Muslim Organization Calls on Public Leaders to Condemn Anti-Islamic Sentiment
The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling on public officials to condemn growing anti-Islamic sentiment, specifically a flier they say has been distributed in northern Alabama. CAIR says the recruitment flier from the Ku Klux Klan has been seen in Cullman and Decatur and urges people help the group “fight the spread of Islam” in the United States.
The flier adds to tensions among Alabama Muslims sparked by Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States and a mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, last week which left 14 dead. Investigators believe the act was committed by a radicalized Muslim couple.
Birmingham area mosques have increased security. Birmingham resident Labeebah Abdullah is among those troubled by Trump’s comments.
“[I’m concerned] that someone with some type of ideology that connects with him will want to do something crazy,” said Abdullah. “And that’s the danger of that kind of rhetoric.”
Meanwhile Birmingham Islamic Society President Ashfaq Taufique says he’s contacted the FBI after several members received suspicious messages on social media. He says mosque members received friend requests from an unknown person. He says one member received a message from that unknown contact saying, “We are at war and we must stick together.”
Taufique says the communication came before the San Bernardino shootings and that the message is unclear, but it could be tied to extremism.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
