Storms Couldn’t Keep Alabamians Away From Polls
Alabamians hit the polls yesterday for what’s been dubbed the “SEC Primary” and voter turnout was high despite severe weather.
Powerful thunderstorms and even a tornado could not keep Alabamians away from the polls yesterday. The severe weather moved through the area during evening rush hour, right about the time some people were on their way to vote. But others hit the polls earlier in the day.
“I voted for Bernie Sanders,” said Patricia Loyd of Birmingham. Her husband, Tom, voted for Ohio Governor John Kasich.
The Loyds may not share the same political beliefs, but they still manage to get along. Tom Loyd supported John Kasich over all other Republican candidates because, “I thought that he gave a good explanation of his platform and what he planned to do,” he said.
“I like Bernie Sanders because he listens,” said Patricia Loyd, who added that she also supports Hillary Clinton. “[Sanders] is just so real.
Another Kasich supporter, Harry Kahmar of Saginaw, said he was going to vote for Trump. But had a change of heart after what he calls Divine intervention.
“I believe I was led by the spirit, the spirit of God,” he said. “I mean I’m a Christian. I have to obey the spirit of God.”
In the end neither Sanders nor Kasich won Alabama. The Republican nomination went to front-runner Donald Trump, while the Democratic contest went to Hillary Clinton. And that’s good news for Clinton supporters.
“She’s had a lot of experience being the first lady, assisting her husband,” said Ella Thomas, who cast her vote in Pelham. “She’s been the Secretary of State and I think she’s more than qualified on day one to step in.”
The next time Alabamians goes to the polls will be in November to cast a final ballot for their successor to current President Barak Obama.
Gulf South food banks look back on a challenging year as another shutdown looms
Federal funding cuts and a 43-day government shutdown made 2025 a chaotic year for Gulf South food banks. For many, the challenges provide a road map for 2026.
Measles is spreading fast in S.C. Here’s what it says about vaccine exemptions
More than 550 people have contracted measles in Spartanburg County, S.C., in a fast-growing outbreak. Like a majority of U.S. counties, nonmedical exemptions to school vaccination are also rising.
It took 75 governors to elect a woman. Spanberger will soon be at Virginia’s helm
Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA officer and three-term congresswoman, is breaking long-held traditions on inauguration day. She says she wants her swearing-in to showcase the state's modern vibrancy.
For those with addiction, going into and coming out of prison can be a minefield.
Many jails and prisons around the country don't provide medication treatment for opioid use disorder. Studies show that medication makes recovery more likely and reduces the risk of overdose death.
Trump struck deals with 16 drug companies. But they’re still raising prices this year
All 16 drug companies that inked deals with the Trump administration over the past few months still raised some of their prices for 2026.
This hospice has a bold new mission: saving lives
A hospice in Uganda asked itself: Can we do more than ease the pain of dying? Can we actually prevent deaths from cervical and breast cancer?
