Issues
Where does your weather forecast come from?
Whether you get your forecast from an app on your phone, a website or a meteorologist on TV, most of the underlying information comes from the federal government.
How new at-home HPV test kits could help Alabama fight cervical cancer
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the country’s first at-home HPV screening kit, a disease that causes nearly all cervical cancers. While some hope the new kits might turn things around, others have questions.
Horse racing industry braces for crackdown on illegal immigration
Horse racing depends on thousands of workers without legal status, and industry leaders fear that Trump's soft touch toward the industry in his first term will not persist in his second.
5 years since Brexit, are Britain and the EU getting back together?
With a war in Ukraine and the U.S. rethinking alliances, Britain and the European Union may need each other more than they thought. They're holding their first summit since Brexit Monday.
These Democratic governors are trying to curb health care for unauthorized immigrants
After expanding state Medicaid programs to cover people in the country without legal status, Democrats are considering changes that would reduce immigrant access.
Losing faith: Rural religious colleges are among the most endangered
Some religious colleges and universities are cutting programs. Others are seeking mergers to reduce costs and expand offerings.
Bessemer residents want answers about a four-million-square-foot data center coming to their backyards
Residents in and around Bessemer are furious over Project Marvel, a plan to build a 4.5-million-square-foot data processing facility on 700 acres of wooded land. Public officials have been sworn to silence.
Legislative session ends with debate over police immunity bill
The Alabama legislative session wrapped up this week, but not before some contentious debate in the final hours on Wednesday night. The bill at hand was one that would expand legal immunity to police officers under certain circumstances. That's where we start our final legislative update of the session with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
As the WNBA season tips off, here are 4 of our biggest questions
Will a new-look Indiana Fever contend in Caitlin Clark's second year? Will A'ja Wilson win a record 4th MVP? And the biggest question of all: Can the league as a whole build on last season's success?
Scientists have figured out why flamingos are such weird eaters
Flamingos look silly when they eat, but new research suggests they're actually being smart.
Could calligraphy help with anxiety? This study aims to find out
People have a lot of strategies for dealing with anxiety – medication, therapy or exercise, for instance. But a new study explored a different method – calligraphy.
Author revives forgotten stories through historical fiction novel based in Birmingham
Barry Cole is using historical fiction to revive the lost history of enslaved people found buried in a mass grave at the park. That book, called 100 Pearls, is out Thursday.
AvKare recalls over-the-counter eye drops after FDA audit
Customers are encouraged to stop using several eye irritation products, including gels and artificial tears.
What was approved, and what failed, in the 2025 Alabama legislative session
Alabama lawmakers ended the 2025 legislative session on Wednesday. Here is a look at a few of the notable bills that passed, and some that failed, during the session.
Lawmakers pass bill to criminalize bringing immigrants in the US illegally across state lines
The legislation given final approval Wednesday protects “not only the citizens of Alabama but also the people that are immigrating here legally and doing everything the right way,” said the bill’s Republican sponsor.
Ivey signs a bill regulating the sale of hemp products
The law would allow gummies, drinks and other consumable products to continue to be sold, but limits the amount of psychoactive compounds in the products. It also puts restrictions on where the products can be sold.
Walmart says higher prices from tariffs coming as soon as this month
The world's largest retailer says it won't be able to absorb all the costs from higher tariffs on imported goods, particularly from China. Already in April, shoppers began tightening their budgets as retail spending did not grow much compared to March.
One woman’s fight to remove barriers for aspiring doctors with disabilities
After her dreams of becoming a doctor were denied, one California woman is working to make the profession more accessible to those with disabilities.
RFK Jr. stands by deep cuts to health budget during contentious hearings
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is standing firm on the sweeping cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, cuts he says were suggested by Elon Musk and his DOGE team.
Pope meets Sinner: No. 1 player gives Pope Leo XIV a racket on Italian Open off day
Pope Leo XIV has made peace with Jannik Sinner. The top-ranked tennis player visited the new pope, gave him a tennis racket and offered to play, during an off day for Sinner at the Italian Open.
What to know about a federal proposal to help families pay for private school
Republicans want to use the federal tax code to create a national school voucher even in states where voters have fought such efforts.
Trump’s plan to bring shipbuilding back to the US? Port fees on Chinese vessels
Port fees on Chinese-built ships and operators will start in October, further raising the cost of trading with the United States.
Medicaid cuts will hurt families and cost GOP politically, says Kentucky governor
Republicans' proposed Medicaid cuts will cause 8.6 million people to lose health insurance by 2034, an estimate shows. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said it will cost Republicans seats in Congress.
Zelenskyy asks for Pope Leo XIV’s help in bringing Ukrainian children home from Russia
Pope Leo XIV and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy spoke by phone recently, according to the Vatican.
U.S. egg prices fall for the first time in months but remain near record highs
The average price for a dozen Grade A eggs declined to $5.12 last month after reaching a record $6.23 in March. It was the first month-to-month drop in egg prices since October 2024.
ESPN’s new streaming app could replace cable for some but may end up costing them more
ESPN says its long-anticipated subscription plan will cost $29.99 a month. An analyst says that, combined with subscriptions to other stream services, could drive the cost up to the price of cable packages.
Major League Baseball lifts lifetime ban on Pete Rose and ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson
Major League Baseball has lifted the lifetime ban of Pete Rose, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and 15 other deceased players. The move clears the way for a Hall of Fame vote but doesn't guarantee admission.
UnitedHealth Group abruptly replaces CEO Andrew Witty, deepening a terrible year
The health care conglomerate is facing mounting financial problems – and ongoing consumer anger over high costs and denied claims.
Inflation cools in April — but tariffs could upend the picture in coming months
Consumer prices in April were up 2.3% from a year ago, the smallest annual increase in more than four years. Grocery prices fell 0.4%, thanks to a large drop in the price of eggs.
Why an economist says temporary U.S.-China tariff deal doesn’t ease uncertainty
Businesses are rushing to import Chinese goods after the U.S. struck a temporary deal. This "stop-go" nature of trade could still mean higher prices and doesn't ease uncertainty, an economist warns.
Why aren’t Americans filling the manufacturing jobs we already have?
Leaders from both political parties have been working to bring back manufacturing. But American manufacturers say they are struggling to fill the manufacturing jobs we already have.
Inflation cools in April — but tariffs could upend the picture in coming months
Consumer prices in April were up 2.3% from a year ago, the smallest annual increase in more than four years. Grocery prices fell 0.4%, thanks to a large drop in the price of eggs.
