Takeaways from Alabama’s 2025 school report cards

November 17, 2025

Alabama’s newest school report cards – state and federal – came out Thursday, offering a snapshot that is equal parts progress report and warning sign.

Longtime FBC Brewton pastor John Finklea dies at 89

November 17, 2025

For 63 years, Finklea served as a pastor, including spending 25 years at FBC Brewton. He retired in 1999, and the church named him pastor emeritus. After retirement, he served 24 more years as pastor of a small country church in Sepulga.

Making the grade: Alabama schools improve overall grade

November 14, 2025

Alabama schools improved their overall grade to 87 points out of 100 available on both state and federal report cards for the 2024-25 school year, according to preliminary data presented to state board of education members Nov. 13.

‘Prayer in pain’: Vroegop teaches students about power of lament

November 14, 2025

Mark Vroegop spoke on the power of lament during a recent University of Mobile chapel service. Vroegop is president of The Gospel Coalition and has

Bloodline to sing at Holly Pond church

November 13, 2025

Pleasant View Missionary Baptist Church, Holly Pond, will host a singing Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. featuring Bloodline. For more information, call 256-796-5986 or 256-590-1501. Earl Harper is

State’s $3B in education reserves reflect lessons from Great Recession

November 13, 2025

More than a dozen years after the Great Recession forced painful cuts across Alabama’s schools, state lawmakers determined not to repeat them have built up what will soon be $3 billion in reserves to protect against another downturn.

Alabama Baptists elect new officers, vote to extend Alaska partnership

November 12, 2025

Messengers to the Nov. 11–12 Alabama Baptist State Convention annual meeting at Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, approved a $37.5 million Cooperative Program allocation budget for 2026, elected a slate of new officers …