Taylor Washington

Gulf States Newsroom Reporting Fellow



Taylor Washington is the reporting fellow for the Gulf States Newsroom, a regional partnership between public radio stations in Alabama (WBHM), Louisiana (WWNO and WRKF) and Mississippi (MPB-Mississippi Public Broadcasting) and NPR.

Prior to joining the team, she interned with NPR’s economics podcast Planet Money, and Planet Money’s daily podcast, The Indicator, where she reported on the rise of “buy now, pay later” companies. She also spent time working on NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast.

She was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. In her downtime, she enjoys cooking, shopping for books she doesn’t have any more space for, and going to the movies (almost) every weekend.

MLK Day is Monday. In Alabama and Mississippi, it’s also Robert E. Lee Day.

Here’s a quick history lesson on why the unlikely joint celebration of a civil rights icon and a Confederate general is still happening.

How TikTok and the South’s urban legends opened new doors for Alabama’s Joshua Dairen

The local content creator turned his love of the paranormal into a promising side gig thanks to TikTok. Now, he wants to make space for others like himself.

A Ukrainian dressmaker and his family find refuge and a new beginning in Vestavia Hills

Mykola Vyshyvanyuk and his family were forced to flee Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022. Thanks to local support, they’ve found a new place to call home.

Alabama has 5th highest U.S. gun death rate. A study blames weak laws, high ownership

The Violence Policy Center, a non-profit educational organization, used the most recent CDC data on gun death rates in the U.S. for its analysis.

Traveling exhibit goes ‘deeper’ into Emmett Till’s story, civil rights history of host cities

The interactive exhibit “Emmett and Mamie Till Mobley: Let the World See” is in the middle of the first of two stops in the Gulf South region.

Why now is the right time for Alabama to honor Hugo Black’s complicated legacy

Alabama native and Supreme Court justice Hugo Black became a civil rights champion after a brief time in the KKK. A new monument honors his complicated legacy.

Despite pushback, the organizers of Cullman’s first pride event are pushing forward

The announcement of Saturday’s event drew threats and calls for counter-protests. In response, LGBTQ+ communities across the state have offered their support.

Gulf States rank at the bottom for climate-adapted housing. Organizers want to change that.

As natural disasters and extreme weather become more frequent in the Gulf South, a new report hopes to be a road map to providing more climate-adapted housing.

Ahead of its Alabama debut, John Archibald gives an inside look at ‘Pink Clouds’

AL.com columnist John Archibald brings his columns to the stage with the debut of his first play, "Pink Clouds." It premieres Saturday at Red Mountain Theatre.

A new mural, shop at Birmingham’s airport pays tribute to U.S. Civil Rights Trail

City and state leaders hope the mural gives visitors to Birmingham’s airport a memorable introduction to the city’s history within the civil rights movement.