Issues
Novak Djokovic retires injured from Australian Open semifinal, as some fans boo
Tennis star Novak Djokovic was booed by some sections of the crowd after retiring injured from his Australian Open semifinal against German Alexander Zverev.
Trump tries to erase Biden’s health legacy with early executive orders
Trump issued a flurry of executive orders and other actions on health care this week. Other than signaling he intends to reverse many of Biden's moves, the orders will have little immediate impact.
Man charged with 11 homicides — including two mass shootings in Birmingham — pleads not guilty
Damien McDaniel is accused of killing 11 people between July and September of last year in Birmingham — which would account for over 7% of all homicides in the city in 2024.
Trump’s geographic renaming plans leave mapmakers pondering what to do next
Mapmakers and teachers are re-thinking what to call the gulf of water between Mexico, the United States and Cuba after President Donald Trump ordered it renamed from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. There's no agreed-upon scheme to name boundaries and features shared by countries. And map lines are inherently political.
This scientist studies climate change. Then the Los Angeles fire destroyed his home
Climate scientist Ben Hamlington works on understanding the impacts of climate change. Losing his house in the Eaton Fire has given that work new meaning.
This economist survived a wildfire. Now she’s taking on California’s insurance crisis
An economist's harrowing escape from fire, and her big ideas to rescue California from its insurance doom spiral.
In a surprise, U.S. colleges saw higher enrollment last fall
The number of students in undergraduate and graduate programs rose above pre-pandemic levels for the first time.
Another casualty of Israel’s war in Lebanon: Efforts to save endangered turtles
Lebanese volunteers are anxious to get back to sea turtle conservation on southern beaches that were off-limits to civilians when fighting escalated between Israel and Hezbollah.
Trump’s energy emergency is a gift to fossil fuel firms. It’s likely headed to court
President Trump signed a "national energy emergency" that gives his administration new powers to boost fossil fuel development around the country.
Harvard agrees to adopt a broad definition of antisemitism to settle two lawsuits
Several other schools have recently settled similar lawsuits, and suits are pending against others, including the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University.
Bishop confronts Trump during sermon at inaugural prayer service
At a sermon preached to President Trump at Washington National Cathedral, Bishop Mariann Budde asked him to "have mercy" on people who are "scared," including LGBTQ children.
Watch: ‘Voices of District 2’ highlights challenges, strengths of Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District
Watch a replay of the Gulf States Newsroom's virtual listening session discussing its coverage of Alabama's 2nd Congressional District during the 2024 election.
From grief to leadership: Randall Woodfin’s journey in ‘Son of Birmingham’
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin really likes music. That’s one of the throughlines in his new memoir Son of Birmingham which is out January 21. In it he touches on his time in office, the influence of his older brother who died at the hands of gun violence, and of course, his favorite tracks.
Ohio State defeats Notre Dame 34-23 in college football championship game
Ohio State dominated most of the night, and all through the playoffs
Alabama supreme court grants breastfeeding women exemption from jury duty after public outcry
The Alabama Supreme Court issued an administrative order that requires Alabama judges to have written procedures excusing breastfeeding mothers from jury duty. Previously, state code did not specifically make exemptions for nursing mothers.
What to know about Ohio State, Notre Dame and college football’s championship game
That the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish, two of the sport's most storied teams, are squaring off in the title game is a TV executive's dream — and a fitting end to the first-ever 12-team playoff.
Why Trump’s tariff promises will be hard to keep
President-elect Donald Trump has said his tariffs will raise revenues, boost U.S. jobs, and help stop the drug trade. But some of these goals are at odds with the others.
Cleaning up after the LA wildfires is dangerous. Here’s how to protect yourself
The ash and debris created during the burns could be loaded with dangerous materials. Experts suggest taking care.
This Virginia program helps former foster youth get degrees, at any age
Great Expectations was designed to help people who grew up in foster care get their two-year degrees. And unlike many programs for former foster youth, there are no age limits.
Is the air quality index actually useful right now?
The air has improved in the LA region as firefighters get blazes under control, but there are questions about how safe the air actually is.
More teens say they’re using ChatGPT for schoolwork, a new study finds
According to the survey, 26% of students ages 13-17 are using the artificial intelligence bot to help them with their assignments.
A California fifth grader interviews his firefighter father
Cian Lawlor's father was dispatched to the Palisades Fire just over a week ago and he's been working it ever since. The 11-year-old had some questions for his dad.
Immigrants drive Nebraska’s economy. Trump’s mass deportations pledge is a threat
Nebraska is one of the top meat producers in the U.S. It also has one of the worst labor shortages. The incoming Trump administration has promised mass deportations on an unprecedented scale. We asked Nebraskans what that could mean.
Development is taking a toll on Florida’s precious springs
The state has been slow to adopt rules to protect Florida's endangered springs. While a boom in residential construction has increased the amount of groundwater being taken from the aquifers.
Why Australian Open live streams look like Wii tennis — and what it means for sports
The Australian Open's animated tennis livestreams are making a splash. U.S. leagues have used similar technology to put Simpsons on the football field and superheroes on ice skates.
China’s population falls for a third straight year, posing challenges for its economy
Rising costs of living are causing young people to put off or rule out marriage and child birth while pursuing higher education and careers.
Trump’s pick for EPA administrator is Lee Zeldin. Here’s what to know.
Democrats worry the Trump administration will roll back efforts to limit climate change.
Trump’s pick for Treasury Secretary is Scott Bessent. Here’s what to know
Trump's promised tax cuts, and their potential consequences for the U.S. economy, took center stage at Bessent's confirmation hearing.
Toyota’s commercial truck company will pay $1.6 billion for faking emissions tests
Hino Motors will plead guilty to submitting false emissions data to regulators for more than 100,000 heavy-duty trucks. The company will pay an array of fines, and fix some affected vehicles for free.
‘Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker, Milwaukee Brewers announcer, dies at 90
Uecker was the voice of his hometown team who after a short playing career earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honors from the Hall of Fame.
We asked experts to grade Biden’s job on education. They gave it a C average
We asked more than a dozen educators, researchers, advocates and experts how they would grade Biden's education legacy. He got two F's, no A's and lots of votes in the middle.
Alabama inmate asks court to block nitrogen gas execution
Demetrius Terrence Frazier is scheduled to be executed Feb. 6. His attorneys in a Wednesday court filing asked a judge to block the execution unless the state makes changes to the protocol.
