Magic City Marketplace: A Long Time Coming
Much has been written about the investment and nightlife along Second Avenue North in Birmingham as a sign of the city center’s rising fortune. But the area’s comeback isn’t just a post-recession story. And it’s one economic development leaders hope isn’t done. We talk about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. Photo by Internet Archive Book Images
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs
The 6-3 ruling is a major blow to the president's signature economic policy.
The economy slowed in the last 3 months of the year — but was still solid in 2025
The U.S. economy grew 2.2% in 2025, a modest slowdown from 2.4% the previous year. GDP gains were fueled by solid consumer spending and business investment.
Ali Akbar, who’s sold newspapers on the streets of Paris for 50 years, is now a knight
For decades, Ali Akbar has sold papers on the Left Bank of Paris. Last month, France gave the beloved 73-year-old immigrant from Pakistan one of its highest honors — and his neighborhood is cheering.
Bill limiting environmental regulations goes to the governor’s desk
President Trump has taken steps to roll back environmental regulations. Some of that same action is taking place in statehouses, including Alabama's. Lawmakers gave final passage this week to a bill that would ban the state from enacting environmental rules more stringent than those at the federal level. That's where we start our weekly legislative update with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
For years the Taliban told women to cover up in public. Now they’re cracking down
At hospitals, at seminaries and on buses, the Taliban is stepping up enforcement of rules on women's dress in the city of Herat.
What I learned watching every sport at the Winter Olympics
Sit down with pop culture critic Linda Holmes as she watches the 2026 Winter Games. She is exhausted by cross-country, says "ow ow ow" during moguls, and makes the case, once and for all, for curling.
