Issues
From pig ears to vegan food, Jackson’s oldest Black business district finds new life
For years, Farish Street has been viewed as a failed business district. But Black business owners are working to shift the narrative of the historic street.
Abortion-rights group navigates ‘unprecedented’ legal territory in Alabama
The Yellowhammer Fund has temporarily stopped funding abortion care for people in Alabama, amid legal concerns for clients and staff.
Buttigieg announces funding aimed at reconnecting communities divided by road projects
The program is designed to unify neighborhoods which have previously been displaced by discriminatory infrastructure decisions. The $1 billion initiative will fund projects that give people more access to their communities like paving more sidewalks, creating new greenways and adding public transportation.
Jefferson County health providers ‘well equipped’ for The World Games
Officials plan to treat as many people as possible at on site medical tents. They say the biggest concern is heat-related illness.
Birmingham City Council passes Woodfin’s budget untouched
Police, public works and youth programs were the biggest winners in the $517 million budget, the largest ever for the city.
Woodfin says people without homes won’t be moved from public spaces for The World Games
World Games officials clarified that anyone will be able to walk through and access public areas around venues like Railroad Park, Linn Park, Protective Stadium and the new City Walk, despite those sites being behind security parameters.
Groups oppose $725 million Alabama bond sale for building prisons
The state is expected to go to the bond market on Tuesday, to provide financing for the construction plan. That money will be added to $135 million in state funds and $400 million in pandemic relief dollars that the state already agreed to put toward the construction project.
“Expect us,” reproductive rights supporters rally across Alabama after federal abortion ruling
Alabamians took to the streets this weekend after elective abortions became a felony in the state on Friday.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, Republican lawmakers applaud, others say they will sue, and some take to the streets
The ACLU of Alabama say it will continue its lawsuit to reinstate access to abortion.
What to know about Alabama abortion rights after SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion. Here’s what the decision means for the Gulf South region.
Alabama OKs $725M bond sale to build 2 supersize prisons
That money will be added to $135 million in state funds and $400 million in pandemic relief dollars that the state already agreed to put toward the project.
Britt wins tumultuous Alabama Senate race scrambled by Trump
Katie Britt won the Republican nomination for Senate in Alabama Tuesday, defeating six-term Rep. Mo Brooks in a primary runoff after former President Donald Trump took the unusual step of rescinding his initial Brooks endorsement.
2022 Alabama primary runoff results
Republicans will be choosing between Katie Britt and Roy Moore as their nominee for U.S. Senate. Democrats will pick a nominee for governor between Yolonda Flowers and Malika Sanders-Fortier.
Voters go back to the polls Tuesday for primary runoffs
Party runoff ballots are fairly light for Tuesday’s election. But at the top of the Republican ballot is the nomination to the U.S. Senate. At the top of the Democratic ballot is nomination to the governor’s race.
Police identify the victims from Thursday’s deadly church shooting in Vestavia Hills
Police say the suspect is a 71-year-old white male who occasionally attended the church. They haven’t released a motive but said he used a handgun.
Alabama church shooting kills 2, wounds 1; suspect detained
The shooting occurred Thursday evening at Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills.
Exploring the Clotilda, the last known slave ship in the U.S., brings hope
The discovery of the ship on an Alabama river bottom has fostered a renewed hope for descendants of the Clotilda's captives, and the community they founded called Africatown.
Food is more than what’s on the plate for this Birmingham urban farmer
Fernando Colunga says it’s important to understand how food is grown and the culture it comes from. He’s a farming and cooking instructor at Jones Valley Teaching Farm in Birmingham and is passionate about teaching the significance of food to young people.
Trump endorses Katie Britt in Alabama Senate race
Trump called Britt "an incredible fighter for the people of Alabama." The former president had originally backed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in the race, but rescinded that endorsement in March after their relationship soured.
Brooks leans into the ‘Big Lie’ in Republican Senate runoff
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks faces Katie Britt in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on June 21.
Sleeping shelters for homeless people will be built for The World Games. What happens next?
Security parameters will be put in place, restricting access to otherwise public places. People without homes who use some of these public spaces for shelter will have to find other places to be.
Privacy researcher worries about a ‘scenario where everyone is a sheriff’ post-Roe
As the U.S. moves toward a post-Roe world, our digital world will need to change with it. A cybersecurity researcher explains why for the Click Here podcast.
Once dumped by Trump, Brooks seeks his endorsement again
Former President Donald Trump pulled his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in the Alabama Senate race. Brooks took to Twitter to encourage the president to change his mind.
Workers at New Orleans Starbucks say yes to unionizing; the 1st in Louisiana
The successful, 11-to-1 vote happened weeks after a former shift supervisor that led the unionization effort was fired by higher management.
Birmingham awards diplomas to students who died before graduation
Not every student who starts school lives to graduate. It’s estimated nearly 2,000 children and teens die from gun violence every year in the United States. This week Birmingham City Schools awarded diplomas to the families of some of those lost students.
Scott Thurmond named Birmingham Police Chief
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Thurmond’s appointment as police chief Thursday. Thurmond succeeds Patrick Smith who announced his resignation as police chief in January citing personal matters.
With vanpooling, workers and employers find a ‘win-win’ amid a tight labor market, high gas costs
As 2022's economic woes continue, more people are using vanpools as a cost-effective way to get to work. It’s also helping out their employers.
Workers at a Birmingham Starbucks become 1st to unionize in Alabama
Workers at the downtown Birmingham coffee shop cast a near-unanimous vote to become the first Starbucks location in the state to say yes to forming a union.
What do Birmingham students think about race, college, even periods? Listen to these podcasts
WBHM’s education reporter Kyra Miles, along with two Report for America colleagues at al.com, worked with students at Birmingham’s Ramsay High School to create podcasts.
Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks are headed for an Alabama Senate runoff
Alabama's Republican primary for U.S. Senate is going to a June runoff between Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote.
Incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey wins GOP primary in Alabama
Up against eight Republican challengers, Gov. Kay Ivey will move forward to the general election for governor in Alabama where a Democrat hasn't been elected to the office for a quarter-century.
2022 Alabama primary results
Statewide races include governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and secretary of state.
