Ralph Chapoco

Ralph Chapoco

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Ralph Chapoco is a senior reporter for the Alabama Reflector. Prior to that, he was the political watchdog reporter for Florida Today, covering local politicians and the impact their policies have on the community. He began as an education reporter for a year and half for the Rio Grande Sun in New Mexico and the North Platte Telegraph in North Platte, Nebraska. Afterward, he spent more than three years at the Washington County Daily News as the local political journalist.

Former Alabama Corrections healthcare provider says it can’t pay pre-bankruptcy wages
Alabama

Former Alabama Corrections healthcare provider says it can’t pay pre-bankruptcy wages

6:01am ET
Ralph Chapoco
The former healthcare provider for the Alabama Department of Corrections told employees on Monday that it did not have the cash to pay them for hours worked before the company filed for bankruptcy in May. David Goldwasser, chief restructuring officer...
Federal judge blocks use of Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution protocol
Alabama

Federal judge blocks use of Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution protocol

Jun 09, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
Key points A federal judge Tuesday ruled Alabama’s nitrogen gas protocol constituted “cruel and unusual punishment” and said a death row inmate showed a firing squad was a feasible alternative. The ruling came after an appeals court ruled that the...
Morgan County judge sets deadline for DA to respond to appeal from Robin “Rocky” Myers
Alabama

Morgan County judge sets deadline for response to former death row inmate’s appeal

Jun 09, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
A Morgan County judge last month ordered the state to respond to a former death row inmate who says his court-appointed attorney was affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan. Judge Charles Elliott gave the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office’s until...
Days before Alabama execution, federal court orders new hearing
Alabama

Days before Alabama execution, federal court orders new hearing

Jun 08, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
A federal appeals court Monday ordered a new hearing for an Alabama death row inmate scheduled to be executed on Thursday, but did not stay the execution. The three judge panel of 11th Circuit Court of Appeals judges — U.S...
Ethics Commission issues advisory opinions for municipalities and Alabama Board of Medical Examiners
Alabama

Ethics Commission issues advisory opinions for municipalities and Alabama Board of Medical Examiners

Jun 08, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
The Alabama Ethics Commission approved several advisory opinions on Wednesday that allows the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and local public officials to conduct business with private and nonprofit firms without violating the state’s ethics act. Commissioners approved an advisory...
Public Service Commission orders hearing on natural gas company’s rates
Alabama

Public Service Commission orders hearing on natural gas company’s rates

Jun 05, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
The Alabama Public Service Commission will hold a rate case for a St. Louis-based natural gas company, the first time the PSC has held one for the company in more than four decades. PSC Executive Director Luke Bentley IV said...
Federal judge allows Alabama nitrogen gas execution to go forward
Alabama

Federal judge allows Alabama nitrogen gas execution to go forward

Jun 02, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
A federal district court Friday denied an Alabama death row inmate’s request to delay his scheduled June 11 execution, saying the pain he could experience was constitutional. U.S. District Court Judge Emily Marks wrote that Jeffrey Lee, 50, scheduled to...
Controversies follow new Alabama Department of Corrections healthcare provider
Alabama

Controversies follow new Alabama Department of Corrections healthcare provider

Jun 01, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
The Birmingham-based healthcare provider that won an emergency contract to provide services in Alabama prisons has faced controversies over its services in other states. NaphCare, which signed a $500 million contract with the Alabama Department of Corrections early last month...
Southern Poverty Law Center seeks to have criminal charges dismissed
Alabama

Southern Poverty Law Center seeks to have criminal charges dismissed

May 27, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
Attorneys for the Southern Poverty Law Center Tuesday asked a federal court to dismiss criminal charges brought against it by the U.S. Department of Justice, citing statements made by President Donald Trump and other high-ranking officials as evidence of vindictive...
Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission to increase maximum payouts for certain claims
Alabama

Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission to increase maximum payouts for certain claims

May 27, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission Wednesday approved administrative code changes to increase potential payouts to crime victims and their families. The changes would affect several reimbursement categories, including moving, lost wages, funeral costs and medical bills. “I think that...
Democratic candidate sues to block Alabama Public Service Commission expansion
Alabama

Democratic candidate sues to block Alabama Public Service Commission expansion

May 27, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
A Democratic candidate for Public Service Commission Tuesday sued the state over a law restructuring the commission. The lawsuit, filed by Sheila McNeil, the Democratic nominee for Place 2 on the commission, alleges that the law — expanding the membership...
Federal judges question Alabama attorneys over plan to use earlier congressional map
Alabama

Federal judges question Alabama attorneys over plan to use earlier congressional map

May 22, 2026
Ralph Chapoco
BIRMINGHAM — A three-judge panel of the Northern District of Alabama Friday peppered attorneys for Alabama with questions about its attempt to use a 2023 congressional map that the panel declared racially discriminatory. The judges appeared skeptical of Alabama Solicitor...