News
Ivey’s Prison Construction Plan Meets Financial Roadblock
State officials are back to the drawing board after Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease three privately-owned prisons missed a major financial deadline this week.
Gov. Kay Ivey Launches Reelection Campaign for 2022 Gubernatorial Race
In a campaign video, Ivey, 76, noted the state's economic growth, low unemployment and critical improvements in education and to the state’s infrastructure.
Indian Immigrants in Mississippi ‘Frustrated’ As Loved Ones Suffer In COVID-19 Surge Abroad
Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama have the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S. and doses are going to waste. Other countries, such as India, are still struggling with high deaths and low vaccine supply.
City of Birmingham Employees Could Receive One-Time Premium Pay
Birmingham’s 3,500 city employees could see extra “premium pay” later this month. The city council approved the one-time payments as a “thank you” for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
In The Birthplace Of The Civil Rights Movement, What Changed In The Year Since George Floyd’s Murder?
The death of George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement sparked police reform efforts and organizing all over the country. But in the birthplace of the civil rights movement, there hasn’t been as much action.
Birmingham Schools Will Vaccinate Students And Their Families
Birmingham City Schools and Alabama Regional Medical Services will be giving COVID-19 vaccinations to city school students and their parents over the summer in an effort to make schools and their communities safer when they reopen in the fall.
How One Utility In The Mississippi Delta Is Using Teamwork To Keep Faucets Flowing
Water providers in some rural communities across the region often fail to deliver clean and reliable water. Black Bayou Water Association is addressing that issue by connecting small utilities.
Birmingham Activists Remember George Floyd One Year After His Death
Those who gathered at a vigil Tuesday evening remembered Floyd and other Black people who died at the hands of police. They also called for police reform.
Birmingham Promise Gets $8 Million Boost From Private Companies
The Birmingham Promise Initiative has raked in $8 million in additional donations. The education scholarship offers graduates of Birmingham City Schools free college tuition, apprenticeships and paid internships.
Birmingham Seeks Dollars For Its Entertainment Venues
The city will seek federal funding for Boutwell Auditorium, Sloss Historic Landmark Furnace, the Southern Museum of Flight, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Arlington Historic House.
Low Likelihood of Matched Bone Marrow Donors Amongst African Americans
When patients with certain blood cancers are looking for a cure, their options begin with finding a bone marrow match. But for African Americans, bone marrow matches are much harder to find.
JeffCo Commissioners Look Forward To Dropping Social Distance At Meetings
Restrictions prompted by Gov. Kay Ivey's coronavirus public health orders will expire at the end of the month.
COVID Hospitalizations Among Elderly Now Fewer Than Young Adults
Vaccine rates statewide have fallen significantly over the past six weeks. Public health leaders are grappling with how to encourage more people to get vaccinated.
Domestic Immigration Spur’s Alabama’s Population Growth
The Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Woodfin Presents $455 Million Proposed Operating Budget
Employee pay raises and restored funding to agencies around the city are among the highlights of the proposed fiscal 2022 plan.
Legislative Wrap-Up: What Died And What Passed On The Final Day
Many bills made it out before Monday's deadline. But the lawmakers also expect a special session later this year.
Alabama Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Legislation
Lawmakers had a change of heart after decades of debate on the issue.
UAB Closes Three COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Sites While Alabama’s Vaccination Rate Remains Below 50%
UAB announced this week it's closing the majority of its public COVID-19 vaccination sites because of a decline in participation. Meanwhile, Alabama remains at the bottom nationally for the number of adults that have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
‘When Buses Were A-Comin’: Remembering The Freedom Riders 60 Years On
A group of young civil rights activists began their journey to the South to challenge segregation on interstate buses in May 1961. The riders were taunted and beaten by white mobs – and jailed. Participants of the movement share what their fight means now.
Using Pastors And Pints, Gulf States Try To Boost COVID Vaccination Rates In White Communities
Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama have the lowest vaccination rates nationally, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Health officials are considering creative incentives to get the numbers up from church events to possible beer giveaways.
As Demand Drops, Health Officials Look For Ways To Encourage Vaccinations
Health officials say at first they were focused on vaccinating elderly and at-risk people in Alabama. Now the focus is shifting to people who are skeptical or apathetic about the vaccine.
Will The Gulf Coast Amtrak Line Ever Leave The Station?
Plans for a passenger line connecting New Orleans with Mobile are underway, but opposition from the freight train industry could derail the service – and possibly President Joe Biden’s vision for an Amtrak resurgence.
Starting Thursday, UAB To Offer Pfizer Vaccine To Adolescents
The Pfizer COVID-19 shot was found to be 100% effective in preventing disease among children aged 12 to 15 years old.
Woodfin Won’t Resign In Controversy Over Police Shooting
The Birmingham chapter of Black Lives Matter has called for the resignation of Mayor Randall Woodfin and Police Chief Patrick D. Smith following the fatal police shooting of an armed Black man.
Hack Exposes Vulnerability Of America’s Energy Supply Lines
Colonial Pipeline shut down its 5,500-mile pipeline on Friday after a ransomware attack. The pipeline made news back in 2016 after a gasoline spill in Shelby County. Some say it takes major events to bring attention to the pipeline's vulnerabilities.
Governor Shuts Down Extra Help For The Unemployed, Says Workers Needed To Invigorate The Economy
Alabama will stop participating in all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs beginning June 19. Gov. Kay Ivey says she made the decision because of the increasing difficulty of business owners and employers to find workers to fill jobs.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Medical Marijuana And Yoga Bills Pass, Gambling Bill Stalls
A medical marijuana bill goes to the governor. Meanwhile a gambling bill looks unlikely to pass this session.
Alabama Legislature Drops Resistance, OKs Medical Marijuana
The bill faced strong resistance among House lawmakers.
New Orleans’ Return To Cultural Parades Is A Step Toward Healing In The South
In April, Mardi Gras Indians held a funeral and parade for one of their own – one of a few large cultural events to occur since the pandemic started and most large events in the region were canceled.
Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Increase 100% In Jefferson County
The powerful synthetic opioid is now being mixed with drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine, leading to more overdose deaths.
Birmingham City Council Approves Incentives For HBCU Classic At Legion Field
Legion Field is adding another HBCU football classic to its schedule.
Retiring Children’s Of Alabama CEO Expects Medicaid To Face Budget Pressure Again
CEO Mike Warren said he thought he could fix Medicaid, but he was naive.
