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Susan Brownmiller, whose landmark book changed attitudes on rape, dies at 90

In 1975, Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape explored pernicious cultural and legal attitudes about rape and helped debunk the long-held view that victims were partly to blame.

Marcel Ophuls, who chronicled 20th century conflict and atrocities, dies at 97

"There's a relationship between attention span and morality," Ophuls said. The filmmaker commanded his audience's attention in four-plus-hour documentaries like The Sorrow and The Pity and Hôtel Terminus.

Record floodwaters in eastern Australia leave 4 dead and 1 missing

Some 50,000 people have been isolated by the flooding in New South Wales, after days of heavy rain. Four bodies have been retrieved from floodwaters since Wednesday.

Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner and music memorabilia collector, dies at 65

Irsay started with the Colts as a teenage ball boy and took ownership after his father's death in 1997. The team won a Super Bowl and two AFC championships under his nearly three-decade tenure.

DOGE cuts, policy changes jeopardize care, housing for vulnerable HIV patients in Alabama

Federal funding has helped states like Alabama and Mississippi make strides in fighting the HIV epidemic. Doctors and advocates are worried about the future.

George Wendt, who played Norm on ‘Cheers,’ has died

Wendt got his start in Chicago's The Second City improv comedy troupe. He went on to earn six Primetime Emmy nominations for his role as a lovable barfly on Cheers.

Millions prepare for severe storms in the Midwest and South

Millions of people in central and eastern Oklahoma, as well as far northwest Arkansas, are in the path of numerous severe thunderstorms expected on Monday.

More than 20 dead after tornadoes sweep through Kentucky and Missouri

Powerful storms and tornadoes tore through several Midwestern and Southern states overnight Friday, leaving carnage and flattened buildings in their wake.

At least 7 people dead and widespread damage left in the wake of severe Midwest storms

The storms were part of a severe weather system Friday that caused damage in Missouri, left hundreds of thousands without power in the Great Lakes region and brought a heat wave to Texas.

Legislative session ends with debate over police immunity bill

The Alabama legislative session wrapped up this week, but not before some contentious debate in the final hours on Wednesday night. The bill at hand was one that would expand legal immunity to police officers under certain circumstances. That's where we start our final legislative update of the session with Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.

Charles Strouse, Broadway composer of ‘Annie’ and ‘Bye Bye Birdie,’ dies at 96

The Broadway composer of Annie and Bye Bye Birdie died Thursday at 96.

What was approved, and what failed, in the 2025 Alabama legislative session

Alabama lawmakers ended the 2025 legislative session on Wednesday. Here is a look at a few of the notable bills that passed, and some that failed, during the session.

Lawmakers pass bill to criminalize bringing immigrants in the US illegally across state lines

The legislation given final approval Wednesday protects “not only the citizens of Alabama but also the people that are immigrating here legally and doing everything the right way,” said the bill’s Republican sponsor.

Trump’s plan to bring shipbuilding back to the US? Port fees on Chinese vessels

Port fees on Chinese-built ships and operators will start in October, further raising the cost of trading with the United States.

Uruguay’s ex-President José Mujica, nicknamed ‘world’s poorest president,’ dies at 89

José Mujica, the charismatic former guerrilla fighter who later went on to lead Uruguay and became known as "the world's poorest president" for his austere lifestyle, has died at 89.

Slightly unusual ‘atmospheric river’ event to hit Southeast U.S.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says an "atmospheric river" event is set to hit Florida and other parts of the Southeast. The weather event typically occurs in the West.

School cellphone ban passed in the final days of the legislative session

Smartphones are practically appendages for many nowadays, but one place you probably won't see them in use soon is in Alabama schools. Alabama lawmakers gave final passage this week to a bill that would ban them during the school day. It's where we start our weekly legislative roundup with Todd Stacey, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.

Ivey overhauls Birmingham Water Works Board amid cries of racial discrimination

The bill redistributes power from Birmingham city officials — who currently appoint a majority of the nine-person board — to the governor, the lieutenant governor and the surrounding four counties that are also in the board’s jurisdiction. It also reduces the number of board members to seven.

Q&A: How lethal injection ‘hides the violence’ of executions in the South and elsewhere

A new book explores the secretive, complicated history of lethal injection and its relationship to the death penalty.

Alabama lawmakers approve tax cuts for food, diapers and other items

The food tax reduction, if signed into law, will lower the state sales tax on food from 3% to 2% beginning Sept. 1. The reduction comes as lawmakers in both parties said families are being hurt by soaring grocery prices.

Alabama governor signs shark bite alert system into law named after teen who survived attack

The system will issue a public notice to cellphones when there's been a shark attack nearby. The law is named after Mountain Brook teenager Lulu Gribbin, who was one of three people bitten by a shark during a string of attacks off the Florida Panhandle last year.

Brutality and humanity at the Angola Prison Rodeo in Louisiana

While the event has been criticized for its controversial and dangerous events, it also offers a chance for participants to connect to the outside world.

Actress and ‘Laugh-In’ comedian Ruth Buzzi dies at 88

Buzzi, who was best known for her regular appearances on the NBC variety TV show Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, died on Thursday at her home in Texas.

The world’s oldest person, a 116-year-old Brazilian nun, has died

Sister Inah Canabarro Lucas, a soccer-loving nun born in 1908, is remembered as compassionate and dedicated to her faith.

Tax cut bills under consideration in final days of the legislative session

Alabama has already knocked off 1% of its state sales tax from groceries. A bill that would reduce it further is under discussion in the legislature. But there are just a couple of days left in the session to get things done.

What’s the deal with torpedo bats? See how this Baton Rouge bat manufacturer makes them

Marucci Sports gave WWNO's Louisiana Considered an inside look at how they make torpedo bats, the oddly-shaped bats giving hitters newfound strength.

Bill overhauling Birmingham Water Works Board heads to governor’s desk despite local outcry

Proponents of the bill point to frequent rate hikes and say that the move will prevent catastrophic events that have happened in cities like Jackson, Mississippi, or Detroit, Michigan. Opponents of the bill say that it is a power grab that diminishes the power of Black residents in Birmingham, Alabama.

Former Birmingham-Southern College students enjoy a graduation tradition for the last time

A year after Birmingham-Southern College closed, having succumbed to financial mismanagement, former students who are graduating this spring from Samford University visited the campus to capture a bit of tradition.

Lil Wayne’s New Orleans Jazz Fest headlining set is a big moment for hip-hop artists

Lil Wayne will close out the main stage for the first time in his career Saturday — a feat that’s eluded most other rappers who’ve performed at the festival.

Alabama Senate advances Birmingham Water Works Board overhaul

A fight erupted this week in the Alabama legislature over a bill that would remake the Birmingham Water Works Board. We dive into that controversy and talk about other legislative action with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal and Alabama Public Television.

Scientists say NOAA cuts by Trump undermine improvements in hurricane forecasts

The Trump administration is targeting top climate and weather labs for cuts. Insiders worry about the impact on research and NOAA's ability to forecast severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes.

Trade wars grew America’s auto industry. Historians warn today’s tariffs won’t

Past success bringing foreign car companies stateside means the U.S. has more to lose and less to gain in today’s trade wars.