Issues

27 hospitalized, including 4 children, after car plows into Liverpool FC parade

A 53-year-old man is in police custody. He is from the Liverpool area and is believed to be the driver, police said.

‘I am Roman,’ Pope Leo says, as he becomes the bishop of Rome

The bishop of Rome is one of many titles held by the pope. Duties related to the title are usually delegated to an auxiliary or assistant bishop, known as a vicar.

Trump again blasts Harvard over international students as judge blocks revocation

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the home countries of some of Harvard's international students are "not at all friendly to the United States" and "pay NOTHING toward their student's education."

By the numbers: A look at international students at Harvard and across the U.S.

The latest criticism from the Trump administration of Harvard University highlighted the number of international students entering the United States each year for higher education.

Cold case solved: College students help ID the remains of a 19th century sea captain

Remains of the "Scattered Man John Doe" began washing ashore in New Jersey in 1995 and went unidentified for the next three decades. Students at Ramapo College set about to solve the mystery.

What’s Possible — AI in Alabama

Every so often, a new technology arises that transforms everything it touches. It fundamentally alters how we relate to each other and the world around us. Right now, the technology with that potential is artificial intelligence. On "What’s Possible – AI in Alabama," a locally-produced special by WBHM, we dive into a conversation about what AI means for the state.

Judge blocks Trump admin’s move to bar Harvard from enrolling international students

This comes in response to a lawsuit Harvard filed on Friday morning, challenging the Trump administration's abrupt move to revoke the school's ability to enroll foreign students.

Insurance costs are soaring around Tornado Alley. Hail is the big problem.

While tornadoes can obliterate communities, hailstorms cause damage across much larger areas.

GOP US Sen. Tommy Tuberville is expected to announce run for Alabama governor, associates say

Two people who have spoken with Tuberville about his plans said Thursday they expect him to announce a gubernatorial bid. They spoke on condition of anonymity because were not authorized to talk about a campaign.

9 things to know about the big, private-school voucher plan in Republicans’ tax bill

NPR asked researchers, advocates, tax experts, a parent and a public school leader for their thoughts on this first-of-its-kind national voucher plan. Here's what they said.

Electric grills are a climate-friendly option to fossil fuel grills

Grilling usually involves burning fossil fuel. But some manufacturers are offering electric grills and citing climate change and convenience as reasons to switch.

Trump’s Harvard visa threat could wipe out several of the school’s sports teams

Some of Harvard's sports teams could be wiped out by a Trump administration decision that would make the school with the nation's largest athletic program ineligible for international student visas.

Hate groups in the US decline but their influence grows, report shows

In its annual Year in Hate and Extremism report, released Thursday, the Southern Poverty Law Center said it counted 1,371 hate and extremist groups, a 5% decline. The nonprofit group attributes this to a lesser sense of urgency to organize because their beliefs have infiltrated politics, education and society in general.

Why did university police chase a student and his baby across a graduation stage?

Jean Paul Al Arab and his 6-month-old led police on a brief foot chase during a University at Buffalo ceremony. The school said the grad violated rules about who can participate in the commencement.

Why ‘Sell America’ is trending on Wall Street

Investors are worried about the ongoing trade war — and rethinking the safety and soundness of U.S. government debt.

Trump administration revokes Harvard’s ability to enroll international students

International students make up more than a quarter of Harvard University's student body. Harvard says the government's actions, which could cut off a major revenue stream, are "unlawful."

Congress moves to loosen toxic air pollution rules

The House and Senate both voted to loosen regulations on air pollutants like dioxin and mercury, which are associated with higher cancer risk.

Forecasters predict above-average hurricane season again

Forecasters expect 13 to 19 storms to form in the Atlantic between June 1 and the end of November. At least 6 of those are forecast to be full-blown hurricanes.

Community groups say Louisiana is trying to stop them from monitoring air pollution

For community groups to allege violations of environmental rules, a state law says groups have to use federally-approved testing equipment, and it sets restrictions for analyzing and sharing the data.

Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner and music memorabilia collector, dies at 65

Irsay started with the Colts as a teenage ball boy and took ownership after his father's death in 1997. The team won a Super Bowl and two AFC championships under his nearly three-decade tenure.

No more pennies: In big change, Treasury will stop minting them

In a cost-cutting move, the Treasury Department will soon stop minting new pennies. The one-cent coins will still be legal tender. There are more than 100 billion pennies in circulation but many are gathering dust in change jars and forgotten pockets.

Judge blocks Trump administration from closing the Education Department

The federal judge also told the administration to reinstate department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced in March.

DOGE cuts, policy changes jeopardize care, housing for vulnerable HIV patients in Alabama

Federal funding has helped states like Alabama and Mississippi make strides in fighting the HIV epidemic. Doctors and advocates are worried about the future.

Is AI coming for your job? Maybe. Here’s what to expect and how to prepare

Artificial intelligence is already transforming workplaces in Alabama. And the pace of the AI revolution is about to accelerate.

Judge considers sanctions against attorneys in prison case for using AI in court filings

U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco held a hearing in Birmingham to question attorneys with the Butler Snow firm about the filings. She said there were five false citations in two filings in federal court.

Educators fear their homeless students could become a target for Trump cuts

A federal program provides extra help to make sure students experiencing homelessness get an education. Amid massive cuts to the federal government, the program's future is uncertain.

Scientists want to track the world’s biodiversity using DNA in the air

Scientists have found a way to sample DNA out of the air on a large scale — making it possible to one day track the health and well being of all kinds of species around the world.

New Orleans Archdiocese agrees to pay nearly $180M to victims of clergy sexual abuse

Lawyers for survivors said they won't support the agreement, which they say was negotiated behind closed doors.

Alabama Power threatened with lawsuit for contaminating groundwater with coal ash

Nine years after the Gadsden Steam Plant stopped burning coal, its unlined coal ash pond is still polluting Alabama groundwater, records show.

The ‘tush push’ lives on. NFL teams vote to keep the controversial play

The effort to ban the play has faced pushback from teams that regularly employ it, perhaps none more successfully than the Philadelphia Eagles.

Retailers feel pressure to eat the price increases from tariffs

From Target to Walmart, retailers are fighting two battles at once: a financial battle to keep costs low in the face of new tariffs, and a political one to avoid the president's wrath.

Ivey appoints first Black Republican on Alabama Supreme Court

Judge Bill Lewis replaces Justice Jay Mitchell, who resigned Monday. Lewis most recently served on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.