Issues

The job market remains incredibly healthy — but the tariff storm could upend things

Employers added 228,000 jobs in March, showcasing a solid labor market. But uncertainty over tariffs and tepid consumer spending may weigh on job growth in the months to come.

Gambling proposal likely dead for the legislative session

If there's any topic that hovers over the Alabama legislature, never quite going away, it's gambling. The perennial issue has always fallen short and it looks like it will do so again this year.

NCAA president on why he supports NIL settlement for college players

NCAA president Charlie Baker discusses a proposed settlement between college athletes and the NCAA for making direct payments to players for their name, image and likeness.

Alabama lawmakers advance proposed ban on cellphones in school

A growing number of states are moving to ban or restrict cellphones in schools. The push has been fueled by concerns that phones are a distraction in the classroom and that screen time and social media have a negative impact on mental health.

How much will tariffs raise prices? Trump’s economists just revealed their answer

The administration revealed how they calculated the tariffs. Buried in that math is a straightforward answer to a question Trump has long refused to answer: How much will his tariffs raise prices?

Education Dept. warns schools: Eliminate DEI programs or lose funding

The department sent a letter to state leaders threatening the loss of funds for K-12 schools that don't follow its interpretation of civil rights laws.

Dow drops 1,500 points on trade war fears over new tariffs

President Trump announced sweeping tariffs on imported goods, which were higher and broader than many expected. The new import taxes are expected to raise prices and slow growth in the U.S., while pushing many other countries into recession.

How the Education Department helps students with disabilities get an education

Special education laws and the U.S. Department of Education have evolved together over nearly five decades. Now, the Trump administration seems to want to separate the two.

The key players to watch for in this weekend’s Final Four games

Cooper Flagg and Paige Bueckers, the presumptive top picks in this year's NBA and WNBA drafts, are on deck this weekend with hopes of a national title. But the star power doesn't stop with them.

Parents sue Bucknell alleging hazing led to freshman football player’s death

Freshman Calvin "CJ" Dickey Jr., died after his first practice at the university. His parents are suing the school, also alleging staff neglected to account for his sickle cell trait during training.

Birmingham names new police chief

After a four month wait, Birmingham has a new police chief. Tuesday morning, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced that interim chief Michael Pickett is taking on the role permanently. 

Email shows senator did receive town hall invite, despite Tuberville saying otherwise

Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s office said he never received an invitation to a town hall in Birmingham held for his constituents last month. The organizers beg to differ. 

How HBCUs are helping grow the next generation of Gulf South environmental activists

Marginalized people often bear the brunt of environmental injustices. An annual conference in New Orleans is shaping young Black leaders to solve these issues.

How do ‘torpedo bats’ work? We asked baseball physicists to explain

They look like baseball bats morphing into bowling pins, their ends flaring into an aggressive bulge that suddenly tapers. So how do they work?

Today is Trump’s ‘Liberation Day.’ What does that mean for tariffs?

President Trump has been promising new "reciprocal tariffs" to punish other countries for their tariffs and trade barriers. Markets are nervous that a trade war could hike prices and hurt the economy.

The U.S. already has tariffs on a few sectors. It hasn’t gone that great

The U.S. has generally kept tariffs low, but a few domestic industries have long been protected by import taxes and other trade barriers. They offer clues about how Trump's new tariffs might work out.

Supreme Court to decide if states can strip Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds

At issue is whether a state, in this case, South Carolina, can remove Planned Parenthood clinics from its state Medicaid program, even though Medicaid funds cannot generally be used to fund abortions.

Say goodbye to chain crews: The NFL will use camera technology to measure 1st downs

Starting next season, a system of cameras will determine whether to award a first down rather than trot out a 10-yard chain. But humans will still decide where to spot the ball to begin with.

Why gold prices are surging to record highs

Tariffs are roiling stock markets — but making gold hotter than ever.

Alabama can’t prosecute groups who help women travel to get an abortion, federal judge says

U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson sided with an abortion fund and medical providers who sued Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall after he suggested they could face prosecution under anti-conspiracy laws.

Crumbling trust in American institutions: A MAHA activist takes on Girl Scout cookies

A controversial study raised the specter that Girl Scout cookies are unsafe. Authorities say they are safe, but the whole saga highlights a breakdown of trust in American institutions.

More billionaires than ever ranked in Forbes’ annual list. Here are the top 10

There are now more than 3,000 billionaires in the world, according to Forbes' annual ranking of the wealthiest people. They collectively hold about $16.1 trillion in wealth.

Supreme Court seems ready to let religious groups opt out of unemployment compensation laws

The case was brought by a chapter of Catholic Charities in Wisconsin, which says that it should be able to opt out of the mandatory state unemployment compensation system.

6 things borrowers should know about federal student loans right now

NPR has spent the past few weeks catching up with student loan experts and asking the Trump administration for clarity on some of borrowers' biggest questions.

Catholic Charities tests Wisconsin’s unemployment payment system at Supreme Court

A chapter of Catholic Charities in Wisconsin contends it should be exempted from the state's unemployment compensation system because it's a charitable organization with a religious mission.

Auburn completes sweep of No. 1 seeds into Final Four, beating Michigan State

The South Region champion Tigers, the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, became the last of the No. 1 seeds to advance to the Final Four — joining Florida, Duke and Houston.

Nine home runs for the Yankees lead to questions about their new bats

Some Yankees players used a new bat during the second game in the Major League Baseball series against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Sears, Alabama can’t duplicate record 3-point night, fall to Duke with Final Four at stake

Duke handcuffed Alabama's All-American, Mark Sears, and did a pretty good job stifling the rest of the high-scoring Crimson Tide, too.

Alysa Liu ends long U.S. drought at women’s figure skating world championships

"I don't know how to process this," the 19-year-old from Clovis, Calif., said after becoming the first American women's figure skating world champion in nearly two decades.

March Madness is a season for betting, but help for problem gambling is hard to find

For people with gambling disorder, the proliferation of gambling opportunities makes it difficult to fight their addiction. Investment in treatment lags behind other addiction disorders.

Jersey Shore Wave to kick off season as one of the newest teams in women’s football

The Women's National Football Conference kicks off its sixth season this weekend. The Jersey Shore Wave is one of the new teams joining the league this year.

What Ramadan has been like this year in Gaza, from ceasefire to war

For the first week of Ramadan, Palestinians in Gaza marked the holy month with a respite from war. Then Israel broke a ceasefire with Hamas. The fighting and blockade mean there's little to celebrate.