The Debate Rages about UAB Football
Almost a week after UAB President Ray Watts’ announcement that the university’s football program would end, vigorous debate continues about the decision. Watts said the university couldn’t afford a projected $49 million increase in spending over the next five years to make football competitive.
David Goldenberg of FiveThirtyEight.com argues UAB was hobbled by the unsupportive Alabama System Board of Trustees and an increasingly difficult financial picture. Meanwhile, Associated Press writer Paul Newberry says costs will drive more universities to cut football programs.
But Vice Sports contributor Andy Schwarz says UAB does have the money and actually might lose some by ending football.
The Birmingham Business Journal offers two competing views. Kris Dunn says UAB football is dead because of a great leader and the enemies a great leader attracts. Tony Mauro says President Ray Watts’ decision represents an unpopular one, but the right one for the university.
ESPN’s College GameDay aired a piece on Saturday on the end of UAB football, but university officials dispute a claim in the story that administrators didn’t approach top donors about contributing more money to save the team. The school has released a FAQ on the UAB football situation pointing out what it says are inaccuracies.
Birmingham is 3rd worst in the Southeast for ozone pollution, new report says
The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report shows some metro areas in the Gulf States continue to have poor air quality.
Why haven’t Kansas and Alabama — among other holdouts — expanded access to Medicaid?
Only 10 states have not joined the federal program that expands Medicaid to people who are still in the "coverage gap" for health care
Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
Thousands of ordinary people who helped clean up after the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico say they got sick. A court settlement was supposed to help compensate them, but it hasn’t turned out as expected.
Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis
Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring a Community Engagement Producer
The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking a curious, creative and collaborative professional to work with our regional team to build up engaged journalism efforts.
Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.
