SUMMARY: Oneonta Middle School eighth grader Charlotte Ritchie collapsed during PE class last week due to a rare heart condition triggered by physical activity. Her coaches, who knew what to do, performed CPR and used an AED to save her life. Charlotte’s mom and the school principal praised the coaches for their quick thinking. Coach Adams Kerley was in the gym that day by chance, as his class was taking an ACT prep course. Charlotte, who is an ambassador for the American Heart Association, will now use funds raised for the organization to help cover medical expenses.

‘God was in the gym that day’: Oneonta Middle School coaches save student’s life

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Alabama Community College System approves legislative agenda

by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
March 12, 2025

The Alabama Community College System approved its legislative agenda at its monthly board meeting on Wednesday.

With the Legislature almost halfway through the 2025 session, some of ACCS’ priorities have already made it through both chambers of the Legislature. Boone Kinard, executive director of external affairs, told the board that HB 102, sponsored by Rep. Jeanna Ross, R-Guntersville, passed and is awaiting a signature from Gov. Kay Ivey.

“Every kid in the state, regardless of your zip code, who wants to take advantage of a dual enrollment course, this bill will allow them to do that,” Kinard said. 

The legislation prohibits school districts from preventing students from entering dual enrollment programs, which allow high school students to take college courses for  college credit at community colleges and universities. A request for comment from Ivey’s office was sent Wednesday afternoon.

Kinard also highlighted HB 266, sponsored by Rep. Mat Woods, R-Jasper, also known as the Restoring Educational Advancement of Completing High School (REACH) Act. The legislation would create a program for high schoolers that drop out of high school to get their high school diploma from their previous high school.

“So this bill would expand this program and would allow more students to take advantage of it,” Kinard said. “It would also require us to work with the State Department of Education to get better data.”

The bill has passed the House and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. 

Kinard also said the system requested an amendment for a paid parental leave bill that would include community college educators. SB 199, sponsored by Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, would provide up to eight weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave to state employees in most cases.

“Community college employees were inadvertently left out of the original version of the bill. We’ve engaged with the governor’s office,” Kinard said. “We’ve been able to add an amendment to the bill to add our community college employees to make sure that they can receive this benefit should this bill pass.”

The system’s agenda also supports the creation of a state lottery to fund scholarships for any Alabama resident to attend a state public, two-year community and technical college. Legislation for a state lottery and gaming failed on the last day of the 2024 session. So far, there have not been any bills filed to create a lottery.

The board will meet on April 9 at Jefferson State Community College for its next meeting.

Alabama Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alabama Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Brian Lyman for questions: info@alabamareflector.com.

The post Alabama Community College System approves legislative agenda appeared first on alabamareflector.com

SUMMARY: Congress is racing to approve a new spending bill to prevent a government shutdown. Pritchard residents are warned against drinking contaminated water linked to potential health risks. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family of Cordell Jones, killed by Mobile police during a 2023 raid. Mark Palmer faces charges after allegedly setting a fire at a Shell gas station. The family of a Southern University student who died from fraternity hazing is seeking justice. Lastly, the NCAA is questioned on whether to expand the basketball tournament beyond 68 teams, with fans generally opposing the idea.

Streaming on “News 5 Now:” Time is running out for Congress to approve a new spending bill, Prichard residents are being warned against drinking the water, and a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a mayoral candidate.

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