News
Yoga Still Being Taught To Some Students Despite 27-Year-Old Ban
Alabama is one step closer to overturning a decades-old ban on yoga in public schools. This week, the state House of Representatives voted in favor a bill that would give school systems the option to teach yoga with some restrictions. But Jimi Lee, head of Yoga & Love has led yoga at some schools, despite the ban. School leaders just call the practice by another name.
Alabama Health Officials Issue Update On Coronavirus Testing
The Alabama Department of Health has tested fewer than 20 people for COVID-19, according to officials there. None has tested positive.
State Health Department Offers COVID-19 Testing
Alabama's state health agency now has the capability to test for COVID-19. They'll no longer have to send samples to the CDC for testing.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Yoga, Banning Gender Therapies
State lawmakers this week considered bills around yoga, guns, and gender therapy for minors.
Attorneys For Nathaniel Woods Request Emergency Stay Of Execution
An Alabama inmate scheduled to be executed today is asking federal courts to postpone his execution.
Shelby County Residents Vocal On Proposed Toll Bridge
For weeks, Shelby county residents have voiced concerns about a proposed private toll bridge that would cross Lay Lake on the Coosa River. Developers say the project will spur economic development but not everyone is convinced.
Mosquito Spraying To Continue In Birmingham Despite Objections
The city of Birmingham will continue the practice of spraying for mosquitoes, despite vehement objection from two city councilors.
Alabama Republican Senate Contest Headed To A Runoff
The race for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate is headed to a runoff. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville will face off March 31st.
Alabama Live Election Results
Follow for live election coverage of the Alabama primary elections.
NPR Live Coverage: 2020 Super Tuesday
Follow NPR's live coverage of the 2020 Super Tuesday contests, including results and analysis.
Jefferson County Department Of Health Prepared For Coronavirus
In a press conference, President Trump insisted the risk of Americans getting the coronavirus disease remains very low. But CDC officials say they expect COVID-19 to spread to more states across the U.S. and they’re preparing local health departments with specific guidelines for dealing with the disease.
In Comeback Senate Bid, Jeff Sessions Backs Trump — Despite Public Falling-Out
Jeff Sessions is making a play for his old senate seat from Alabama, arguing he's the one who has Trump's back despite the president's disparaging remarks about his former attorney general.
Alabama Ban On Gender Therapies Moves Forward
Doctors would not be allowed to administer gender therapies to youth, according to a bill moving forward in the Alabama Legislature. Opponents say the bill is fear mongering.
Parkers Will Be Able To Pay At Birmingham Meters Using An App
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to modernize its parking system, approving a three-year contract with ParkMobile, an application that allows users to pay for parking with their smartphones.
BirminghamWatch 2020 Primary Voter Guide: Republican U.S. Senate Race Headlines March 3 Primaries In Alabama
The Alabama primary election is on Tuesday, March 3. And all seven Senate Republican candidates have shown basic agreement on the topics of immigration, taxes and the economy as well as social issues such as abortion, guns and health care.
Officials Say Anniston Facility Not Designed To Hold Coronavirus Patients
State and local leaders say they were justified in pushing back against a plan to bring Americans infected with the coronavirus disease to a facility in Anniston. They say there weren't enough details known.
Officials Seek Answers On Plan To House Coronavirus Patients In Anniston
Anniston is being considered a "back-up plan" to house some patients that have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Gov. Kay Ivey.
Report Reveals Voter Access Difficult In Alabama
Super Tuesday is nearly a week away and hundreds-of-thousands of Alabama voters are expected to turn out. But according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center, Alabama remains one of the most difficult states for an eligible voter to register and cast a ballot.
Voters Could Change How Education Leaders Are Picked In Alabama
When Alabama voters go the polls on March 3rd, they’ll be voting on a constitutional amendment that changes the state board of education. Currently board members are elected. If Amendment One is approved, the governor would appoint school board members.
Live Coverage: 2020 Nevada Caucuses
Follow NPR's live coverage of the 2020 Nevada caucuses, including results and analysis.
Medical Marijuana, Transgender Athlete Bills Pass Committee
A bill to allow medical marijuana in Alabama picked up steam in the Alabama Legislature this week as a Senate committee overwhelmingly approved it. Another committee backed a bill requiring transgender students to play sports under their “gender assignment at birth" as opposed to how they identify.
New Exhibit Features Artwork From Alabama Inmates
The issues around Alabama's troubled prison system are complex, but a new exhibit featuring artwork by Alabama inmates hopes to generate a different conversation.
CPB, NPR Partner With Public Media Stations To Launch Gulf States Newsroom, With Hub At WBHM In Birmingham
Public media stations WBHM in Birmingham, Alabama, Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson, Mississippi, and WWNO in New Orleans and WRKF in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, have joined together to launch the Gulf States Newsroom. With support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and NPR, this innovative collaboration will increase coverage of news events in a region […]
Construction, Welding, GED: The Impact Of Prison Education
Across Alabama, state inmates are getting GED certificates, learning to fix cars, and even how to code. As Alabama faces mounting pressure to reform its prison system, many state leaders want to increase funding for these educational programs.
Some Prisoners Invited To Vote By Absentee Ballot For The First Time This Year
Valentine’s Day took on new meaning Friday as members of five organizations continued their tour to get persons in jail and prison registered to vote by absentee ballot in the upcoming primary and beyond.
Study: Diversion Programs Work – When They Don’t Sabotage Participants
There are many alternatives to prison including drug courts, veterans courts and community corrections. But a new report says in many cases these alternatives hinder rather than help those they are supposed to serve.
Payday Lending, Transgender Athlete Bills Go Nowhere in Alabama Legislature
A number of bills had difficulty moving forward in the second week of this year's Alabama legislative session.
Firehouse Ministries Opens New Homeless Shelter
For almost 40 years, Firehouse Ministries has offered shelter at its downtown Birmingham building. Thursday the non-profit cut the ribbon on a new facility.
More Alabama Farmers Sign up to Grow Hemp
Last year marked the first time in decades that hemp could be grown legally in Alabama. More than 100 farmers got licensed by the state to grow it.
Delayed School Start Times Tuesday Feb. 11, 2020
A number of area schools are delaying start times due to heavy rain and a flash flood watch early Tuesday morning.
UAB Leads a New Anti-Viral Drug Trial to Combat the Coronavirus
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is leading a new anti-viral drug trial in Wuhan, China to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
As Sessions Falls out of Favor, More Voters Look to Byrne, Tuberville
Alabama voters heard from two of the three leading GOP candidates for U.S. Senate over the weekend. Three weeks away from the March 3 Alabama primary, a clear favorite in that race hasn’t yet emerged.
