Gulf States Newsroom

IVF could help her start the family she wants. Will Alabama’s personhood law derail it?

Despite a law meant to protect IVF in Alabama, patients and advocates worry the protections won’t hold — and warn of future attacks on reproductive rights.

Q&A: A bad deal made Jackson’s water problems worse. It wasn’t the only Mississippi city harmed

Reporter Sarah Fowler talks about her investigation that found at least eight Mississippi cities were harmed by deals over faulty smart water meters.

Some Jackson residents still face water billing issues despite new systems in place

In trying to rectify decades of billing chaos and draw new revenue, another issue has emerged for JXN Water: How much should customers be on the hook for?

This new high-speed fiber internet project aims to close the technology gap in Alabama’s Black Belt

The $230 million project, which broke ground in Selma in early March, will reach around 53,000 homes and businesses.

March Madness is here! Here are the Gulf South teams to watch in the men’s, women’s tournaments

Get info on the seven men’s teams and five women’s teams playing in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament, plus see what time they play.

As Alabama tries to legalize sports betting, advocates point to neighboring states’ success

Increased tax revenues in states like Louisiana are one reason many pro-sports betting Alabamians say it’s time to catch up to neighbors in the Gulf South.

54% of support comes from members

What architects learned from 30 years of building affordable homes in Alabama’s Black Belt

Auburn University’s Rural Studio is sharing its wealth of knowledge with partners in a half dozen states to help solve rural homelessness.

The HBCU Legacy Bowl is more than a game. It also prepares students for life after sports

Organizers for the all-star game, now in its third year, host a career fair where HBCU students and recent grads plan for their futures before the big game.

Thousands honor Selma Jubilee, voting rights ahead of March 5 election

On the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, thousands marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to honor those brutally attacked in the fight for civil rights.

From sea to table to sea: How recycled oyster shells are restoring the Alabama coast

Gulf South oyster reefs are fading because of the changing climate. Alabama hopes to reverse this by using recycled shells to grow oyster gardens.

4 factors besides cold weather that explain expensive winter power bills

Like many in the Gulf South, Will Burt’s power bill spiked in January due to extreme weather. But how much of the increase can be attributed to the cold?

We want to hear from you: District 2 in Alabama

Help us report on your new district and the 2024 elections

As March 5 primary election nears, some voters are still unaware of District 2 change

Civics education groups, like the South Alabama Black Women’s Roundtable, are working to notify voters of the change made by the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling.

‘Living in fear’: Small-town Mississippi residents are skeptical of DOJ’s police investigation

The "pattern or practice" investigation into the Lexington Police Department stems from allegations of excessive force, racist roadblocks and more.

A South Asian krewe in New Orleans wants to ‘put the masala in Mardi Gras’

Krewe da Bhan Gras has been a hit on the parade route this Carnival season as the latest example of Mardi Gras’ diverse, inclusive nature and its evolution.

The Gulf South’s rejection of the Summer EBT program puts further strain on child hunger issues

Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama have opted out of the USDA’s Summer EBT program, but advocates say the need is far greater than one program.

Opioid overdoses are on the rise. A Louisiana medical student believes Narcan training can help

Losing his brother to an overdose inspired Jacob Bassin to arm his fellow medical students with free doses of Narcan and train them on how to use it.

New Alabama law aims to improve police interactions with people with disabilities

Some advocates said the law’s requirement of an hour-long training on working with people with “invisible” disabilities and sensory needs is a good start.

Ahead of Kenneth Smith’s execution, people impacted by Alabama’s death penalty speak out

Death penalty opponents gathered in Birmingham Wednesday to condemn Smith’s execution and hear personal stories about the impact of death row.

Jackson estimated his water bill and overcharged him by thousands. He fought back and won

When James Henley suspected his water bill was inaccurate, he put his spreadsheet skills to use and got back $3,208. Now, he’s helping others do the same.

cavu
saturn
54% of support comes from members

MLK Day is Monday. In Alabama and Mississippi, it’s also Robert E. Lee Day.

Here’s a quick history lesson on why the unlikely joint celebration of a civil rights icon and a Confederate general is still happening.

Deadline approaches for USDA loan discrimination funds for underserved farmers

Gulf South farmers are racing to meet the deadline for DFAP. Some say the aid is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.

Nick Saban’s retirement is a blow to Alabama football’s fans — and a boon to its haters

Sports fans in Birmingham were more than happy to weigh in on the Alabama football icon’s storied career.

Mercedes-Benz autoworkers in Alabama want to join the UAW. Here’s what the past could teach them

Amid a new push in a region that’s historically unwelcoming to unionization, author Stephen Silvia details what the UAW could learn from its past efforts.

New Orleans residents are uneasy about the NOPD’s planned drone program, documents show

The Gulf States Newsroom obtained more than 350 pages of public comments concerning the NOPD’s planned drone program. Here’s what they said.

Inflation is slowing, unless you’re ‘makin’ groceries’ for New Orleans gumbo. Here’s why

With a variety of ingredients from across the region, making a pot of gumbo can illustrate a lot of the ways inflation impacts the average grocery shopper.

The 2023 moments that will stick with us: Reflections from the Gulf States Newsroom

Our regional reporters reflect on delightful, discarded moments they had in the field as they covered stories across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

This New Orleans restaurant made it through the pandemic. Can it survive water billing issues?

Plume Algiers is a mom-and-pop Indian restaurant that overcame every obstacle to open in New Orleans. Now, water billing issues could put them out of business.

Despite strong economic signs, food pantry lines are still growing in the Gulf South

The U.S. economy had a strong year, but more people found themselves in line at their local food pantry due to inflation and a weakened social safety net.

Place, Erased: A virtual listening session with the Gulf States Newsroom; watch replay

Watch a replay of the Gulf States Newsroom's listening session for its recent series about towns transformed by major environmental shifts.

Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South is ready to prove it’s ESPN’s ‘Band of the Year’

The Sonic Boom hopes the inaugural competition to crown the best bands in the nation will expose a wider audience to the rich culture of HBCU schools.

How making Jackson’s famed Farish Street more green could also help cool it off

On the heels of Mississippi’s record-breaking summer, the historic neighborhood hopes that adding more trees and green space can solve its heat island problem.