Issues
When are March Madness brackets released? Here’s what to know about Selection Sunday
The 68-team fields for the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments will be unveiled Sunday night, and the games begin next week.
NWSL preview: 5 questions that could shape women’s soccer this season
Whether you're new to the National Women's Soccer League, or you've been a fan for its past 12 seasons, here's a preview of what you should watch out for when play kicks off this weekend.
Why CEOs are calm about tariffs in public — but ‘very discouraged’ in private
Business leaders are trying to engage in a delicate diplomacy with the White House — even as their companies brace for the impact of market volatility and tariffs.
The Asian elephant population in Cambodia is more robust than previously thought
Some 400 to 600 Asian elephants are believed to remain living in the wild in Cambodia. Researchers said the study's findings underscore the potential of a "national stronghold" for the species.
John Feinstein, sports writer and author of ‘A Season on the Brink,’ dies at 69
Feinstein was comfortable writing fiction and nonfiction, and took on an array of sports, including golf and tennis, but he was known most for his connection to college basketball
As global tariff tensions rise, here’s the latest on U.S. trade with top partners
President Trump has upended global markets by imposing tariffs on imports from several of America's top trading partners. Here's what to know.
Trump threatens a 200% tariff on European alcohol
European wines, champagne and other beverages could face heavy tariffs if Trump follows through with this threat.
EPA announces dozens of environmental regulations it plans to target
The Environmental Protection Agency didn't provide details about what it wants to do with the regulations — whether it will try to weaken them or eliminate them entirely.
The U.S. buys electricity from Canada. Now it’s a focus of the trade war
As a trade war grew this week, Ontario's leader threatened a surcharge on Canadian electricity sold in some U.S. states. The episode highlighted the U.S. reliance on imported Canadian power.
Why religious leaders are divided on transgender rights
When Kansas became the 26th state to ban gender-affirming medical care for teens, the Catholic Church and Southern Baptist Convention cheered the move. But not all faith leaders agree.
What parents, teachers and school choice groups think of Education Department cuts
Teacher unions and some parent groups condemned the cuts, while school choice advocates celebrated them.
Universities across the U.S. freeze hiring as federal funding hangs in the balance
With uncertainties around federal funding for higher education, some schools are cutting back. Experts say that could hurt not only students and faculty, but ultimately make the U.S. less competitive.
Inflation eased a touch in February — but Trump’s tariffs cloud outlook
Consumer prices in February were up 2.8% from a year ago. That's a smaller annual increase than the previous month. But the president's trade war could put more upward pressure on prices.
America’s clean-energy industry is growing despite Trump’s attacks. At least for now.
Clean energy is crucial to meet rising U.S. electricity demand, according to industry analysts and executives. But the Trump administration's actions could slow development.
Manchester United announces plans for a new $2.5 billion stadium
The plans include the demolition of Old Trafford, the team's iconic 115-year-old stadium.
U.S. Education Department switches to remote work amid talk of layoffs
The announcement further unsettled department employees who have spent the past several weeks anticipating sweeping staff cuts.
Hanceville suspends police department, begins search for new chief
The Hanceville City Council voted Monday night to suspend its police department until a new police chief can be hired. That chief will be tasked with building a new police department from the ground up.
Stocks sink again, as Trump doubles down on tariffs
Trump has long boasted about the market's performance under him. But now he seems to have other priorities.
He fled Syria’s war as a teenager. He went back to help launch a tech industry
Abdulwahab Omira escaped Syria's war with his family as a teenager. He recently returned as a Stanford graduate student and a budding entrepreneur, hoping to help jumpstart the country's tech industry.
What’s Causing Birmingham’s Code Red Air Quality Alert?
A prescribed burn is harming air quality. Here's what Jefferson and Shelby County residents should do to protect their health.
As Trump downplays economic fears, this data show people feel differently
Economists look for signs that a recession may be approaching by monitoring consumer confidence and business sentiment — two indicators of uncertainty.
Paid parental leave likely coming for state employees in Alabama and Mississippi
Both states are part of just a dozen that do not offer the benefit. Proponents across the political aisle are likely to change that.
How reliable is the government’s economic data? Under Trump, there are real concerns
The disbanding of committees that consulted on government data — and comments from a senior official about changing how GDP is calculated — are raising alarm about the reliability of government data.
Birmingham VA worker caught in the crosshairs of federal funding cuts
Brandy Lee was in the middle of her work day with the Birmingham VA Medical Center in February when she got a memo from the federal Office of Personnel Management. After four months in her dream job, she was fired along with thousands of other federal employees across the country.
ICE arrests Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests
Mahmoud Khalil was inside his university-owned apartment Saturday night when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered and took him into custody.
‘Bloody Sunday’ 60th anniversary marked in Selma with remembrances and concerns about the future
Selma on Sunday marked the 60th anniversary of the clash that became known as Bloody Sunday. The attack shocked the nation and galvanized support for the U.S. Voting Rights Act of 1965. The annual commemoration paid homage to those who fought to secure voting rights for Black Americans and brought calls to recommit to the fight for equality.
This synagogue calls itself ‘anti-Zionist.’ Here’s what that means in practice
Tzedek Chicago calls itself anti-Zionist congregation, meaning it does not support a Jewish nation-state.
Vatican says hospitalized Pope Francis is showing ‘gradual, slight improvement’
The 88-year-old pontiff is responding well to the treatment for double pneumonia and has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" in recent days, the Vatican said Saturday.
Trump signs executive action targeting public service loan program
The program forgives the loans of borrowers who work in public service. The executive action would exclude those who work for certain organizations.
Trump administration cancels $400 million in federal dollars for Columbia University
The administration said it was cancelling grants and other federal awards for Columbia for an alleged failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.
A former Olympic snowboarder makes the FBI’s Most Wanted list
Ryan Wedding, a former Canadian Olympic snowboarder-turned-alleged-drug trafficker, "went from shredding powder on the slopes at the Olympics to distributing powder cocaine," the FBI says.
Immigration bills make headway in Montgomery
Immigration is one of the major issues of the moment at the national level. Alabama lawmakers are not far behind by taking up several bills intended to fight illegal immigration. We hear about some of those measures plus other action this week in Montgomery from Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
