Issues/Program Report 1st Quarter 2025

April 1, 2025

Per the FCC, this is a list of the most frequently cited issues of concern to the people in the WBHM listening area during the last quarter. The list details the most significant programs addressing these issues. All of these programs were published at WBHM.ORG and broadcast on WBHM 90.3 FM between January 1, 2025 and March 31, 2025. The list includes the following issues:

Government

Justice Department sues Alabama saying state is purging voter rolls too close to election
2024-09-28 06:45:24

Federal officials said the purge violates the “quiet period provision” of the National Voter Registration Act that prohibits the systemic removal of names from voter rolls 90 days before a federal election.

Alabama puts man convicted of killing 3 to death in the country’s second nitrogen gas execution
2024-09-26 19:42:00

Alan Eugene Miller was pronounced dead at a south Alabama prison. He shook and trembled on the gurney for about two minutes with his body at times pulling against the restraints.

Birmingham leaders plead for information on mass shooting and announce reward money
2024-09-23 12:50:37

Authorities have still made no arrests after Saturday’s shooting killed four people and left 17 others injured. Police described it as a targeted “hit” on someone by multiple shooters who opened fire on a crowd waiting in line outside a nightspot in Birmingham’s bustling Five Points South district.

Lawsuit says Alabama voter purge targets naturalized citizens
2024-09-16 19:26:41

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced last month that 3,251 people who had been previously issued noncitizen identification numbers will have their voter registration status made inactive and flagged for possible removal from the voter rolls.

Jill Biden and Lloyd Austin visit an Alabama base to tout expanded military benefits
2024-09-13 15:21:18

Biden and Austin visited a pre-kindergarten program the first lady has championed that funds universal preschool for children aged 3 and 4. The administration plans to expand it beyond military facilities and into education systems nationwide.

Homewood votes this month to change its form of government. Why is the issue so controversial?
2024-09-11 11:18:46

A move by Homewood to change to a council-manager form of government began with little fanfare. But as the September 24th vote has grown closer, the relatively quiet, special election has spun into a controversial issue.

The first general election ballots are going in the mail as the presidential contest nears
2024-09-11 08:32:51

While the ballot milestone is relatively quiet and comes in a state that is not a political battleground, it is a sign of how quickly Election Day is approaching after this summer's party conventions and Tuesday's first presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump.

Jefferson County released from sewer consent decree
2024-09-09 09:01:24

A federal judge on Thursday released Jefferson County from a decades-long consent decree ordering rehabilitation of its sewer system. As part of the agreement, the county committed to completing several additional capital improvement projects by early 2027 that are planned and funded to further reduce sewer overflows.

Deceptive drug tests ensnare new parents and babies
2024-09-06 09:52:42

Imagine giving birth and then testing positive for a drug. Except you didn't take any drugs. Still the state Department of Human Resources opens an investigation based on that erroneous test.

11th Circuit allows Alabama to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for minors
2024-08-30 10:04:52

In a decision released Wednesday night, a majority of judges on the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals declined a request by families with transgender children for the full court to reconsider a three-judge panel’s decision to let the law go into effect.

Judge limits scope of lawsuit challenging Alabama restrictions on help for absentee ballot applications
2024-08-23 18:00:00

Chief U.S. District Judge David Proctor ruled Wednesday that civic groups can pursue just one of their claims: that the law’s ban on gifts or payment for application assistance violates the Voting Rights Act’s assurances that blind, disabled or low-literacy voters can get help from a person of their choice. The judge granted the state’s request to dismiss the other claims raised in the lawsuit.

Alabama says law cannot block people with certain felony convictions from voting in 2024 election
2024-08-20 05:36:18

The Alabama attorney general office wrote in a Friday court filing that the new law, which has a Oct. 1 effective date, cannot be used to block people from voting in the upcoming election, because the Alabama Constitution prohibits new election laws from taking effect within six months of the general election.

Alabama election officials make voter registration inactive for thousands of potential noncitizens
2024-08-16 07:38:28

Secretary of State Wes Allen announced on Tuesday that 3,251 people will receive letters notifying them that their voter registration status has been made inactive.

Alabama approved a medical marijuana program in 2021. Patients are still waiting for it
2024-08-08 08:16:42

In 2021 Alabama overcame years of resistance in the Deep South and approved a medical cannabis program. But three years later, medical marijuana remains unavailable in Alabama because of an ongoing legal fight over some of the licenses to grow and sell the products.

