Committee member Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., questions retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine during his confirmation hearing on his nomination to be promoted to general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, April 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

GOP US Sen. Tommy Tuberville is expected to announce run for Alabama governor, associates say

May 22, 2025

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville plans to run for governor of Alabama in 2026, according to people familiar with his plans. Two people who have spoken with Tuberville say they expect him to announce a gubernatorial bid. They spoke on condition of anonymity because were not authorized to talk about a campaign. Tuberville, a Republican, did not confirm the plans but said he intends to announce a decision Tuesday. Tuberville was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020. Tuberville harnessed fame from his college coaching days at Auburn and benefited from a Donald Trump endorsement in casting himself as a political outsider to win election.

Kim Chandler.