Issues
Mayor Woodfin Seeks Community Help To Find Shooters Of Children
Five children have been killed or injured by gun violence in Birmingham this year, and city leaders are pleading for witnesses to come forward.
School Is Still In Session In This Louisiana Parish. How Is The ‘Balance Of Instruction’ Going?
Red River Parish Public Schools is the first district in Louisiana to throw out the traditional school calendar. The goal for school leaders is to provide more instruction and support throughout the year, but some parents say students are burnt out.
Children’s Well-Being In Alabama Improves, But Still Lags Behind The Country
Alabama's children are graduating on time and more children have health insurance. But the state still falls behind the rest of the country in overall well-being for children.
Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff Visits Birmingham To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccines
Roughly 30% of Alabamians are fully vaccinated.
Environmental Groups Appeal Judge’s Cahaba River Ruling To The Supreme Court
Two local environmental groups are appealing a Jefferson County Circuit Court’s recent decision to throw out the lawsuit against the Birmingham Water Works Board.
Bang, Bang. You’re Closed: Birmingham Threatens To Close Clubs With Violent Episodes
A drive-by shooting at Club Euphoria in west Birmingham left 21-year-old Lykeria Taylor dead and another male injured. Earlier that night, gunfire broke out at the club, leaving three others with non-life-threatening injuries.
Five Ways Birmingham Is Celebrating Its 150th Birthday
Mayor Randall Woodfin and the CEO of Vulcan Park and Museum announced this week a series of events to celebrate Birmingham’s 150 anniversary.
Shipt Founder, Bill Smith, Brings His Latest Startup To Birmingham
Landing, an apartment rental company, will relocate it headquarters to Birmingham, creating more than 800 new jobs.
To Curb Gun Violence In Gulf States, Activists Are Taking A Closer Look At Policing Alternatives
Over Memorial Day weekend, at least 26 shootings were reported in major cities across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. At least 10 people were killed and 17 others were injured. It was the latest example of rising homicides and gun violence across the Gulf states this year.
People in Alabama Prisons Confused, Frustrated As State Officials Withhold Their Stimulus Checks
Thousands of people in Alabama prisons received COVID-19 stimulus payments from the federal government, but state officials are holding the checks. They say people in prison will get their money, but maybe not all of it.
Birmingham Mayor Combats Violence Against Children With $125K Incentive
Since January of this year, six children under the age of 10 have been shot in Birmingham, according to police reports. Only one of the shooting incidents has led to an arrest.
Birmingham Council OKs Law To Allow Museum To Return Native American Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art will soon return several works of art to two Native American tribes that have requested them back.
Controversial New Alzheimer’s Drug Approved Despite Reservations
The drug, aducanumab, is expected to help slow the progression of the disease, but not to improve current memory impairments, according to a release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Ann Alquist To Lead WBHM
Ann Alquist, a media leader with broad public radio experience, has been named the executive director and general manager of WBHM 90.3 FM — NPR News for the heart of Alabama — a listener-supported service of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Alquist will direct the operations of WBHM and the Gulf States Newsroom as she […]
Why Alabama’s Declining Vaccination Rate Could Spell An ‘Uncomfortable Summer’
Close to 70% of Alabamians are still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but many people have stopped wearing masks and returned to normal activities.
Birmingham City Council To Hear $13 Million Vaccine Sweepstakes Proposal Tuesday
Council President William Parker's plan includes gift cards, savings bonds, college scholarships and drawings in an attempt to encourage more people get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Alabama Coal Workers Strike For Better Wages, Fair Treatment
The strike has gone on for more than two months with no resolution in sight.
Five Things You Need To Know About Alabama’s New Medical Marijuana Law
Alabama's new medical marijuana law is more than 100-pages long. We did the hard work and pulled out the highlights that may impact you.
Ivey’s Prison Construction Plan Meets Financial Roadblock
State officials are back to the drawing board after Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease three privately-owned prisons missed a major financial deadline this week.
Gov. Kay Ivey Launches Reelection Campaign for 2022 Gubernatorial Race
In a campaign video, Ivey, 76, noted the state's economic growth, low unemployment and critical improvements in education and to the state’s infrastructure.
Indian Immigrants in Mississippi ‘Frustrated’ As Loved Ones Suffer In COVID-19 Surge Abroad
Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama have the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S. and doses are going to waste. Other countries, such as India, are still struggling with high deaths and low vaccine supply.
City of Birmingham Employees Could Receive One-Time Premium Pay
Birmingham’s 3,500 city employees could see extra “premium pay” later this month. The city council approved the one-time payments as a “thank you” for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
In The Birthplace Of The Civil Rights Movement, What Changed In The Year Since George Floyd’s Murder?
The death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement sparked police reform efforts and organizing all over the country. But in the birthplace of the civil rights movement, there hasn’t been as much action.
Birmingham Schools Will Vaccinate Students And Their Families
Birmingham City Schools and Alabama Regional Medical Services will be giving COVID-19 vaccinations to city school students and their parents over the summer in an effort to make schools and their communities safer when they reopen in the fall.
How One Utility In The Mississippi Delta Is Using Teamwork To Keep Faucets Flowing
Water providers in some rural communities across the region often fail to deliver clean and reliable water. Black Bayou Water Association is addressing that issue by connecting small utilities.
Birmingham Activists Remember George Floyd One Year After His Death
Those who gathered at a vigil Tuesday evening remembered Floyd and other Black people who died at the hands of police. They also called for police reform.
Birmingham Promise Gets $8 Million Boost From Private Companies
The Birmingham Promise Initiative has raked in $8 million in additional donations. The education scholarship offers graduates of Birmingham City Schools free college tuition, apprenticeships and paid internships.
Birmingham Seeks Dollars For Its Entertainment Venues
The city will seek federal funding for Boutwell Auditorium, Sloss Historic Landmark Furnace, the Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Arlington Historic House.
Low Likelihood of Matched Bone Marrow Donors Amongst African Americans
When patients with certain blood cancers are looking for a cure, their options begin with finding a bone marrow match. But for African Americans, bone marrow matches are much harder to find.
JeffCo Commissioners Look Forward To Dropping Social Distance At Meetings
Restrictions prompted by Gov. Kay Ivey's coronavirus public health orders will expire at the end of the month.
COVID Hospitalizations Among Elderly Now Fewer Than Young Adults
Vaccine rates statewide have fallen significantly over the past six weeks. Public health leaders are grappling with how to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
Domestic Immigration Spur’s Alabama’s Population Growth
The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