Alabama to move forward with nitrogen gas execution in September after lawsuit settlement
2024-08-06 08:20:16

Alabama and attorneys for Alan Miller, who was convicted of killing three men, reached a “confidential settlement agreement” to end litigation filed by Miller, according to a court document filed Monday.

Voting advocates in Alabama's District 2 are training, gearing up for 2024 election
2024-08-03 10:00:00

Nearly 40 participants took part in a recent Community Action Training to better prepare for the majority-Black district’s first election since being redrawn.

Court filings provide additional details of the US' first nitrogen gas execution
2024-08-02 10:00:00

The documents filed last month in ongoing litigation provided additional details of the execution of Kenneth Smith, who was the first person put to death using nitrogen gas.

Understaffed, the Birmingham Police Department is trying to rebuild trust and its ranks
2024-08-01 15:39:24

Police departments nationally, especially larger agencies, have seen a drop in recruits and an increase in resignations and retirements, since prior to the pandemic. Some indicators are pointing to a turnaround.

Alabama, civic groups spar over law restricting assistance with absentee ballot applications
2024-08-01 08:40:30

The diverging depictions of the new law were aired during a federal hearing on Alabama’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the statute. U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor did not indicate when he would rule.

Former Alabama legislator sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for kickback scheme
2024-07-30 13:36:43

John Rogers was charged as part of a kickback scheme that diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from a fund intended to pay for community projects in Jefferson County.

Alabama prison chief responds to families' criticism
2024-07-27 05:00:00

The department said that a number of changes have been made since Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm was appointed in 2022. The department said hiring has increased, and there are ongoing efforts to curb the flow of contraband and improve communications with families.

Families describe assaults and deaths behind bars during hearing on Alabama prison conditions
2024-07-25 14:00:00

Family members of people incarcerated in Alabama prisons packed the public hearing held by the Joint Legislative Prison Committee, a panel of lawmakers focused on prison oversight. Some wearing T-shirts with photos of their loved ones, family members described assaults, rapes, extortions, deaths and rampant drug availability and overdoses behind bars.

Mixed reaction to anti-crime program which blocks some Birmingham streets
2024-07-24 17:00:00

Streets in Birmingham’s East Lake neighborhood are now blocked by brightly painted concrete barriers and houseplants in a new effort by Mayor Randall Woodfin to reduce crime. They’ve been placed there by the mayor’s office as part of a new initiative in a neighborhood plagued by shootings, drug dealing, prostitution and more.

Gun violence prevention advocates question ammo machines in Alabama
2024-07-24 07:49:42

Standing between a coin-to-cash machine and a refrigerator of energy drinks, a new vending machine at a Fresh Value grocery store in Pell City, Alabama, offers something more than a quick snack or drink — bullets. 

Biden drops out of 2024 race after disastrous debate inflamed age concerns. VP Harris gets his nod
2024-07-21 14:18:38

The decision comes after escalating pressure from Biden’s Democratic allies to step aside following the June 27 debate, in which the 81-year-old president trailed off, often gave nonsensical answers and failed to call out the former president’s many falsehoods.

Alabama executes man convicted of killing delivery driver during a 1998 robbery attempt
2024-07-19 08:37:07

Keith Edmund Gavin was pronounced dead at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in southwest Alabama, authorities said. He was convicted of capital murder in the shooting death of courier service driver William Clayton Jr. in Cherokee County.

2 shootings in Birmingham kill 7 people, including young child, Alabama police say
2024-07-14 19:27:25

Four people died in a shooting at a Birmingham nightclub late Saturday, while an earlier shooting outside a home in the city killed three people, including a young child, authorities in Alabama said.

Shooting at Trump rally is being investigated as assassination attempt, AP sources say
2024-07-13 20:21:11

Donald Trump appeared to be the target of an assassination attempt as he spoke during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, law enforcement officials said. The former president, his ear covered in blood from what he said was a gunshot, was quickly pulled away by Secret Service agents and his campaign said he was “fine.”

Alabama family to add wrongful death claim in lawsuit over home explosion
2024-06-25 09:09:17

In a court hearing, lawyers for the Griffice family said their investigation into the March explosion is continuing despite a lack of engagement from state or federal regulators.

Thousands across Alabama live without access to public water
2024-06-11 07:00:00

In rural Marion County, some residents do the only thing they can think to do: call their legislator and cry.

Alabama district attorney says 'justice demands' new trial for death row inmate
2024-05-21 13:12:04

Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr filed a brief expressing his support for Toforest Johnson’s bid to receive a new trial. Carr has supported a new trial since 2020, but the latest filing detailed the findings of a post-conviction review of the case.

