Alabama Has Highest Number of Death Row Inmates Per Capita
For 30 years Anthony Ray Hinton lived down the hall from “Yellow Mama,” the Alabama electric chair that, for decades, carried out the state’s executions before being decommissioned in 2002 and put in the attic at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore.
Hinton, a black man from Birmingham, watched as 23 men went to go meet “Mama” during his time on death row at Holman. For 30 years, he sat in his cell and wondered when he would be called to meet “Mama” while he tried to prove his innocence in a state that, historically, had only exonerated four death row inmates. – Cody Owens, WELD, “Death Down The Hall“
Anthony Ray Hinton was on death row in Alabama for 30 years, sentenced to death in 1985 for murder. Hinton maintained he was not guilty, and in April he was released after reexamined ballistic evidence raised troubling questions about his conviction.
Hinton was the 152 person released from death row in the United States since 1983. His story moved Alabamians and people across the nation. Some were unable to comprehend how someone person could be on death row for three decades given unreliable evidence.
For more on the state of the death penalty in Alabama, WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley spoke to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. WELD’s cover story this week examines why Alabama has more inmates on death row per capita than any other state. Patterson joins us during All Things Considered most Thursdays.
‘The worst day of my life:’ Texas’ Hill Country reels as deaths rise due to floods
Dozens of people have died in the Texas Hill Country. Scores of others are missing or unaccounted for. As rescue crews continue to search for victims, those who survived are coping with the loss.
Are seed oils actually bad for your health? Here’s the science behind the controversy
Health Secretary RFK Jr. has said vegetable oils, like canola and soybean, are 'poisoning Americans.' But many researchers say the evidence isn't there. So, what does the science say about seed oils?
Trump plans to share new tariff rates this week as deadline for deals approaches
The administration keeps shifting its plans when it comes to trade negotiations. The latest expectation is that most countries will receive new tariff rates this week that would go into effect on Aug. 1.
Inside the evolution of Biosphere 2, from ’90s punchline to scientific playground
The venture, privately funded to start, is now run by the University of Arizona. And today, scientists there are quietly plugging away at research they hope will help us all adapt to the Biosphere 1 — that is Earth, and the climate change we are causing to it.
The war in Gaza divided a historic Brooklyn co-op. Here’s what happened next
Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, members of the Park Slope Food co-op have been debating whether to ban Israeli goods from the shelves.
Defunct oil wells are a national problem. Finding them is the first step
There could be about a million 'orphan' oil and gas wells across the U.S. As they age, they can leak greenhouse gases or unhealthy chemicals.
