News
Mobile homes turn deadly when tornadoes hit. This year has been especially bad
Tornadoes in the United States are disproportionately killing more people in mobile or manufactured homes, especially in the South, often victimizing some of the most socially and economically vulnerable residents.
Alabama authorities charge Carlee Russell for fabricating story about kidnapping, finding toddler
Carlee Russell was charged with false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident, both misdemeanors that carry up to a year in jail. Russell turned herself in to jail Friday and was released on bond.
Residents near Louisiana Dow plant are skeptical after explosion: ‘You can’t trust them’
Dow Chemical says the air quality at a plant in Louisiana is safe following a July 14 explosion, but nearby residents remain skeptical based on past incidents.
How Mississippi historians are preserving Emmett Till’s and Mamie Till-Mobley’s story
A national monument for Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley has put a spotlight on the work Mississippi historians have been doing to keep the story alive.
Emmett Till is being memorialized with 3 national monuments. Here’s where they’ll be located
President Joe Biden is expected to officially recognize two locations in Mississippi to honor Till’s life and death on what would have been his 82nd birthday.
Hoover woman confesses to fabricating kidnapping
The Hoover Police Department announced the development five days after casting doubt on Carlee Russell’s story. It is possible Russell could face charges.
The fight over Alabama’s congressional redistricting now shifts back to federal court
The outcome could have consequences across the country as the case again weighs the requirements of the Voting Rights Act in redistricting. It could also impact the partisan leanings of one Alabama congressional district in the 2024 elections with control of the U.S House of Representatives at stake.
Those struggling with addiction meet ‘law and order’ treatment in Walker County
Anthony Mitchell allegedly froze to death after spending 14 days in a concrete room at the Walker County Jail according to a federal lawsuit his family filed in February. The case is drawing attention to how law enforcement treats those struggling with addiction.
Birmingham public transit inches forward with federal help and no state funding
Alabama, the only state that doesn't fund public transit, passed on another opportunity this legislative session. Thanks to car dependence, the state has the nation's highest per-capita gasoline use.
Alabama lawmakers refuse to create 2nd majority-Black congressional district
The legislation now goes to Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, who is expected to sign it.
Birmingham area receives poor grades on air quality report
The American Lung Association’s 2023 State of the Air report used research from the Environmental Protection Agency to measure air quality by year-round particle pollution, short-term particle pollution and ozone quality.
Alabama executes man for the 2001 beating death of a woman, resuming lethal injections after review
James Barber, 64, was pronounced dead at 1:56 a.m. after receiving a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison.
Alabama GOP proposals for second Black district are unlikely to win court approval experts warn
The Republican-controlled state House and Senate will meet Friday and could advance separate plans increasing the share of Black voters in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. Legislative leaders say they intend to meet the deadline, meaning the two chambers must compromise on one plan.
Alabama to carry out first lethal injection since review of execution procedures
James Barber is scheduled to be put to death Thursday evening at a south Alabama prison. Gov. Kay Ivey paused executions in November to conduct an internal review.
Black lawmakers say Alabama GOP’s proposed new congressional map insults the Supreme Court
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives and Senate advanced separate plans that increase the number of Black voters in the state’s 2nd congressional district, but do not establish the second majority-Black district sought by plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case last month.
Police cast doubt on Carlee Russell’s kidnapping claim after reporting toddler on an Alabama highway
The 25-year-old's return home Saturday following her Thursday disappearance prompted intense speculation about where she had been and what had happened to her.
WATCH: A discussion on what’s behind the spread of dollar stores with the Gulf States Newsroom
Watch a replay of the Gulf States Newsroom's virtual listening session and discussion on Stephan Bisaha's series on The Dollar Store Takeover.
Bolin Elected to Jefferson County Commission
Mike Bolin is retired no more. The former Alabama Supreme Court justice has a new job as the newly elected District 5 representative on the Jefferson County Commission.
After court ruling, Alabama GOP criticized for rejecting 2nd majority-Black congressional district
Lawmakers must adopt new maps by Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court in June upheld a finding that the current state map likely violated the federal Voting Rights Act.
North Birmingham’s Bluestone Coke plant issued warning for Clean Water Act violations
The industrial plant has 60 days to clean up contaminated water in Five Mile Creek before it faces a federal lawsuit, local environmental groups warn.
To meet rising demand, UAB emergency room begins $73 million expansion
After experiencing a 20% increase in patient volume over the past five years, the hospital plans to double treatment capacity in its emergency department.
Alabama Republicans, despite Supreme Court ruling, reject call for second majority Black district
Lawmakers must adopt a new map by Friday after the high court in June affirmed a three-judge panel's ruling that Alabama’s existing congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act.
Elder Black farmers in Mississippi seek a new generation to continue their legacy
Black farmers in Mississippi are aging. Now, they’re connecting with next-gen farmers to keep their ancestral practices of sustainable farming alive.
Voters to decide next district 5 JeffCo commissioner in Tuesday election
The vote will decide whether former judge Mike Bolin or developer David Silverstein will fill the term of former Commissioner Steve Ammons, who resigned recently to become CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance.
Alabama rushes to adopt new congressional map amid disagreement on what district should look like
Alabama lawmakers convene in special session Monday tasked by the court with adopting a new map by the end of the week. The directive comes after a surprise U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed the lower court's ruling that Alabama's existing congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act.
Hoover woman returns home following disappearance and search after reporting child on interstate
Police said Carlethia “Carlee” Nichole Russell had returned to the home she shares with her parents in Hoover. Russell was the after being the focus of a two-day search by police and family members who reported her missing after she stopped to check on a child who was walking along a highway.
A story about a deadly TikTok boat-jumping challenge went viral. Then it fell apart
National and international news outlets in recent days have cited a local news report in Alabama claiming four people drowned attempting the stunt. But the state’s public safety agency says the claim is false.
Wise drops out of Jefferson County Commission race
Jeff Wise’s decision to drop out leaves only Alabama Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin and developer David Silverstein in Tuesday’s election.
The Birmingham Zoo wants to build a new cat exhibit. First they must deal with unmarked graves
The zoo has filed for a permit with the Alabama Historical Commission to professionally exhume the graves and reinter them nearby.
New CDC report finds ‘significant increase’ in children diagnosed with developmental disorders
While the results showing an increase in rates may seem alarming, researchers say it could be a sign of better access to mental health services.
The Dollar Store Takeover: A Virtual Listening Session and Conversation
The Gulf States Newsroom will host a listening session and conversation on Stephan Bisaha's four-part audio series examining the spread of dollar stores.
Alabama senator says white nationalists are racists after weeks of declining to say so
Tuberville’s brief comment follows several media interviews in which he has repeatedly declined to describe white nationalists as racist. The furor started with a May interview on WBHM