Gambling, ethics bills fall short as legislative session ends
2024-05-10 12:36:51

Alabama lawmakers closed the books on this year’s regular legislative session Thursday. While Republican leaders passed many of their priority bills, perhaps the most talked about issue – gambling – died.

A look at what passed and failed in the 2024 legislative session
2024-05-10 08:30:21

Alabama lawmakers have ended a 2024 legislative session that saw the Republican majority win approval for a number of their top priorities.

Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that's under criminal investigation 
2024-05-07 11:09:27

McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.

‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
2024-05-07 10:25:05

Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.

Gambling bill in doubt with three days left in the legislative session
2024-05-03 14:30:18

Alabama lawmakers are coming down to the finish line for this year’s legislative session. Many bills await passage, but perhaps the biggest one up in the air is a lottery and gambling bill.

A new Statehouse and related projects will cost about $400 million
2024-05-02 08:17:13

The Alabama Legislative Council, a 20-member panel comprised of legislative leaders and their appointees, approved the construction of the new Statehouse last year. The panel was given an update on the project on Wednesday.

New pilot program will offer housing, resources to people leaving prison
2024-05-01 15:53:13

The Birmingham Reentry Alliance will provide wrap around services to dozens of men and women adjusting to life after prison.

Alabama committee advances ban on LGBTQ+ pride flags in classrooms
2024-05-01 12:28:00

The Senate Education Policy Committee voted 5-2 for the House-passed bill, putting the proposal in line for a possible final passage in the last four days of the legislative session.

Attitudes among Alabama lawmakers softening on Medicaid expansion
2024-04-26 11:36:13

Alabama is one of ten states which has not expanded Medicaid. Republican leaders have pushed back against the idea for years.

Gambling bills face uncertain future in the Alabama legislature
2024-04-19 11:21:32

This year looked to be different for lottery and gambling legislation, which has fallen short for years in the Alabama legislature. But this week, with only a handful of meeting days left, competing House and Senate proposals were sent to a conference committee to work out differences.

Alabama mine cited for federal safety violations since home explosion led to grandfather’s death, grandson’s injuries
2024-04-15 08:56:13

Following a home explosion that killed one and critically injured another, residents want to know more about the mine under their community. So far, their questions have largely gone unanswered.

Lawmakers consider medical cannabis revamp
2024-04-12 10:26:23

It’s been three years since Alabama lawmakers passed legislation establishing a system to govern medical cannabis in the state, yet not one prescription for the drug has been filled. The rollout has been delayed by lawsuits and conflict over the licensing process.

Man arrested in connection with device that exploded outside Alabama attorney general's office
2024-04-11 08:18:50

Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, of Irondale, Alabama, was arrested Wednesday on charges of malicious use of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

Bill revamping ethics law advances in the legislature
2024-04-05 12:32:52

Lawmakers also took up the General Fund budget and a proposal to increase the number of medical cannabis licenses.

Restrictions on absentee ballot help in Alabama are being challenged in a lawsuit
2024-04-04 13:59:14

The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, and other groups are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed in federal court. They say the statute disenfranchises voters, including senior citizens and disabled voters, who may need assistance in the absentee voting process.

‘Anybody can be a lobbyist’: In Mississippi, incarceration fuels legislative advocacy training
2024-04-04 07:00:00

The program aims to teach the art of political influence and policymaking to formerly incarcerated people and their loved ones.

BSC’s Daniel Coleman talks about his years-long effort to save the school and what happens next.
2024-03-28 16:44:42

After the news that Birmingham-Southern College is closing, we sat down with the school’s president, Daniel Coleman.

IVF could help her start the family she wants. Will Alabama’s personhood law derail it?
2024-03-27 15:33:53

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.

What issues are driving you to the polls this year?
2024-03-25 07:00:00

What issues are top of mind as you head to the polls this year? What do you want the candidates to be talking about?

Anti-DEI bill becomes law as lawmakers return for the second half of the session
2024-03-22 10:57:19

Alabama lawmakers returned from spring break this week to take on several priorities for the Republican majority. Chief among them was a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools, universities and government offices.

Alabama enacts new restrictions on absentee ballot requests
2024-03-21 09:51:18

Alabama has placed new restrictions on assistance with absentee ballot requests, making it illegal to return another person's ballot application and making it a felony to pay someone to distribute or collect applications.

Alabama pharmacists urge lawmakers to pass HB 238
2024-03-19 08:23:25

Supporters of the legislation say it would create a more transparent reimbursement system for struggling pharmacies. The bill's opponents worry it could drive up insurance costs.

