Issues
AvKare recalls over-the-counter eye drops after FDA audit
Customers are encouraged to stop using several eye irritation products, including gels and artificial tears.
What was approved, and what failed, in the 2025 Alabama legislative session
Alabama lawmakers ended the 2025 legislative session on Wednesday. Here is a look at a few of the notable bills that passed, and some that failed, during the session.
Lawmakers pass bill to criminalize bringing immigrants in the US illegally across state lines
The legislation given final approval Wednesday protects “not only the citizens of Alabama but also the people that are immigrating here legally and doing everything the right way,” said the bill’s Republican sponsor.
Ivey signs a bill regulating the sale of hemp products
The law would allow gummies, drinks and other consumable products to continue to be sold, but limits the amount of psychoactive compounds in the products. It also puts restrictions on where the products can be sold.
Walmart says higher prices from tariffs coming as soon as this month
The world's largest retailer says it won't be able to absorb all the costs from higher tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China. Already in April, shoppers began tightening their budgets as retail spending did not grow much compared to March.
One woman’s fight to remove barriers for aspiring doctors with disabilities
After her dreams of becoming a doctor were denied, one California woman is working to make the profession more accessible to those with disabilities.
RFK Jr. stands by deep cuts to health budget during contentious hearings
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is standing firm on the sweeping cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, cuts he says were suggested by Elon Musk and his DOGE team.
Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day
Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.
What to know about a federal proposal to help families pay for private school
Republicans want to use the federal tax code to create a national school voucher even in states where voters have fought such efforts.
Trump’s plan to bring shipbuilding back to the US? Port fees on Chinese vessels
Port fees on Chinese-built ships and operators will start in October, further raising the cost of trading with the United States.
Medicaid cuts will hurt families and cost GOP politically, says Kentucky governor
Republicans' proposed Medicaid cuts will cause 8.6 million people to lose health insurance by 2034, an estimate shows. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said it will cost Republicans seats in Congress.
Zelenskyy asks for Pope Leo XIV’s help in bringing Ukrainian children home from Russia
Pope Leo XIV and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy spoke by phone recently, according to the Vatican.
U.S. egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs
The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs declined to $5.12 last month after reaching a record $6.23 in March. It was the first month-to-month drop in egg prices since October 2024.
ESPN’s new streaming app could replace cable for some but may end up costing them more
ESPN says its long-anticipated subscription plan will cost $29.99 a month. An analyst says that, combined with subscriptions to other stream services, could drive the cost up to the price of cable packages.
Major League Baseball lifts lifetime ban on Pete Rose and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson
Major League Baseball has lifted the lifetime ban of Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and 15 other deceased players. The move clears the way for a Hall of Fame vote but doesn't guarantee admission.
UnitedHealth Group abruptly replaces CEO Andrew Witty, deepening a terrible year
The health care conglomerate is facing mounting financial problems – and ongoing consumer anger over high costs and denied claims.
Inflation cools in April — but tariffs could upend the picture in coming months
Consumer prices in April were up 2.3% from a year ago, the smallest annual increase in more than four years. Grocery prices fell 0.4%, thanks to a large drop in the price of eggs.
Why an economist says temporary U.S.-China tariff deal doesn’t ease uncertainty
Businesses are rushing to import Chinese goods after the U.S. struck a temporary deal. This "stop-go" nature of trade could still mean higher prices and doesn't ease uncertainty, an economist warns.
Why aren’t Americans filling the manufacturing jobs we already have?
Leaders from both political parties have been working to bring back manufacturing. But American manufacturers say they are struggling to fill the manufacturing jobs we already have.
Inflation cools in April — but tariffs could upend the picture in coming months
Consumer prices in April were up 2.3% from a year ago, the smallest annual increase in more than four years. Grocery prices fell 0.4%, thanks to a large drop in the price of eggs.
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.
Michael Jordan joins NBC as the network revives its NBA coverage
It has been over 20 years since NBC had rights to broadcast NBA games. Its last run was during the 90s, which coincided with Michael Jordan's reign over basketball.
Episcopal Church refuses to resettle white Afrikaners, citing moral opposition
The church said it's terminating a decades-long partnership with the federal government to help refugees arriving in the U.S., citing moral opposition to resettling white Afrikaners from South Africa.
Danny McBride sends a love letter to the South with ‘The Righteous Gemstones’
McBride, a Georgia native, has seen how Hollywood traffics in stereotypes about the American South. His HBO show satirizes televangelists without making religious people the butt of the joke.
WBHM seeks an All Things Considered host/reporter
Come be the newest afternoon host at WBHM, with a newsroom that has won multiple national Murrow Awards in recent years. The afternoon host is the local voice in Birmingham […]
Stocks soar after U.S. and China agree to temporarily slash tariffs
Stocks soared — and businesses breathed a sigh of relief — as the U.S. and China agreed to temporarily slash their triple-digit tariffs.
Pope Leo XIV asks journalists to use communication as a tool for peace
The remarks come just one day after calling for a ceasefire and access to humanitarian aid in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine.
Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? A ‘coach’ can help
Government incentives for climate-friendly upgrades are confusing to navigate, and it can be hard to find businesses that sell them. So a new industry is emerging to help: the decarbonization coach.
The future of student loan repayment, explained
A Republican overhaul would reduce borrowers' repayments options from several plans to just two.
The U.S. and China announce a deal to cut tariffs, temporarily easing trade war
American levies on Chinese goods will drop from at least 145% to 30% for an initial period of 90 days, while Chinese levies are set to fall from at least 125% to 10% on American goods.
Here’s what U.S. Catholics are saying about the election of Pope Leo XIV
At services on Sunday, some Catholics took particular pride in the election of the first American pontiff, who has familial ties to multiple places across the country.
Pope Leo XIV calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza, saying ‘Never again war’
In his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza with the release of hostages and delivery of aid
