Legislative Wrap-Up: Lawmakers Advance Abortion Ban, Education Budget
Alabama teachers could get another pay raise under the proposed education budget the Senate passed this week. Lawmakers earlier this week approved a 4% pay increase for teachers and other school employees. The proposed $7 billion education spending plan would be the largest in Alabama history. And members of the House overwhelmingly approved a strict abortion ban. The bill makes it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. It is designed to challenge Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion.
For more on that, WBHM’s Gigi Douban spoke with Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal.
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.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.