Anti-DEI bill faces opposition from students across Alabama
2024-03-18 15:05:52

College students across the state are speaking out against Senate Bill 129, which would restrict the funding of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

Alabamians want public officials to mitigate landslide risk
2024-03-14 14:58:53

In Birmingham, residents want two properties shielded from development and turned into parkland. Councilors decided to protect one parcel years ago. The vote never stuck.

What do you want state lawmakers to know?
2024-03-13 11:40:59

That’s the question WBHM put to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up at Church Street Coffee in Mt. Brook. Despite the early hour, those at the shop had plenty to share. 

As Alabama tries to legalize sports betting, advocates point to neighboring states’ success
2024-03-12 07:00:00

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.

Alabama state lawmaker Rogers to plead guilty to federal charges
2024-03-11 20:24:18

The charges are related to what federal prosecutors described as a kickback scheme that diverted money from a state fund intended to pay for community projects in Jefferson County.

Britt used decades-old example of rapes in Mexico as Republican attack on Biden border policy
2024-03-11 08:44:39

An independent journalist revealed in a TikTok video Friday that the sex trafficking of the victim mentioned by Britt on Thursday did not happen during the Biden administration or in the United States.

IVF, school choice and gambling dominate the week in Montgomery
2024-03-08 15:00:00

Most in vitro fertilization services resumed across Alabama after Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law Wednesday night granting immunity to fertility clinics. This is in response to an Alabama Supreme Court ruling last month that found frozen embryos are children.

Two Alabama IVF providers resume treatment under new law
2024-03-07 16:26:46

Patients celebrated the new legislation, which grants civil and criminal immunity to providers involved in IVF procedures.

Sen. Katie Britt will stride onto the national stage to deliver GOP's State of the Union response
2024-03-07 08:53:52

After only a year in the Senate, Britt is wielding her influence to carve out a unique role in the party. As the youngest female senator, she represents a new generation of Republicans in a volatile political era.

Alabama governor signs legislation protecting IVF providers from legal liability into law
2024-03-07 06:11:47

Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill after it was approved in a late-night session by lawmakers scrambling to address a wave of criticism after services were halted at some of the state's largest fertility clinics.

Alabama's redrawn US House map spurs primary runoffs and ousts an incumbent on Super Tuesday
2024-03-06 06:20:03

Alabama voters shook up the state’s congressional delegation Tuesday, throwing out one Republican incumbent and sending four candidates to runoffs in a district redrawn by a federal court to give Black voters greater opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.

Sarah Stewart wins Republican race to lead Alabama Supreme Court, weeks after frozen embryo ruling
2024-03-06 05:57:44

Stewart defeated Bryan Taylor, a former state senator and legal adviser to two governors, to secure the GOP nomination. She will face Circuit Judge Greg Griffin, a Democrat from Montgomery, in November.

Thousands honor Selma Jubilee, voting rights ahead of March 5 election
2024-03-05 07:00:00

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.

Kamala Harris leads Bloody Sunday memorial as marchers' voices ring out for voting rights
2024-03-04 05:54:49

Harris joined those gathered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where voting rights activists were beaten back by law enforcement officers in 1965. The vice president praised the marchers' bravery for engaging in a defining moment of the civil rights struggle.

Alabama lawmakers pass protections for IVF clinics
2024-03-01 10:48:36

In vitro fertilization dominated the conversation in Montgomery for another week in the wake of last month’s Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos are considered children.

Alabama lawmakers rush to get IVF services restarted
2024-02-29 15:22:22

Facing public pressure to get IVF services resumed in the state, both chambers of the Alabama Legislature advanced legislation that would extend lawsuit protections to clinics.

Video shows person of interest in explosion outside Alabama attorney general's office
2024-02-29 11:12:42

The short security camera clip shared by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency shows a person strolling down a sidewalk, wearing a facemask, stocking cap, dark jacket and gloves. A statement from the agency described the person as someone who “may have information related to this crime.”

Here are the details on Tuesday's proposed constitutional amendment
2024-02-28 11:34:46

Voters heading to the polls Tuesday will see a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. Amendment 1 would remove a procedural step when considering local legislation.

Alabama fertility care in limbo as lawmakers discuss legislation
2024-02-26 13:27:04

As patients lose access to care, the clock is ticking for Alabama lawmakers to agree on legislation to protect IVF.

Lawmakers promise action after Alabama IVF ruling
2024-02-23 15:00:00

One story dominated Alabama politics this past week – an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that found frozen embryos are considered children under a state civil law.

