Issues
After years in a museum exhibit, Alabama is giving Native Americans their cultural items back
Alabama’s state archive has over 100 sets of ancestral remains and thousands of objects from Native American graves. Now, the institution is giving them back.
Gov. Kay Ivey wants to give the state more time to carry out executions
Under Ivey’s proposal, the state corrections commissioner could immediately designate a new execution date if a delay prevents the state from carrying out an execution on the original date listed on the death warrant.
Smart homes made affordable for Birmingham residents
According to Alabama Power, smart homes are 35% more efficient than standard Alabama homes being built today.
Recorded state government meetings available through new League of Women Voters channel
The Alabama Channel will capture and save live video recordings of legislative meetings and make them available to the public online and on demand.
Lament and Hope Memorial Ride honors those lost to gun violence in Birmingham
This weekend, over 100 cars with flags honoring people who have died in homicides this year will ride through downtown Birmingham.
Late Alabama artist Thornton Dial honored with first full-scale retrospective in his home state
Thornton Dial's art has been recognized nationally, but this is the first exhibit spanning his full career to be shown in his home state.
Old Carraway complex to be demolished all at once under new deal with city
The former hospital site will be turned into a mixed-use development, Star at Uptown, which is to include residential, retail and dining spaces, as well as an amphitheater.
Attorney General says the execution review should happen quickly, that there is ‘no moratorium’
Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey asked Attorney General Steve Marshall not to seek additional execution dates for any other death row inmates until a review is complete.
Fire department says landfill blaze that spread smoke more than 20 miles away is ‘contained’
The Moody Fire Department determined that a landfill fire that has been burning largely underground has been contained.
UAB hires ex-NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer as head coach
The former NFL quarterback most recently spent four seasons as a high school football coach.
Alabama coal miners begin their 20th month on strike
The miners have survived more than 600 days on the picket line, thanks to widespread support and anger at their employer, Warrior Met Coal. Even now, neither side seems ready to budge.
Cameras, iPads part of plan to improve garbage collection
The City Council approved a software that they say will streamline garbage routes and and improve accountability.
Alabama ‘execution survivor’ reaches settlement with state
Any future effort to execute Alan Eugene Miller will be done by nitrogen hypoxia, an execution method authorized in Alabama but that has never been used to carry out a death sentence in the U.S.
Attorneys: ‘Botched’ execution caused pain and torture
Kenneth Eugene Smith’s attorneys say he was “subjected to ever-escalating levels of pain and torture” on the night of the failed execution.
Auburn hires Liberty’s Hugh Freeze, who’s coming back to SEC
Auburn athletic director John Cohen announced on Monday the hiring of Freeze, who spent the last four seasons as coach at Liberty.
Slavery’s ghost haunts cotton gin factory’s transformation
What was once the world's largest cotton gin factory is being renovated into apartments. Some people in Prattville want the stories of the enslaved people who built and worked in the factory told along with that of its founder, Daniel Pratt.
Birmingham City Council approves violence-reduction effort for city high schools
The program involves community mentors, called “coaches,” meeting with groups of at-risk students twice a week.
Advocates hope Alabama’s execution moratorium leads to change but say the blame is misplaced
Equal Justice Initiative Director Bryan Stevenson says Alabama’s failed executions were “shocking, torturous conduct that provided justice to no one.”
Birmingham Xpress extends free period through the end of 2022
the Birmingham Xpress bus line will offer free rides until the end of 2022 to increase ridership.
Alabama pausing executions after 3rd failed lethal injection
The move follows the uncompleted execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, which was the state's second instance of being unable to put an inmate to death in the past two months and its third since 2018.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute celebrates 30 years
For decades, the BCRI has educated everyone from local students to global leaders about Birmingham's role in the Civil Rights movement.
Alabama calls off execution after difficulties inserting IV
This is the second execution since September the state has cancelled because of IV difficulties.
Alabama’s Hunting 101 workshops target newcomers — and conservation dollars
State leaders hope to reverse a decades-long decline in hunting participation rates and secure more funding for wildlife restoration.
The Gulf South is dealing with a ‘tripledemic’ of Covid, flu and RSV as the holidays near
Health officials say now is not the time to let your guard down on protecting yourself, and others, as the three contagious viruses spread across the region.
New bike- and scooter-sharing service approved in Birmingham
Lime received unanimous approval from the Birmingham City Council, though council members had concerns about misplaced bikes and scooters becoming a nuisance.
Feminism isn’t always popular or understood in Alabama. FemmSouth wants to change that
Alabama native Leigh Bancroft was looking for a way to educate others and discuss feminism. She began the FemmSouth book club, which now includes a podcast.
Party chair says Democrats have work to do after election showing
Democratic candidates in statewide races were held to about 30% of the vote on Tuesday, about 10 percentage points lower than four years ago, in an election noted for low voter turnout and a lack of competitive races at the top of the ticket.
City officials want parents to combat gun violence. Community leaders say it’s not that simple
Officials point to parents and the need for strong community networks to stop gun violence in Birmingham. They say it takes a village. But it’s not just the people in charge saying that, it’s also kids, activists, and the parents themselves.
Teens say Birmingham’s gun violence takes a heavy toll
At least 11 students in Birmingham have died due to gun violence since the beginning of the year, and their peers say the ongoing issue causes their mental health to suffer.
Alabama health providers warn of unusually early flu activity
In recent weeks, outpatient providers across Alabama have reported high levels of influenza-like illness, with kids facing the highest risk of hospitalization.
Election analysis: Women spearhead Republican dominance in Alabama
Republicans continued their stronghold at the state level with Gov. Kay Ivey claiming a second full term and Katie Britt winning election to the U.S. Senate.
Republican Katie Britt wins US Senate race in Alabama
Britt will fill the seat held by Richard Shelby, her one-time boss who is retiring after 35 years in the Senate.
