A new Ten Commandments debate has arisen in the state Legislature. This one has to do over whether to mandate their display in schools.

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Legal history or religious coercion?

The Ten Commandments are in the political spotlight again, reports AL.com’s Mike Cason, along with a proposed bill that would require their display at public schools.

The bill is from state Sen. Keith Kelley, an Anniston Republican. It says that all public schools and colleges must have the Ten Commandments displayed in an entry way or common area by Jan. 1.

The Legislature held a public hearing on the bill Wednesday, and faith leaders on both sides of the issue spoke.

Supporters argued the Commandments have historical significance as a foundational legal document and that their display, according to one pastor, would be “reinforcing the fundamental universal values that were a part of our nation’s greatness.”

Opponents argued that the bill is involving government in religion and promoting faith through coercion.

The bill currently sits with the Senate’s Education Policy committee, which has yet to vote on it.

Gov. TBD

The 2026 race for governor theoretically heated up on Wednesday, with two current statewide office-holders either mulling or hinting at a run next year, reports AL.com’s Patrick Darrington.

First, Punchbowl News reported that U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has been telling people that he might run for governor instead of run for re-election to the Senate. He said he would make his decision by May.

If he jumps into the race, he obviously would be a force, having already won such a high-profile statewide election, having kept his name in national news regularly for four years, and having aligned himself very tightly with President Trump.

So Republicans who plan on running probably need to start winning over voters sooner rather than later — and it didn’t take long for Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth to remind us he’ll soon make his decision official (in case anyone hasn’t figured it out yet).

Ainsworth posted a picture of himself on X that looks like it was taken at the end of his running a road race. He said, “I’ve been eating my Wheaties and getting into running shape. Looks like the 2026 governor’s race may be shaping up to be one for the history books.”

Ainsworth has previously said he would announce a decision by this month.

Battery energy storage facility

Here’s a big recycling job: The former Plant Gorgas will become the Gorgas Battery Facility, reports AL.com’s William Thornton.

The Gorgas Plant is in Walker County. It was a coal plant for Alabama Power from 1917 until its closure in 2019. It was partly demolished in 2022.

Alabama Power plans to use the 7-acre site for the state’s first utility-scale battery energy storage facility. It’ll connect to the grid with lithium iron phosphate batteries that can power around 9,000 homes over its two-hour duration.

An Alabama Power vice president said the facility will charge while energy costs are low and boost power when costs are high.

Similar battery energy storage facilities are used around the world to keep the lights on during interruptions.

Sloss country

This year’s new music festival at Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham has announced most of its lineup, reports AL.com’s Mary Colurso.

The Iron Hills Country Music Festival will be Oct. 11-12 and will feature 20 acts on two stages. It landed some pretty big-name artists: Travis Tritt, Turnpike Troubadours, Chase Rice, Ryan Bingham, Midland, Jo Dee Messina, Eli Young Band and Maggie Rose are among the artists coming to Birmingham.

Tickets go on sale Friday, with weekend passes starting at $174.95.

By the Numbers

1,367,141

That’s the Mobile Police Department estimate of how many people attended the city’s Mardi Gras parades this season. (That’s up from 1.1 million a year ago.)

Also, there were 40 arrests and 376 towed vehicles (both lower than 2024 totals).

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