A mother asks what’s next after Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children
2024-02-23 13:57:28

Dr. Aubrey Coleman, who’s a mom, pediatrician, and IVF patient, discusses the far-reaching repercussions of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that finds embryos are legally the same as children.

Alabama seeks to carry out second execution using controversial nitrogen gas method
2024-02-21 19:10:44

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office asked the state Supreme Court on Wednesday to set an execution date for Alan Eugene Miller. The state said Miller’s execution would be carried out using nitrogen.

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are 'children' under state law
2024-02-20 11:09:57

The decision, issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic, brought a rush of warnings from advocates who said it would have sweeping implications for fertility treatments.

As March 5 primary election nears, some voters are still unaware of District 2 change
2024-02-19 12:29:39

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.

Gambling bill overcomes first big test of the legislative session
2024-02-16 09:15:02

The Alabama House Thursday passed a sweeping gambling bill, one that could bring a lottery, casinos and sports betting to the state. It’s a change of luck for gambling proponents as similar proposals historically have died in the House.

Gambling becomes the first big issue of the legislative session
2024-02-09 12:52:07

Alabama lawmakers got their first look at a sweeping lottery and casino bill this week. The governor also released her plan for education savings accounts.

Alabama lawmakers push sweeping gambling bill that would allow lottery and casinos
2024-02-08 06:01:24

Alabama is one of few states without a state lottery, after lawmakers in 1999 rejected a proposal to allow one. And unlike neighboring Mississippi, the state has been resistant to full-fledged casinos with table games and slot machines.

Ivey says 'now is the time' for a statewide vote on lottery and gambling bills
2024-02-07 08:18:33

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey called Tuesday night for the creation of a limited school voucher program and announced support for two controversial measures before lawmakers this year: gambling legislation and absentee ballot restrictions.

What to expect in this year's legislative session
2024-02-05 06:11:42

Alabama lawmakers will be back in Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2024 legislative session. State leaders are already talking about an array of issues from education to the economy.

Will the Moody Landfill Fire Ever Be Extinguished? The EPA Isn’t So Sure.
2024-02-03 07:00:00

One resident, a former firefighter, said the fire should be completely extinguished. An EPA official said that may not be possible.

Will other states replicate Alabama's nitrogen execution?
2024-01-29 08:39:09

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said Friday that the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith, a 58-year-old convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, went off as planned and his office is ready to help other states if they want to begin nitrogen executions.

Alabama executes a man with nitrogen gas, the first time the new method has been used
2024-01-25 20:38:55

Officials said Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. at an Alabama prison after breathing pure nitrogen gas through a face mask to cause oxygen deprivation.

Federal court says Alabama can carry out first nitrogen gas execution
2024-01-24 20:54:46

A divided panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Kenneth Eugene Smith’s request for an injunction to stop his execution by nitrogen hypoxia Thursday night. Smith’s lawyers, who have argued the state is trying to make him the test subject for an experimental execution method, are expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Alabama calls nitrogen execution method painless and humane, but critics are raising doubts
2024-01-23 13:33:01

The Alabama attorney general's office told federal appeals court judges last week that nitrogen hypoxia is "the most painless and humane method of execution known to man." But what exactly Kenneth Eugene Smith will feel after the warden switches on the gas is unknown, some doctors and critics say.

Alabama plans to carry out first nitrogen gas execution. How will it work and what are the risks?
2024-01-21 09:46:09

Kenneth Eugene Smith, who survived the state’s previous attempt to put him to death by lethal injection in 2022, is scheduled to be put to death Thursday by nitrogen hypoxia. If carried out, it would the first new method of execution since lethal injection was introduced in 1982.

Hale Freezes Over
2024-01-19 10:11:06

In Hale County, Alabama, many residents have gone without running water for days. Many more are still boiling water.

Spiritual adviser at first nitrogen gas execution asks Alabama for safeguards to protect witnesses
2024-01-18 09:06:49

The Rev. Jeff Hood, who will stand near Kenneth Smith during his execution, sent a letter Monday to the Alabama prison system requesting safeguards in case of a nitrogen leak in the execution chamber.

Alabama can enforce a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors, appeals court rules
2024-01-11 19:57:53

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled that the injunction should be vacated, but the decision had been effectively on hold for more than 18 months while families with transgender children asked the full appellate court to reconsider the decision.

Prisoners' bodies returned to families without heart, other organs, lawsuit alleges
2024-01-11 10:27:20

The family of Brandon Clay Dotson, who died in a state prison in November, filed a federal lawsuit last month against the Alabama Department of Corrections and others saying his body was decomposing and his heart was missing when his remains were returned to his family.

