Issues
Trump prepares order dismantling the Education Department
The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress, and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.
By the numbers: Does LeBron James’ new points record shake up the GOAT debate?
LeBron James has been so good for so long, there's a famous running joke about when he might slow down. At age 40, where does his 50,000 career points record put him in the GOAT debate?
In a first, the 2026 World Cup final will include a halftime show
Like the Super Bowl mid-game spectaculars, the 2026 final game slated to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will include the World Cup's very first halftime show.
Bill would ban drag performances in public schools and libraries
Some Alabama lawmakers want to ban drag performances in public libraries and schools. But opponents fear the bill might have broader implications when it comes to self-expression and First Amendment rights.
A star generation of women’s soccer has retired. A new series shows who to watch next
A trailblazing generation of players is retiring. In a new docuseries from Prime Video, we hear from a new group of players and coaches vying to be the next best in American women's soccer.
‘God walks with us through the ashes.’ A poignant Ash Wednesday after LA wildfires
On Ash Wednesday, Christians hear the words "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Those words ring differently for many whose churches and homes burned in the Los Angeles fires.
In Key West, testing shows cruise ships stir up as much sediment as a hurricane
Tests in Key West show sediment stirred up by cruise ships, which can harm marine life, routinely exceed federal standards. Key West has responded by suspending the tests.
China’s parliament opens with confidence about the economy despite tariffs, headwinds
China will aim for economic growth of around 5% this year, the same as last year. This comes despite deep domestic challenges and fresh tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S.
American businesses reel as Trump tariffs start to bite
Business owners across the U.S. worry they will also suffer the impact from President Trump's tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China.
Canada, China say fentanyl crisis is only a “pretext” for Trump’s new tariffs
Canadian and Chinese officials say they were already helping reduce fentanyl smuggling. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said fentanyl crossing the northern border is "near zero."
4 things to know about Trump’s plan for a ‘crypto strategic reserve’
The prospect of a federal strategic reserve is a major step in President Trump's vision to establish the U.S. as the crypto capital of the world and could be a game changer for the industry.
Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Trump’s secretary of education
The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.
Trump says 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will go ahead
Trump's threats to put tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico have weighed on markets, even though there has been considerable uncertainty over whether he would make good on his threat.
Pope Francis has acute respiratory crises, the Vatican says
Pope Francis experienced more respiratory problems and went on noninvasive ventilation on Monday, the Vatican said, as the head of the Roman Catholic Church battles double pneumonia in the hospital.
‘I was devastated’: Jordan Chiles recounts 2024 Olympics in new memoir
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles shares her up-and-down journey to the 2024 Paris Games and what happened afterward, in her new memoir, "I'm That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams."
Foreign students say the threat of Trump’s executive orders is getting real
President Trump warned international students that if they support groups the U.S. deems terrorist organizations, "we will find you, and we will deport you." It's left many student activists anxious.
For Lakers president Jeanie Buss, life was pretty much a comedy already
A new Netflix comedy series starring Kate Hudson, Running Point, is based on the life of L.A. Lakers' president Jeanie Buss, who inherited the team from her flamboyant father and had to contend with her brothers in the front office.
Alabama governor commutes death row inmate Rocky Myers’ sentence to life in prison
Myers will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of being executed later this year. Ivey noted that was the sentence jurors recommended at his 1994 trial.
Hanceville delays decision on the future of its police force after corruption allegations
Hanceville residents filled the city council chambers, lined the walls and spilled into the hallway Thursday night at the council’s first meeting since a grand jury called for the city to abolish its police department.
Lawmakers advance ban on phones during the school day
Smartphones are ubiquitous in today's world including in schools. But a bill in the Alabama legislature would ban phones during the school day. We hear about that and other legislative action this week with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Bill advances which would further protect police from criminal, civil prosecution
A recent bill in Alabama’s legislature would establish new legal protections for police officers who use physical or deadly force on a person while in the line of duty. Bill supporters say it will improve police safety, recruitment and retention. But critics worry it would give police officers immunity from criminal prosecution.
S-Town co-creator Brian Reed pulls back the curtains, goes deep into how the podcast was made
S-Town took the world by storm when it was released in 2017. Downloaded more than 100 million times, it’s become one of the most popular podcasts ever released.
In the fight over Louisiana’s execution plans, religion plays a prominent role
Faith activism against the state's plan to resume executions adds to a history of religious engagement with social questions in the South.
Advocates push for Medicaid expansion in holdout Alabama
Advocates gathered at the Alabama Statehouse Tuesday urging lawmakers to reconsider their long-held reluctance to expand Medicaid, saying the decision is hurting both working families and health care providers. But the push comes at a time there is gathering uncertainty about possible cuts and changes in Washington to Medicaid.
Under Trump, Huntsville might finally gain Space Command. It could also lose much more
The 1,600 jobs Space Command would bring to the Rocket City might not make up for potential cuts to NASA and the Department of Defense.
A new rule could speed up unused oil well decommissioning. Gulf States are suing to stop it
The rule, finalized last year, would also protect taxpayers from shouldering the cost. The states suing, however,, say it will crush independent oil companies.
Woodfin officially announces bid for third term as Birmingham mayor
He cited his investments in infrastructure, including redevelopments of blighted structures and street paving. He also didn’t shy away from what many consider to be Birmingham’s biggest issue: public safety.
Alabama lawmakers target social media
Social media is under fire nowadays, especially when it comes to use by children. Several bills in the Alabama Legislature would restrict how kids could use social media. We hear more about that and other happenings in Montgomery from Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Q&A: What immigrants should know about their Constitutional rights during an ICE visit
Anxiety has reigned at some schools, churches and hospitals after moves by the Trump administration rolled back protections that had previously shielded them from visits from U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The moves have sparked conversations, including some worry and public pushback, in the South.
Inside a Mississippi man’s fight with health insurance and a hospital for life-saving surgery
Trevor Malosh’s heart surgery was finally on the books after months of negotiations with his insurance company and the hospital. Then, another setback happened.
Cullman County grand jury calls for the Hanceville Police Department to be abolished
The indictment from the grand jury alleges that five officers including the police chief of the Hanceville Police Department tampered with physical evidence, sold and distributed illegal drugs and used an official position for personal gain.
‘Our rights are under attack’: residents protest the Trump administration
A crowd of people carried homemade signs and American flags as they marched toward Birmingham City Hall through Linn Park on Monday afternoon. They chanted slogans, voicing opposition to various actions taken by the Trump administration.
