Government

Alabama GOP Leader on Trump, Protests and More

There's been no shortage of controversy about President Donald Trump's first days in office, but the Republican grass roots of Alabama generally support what he's done so far. So we checked in with state Republican party chair Terry Lathan to get her perspective.

New Report finds Black Veterans Targeted for Lynching in the South

The Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative is building a memorial to lynching victims. The group estimates more than 4,000 African-Americans were lynched in the South between 1877-1950. Among those targeted were black veterans. These men returned from war abroad having experienced something unfamiliar to them, being treated with dignity and respect; something they didn't receive at home in the U.S. Many black veterans challenged the racial hierarchy of the South and were seen as threats to white supremacy.

Protesters March at Birmingham Airport to Oppose Trump’s Immigration Ban

Protesters marched at Birmingham's airport Sunday to oppose President Trump's executive order on immigrants and refugees.

Grand Jury in Birmingham Expands Probe

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a widening grand jury investigation in Jefferson County.

Abandoned Properties Locked In Limbo As The Tax Bill Grows

There are thousands of tax delinquent properties in Jefferson County. Many of them are vacant and in disrepair. But even burned down houses and empty lots can still rack up […]

Late Paying Your Property Tax? Investors See An Opportunity

What if you’re late paying your property tax? In Alabama, give it a few months and a lien will probably be placed on your property. But one man’s delinquent property […]

Attorney General: Alabama Death Penalty Law “Constitutional”

The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear arguments in a case involving Alabama’s death penalty sentencing scheme.

Birmingham Women’s March Draws Massive Crowd

Weather forecasters warned of severe thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes, but even that wasn’t enough to keep hundreds from gathering at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham for the Women’s March.

Live Annotation of President Trump’s Inaugural Address

Donald Trump gave his inaugural address after being sworn in as president of the United States on Friday afternoon. NPR’s politics team, with help from journalists across the newsroom, live-annotated […]

Relationship from Divorce Case the Focus For Indicted JeffCo District Attorney

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the perjury charge against suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson.

Suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Claims Innocence On Perjury Charge

Suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson said Tuesday a perjury charge that came days before he was set to take office is baseless and politically motivated.

US Attorney General Lynch Gives Final Speech in Birmingham

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke to a packed congregation at the 16th St. Baptist Church yesterday to commemorate Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Lynch says the city’s past and King’s work have made Birmingham a beacon for civil rights in the United States.

Incoming Jefferson County District Attorney Under Indictment

Note: this story has been updated on Saturday January 14 at 8:10 p.m. See update below.    Jefferson County’s newly-elected district attorney, Charles Todd Henderson, was indicted on a felony […]

Birmingham Civil Rights District Named National Monument

Birmingham city leaders announced Thursday evening that the Birmingham Civil Rights District, once a hub of violence and aggression toward African-Americans, is now a national monument. President Obama named it one of […]

Municipal Judges Disciplined for Modern-Day Debtors’ Prisons

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discuss the waning use of "debtor prison" tactics that find poor residents buried under municipal fines.

Live Annotation of President-Elect Trump’s Press Conference

The NPR Politics team, editors, and reporters across the newsroom will be live-annotating a news conference with President-elect Donald Trump, expected at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday. They will be […]

Birmingham Awaiting Announcement on Civil Rights National Monument

In his State of the City address Tuesday, Birmingham Mayor William Bell said he’s optimistic President Obama will declare the Birmingham Civil Rights District a national monument.

NPR Politics Team Facts Checks President Obama’s Farewell

The NPR Politics team and reporters across the newsroom are live-annotating President Obama’s farewell address in Chicago on Tuesday night, scheduled to begin at 8 pm CT. The team will […]

Talladega Band Looks to Crowdfunding to Help Pay for Inauguration Trip

The 200-member band wants to raise $75,000 to help pay for transportation, lodging and other expenses. A total of $6,625 has been raised through 110 contributions, since the campaign launched five days ago.

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions and a Look at Civil Rights

Jeff Sessions’ civil rights track record is on trial and is likely to remain a topic of conversation until his confirmation hearing. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld discusses a little about how civil rights actually work.

The Year Ahead in Birmingham Politics

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the year ahead in Birmingham politics. He also remembers former Alabama Governor Albert Brewer.

Birmingham Area Under Winter Storm Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Birmingham area.

Fake News Challenged Former Governor Albert Brewer in Fierce Election Campaign

One history expert notes the bitter campaign marked an early instance of fake news.

NAACP Stages Sit-in to Protest Sessions’ Nomination as Attorney General

Leaders with the NAACP are calling on the Senate to reject President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, and staging a sit-in in Sessions' Mobile office in protest.

Talladega College President Undecided On Band’s Inauguration Performance

Talladega College doesn’t have a football team, but it has a band – the Marching Tornadoes. More than 100 band members from the historically black college east of Birmingham have been […]

The Year in Alabama Politics

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the big stories of the year in Alabama politics.

Alabama Execution Puts Judicial Override in the Spotlight

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses judicial override. Alabama executed an inmate last week whose death penalty was given by a judge over the recommendation of a jury.

Questions Surround Mayor’s Plan for Ensley Tower

Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses plans to renovate a vacant building in downtown Ensley.

Lawsuit Adds Sordid Details to Alleged Bentley Affair

A lawsuit offers sordid details about Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's alleged affair.

ACLU President Visits Samford Univeristy

Susan Herman spoke to a packed audience, answering questions about current concerns and potential roles for the ACLU under President-Elect Donald Trump.

Provider Withdrawals Spark Uncertainty About Alabama’s Medicaid Overhaul

Alabama’s effort to transform its Medicaid system took a hit last month as several major providers decided to withdraw from the effort. More than a million people in the state depend on Medicaid for healthcare. The pull out is adding uncertainty to what’s already been a troubled process.