Issues

Why some are accusing Trump of manipulating stock markets

Senators Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego have asked for "an urgent inquiry" into whether President Trump or others engaged in insider trading on advanced knowledge of his tariff policy changes.

Trump administration changes course on in-person requirements for Social Security

After announcing social security recipients would be required to appear in-person at office locations, the Trump administration is now backtracking.

Inflation is cooling — but Trump’s tariffs could upend things

Consumer prices in March were up 2.4% from a year ago — a smaller annual increase than forecasters had expected. While President Trump has suspended many of his new tariffs, import taxes that remain could push prices higher in the months to come.

Where do tariffs stand? A look at what’s in place and what’s on pause

Trump announced a 90-day pause on most country-specific tariffs, but left other duties in place. Here's a look at where things stand and what could happen next.

Shark attack survivor presses Alabama for an alert system to keep people safe in the water

Lulu Gribbin was one of three people bitten by a shark during a string of attacks off the Florida Panhandle. On Wednesday, she asked Alabama lawmakers to support a proposed shark attack alert system.

Reflections after 43 years in an Alabama prison

James Jones is one of thousands of men who served life without parole in an Alabama prison. He spent 43 years at the St. Clair Correctional Facility before being released at the age of 77. 

U.S. stocks slide again as euphoria over Trump’s tariff pause starts to fade

U.S. stocks fell a day after posting spectacular gains over President Trump's decision to pause many of his tariffs. Now, some of that relief is starting to fade.

Doggles and dog booties: Anchorage residents prep pets for volcanic explosion

Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. But ash clouds could reach the state's biggest city.

Alabama approves regulations on pharmacy benefit managers in order to help small pharmacies

The Alabama House backed the proposal that will require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse independent pharmacists at least at the state Medicaid rate for prescription drugs. The bill now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.

Alabama lawmakers pass legislation that could give pregnant women more access to health care

The “presumptive eligibility” legislation states that Medicaid will pay for a pregnant woman’s outpatient medical care for up to 60 days while an application for the government-funded insurance program is being considered.

Most of the families applying for Alabama’s new school vouchers have kids in non-public schools

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office released application figures Tuesday for the CHOOSE Act, the new program which will help eligible families tap state dollars to help pay for private school or home-schooling costs.

Trump’s tariffs have been a source of both hope and fear among Gulf South industries

As Wall Street swings wildly under the weight of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, reactions in the Gulf South are mixed.

Americans without a degree still believe in the value of college, a new poll says

The majority of Americans without degrees still believe in the value of higher education, according to the poll. But not all college degrees are created equal.

USAID enabled 208 Afghan women to defy the Taliban ban on college — until now

A USAID grant enabled them to either study online or enroll in college in another country. Now the grant has been terminated.

U.S. stock markets bounce back after Trump tariffs shock — but nerves abound

After major slides in equity trading across the world, any slight uptick in stock prices will only repair part of the destruction of trillions of dollars in investor wealth over the past few days.

Bienvenidos! Some colleges are targeting a long-neglected group: Hispanic students

Colleges are recognizing the importance of this growing pool of potential students.

Florida swamps Houston, winning 3rd NCAA men’s basketball national championship

The Florida Gators downed Houston, denying the Cougars their first-ever title. Florida, one of a record 14 Southeastern Conference teams to make the men's tournament, won its third NCAA championship.

Tariffs are fueling fears of a recession. What does it take to actually declare one?

The Trump administration's tariffs are fueling concerns about a potential recession, with several major banks increasing their forecasts. What is recession and who declares one?

WBHM wins 3 ABBY Awards

WBHM 90.3 FM won 3 ABBY Awards for 2025 – a prestigious honor given annually by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. The ABA presented the awards Saturday, April 5 in Birmingham.

In conservative Alabama, Republicans are cheering for Trump – with some quiet concerns and caveats

Alabama Republicans cheered President Donald Trump and his agenda at a GOP party the day he imposed tariffs and sent stock markets tumbling worldwide. But there were signs of a more cautious optimism and some worried whispers over Trump’s sweeping tariffs, the particulars of his deportation policy and the aggressive cuts by his Department of Government Efficiency.

Are UAB officials mum about grant cuts because they fear a spiteful president?

Cuts to federal research grants could cost UAB $70 million a year, leading to layoffs and economic impacts beyond the campus. Some faculty and area leaders want UAB to be more vocal against the Trump administration cutbacks.

UAW President Shawn Fain explains why he supports Trump’s tariffs

Shawn Fein supports auto industry tariffs but calls broad tariffs "reckless."

Landmark day for college sports as judge holds final hearing on major NCAA settlement

A class-action lawsuit involving thousands of current and former college athletes, known as House vs. NCAA, would transform college sports by allowing schools to pay players directly.

UConn takes 12th NCAA women’s basketball title with dominant win over South Carolina

UConn is back on top of women's basketball, winning its 12th NCAA national championship by routing defending champion South Carolina 82-59 on Sunday.

Alex Ovechkin scores goal #895 to break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring record

The Washington Capitals star made history with a power play goal from the left faceoff circle — as Gretzky, who last set the record more than 25 years ago, looked on.

Florida heads to NCAA title game in a victory over SEC rival Auburn

Florida beat Southeastern Conference rival Auburn 79-73 in the Final Four on Saturday night. The Gators are going to the national championship game for the first time since their titles in 2006 and 2007.

Defrocked former D.C. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick dies at 94

Theodore McCarrick, a once-powerful Catholic cardinal who was defrocked by Pope Francis in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he had molested adults and children, has died.

Don’t overthink the torpedo bats

The Yankees 20-9 win against the Brewers last weekend put the spotlight on torpedo bats. But in baseball, as in life, sometimes a fluke is just what it seems.

Alex Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record

The Washington Capitals star came into Friday's game two goals shy of tying the NHL's career record, set decades ago by the great Wayne Gretzky. The Capitals have six games left in the regular season.

Supreme Court sides with administration over Education Department grants

By a 5-4 vote, the justices allowed the administration to freeze millions of dollars in grant funding for diversity and instructional programs at public and private universities.

Higher prices are likely for these 10 grocery items when tariffs hit

A trip to the grocery or liquor store is about to become even more expensive, economists say. From seafood to olive oil, these items will likely cost more under President Trump's tariffs.

Stocks sink in another brutal day, as Trump’s tariffs send global shockwaves

Investors, businesses and consumers all seem terrified of how President Trump's tariffs could upend the global economy.