Federal judge says Alabama can carry out nation’s 1st execution using nitrogen gas
2024-01-10 13:33:33

U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker rejected Alabama inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith’s request for an injunction to stop his scheduled Jan. 25 execution by nitrogen hypoxia.

Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies
2024-01-05 08:32:36

A Montgomery circuit judge issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses for “integrated” facilities that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. The coveted licenses will be on hold while he hears a challenge to the selection process.

A lawsuit challenging Alabama's transgender care ban for minors will move forward, judge says
2023-12-26 19:37:18

U.S. District Judge Liles Burke said no to a request from the U.S. Department of Justice to put the Alabama case on hold until appellate courts decide if they will hear related petitions on whether states can enact such bans.

Judge weighs request to stop nation's first execution by nitrogen, in Alabama
2023-12-21 09:02:59

Attorneys for Kenneth Eugene Smith are asking a judge to block his Jan. 25 execution by nitrogen hypoxia. They argued that the method violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment and said the mask would interfere with his ability to pray with his spiritual adviser.

Alabama's plan for execution by nitrogen gas is 'hostile to religion,' lawsuit says
2023-12-14 08:44:42

The Rev. Jeff Hood, who plans to enter the death chamber to minister to Kenneth Eugene Smith, said the Alabama Department of Corrections asked him to sign a form acknowledging the risks and agreeing to stay 3 feet away from Smith's gas mask.

Lawsuit challenges Alabama inmate labor system as 'modern day slavery'
2023-12-13 08:45:11

The class action lawsuit also accuses the state of maintaining a discriminatory parole system with a low release rate that ensures a supply of laborers while also generating money for the state.

Alabama and Georgia propose a deal to settle their water war over the Chattahoochee River
2023-12-12 17:46:00

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said Tuesday they will ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to approve a plan that would guarantee minimum water flows at Columbus, Georgia and in southeast Alabama.

The GOP debate field was asked about Trump. But most attacks focused on Nikki Haley
2023-12-07 06:55:32

With just over a month before the 2024 primary calendar begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.

A narrowing Republican presidential field will debate in Tuscaloosa Wednesday
2023-12-06 08:29:53

Four candidates will be on stage at the University of Alabama for their last scheduled meeting before the Iowa caucuses kick off the presidential nominating season next month. Former President Donald Trump, the race’s clear front-runner, will not be among them.

Tuberville is ending blockade of most military nominees
2023-12-05 15:22:50

Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions was over a dispute about a Pentagon abortion policy. The Alabama Republican said Tuesday he’s “not going to hold the promotions of these people any longer.”

Man featured in 'S-Town' podcast shot and killed by police during standoff, authorities say
2023-12-04 16:14:19

Joseph Tyler Goodson was shot by officers after he barricaded himself inside a home and “brandished a gun" at officers early Sunday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. Bibb County Coroner Patrick Turner said that Goodson was pronounced “brain dead” Tuesday night at a hospital.

The next Republican debate is in Alabama, the state that gave the GOP a road map to Donald Trump
2023-12-04 09:00:00

The state that propelled George Wallace, a Democrat and four-term governor, into national politics is now dominated by Republicans loyal to Donald Trump, another figure who leans heavily on grievance and white identity politics.

City OK’s $5 million to help keep Birmingham-Southern College open
2023-11-29 09:02:50

BSC President Daniel Coleman said in a statement that next he’ll ask Jefferson County to meet the city’s commitment, focus on private donors and reengage with state leaders to work on getting more funding.

Alabama inmate executed for the shooting death of man in 1993 robbery
2023-11-17 06:24:23

Casey McWhorter was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death for his role in the robbery and shooting death of Edward Lee Williams on Feb. 18, 1993.

Senate takes step toward ending Tuberville's hold on military nominations
2023-11-14 15:24:11

The Senate Rules Committee voted 9-7 to approve a resolution that would allow the Senate to confirm groups of the military nominees at once for the remainder of the congressional term.

Alabama sets January execution date using nitrogen gas
2023-11-09 08:38:22

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced a Jan. 25 execution date for Kenneth Eugene Smith using the new method.

Tuberville under pressure from Republicans over military holds
2023-11-08 11:42:02

Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he's open to negotiating an end to his blockade of almost 400 military nominees after meeting with fellow Republican senators on Tuesday, signaling a shift after he has dug in on his protest of a Pentagon abortion policy for more than nine months.

