Maddie Biertempfel
CBS 42
Montgomery, AL, United States
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Past articles by Maddie:
Health groups launch ‘Odds Are Alabama’ anti-fentanyl campaign
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — State leaders are launching a campaign to bring awareness to the dangers of fentanyl in Alabama. It’s a yearlong initiative called “Odds Are Alabama,” referencing the odds that if you buy illicit drugs off the street or online, there’s a chance they will be laced with fentanyl. The campaign hits home […] → Read More
Alabama state leaders honor former Sen. Richard Shelby in joint session
Alabama’s longest-serving U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby returned to the State Capitol to be honored where his career in politics began more than half a century ago. → Read More
Alabama lawmakers outline ARPA spending plan at start of special session
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — On day one of the special session, Alabama lawmakers shared where they want to allocate $1.06 billion in one-time federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The newly filed ARPA bill, HB1, puts the largest chunk of money — $660 million — into broadband, as well as water and sewer […] → Read More
Alabama lawmakers speak on priorities ahead of State of the State address
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — From budget surpluses to talk of a special session to the State of the State tonight, it’s been a busy day at the Alabama state capital. Lawmakers gaveled in, gaveled out and said they won’t be continuing the regular session until March 21 — leaving time for what’s expected to be a […] → Read More
AL Republicans and Democrats speak on agendas ahead of 2023 legislative session
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama’s legislative session starts tomorrow. Both Republican and Democrat leaders are laying out their agendas ahead of day one and sharing what their parties hope to accomplish. House Democrats are calling their agenda a plan for prosperity. Minority Leader Anthony Daniels says it offers a bold and practical vision for the […] → Read More
President Biden speaks to thousands at Selma Bloody Sunday commemoration
SELMA, Ala. (WIAT) — President Biden spoke in Selma on Sunday, marking the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. People from all over showed up at the Edmund Pettus Bridge to hear the president’s remarks and commemorate that day. Marchers young and old attended the Bridge Crossing Jubilee. “I’m 74, and I ain’t gonna forget it,” […] → Read More
ADEM announces new group to study response to Moody fire, recommend improvements
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management announced Friday the formation of a group to assess how the response to the Moody landfill fire could have been improved. → Read More
Prefiled bill aims to protect student-led school prayer, could face challenges if it passes
One Alabama lawmaker filed a bill requiring local school boards to provide school resources to students to facilitate prayer. → Read More
Organizers, residents looking forward to Biden’s upcoming Bloody Sunday commemoration visit
SELMA, Ala. (WIAT) — The White House announced Tuesday morning President Joe Biden will visit Selma this weekend to commemorate the 58th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. One of the event’s founders said he knew for the last few weeks of a “strong possibility” the president could be coming to Selma, but it wasn’t confirmed until now. […] → Read More
ALGOP passes resolution to support banning diversity, equity inclusion policies at state institutions
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — The Alabama Republican Party Saturday unanimously adopted a resolution supporting banning diversity, equity and inclusion policies at state institutions. The resolution sa… → Read More
Alabama State Superintendent asks lawmakers for $984M education budget increase
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — The Alabama Department of Education is asking lawmakers for a billion-dollar increase in funding to the Education Trust Fund budget for fiscal year 2024. This comes after a record-high education budget passed during the last session, totaling $8.3 billion. “We are asking for about $984 million in new money,” State Superintendent […] → Read More
Students encouraged to take advantage of free college application week
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — About 60 colleges and universities across Alabama are waiving their application fees for just this week. Students at St. James School in Montgomery are encouraged to apply broadly to schools ahead of graduation. That cost can sometimes add up. “It’s like $40 per application,” Senior Ethan Beard said. Beard began picking […] → Read More
‘Providing them a second chance’: State officials tour Alabama’s largest correctional education system
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama lawmakers and other state officials Tuesday toured the state’s largest correctional education system. J.F. Ingram State Technical College in Elmore County is the only educational facility of its kind in the country exclusively serving those incarcerated, including Richard Redmond. “Feels good to know that I came from only an eighth-grade education […] → Read More
Alabama mayors speak out against proposed occupational tax cut
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — With Alabama’s legislative session approaching, one lawmaker is proposing a bill to eliminate occupational taxes, or at least put a limit on them. Sen. Andrew Jones first proposed phasing out the tax statewide by .1% every year — a 20-year drawdown for cities with the highest rate. He said he’s willing […] → Read More
Prefiled election bills require paper ballots, ban internet-capable voting machines
One state lawmaker is working to codify some of Alabama’s election rules into law. → Read More
Illinois couple reunited with stolen goldendoodle in Alabama
GREENVILLE, Ala. (WIAT) — Three states, 710 miles and a week of worry later, the Hannah family of Mansfield, Illinois is finally reunited with their beloved dog, Tess. “Happy. Can’t believe it,” John Hannah said. The 7-year-old goldendoodle was inside the Hannah’s SUV when their vehicle was stolen Feb. 8 in Illinois. It was found […] → Read More
‘Who doesn’t want to get married by Judge Love?’: Alabama couples flock to courthouse for Valentine’s Day wedding
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Love was in the air at the Montgomery County Courthouse Tuesday, where Probate Judge JC Love officiated about a dozen weddings for Valentine’s Day. “We just really on Valentine’s Day make it special. And who doesn’t want to get married by Judge Love?” Love said. The court typically does weddings on […] → Read More
Prefiled bill would require ADOC to report monthly to lawmakers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Some lawmakers are calling for more frequent updates from the Alabama Department of Corrections amid worsening staff shortages and inmate deaths. Currently, the ADOC reports to the Joint Legislative Prison Oversight Committee quarterly. HB 18 would make it monthly. Bill sponsor Rep. Chris England (D- Tuscaloosa) says more reports would give […] → Read More
Public Service Commission directs Alabama Power to refund $62 million to customers
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Alabama Power will be giving refunds to residential customers this August after over-collecting money in 2022. Some customers have mixed feelings about the refunds. Kevin Billups stopped in to pay a bill at Alabama Power’s Montgomery location Thursday. He says it’s been harder to do that lately. “It was very extremely […] → Read More
AARP Alabama, pharmacist react to President Biden’s call to cap insulin costs
In President Joe Biden's State of the Union address Tuesday, he called on Congress to make insulin more affordable for all Americans, not just seniors on Medicare. → Read More