Issues
DOJ ends environmental justice agreement in Alabama county citing Trump
Justice Department officials said they were ending the agreement reached with the state regarding wastewater issues in Lowndes County. Federal officials said the decision follows President Donald Trump’s executive order forbidding federal agencies from pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Federal judge orders USDA to unfreeze funds to Maine
The funds had been initially withheld following President Trump's clash with Maine Gov. Janet Mills over the issue of transgender athletes.
China put steep tariffs on U.S. exports. Farmers are worried
The first Trump administration spent $28 billion bailing out farmers during a trade war with China. The White House has said it's starting to look at how to help this time around.
In Homewood, a fight for the spotted salamander
As a Samford University expands its footprint and threatens the amphibian’s habitat, residents are voicing their opposition and searching for another way forward.
Major budget cuts proposed for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The agency forecasts weather, manages fisheries, and researches the world's oceans, atmosphere, and climate. The proposed budget cuts would slash the climate work entirely.
Doctors remove pig kidney from an Alabama woman after a record 130 days
Towana Looney is recovering well from the removal surgery and has returned home to Gadsden. In a statement, she thanked her doctors for “the opportunity to be part of this incredible research.”
Jewish students at Georgetown protest detention of professor Badar Khan Suri
More than 130 Jewish students, staff and alumni from Georgetown University signed a public letter opposing the detention of Badar Khan Suri, saying that President Trump's policies make Jews less safe.
Alabama Senate passes record education budget
There's one thing Alabama lawmakers are required to do each session -- that's pass the budgets. Legislators spent time this week working toward that goal as the Senate approved a record-setting education budget. We hear about that other legislative happenings with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Alabama lawmakers advance bill to let Alfa sell health plans outside insurance regulations
The Alabama House of Representatives approved the bill on a 98-1 vote after nearly three hours of debate. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate.
Beijing slaps 125% tariffs on U.S. goods in latest U.S.-China trade escalation
China signals the latest tariff hike will be its last round of tit-for-tat measures, prompting sharp falls in European shares, as Asian stocks end the day mixed.
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."
