Series
Report: State Improved in Several Child Health Indicators but Still Struggles With Poverty, Racial Disparity
Alabama has made significant progress in infant mortality rates, teen pregnancies and child safety, but poverty and a racial disparity in indicators of wellbeing remain a problem for children in the state, according to a report released today.
Changing Climate: Many in Coastal Alabama Act Now to Rebuild Shorelines, Prepare for Storms
Some Alabamians and the politicians they elect traditionally have denied global warming. But many people in coastal Alabama are preparing now for what they fear will be inevitable consequences of increased warming of the air and oceans.
How Trump Factors into Jeff Sessions’ Senate Run
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to join a long list of Republicans who want to be Alabama's next U.S. Senator.
Jeff Sessions Wants To Return To The Senate, GOP Sources Say
Republican sources say ex-Attorney General Jeff Sessions wants to return to the Senate. He was a key Trump supporter but the relationship soured when Sessions recused himself from the Russia probe.
Changing Climate: In Pursuit of the Disappearing Alabama Oyster. Will They Ever Return?
Oysters, one of the vital signs of the health of Alabama’s coastal waters, were once a jewel of the state’s economy and a local delicacy. Now, wild oysters from the Mobile Bay area have almost entirely disappeared. With few exceptions, the oysters most of us now enjoy originate elsewhere.
Alabama Democrats Under New Leadership As Legal Battles Loom
This past weekend, members of the state Democratic Executive Committee removed party chair Nancy Worley and elected state Rep. Chris England chair instead. Worley sued to stop the meeting from happening, but ultimately the Alabama Supreme Court allowed it to go on. An attorney for the faction that pushed for new leadership says looming legal battles are not a cause for concern.
Birmingham Council Chips in on East Lake Grocery Revamp as Part of Battle Against Food Deserts
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve a slate of economic incentives for one East Lake grocery store, continuing the Woodfin administration’s pledge to work toward eliminating food deserts in the city.
After Two Month Delay, Parole Hearings Will Resume
The Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles will resume parole hearings Tuesday. The state agency postponed hundreds of hearings since September, citing new legal requirements.
Cloudy Future for Dauphin Island, a Canary in the Coal Mine of Climate Change
Dauphin is one of perhaps 2,200 barrier islands that make up 10% to 12% of the globe’s coastline. They help absorb the blows of nature and suffer greatly for it, either eroding dramatically from catastrophic hurricane forces or gradually, almost imperceptibly, from constant wave action.
The Partisan Divide Isn’t That Wide Between Alabama’s Two US Senators, Though It Still Is a Canyon Among House Members
Although they differ on many high-profile issues, Alabama’s two U.S. senators voted together about half the time on key issues during 2019.
One Small Step: “It’s all a part of leaning on each other…”
Gail Ingram and Daron Harris met through their work with the Selma Center for Nonviolence on a project called Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation. Gail identifies as a conservative while Daron identifies as a liberal. Here is their conversation:
Jefferson County Is on the Brink of Shedding Personnel Consent Decree
U.S. District Court Judge Lynwood Smith wished Tony Petelos a happy Halloween, one in which he would get more treats than tricks.
Federal Judge Blocks Alabama Abortion Law
A federal judge has blocked Alabama’s near-total abortion ban, which was set to go into effect next month. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect until the “court resolves the case in full.”
Birmingham Remembers Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney
Three-year-old Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney was buried Sunday. The girl was kidnapped and killed more than 10 days ago.
Two Charged in Death of 3-Year-Old Kamille McKinney
Patrick Devone Stallworth and Derick Irisha Brown were charged with capital murder Thursday in the death of 3-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney.
Police Believe They’ve Found Body of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney
Police say they've found the remains of Kamille "Cupcake" McKinney in a Birmingham dumpster.
Most Birmingham-Area Schools Improve From Last Year in Latest Report Card, But Work Still Needed
Two Birmingham-area school systems scored better than last year on the 2018-2019 annual Education Report Card issued by the Alabama State Department of Education.
Changing Climate: Alabama Sees Heat, Storms, Drought and Turtles
Alabama’s a long way from the South Pole, but Jim McClintock knows the places are connected. For decades, the UAB researcher has been witnessing effects of climate change on the polar region. He sees that his state is starting to feel the impacts, as well, and predicts greater changes ahead.
New Park Opens in Birmingham Area Ravaged by Tornado Eight Years Ago
Birmingham’s newest park opened Friday in an area devastated by a tornado eight years ago. The new "One Pratt Park” is a six acre, $8 million park in the Pratt City community.
One Birmingham City Council Seat Goes to a Runoff; Two Incumbents Returned to the Council
One Birmingham City Council seat will be up for a runoff after none of the candidates won more than 50 percent of the votes in Tuesday’s balloting.
Several Birmingham Special Election Results on Hold Until Wednesday
Special elections for three Birmingham City Council seats, plus renewals for three ad valorem taxes, will not have results declared until Wednesday morning because of an error in the handling of electronic machine memory cards at three different precincts.
Bluesman Henry “Gip” Gipson Dies at 99
Alabama native and blues musician Henry “Gip” Gipson has died. He was 99.
Voter Guide: Birmingham Voters to Decide School Taxes, Three Council Seats Tuesday
Voters in Birmingham will head to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of three property taxes for schools and three seats on the City Council.
Advocates Want Lawmakers to End the Habitual Offender Act
Gov. Kay Ivey’s Study Group on Criminal Justice Policy meets Thursday to talk sentencing. Advocates want the group to address the state’s Habitual Felony Offender Act.
One Small Step: “There is more to you…”
Nicole Watkins has mobility issues as a result of spina bifida. She identifies as a liberal with strong feelings about healthcare. Austin Suellentrop, a self-identified conservative, has strong feelings about abortion.
Jefferson County Board of Education Makes History With Appointment of First African American as Interim Superintendent
It was a history-making moment for the Jefferson County Board of Education.
Doug Jones Says He’s Not Attacking the State Democratic Party, He’s Rebuilding It
U.S. Senator Doug Jones says he is trying to rebuild the Alabama Democratic Party, not destroy it. That’s in response to criticism leveled at him by state party chairwoman Nancy Worley. It’s also the latest turn in a leadership fight that’s embroiled Alabama Democrats.
Birmingham Voters Head to Polls Oct. 8 to Pick 3 Council Members, Decide on School Taxes
Birmingham is one month away from a citywide election that will not only determine the future of funding for city schools but also whether up to one-third of City Council seats change hands.
Opportunity Zone Apartments Aim for Affordability Downtown. Will They Be?
Many people can't afford to live in downtown Birmingham's high-end lofts and condos. They city's first Opportunity Zone development aims to change that. But some question how effective it will be.
Democrat Doug Jones Launches Re-election Campaign
Doug Jones launched his re-election campaign Sunday, challenging voters to look at his record instead of the labels cast on him by his opponents.
#DougMeetsMiles: Jones Takes Questions Via Twitter at Forum With College Students
Sen. Doug Jones told an audience of students from Miles College that when he went to Washington, D.C. he didn’t realize that he was going to be a part of a government that functioned according to what someone says on Twitter — an oblique reference to President Donald Trump’s penchant for tweets that make the nation’s capital go topsy-turvy.
Governor’s Study Group Meets on Prison Operations
Gov. Kay Ivey's task force on criminal justice policy convened Wednesday in Montgomery to discuss the state's troubled prison system.
