Series
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In rural Mississippi, Baby University is helping parents with ‘more than diapers’
The free program in Clarksdale, Mississippi teaches young parents how to better care for their children while filling in the gaps of the social safety net.
She thought one call would fix her power bill. A year later, she’s still not satisfied
Power bill disputes usually sway in the utility company's favor. But as this New Orleans renter's story shows, there are ways customers can get answers.
As ‘overwhelming’ heat dome settles over the Gulf South, unhoused residents seek refuge
The Fourth of July holiday brought sweltering temperatures to the Gulf South. Here’s how some of the people most vulnerable to the heat are dealing with it.
Alabama’s health care system for women ranks near the bottom of this new scorecard
The Commonwealth Fund’s new report includes 12 new measures that evaluate and rank states on reproductive services and women’s health care.
How hard is life after prison? This simulation in Birmingham offers a taste
Across the country, U.S. justice officials are hosting simulated experiences to highlight the barriers many people face after leaving prison.
Alabama’s hemlocks face threat from a deadly insect
In the Bankhead National Forest, Eastern Hemlock trees foster unique habitat for a wide range of species. But a deadly insect is moving closer and closer.
Lawmakers begin redrawing Alabama’s congressional map
On Tuesday, the effort to redraw the map began with a public hearing at the State House. This follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding a lower court’s ruling that Alabama’s congressional map does not reflect the state’s Black population.
A year after the loss of Roe v. Wade, Gulf South residents reflect on abortion rights
The Gulf States Newsroom asked Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi residents when they realized things had changed after the ruling. Here's what they said.
‘Kids will end their lives’: Anti-trans legislation is impacting mental health in the Gulf South
As book bans and legislation pile up, a Louisiana trans teen describes the mental toll it’s taking on him and highlights the importance of support systems.
Alabama lawmakers close out 2023 legislative session
A proposal to exempt overtime pay from state income tax made it out on the last day. A bill that would have put more teeth in the state’s public records law did not.
As the US invests more in climate-smart ag, these Louisiana farmers could serve as a model
Climate-smart agriculture is getting a “once-in-a-generation” investment of $20 billion. Louisiana farmers show what a successful rollout could look like.
With pandemic-era boost to SNAP over, a Mississippi diaper bank is receiving more calls for help
With the COVID-19 public health emergency over, Diaper Bank of the Delta is trying to fill in the gap and connect struggling families to more resources.
Major bills cross the finish line with one day left in legislative session
Gov. Kay Ivey signed both budgets and supplemental spending packages Thursday. A plan to reduce the state sales tax on food is on the way to her desk as well.
After decades of attempts, major bill to cut state’s 4% grocery tax wins final passage
The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey, whose office said she will review it when she receives it. Alabama is one of only three states that tax groceries at the same rate as other purchases.
A water leak led to a $20K bill for an Alabama couple. A smart meter could have saved them
When smart water meters work, they can detect expensive leaks early. But the tech’s costly to do right — and even more so when it’s done wrong.
How TikTok and the South’s urban legends opened new doors for Alabama’s Joshua Dairen
The local content creator turned his love of the paranormal into a promising side gig thanks to TikTok. Now, he wants to make space for others like himself.
Tell us your story about reproductive health care in the Gulf South
When it comes to reproductive health care, at what point did you realize things have changed since Roe v. Wade was overturned?
Budgets head to the governor after early morning vote
Alabama lawmakers gave final passage to an $8.8 billion education budget and $3 billion general fund budget early Friday morning. That doesn’t count supplemental spending plans.
An Alabama program helps residents stormproof their homes. Louisiana wants to copy it
Strengthen Alabama Homes gives residents up to $10,000 to retrofit homes to the FORTIFIED standard. Other states see it as a model for their own insurance woes.
Cahaba lily season draws crowds, inspires conservation efforts
Alabama is thought to be home to one of the world's largest populations of the unique flower, which is only in bloom for a few more weeks.
To improve birth outcomes for uninsured moms, Birmingham is training more doulas
The city of Birmingham has teamed up with BirthWell Partners’ community doula project to sponsor 32 trainees to work in underserved communities.
Tuberville defends hold on defense nominations, says Pentagon wrong to screen out white nationalists
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville defends his hold on DOD nominations, and speaks about his bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports and his objections to what he says are attempts by the Pentagon to screen out white nationalists.
‘Unprecedented’ education budget passes Alabama Senate
The proposed spending package includes a 2% pay increase for teachers along with more money for K-12 schools, higher education and community colleges.
A Ukrainian dressmaker and his family find refuge and a new beginning in Vestavia Hills
Mykola Vyshyvanyuk and his family were forced to flee Ukraine when Russia invaded in 2022. Thanks to local support, they’ve found a new place to call home.
Increasing popularity of Alabama’s Pinhoti Trail sparks economic opportunity
A growing number of hikers are tackling Alabama's longest continuous footpath and trail communities are welcoming the growth.
Rocky start for Alabama school choice bill
The PRICE Act would give families $6,900 in taxpayer money which could be used for private school tuition or homeschooling.
