SUMMARY: Panoply 2025, set for April 25-27, will feature a diverse lineup of live music, including rock, R&B, smooth jazz, and local acts such as Alana White and The Red Flags. Headliner Billy Allen and The Polly’s will perform on Friday night. New this year are DJ sets between performances, generating excitement among attendees. The event will offer a range of activities, including food and entertainment. Tickets are $15 for a weekend pass, with parking and logistics advised for ease. The festival’s website and Huntsville social media will provide updates on weather and other event details.

Panoply 2025 is a week from today! Patrice Johnson with Arts Huntsville swung by News 19 at 9am to tease this year’s musical guests!

News 19 is North Alabama’s News Leader! We are the CBS affiliate in North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley since November 28, 1963.

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by Anna Barrett, Alabama Reflector
April 16, 2025

The Alabama House Education Policy Committee Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would ban cellphones in public schools during class instruction time.

SB 92, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, is identical to HB 166, sponsored by Rep. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, which passed the House earlier this month. 

“It is identical to the way that we passed it out of the House and amended it on the floor recently. So we’re making sure that they’re tracking identically, and we have been able to successfully do that,” Hulsey, who carried the bill for Chesteen, said Wednesday.

The bill requires local school boards to adopt a policy to store student cell phones during class hours. Some schools use Yondr Pouches to store phones, but the legislation does not specify how a phone should be stored. 

“They just have to turn the phone off, store it off your person in a locker, car, whatever your storage solution is, it’s a similar solution. Whatever they choose,” Hulsey said.

There are three exceptions for when a student can access their phones: if they study under an Individualized Education Plan that allows it; for teacher-approved instruction and for medical purposes.

The bill was approved with no discussion. It moves to the full House for consideration.

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 House committee approves Senate version of cell phone ban appeared first on alabamareflector.com

SUMMARY: Kyle Larson dominated the 2025 Xfinity Series race at Bristol, leading 277 of 300 laps and claiming his first win of the season. Despite a few scary moments, Larson maintained control, finishing with only 12 cars on the lead lap. He also won the Cup Series race on Sunday. James Livingston from Foley won a NASCAR hat in a prediction contest, joining 11 others in a chance to win tickets to the NASCAR Xfinity Championship in Phoenix. The Xfinity Series will return to Rockingham for Easter weekend, with Casey Kane making his return to racing.

Kyle Larson started on the pole at Bristol and ended Saturday’s race in victory lane.
VOTE IN RACE TO THE FINISH: https://trib.al/ywIZElR

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