Ruth Serven Smith

I covered a utilities committee meeting about the future of the public service commission today for AL.com . #alpolitics. www.al.com/politics/202...

Mountain Brook student mourned after Brown University shooting: ‘There are no words,’ White House says Ella Cook was one of two people killed at the Rhode Island college.

www.al.com/news/2025/12...

Our CHOOSE coverage has been a huge team effort. More on tuition trends, policy questions and future outlooks here:

bsky.app/profile/gree...

Latino college students look for support as Alabama DEI programs vanish Hispanic and Latino students are about 15% less likely than their peers to go to college.

🧵 For some students, Alabama is a uniquely challenging state to pursue a college degree.

Thanks to a grant from @edwriters.bsky.social, I was able to spend the past year speaking with 20+ Latino students and staff about how they're navigating higher ed today.

www.al.com/educationlab...

Ann Bedsole tribute: Beloved Alabama trailblazer ‘wrote the book on getting things done’ www.al.com/politics/202...

Our second story in this mini-series is out today:

www.al.com/educationlab...

In Alabama, money goes to textbooks that downplay slavery, call rock music ‘rebellion’ The new school choice program does little to ensure the quality of private schools.

In Alabama, millions of dollars in taxpayer money are going to private schools that teach that humans lived among dinosaurs, and that rock music and mental health conditions are signs of rebellion.

Our latest story on the rollout of the state’s new CHOOSE Act:
www.al.com/educationlab...

"In Alabama, public money buys textbooks that downplay slavery, call rock music ‘rebellion.'"

In Alabama, public money buys textbooks that downplay slavery, call rock music ‘rebellion’ The new school choice program does little to ensure the quality of private schools.

Really glad to share this reporting from @greezbock.bsky.social out of Alabama for @al.com. It was fun to edit. www.al.com/educationlab...

McMahon Says “Clock Is Ticking” on Education Department Trump officials are reportedly planning to enact a number of agreements Tuesday that could send key ED responsibilities to other agencies.

Here's what we know about today's announcement regarding the dismantling of ED

www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

These Alabama schools were honored for boosting AP test scores The honors were determined by A+ Education Partnership and the state Department of Education.

Story one: www.al.com/education/20...

I’m covering education topics live today in Montgomery for @al.com .

We’ll hear about state report card results today and already saw a a slate of schools honored for boosting AP test scores via a ALSDE/ A+ Education Partnership program

yes you will get 3 months of peaceful silence!

t-6 hours until virginia candidates stop texting me every 5 minutes.

Inside one new school cashing in on Alabama’s CHOOSE Act: ‘Changed our world’ Peach City Academy is one of at least a dozen private and microschools that have opened in Alabama recently.

@al.com has been exploring Alabama's dramatic expansion of school choice -- and what it means for both public and private schools. @greezbock.bsky.social visited a school that just opened and is taking tax credits. www.al.com/educationlab...

The University of Alabama is unique in heavily recruiting out of state students. I talked with a UA admin, two new students, an alum and a researcher as to what's drawing folks here. My latest for @al.com.

West Point is violating the First Amendment with a crackdown on professors, lawsuit says A law professor at West Point has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Military Academy, saying it violates the First Amendment by banning professors' opinions in the classroom and restricting certain boo...

West Point in the mix of academic freedom:

apnews.com/article/west...

At World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro for the Culture & Christianity Conference.
Charlie Kirk had been scheduled to speak at this summit, so expecting a lot of references to Kirk. This afternoon’s session will feature Rob McCoy, co-founder of TPUSA Faith.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks John!

Alabama colleges are firing staff over Charlie Kirk comments. It’s not enough, students say Inside the campus battle to define Charlie Kirk's legacy.

I spoke with students across Alabama who considered Charlie Kirk to be a mentor and role model. I asked them what they think should happen next. www.al.com/educationlab...

Many teachers leave their jobs after 3 years. This Alabama school aims to change that Birmingham schools faced record shortages in 2021 and 2022, often scrambling to hire staff weeks into the new school year.

www.al.com/educationlab...

Alabama immigration advocate detained by ICE in traffic stop, family says: ‘Just heartbreaking and discouraging’ "Her detainment is not only legally questionable — it is morally wrong," a petition demanding her release reads.

Gio Martinez was pulled over for going 1 mile over the speed limit.

She is an Alabama social worker who helped local students plan next steps in life.

“I try to be a support to the students,” she told @al.com earlier this summer.

www.al.com/news/2025/08...

It's been great to learn how my AL.com colleagues conquer web traffic. Living in one of the less-populated and less-wealthy states, but conducting best-in-class journalism? Hell yeah

How Huntsville music venues make concerts more awesome for fans with disabilities Local fans and musicians and Orion Amphitheater and Von Braun Center reps on making live music a great experience for everyone.

Neat story by @mattwake.bsky.social about ways some Alabama entertainment venues are working to make concerts more accessible for everyone who wants to jam. #accessability #ada #disabilityawareness

Gift link: www.al.com/life/2025/07...

a man in a suit says " and i need you " in a dark room ALT: a man in a suit says " and i need you " in a dark room

If you will be affected by the termination of Grad PLUS loans (or any financial aid change in the budget bill) and attending an Alabama college, hit me up! wmorris@al.com

Looking to find stories of how students will overcome the deficit. #JournoRequest

Hey Birmingham! Would love to see you there!

Just noting for all the people who demand that the press ask Trump tough questions... well, this is what happens.

You could be. It's up to DOR to decide whether the stated use + education service provider is allowed in the regulation. We're trying to parse out some of those use cases and see whether anyone is being allowed to use them. I'll pass that one along.