Alabama can execute inmate with nitrogen gas, state's highest court says
2023-11-02 16:15:00

The justices granted the state attorney general's request for an execution warrant for Kenneth Eugene Smith, one of two men convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett in northwestern Alabama.

Republicans confront Tuberville on Senate floor over military holds
2023-11-02 08:38:28

Sen. Tommy Tuberville stood and objected to each nominee — 61 times total, when the night was over — extending his holds on the military confirmations and promotions with no immediate resolution in sight.

Birmingham-Southern hoped to borrow money. Now the school is on borrowed time
2023-10-27 14:02:35

Birmingham-Southern College is running out of money and time. After the State Treasurer rejected the school’s $30 million loan application, school officials must now consider their options, including closing the 167-year-old campus on Birmingham’s west side.

Montgomery judge dismisses Birmingham-Southern College lawsuit against state
2023-10-25 15:56:54

Judge James Anderson said he was “sympathetic” to the college, but said after a roughly hour-long hearing that phrasing in the law favored the treasurer.

Hendrix and Brinyark winners in Tuesday's runoff elections
2023-10-25 10:15:03

With no Republican opponent, Democrat Travis Hendrix is expected to take the District 55 seat after January's general election.

Birmingham City Council elects new leadership
2023-10-25 09:02:54

Birmingham City Councilor Darrell O’Quinn on Tuesday took on the mantle of council president, and former President Wardine Alexander stepped into the president pro tem position.

Runoff Tuesday in race for House District 55
2023-10-23 13:25:08

Democrats Sylvia Swayne and Travis Hendrix will meet in the runoff on Oct. 24. There are no Republicans in the race.

Prime suspect admits to Natalee Holloway's 2005 murder in Aruba
2023-10-18 11:21:30

The disclosure came during a plea and sentencing hearing for Joran van der Sloot in a federal courtroom in Alabama — just a few miles from the Birmingham suburb where Holloway used to live.

Woodfin tells parents to get your children to school
2023-10-18 10:13:54

Woodfin said ten weeks into the school year, well more than half of third graders are considered truants, which means they have seven or more unexcused absences.

Woman accused of falsely reporting she was abducted seeks to avoid jail
2023-10-12 05:00:00

A municipal judge on Wednesday found Carlee Russell guilty of misdemeanor charges of false reporting to law enforcement and falsely reporting an incident. The guilty judgement came after Russell's attorneys agreed to a legal maneuver to move the case to circuit court where proceedings will start anew.

Book bans are on the rise in the Gulf South. Here’s what’s being challenged in Alabama
2023-10-06 12:28:09

Efforts to ban books believed to be inappropriate for children and teens have seen a sharp uptick recently, but some libraries and bookstores are fighting back.

Alabama finally has a new congressional map after a lengthy legal fight
2023-10-05 11:10:51

After a high-profile legal fight, a panel of three federal judges on Thursday picked a map that will be used when Alabamians cast their 2024 vote.

Court ruling offers temporary victory for Alabama birth centers
2023-10-03 16:38:21

The preliminary injunction requires Alabama public health officials to license birth centers that meet certain national standards.

Judges aiming to give Black voters more influence in Alabama set to redraw congressional districts
2023-10-03 15:30:36

U.S. District Judge Stanley Marcus, noting a ruling will be issued “shortly,” said the three-judge panel is aware of the time constraints posed by elections next year when the state's seven U.S. House seats will be on the ballot. The court could rule as early as this week.

Economy

How Alabama food banks are keeping rural communities fed
2024-09-23 11:43:12

As the November election approaches, food insecurity is one issue that’s top of mind for residents in Alabama’s newly redrawn District 2.

'A dream come true’: Alabama ‘grandfamilies’ are set to receive opioid settlement funds
2024-09-05 11:53:26

The new state program— the first of its kind in the U.S. — will give $280,000 from opioid settlement funding to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

A plan to fix Jackson's water system could cost all of Mississippi its food stamps
2024-08-15 16:46:47

The DOJ and USDA said using a SNAP recipient’s information to distribute JXN Water’s roughly $30 discount to low-income customers would violate privacy.

Q&A: A New Orleans Dollar General employee discusses $12M settlement, store closures, more
2024-08-13 08:02:33

Dollar General stocker and advocate David Williams hopes the complaint and settlement will lead to positive changes for employees.

Nissan workers in Mississippi consider another union campaign: VW 'proved it can be done'
2024-08-06 15:09:59

Pro-union workers at the Canton, Mississippi, plant say Volkswagen proved the UAW can win in the South, but other factors are in play — like the 2024 election.

