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Report: State Improved in Several Child Health Indicators but Still Struggles With Poverty, Racial Disparity
Alabama has made significant progress in infant mortality rates, teen pregnancies and child safety, but poverty and a racial disparity in indicators of wellbeing remain a problem for children in the state, according to a report released today.
Changing Climate: Many in Coastal Alabama Act Now to Rebuild Shorelines, Prepare for Storms
Some Alabamians and the politicians they elect traditionally have denied global warming. But many people in coastal Alabama are preparing now for what they fear will be inevitable consequences of increased warming of the air and oceans.
What to Expect at the Alabama-LSU Game with Trump in Attendance
The Alabama Crimson Tide and the LSU Tigers, the top two teams in college football, will clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium. On top of that, President Donald Trump will be there.
How Trump Factors into Jeff Sessions’ Senate Run
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to join a long list of Republicans who want to be Alabama's next U.S. Senator.
Jeff Sessions Wants To Return To The Senate, GOP Sources Say
Republican sources say ex-Attorney General Jeff Sessions wants to return to the Senate. He was a key Trump supporter but the relationship soured when Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe.
Changing Climate: In Pursuit of the Disappearing Alabama Oyster. Will They Ever Return?
Oysters, one of the vital signs of the health of Alabama’s coastal waters, were once a jewel of the state’s economy and a local delicacy. Now, wild oysters from the Mobile Bay area have almost entirely disappeared. With few exceptions, the oysters most of us now enjoy originate elsewhere.
Alabama Democrats Under New Leadership As Legal Battles Loom
This past weekend, members of the state Democratic Executive Committee removed party chair Nancy Worley and elected state Rep. Chris England chair instead. Worley sued to stop the meeting from happening, but ultimately the Alabama Supreme Court allowed it to go on. An attorney for the faction that pushed for new leadership says looming legal battles are not a cause for concern.
Birmingham Council Chips in on East Lake Grocery Revamp as Part of Battle Against Food Deserts
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve a slate of economic incentives for one East Lake grocery store, continuing the Woodfin administration’s pledge to work toward eliminating food deserts in the city.
After Two Month Delay, Parole Hearings Will Resume
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles will resume parole hearings Tuesday. The state agency postponed hundreds of hearings since September, citing new legal requirements.
Cloudy Future for Dauphin Island, a Canary in the Coal Mine of Climate Change
Dauphin is one of perhaps 2,200 barrier islands that make up 10% to 12% of the globe’s coastline. They help absorb the blows of nature and suffer greatly for it, either eroding dramatically from catastrophic hurricane forces or gradually, almost imperceptibly, from constant wave action.
The Partisan Divide Isn’t That Wide Between Alabama’s Two US Senators, Though It Still Is a Canyon Among House Members
Although they differ on many high-profile issues, Alabama’s two U.S. senators voted together about half the time on key issues during 2019.
One Small Step: “It’s all a part of leaning on each other…”
Gail Ingram and Daron Harris met through their work with the Selma Center for Nonviolence on a project called Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Gail identifies as a conservative while Daron identifies as a liberal. Here is their conversation:
Jefferson County Is on the Brink of Shedding Personnel Consent Decree
U.S. District Court Judge Lynwood Smith wished Tony Petelos a happy Halloween, one in which he would get more treats than tricks.
UAB Researchers to Study Silent Strokes
You could have a stroke and not know it. It’s called a "silent stroke." And researchers at UAB want to know more about how it affects the brain.
Federal Judge Blocks Alabama Abortion Law
A federal judge has blocked Alabama’s near-total abortion ban, which was set to go into effect next month. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until the “court resolves the case in full.”
Randi Pink’s Latest Novel Tackles Teen Pregnancy
Randi Pink's latest young adult novel “Girls Like Us” follows four teenage girls, three of whom are pregnant. The story’s set in 1972, a year before the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Report Ranks Alabama Worst in the U.S. for Higher Education Cuts
Alabama has cut per student funding at state colleges and universities more than any state in the U.S. According to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Alabama cut higher education funding by nearly 36% between 2008 and 2018.
Birmingham Remembers Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney
Three-year-old Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney was buried Sunday. The girl was kidnapped and killed more than 10 days ago.
UAB Sees Opportunity with Precision Medicine
Many observers say UAB is well-positioned to lead a new front called precision medicine, especially in the area of cancer care.
Two Charged in Death of 3-Year-Old Kamille McKinney
Patrick Devone Stallworth and Derick Irisha Brown were charged with capital murder Thursday in the death of 3-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney.
Birmingham Ultra Runner Competes in World Championship 24-Hour Race
Dozens of ultra runners will compete at the World Championship 24 hour race in Albi, France. One of those is Birmingham runner Micah Morgan.
Police Believe They’ve Found Body of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney
Police say they've found the remains of Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney in a Birmingham dumpster.
Legion Field’s Future Big Topic During Magic City Classic Week
The McDonald's Magic City Classic brings bragging rights about the best band and football team. But some connected to the Classic wonder what happens to the annual matchup and Legion Field once Birmingham’s new downtown stadium is completed?
Most Birmingham-Area Schools Improve From Last Year in Latest Report Card, But Work Still Needed
Two Birmingham-area school systems scored better than last year on the 2018-2019 annual Education Report Card issued by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Changing Climate: Alabama Sees Heat, Storms, Drought and Turtles
Alabama’s a long way from the South Pole, but Jim McClintock knows the places are connected. For decades, the UAB researcher has been witnessing effects of climate change on the polar region. He sees that his state is starting to feel the impacts, as well, and predicts greater changes ahead.
New Park Opens in Birmingham Area Ravaged by Tornado Eight Years Ago
Birmingham’s newest park opened Friday in an area devastated by a tornado eight years ago. The new "One Pratt Park” is a six acre, $8 million park in the Pratt City community.
Road Closures Begin Wednesday For UAB’s Homecoming
Some areas around the University of Alabama at Birmingham will be closed starting Wednesday for the school's Homecoming events.
Birmingham Approves No-Smoking “Health District”
The Birmingham City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday to ban smoking in a portion of downtown Birmingham.
Tax Bills Increase for Many in Jefferson County
The former AT&T City Center, a vacant skyscraper in downtown Birmingham, will have a property tax bill about half a million dollars more than last year's. It's one of many properties, including homes, that can expect to pay more in taxes this year.
Program Uses ‘Horse Sense’ to Improve Communication with Police
For people who have a communicative disorder such as autism, run-ins with police can escalate quickly. To tackle the issue, a local nonprofit recently developed a training program for police and kids, using horses.
Talladega Superspeedway Turns 50
Tens of thousands of fans are expected to pour into the Talladega Superspeedway for the big stock car race this weekend. It will also be a celebration of the iconic track’s 50th anniversary.
One Birmingham City Council Seat Goes to a Runoff; Two Incumbents Returned to the Council
One Birmingham City Council seat will be up for a runoff after none of the candidates won more than 50 percent of the votes in Tuesday’s balloting.
