Watch: ‘Voices of District 2’ highlights challenges, strengths of Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District
(left to right) Rodreshia Russaw, Carol Gundlach, Letitia Jackson and Khadidah Stone discus the top issues Alabama's 2nd Congressional District needs help addressing with the Gulf States Newsroom's Nellie Beckett during a virtual listening session on Jan. 15, 2025.
Last year, the Gulf States Newsroom, in partnership with America Amplified, covered the 2024 election cycle in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.
The voting district, which is made up of 13 counties spanning a portion of the Black Belt, from Mobile up through Montgomery to the Georiga border, was redrawn in 2023 after a lengthy U.S. Supreme Court lawsuit argued former district lines violated the Civil Rights Act and didn’t allow Black Alabama residents accurate representation in Congress.
Former community engagement reporter Maya Miller and community engagement producer Nellie Beckett spent the year traveling to various towns in D2 each month and talking with residents about the issues that affected them most when choosing a candidate. Common themes included mental health, hospital closures, education and food access.
On Jan. 15, Beckett hosted a listening session to hear one of Miller’s stories and talk with D2 stakeholders — advocates who are working in the community to help uplift marginalized communities — about the district’s strengths and the challenges it faces.
Panelists who joined Beckett for the listening session include:
- Carol Gundlach: A senior policy analyst at Alabama Arise, a statewide, member-led nonprofit advancing public policies to improve the lives of residents marginalized by poverty
- Letetia Jackson: Convener for the South Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable, a voting rights advocate and a plaintiff in Allen v. Milligan — the lawsuit that led to D2 being redrawn
- Rodreshia Russaw-Glasgow: Director of The Ordinary People Society, a nonprofit that works to restore rights to formerly and currently incarcerated people, aid the homeless and mobilize communities in the Deep South
- Khadidah Stone: Director of field operations for Alabama Forward, a voting rights advocate and a plaintiff in Allen v. Milligan — the lawsuit that led to D2 being redrawn
You can watch a replay of the listening session below.
Can’t see the video below? Click here.
This story was produced by the Gulf States Newsroom, a collaboration between Mississippi Public Broadcasting, WBHM in Alabama, WWNO and WRKF in Louisiana and NPR.
And the winner of the 2025 Tiny Desk Contest is…
NPR Music's Robin Hilton announces the name of this year's Tiny Desk Contest winner. Every year since 2015, a different unsigned musician or band has benefited from the exposure that NPR Music provides.
First, relief. Then, a scramble to get stuff in after U.S. cuts China tariffs for now
Although business owners welcomed a temporary deal with China to slash tariffs, there's still considerable uncertainty about what happens next.
Republicans face a crucial stretch this week as they aim to deliver on Trump’s agenda
Three key committees are putting pen to paper on Trump's "big, beautiful bill." But lawmakers are at odds over policies with far-reaching impacts on Americans' wallets and for many, their healthcare.
Texas farmers struggle as Mexico and U.S. wrestle with water from the Rio Grande treaty
Recently, Mexico began sending more water to the U.S. to uphold its end of a nearly 80-year-old treaty that spells out how two countries share water. But farmers and water experts say the new agreement won't be enough.
Experts warn Congress cuts to addiction funding will mean more overdose deaths
A broad coalition of addiction experts wants Congress to maintain healthcare funding for the nation's response to fentanyl and other street drugs.
Chiefs superfan ‘ChiefsAholic’ sentenced to 32 years in Oklahoma prison
A Kansas City Chiefs superfan known as "ChiefsAholic" was sentenced Monday in an Oklahoma courtroom to serve 32 years in state prison for robbing a Tulsa-area bank.
