Q&A: A former New Orleans police chief says it’s time the U.S. changes its marijuana policy

Ronal Serpas is one of 32 law enforcement leaders who signed a letter sent to President Biden in support of moving marijuana to a Schedule III drug.

‘Anybody can be a lobbyist’: In Mississippi, incarceration fuels legislative advocacy training

The program aims to teach the art of political influence and policymaking to formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones.

‘Living in fear’: Small-town Mississippi residents are skeptical of DOJ’s police investigation

The "pattern or practice" investigation into the Lexington Police Department stems from allegations of excessive force, racist roadblocks and more.

New Alabama law aims to improve police interactions with people with disabilities

Some advocates said the law’s requirement of an hour-long training on working with people with “invisible” disabilities and sensory needs is a good start.

New Orleans residents are uneasy about the NOPD’s planned drone program, documents show

The Gulf States Newsroom obtained more than 350 pages of public comments concerning the NOPD’s planned drone program. Here’s what they said.

Alabama’s prison population sees troubling growth in latest DOJ report

For the first time in nearly a decade, U.S. prison populations are trending up. Alabama's numbers are a part of troubling gains across the Gulf South.