News
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.
‘Star-Spangled Banner’, Car-Smoking Bills Pass Committee in First Week of Legislative Session
Here's a wrap-up of the first week of the 2020 legislative session with Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey.
Iowa’s Election Problems Can’t Happen in Alabama, Merrill Says
Problems like the ones in the Iowa Democratic caucus cannot happen in Alabama because the state holds elections, not closed meetings of political parties to select candidates, the state’s top elections official said Thursday.
Shelby, Jones Side With Their Parties as Senate Acquits President Trump of Impeachment Charges
Both United States Senators from Alabama cast their votes along party lines as President Donald Trump was acquitted Wednesday of both articles of impeachment filed by the House of Representatives.
Delayed School Start Times Thursday Feb. 6, 2020
Flooding and early morning tornado risks Thursday have led several school systems to delay start times.
StoryCorps Founder Brings One Small Step Event to Birmingham
StoryCorps has provided people across the U.S. the opportunity to record and preserve the stories of their lives. Now, the organization is taking that idea to another level with One Small Step. StoryCorps' founder, Dave Isay, shares more.
Schools Cancel Afternoon Activities due to Expected Severe Weather
As severe weather moves toward Alabama, several school districts are closing early.
Jones Sides With Senate Democrats, Will Vote to Convict Trump in Impeachment Trial
Sen. Doug Jones will vote to convict President Donald Trump of two charges in his impeachment trial.
Smithsonian Educator Explores Ways to Teach Evolution in Alabama Schools
Briana Pobiner is a paleoanthropologist and educator at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. She's using a federal grant to explore the best ways to teach evolution in Alabama high schools; although some textbooks still contain warning stickers saying evolution is just a theory.
Ivey Proposes Education Investments, Cautious on Lottery in State of the State Address
Pay raises, new prisons, and a shift from and elected state school board to an appointed one were among the highlights of Gov. Kay Ivey's State of the State address.
Live Coverage: President Trump’s 2020 State Of The Union Address
President Trump is delivering the 2020 State of the Union address, which comes under the shadow of his impeachment trial. Watch his remarks live and follow a live annotation of his remarks, including fact checks and analysis from NPR reporters.
How One Climate Scientist Reconciles Her Faith with Global Warming
Some might consider Katharine Hayhoe a walking paradox. She’s an atmospheric scientist who believes in human-caused climate change and an evangelical Christian. And to her, neither of those facets are at odds.
Leading U.S. Senate Candidates Began the Year With Millions to Fuel Campaigns
Former Sen. Jeff Sessions, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne and retired football coach Tommy Tuberville entered 2020 with millions of dollars in the bank as they campaign for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate.
Possible Focus on Inmate Education, DOC Oversight in 2020 Session
The 2020 legislative session begins Tuesday and prisons are at the top of the agenda. Lawmakers are likely to consider proposals presented last week by Governor Kay Ivey's Study Group on Criminal Justice Policy.
Gov. Ivey to Touch on the Census, Prisons and Education in State of the State Address
Ivey offered the preview during a speech Friday at the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama’s annual meeting in Birmingham. She says this year’s federal census is “make or break” for Alabama, in part because the state is at risk of losing a congressional seat.
Medical Marijuana Bill Expected in Upcoming Alabama Legislative Session
Alabama lawmakers start this year’s legislative session Tuesday and one item expected to come up is legalizing medical marijuana.
Gasp, SELC Challenge ABC Coke Consent Decree
A fight over ABC Coke’s air pollution in Birmingham and Tarrant entered federal court Tuesday as groups charged that a consent decree agreement approved last spring is too weak to guarantee that unlawful discharges of the cancer-causing chemical benzene will stop.
Birmingham Council Approves Sending Up to 297 Neighborhood Reps to Conference
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to send up to 297 neighborhood representatives to this May’s Neighborhoods USA Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Report Says Better Collaboration Needed to Produce Enough Qualified Workers for Alabama
A report released this week says education and business needs to collaborate better to ensure Alabama has enough qualified workers for employers.
Alabama to Close Most of Holman Prison
The Alabama Department of Corrections is accelerating plans to close most of Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. Officials made the announcement Wednesday, citing growing maintenance costs and safety concerns at the 51-year-old prison.
Small Fraction of Students Qualify for Birmingham Promise Scholarship
When it was announced recently that the Birmingham Promise would offer a full tuition scholarship to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, many praised the partnership as a way to give eligible Birmingham graduates a much-needed financial boost. But as it stands, most students wouldn't make the cut.
Fire Destroys Boat Dock In North Alabama, Killing At Least 8
In north Alabama, authorities say at least eight people died early Monday after a boat dock caught fire. The fire destroyed more than 30 boats moored along the Tennessee River in Scottsboro, Ala.
Despite Pledges, Birmingham Barely Out of Gate on Energy Efficiency, Renewables, Sustainability
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin promised in December to pivot toward prioritizing sustainability during the remaining two years of his term in office. But for some, Woodfin’s administration — and Birmingham’s municipal government as a whole — has been frustratingly inert when it comes to environmental issues.
Environmental Groups Protest New Waters of the US Rule
Environmental groups in Alabama and elsewhere say they will fight to delay or stop a new federal rule that would remove the 1972 Clean Water Act’s oversight of half the nation’s wetlands and many small streams.
Prisons Officials Request $42 Million Increase to Hire Staff, Improve Healthcare
Prisons will be a top issue in the upcoming legislative session. The state Department of Corrections presented its budget request Thursday, along with the Bureau of Pardons and Paroles.
JeffCo Commission Approves Fees for Credit, Debit Card Payments to Revenue Department
The Jefferson County Revenue's Office will now apply a 1% convenience fee on debit and card payments after passing with unanimous consent on Thursday.
