By Brian Lyman | Editor
“We absolutely need to inform ourselves, talk to our physicians, talk to our pharmacists, and be aware that this disease can be severe and deadly. We don't want to see that happen in Alabama. We don't want to see what happened in Pennsylvania happen in Alabama.” - Dr. Karen Landers, chief medical officer, Alabama Department of Public Health
Vials of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine are displayed on a counter at a Walgreens Pharmacy on Jan. 26, 2015 in Mill Valley, California. (Photo illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
HEALTHCARE
By Anna Barrett
ADPH officials said Thursday that there had been no new reports of measles cases since announcing that a north Alabamian had tested positive for the disease on Tuesday. ADPH officials strongly urged people to get vaccinated for the highly-infectious disease. Measles cases are growing throughout the nation: the CDC reported last week that there had been over 4,000 cases reported in 47 states.
(Left to right) Republican nominee Matt Gentry faces Democratic nominee James Gordon for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 1; Democratic nominee Sheila McNeil faces Republican nominee Jim Zeigler for Alabama Public Service Commission Place 2. (Photos of Gentry, Gordon and McNeil courtesy of candidates; photo of Jim Zeigler: Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector; photo illustration by Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Ralph Chapoco
Four candidates are running for two places on Alabama’s Public Service Commission, the state’s chief utility regulator, all promising to address the state’s residential power bills, among the highest in the nation. But the Legislature’s expansion of the PSC earlier this year from three members to seven — and effective cap on rate hearings through 2029 — has forced candidates to consider new strategies.
Tijuanna Adetunji (seated a long table, fifth from the left) and other members of the Alabama Education Television Commission listen to speakers during a meeting in Montgomery, Alabama on April 21, 2026. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
By Andrea Tinker
Alabama Educational Television Commission member Tijuanna Adetunji resigned from the body last week, according to Alabama Public Television Executive Director Wayne Reid. Adetunji did not give a reason for stepping down, and attempts to reach her Thursday were unsuccessful. The departure, following Gov. Kay Ivey’s dismissal of five commissioners earlier this month, means only one commissioner who served on the commission in September remains.
ICYMI
Trump: Execution of Fort Hood shooter will not be livestreamed | Ariana Figueroa, DC Bureau
The next act for the No Kings movement: Early voting in the midterms | Ashley Murray, DC Bureau
2 states, 2 abortion ballot measures, and the effort to win over Gen Z voters | Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Stateline and Anna Spoerre, The 19th
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