What's unique about this Gadsden restaurant? It's more than the food
2024-07-31 05:00:00

Beautiful Rainbow Café is unusual. Students with significant cognitive disabilities staff the café, and it’s one of few vegetarian-only restaurants in Alabama.

The UAW’s union dreams seemed unstoppable. Then came the realities of the South
2024-07-19 15:49:38

After a historic victory in Tennessee, the United Auto Workers southern campaign is still recovering from a big rejection in Alabama. How will it recover?

Thousands of Dollar General stores now sell fresh produce. Could it improve rural food access?
2024-07-17 12:36:07

The discount store chain has added fresh fruits and vegetables at more than 5,400 stores. Grocery store advocates say the move could hurt mom-and-pop grocers.

As dollar stores continue rural expansion, a Louisiana parish found a new way to push back
2024-06-14 08:52:59

Tangipahoa Parish blocked a new Dollar General from opening in a case that could set a precedent for other communities looking to keep discount retailers out.

4 takeaways from a year of investigating nightmare utility bills
2024-05-31 12:14:16

GSN reporters reflect on a year of the Utility Bill of the Month series investigating missing, expensive and just wrong water and power bills in the region.

After decisive loss at Alabama Mercedes plants, powerful auto union vows to return and win
2024-05-20 11:15:45

Newly elected UAW President Shawn Fain said the union will return to Mercedes and will press on with efforts to organize about 150,000 workers at more than a dozen auto factories across the nation.

Workers at Alabama's Mercedes plants vote against joining a union
2024-05-17 15:50:19

The workers voted 56% against the union, according to tallies released by the National Labor Relations Board, which ran the election.

The United Auto Workers faces a key test in the South with upcoming vote at Alabama Mercedes plant
2024-05-13 06:09:03

The United Auto Workers is aiming for a key victory at Mercedes-Benz in Alabama. More than 5,000 workers at the facility in Vance and nearby battery plant will vote this week on whether to join the UAW.

Alabama to begin working with a consulting company that's under criminal investigation 
2024-05-07 11:09:27

McKinsey & Company, an international consulting business, will help the state of Alabama develop a new strategic economic growth plan. The company is undertaking that project, while also dealing with a probe into whether it engaged in a criminal conspiracy.

A New Orleans garden paid hundreds of dollars in fees for a sewer that doesn’t exist
2024-04-30 17:19:44

Galvez Garden owner Lissie Stewart has been fighting the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board over inaccurate billing for years.

How food stamps could play a key role in fixing Jackson’s broken water system
2024-04-16 07:00:00

JXN Water's affordability plan aims to raise much-needed revenue while offering discounts to customers in need, but it is currently tied up in court.

Crawfish prices are finally dropping, but farmers and fishers are still struggling
2024-04-15 05:00:00

Last year’s devastating drought in Louisiana killed off large crops of crawfish, leading to a tough season for farmers, fishers and seafood lovers.

Q&A: A bad deal made Jackson’s water problems worse. It wasn’t the only Mississippi city harmed
2024-03-25 07:00:00

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

A ‘gassy’ Alabama coal mine was expanding under a home. After an explosion, two were left critically injured
2024-03-22 05:00:00

Oak Grove Mine has a long history of safety violations. In 2006, federal officials evacuated its workers because of dangerous levels of methane, a flammable gas.

Some Jackson residents still face water billing issues despite new systems in place
2024-03-21 14:55:08

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?

What architects learned from 30 years of building affordable homes in Alabama’s Black Belt
2024-03-11 07:00:00

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

4 factors besides cold weather that explain expensive winter power bills
2024-02-22 12:04:57

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?

How Birmingham reflects an entwined struggle for civil and labor rights
2024-02-17 07:00:00

Movements for civil rights and workers' rights often intersect. But many times the labor part of the picture is overlooked. That’s the case in Birmingham, which is well known for its civil rights history.

The Gulf South’s rejection of the Summer EBT program puts further strain on child hunger issues
2024-02-02 11:56:38

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.

Jackson estimated his water bill and overcharged him by thousands. He fought back and won
2024-01-22 07:00:00

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.

How an Alabama utility wields influence by financing news
2024-01-17 08:32:18

A Floodlight investigation found Alabama Power runs a news service and its foundation bought a Black newspaper. Neither publishes critical stories about the utility.

Mercedes-Benz autoworkers in Alabama want to join the UAW. Here's what the past could teach them
2024-01-10 11:32:59

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.

Inflation is slowing, unless you’re ‘makin’ groceries’ for New Orleans gumbo. Here's why
2024-01-04 16:48:48

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.

This New Orleans restaurant made it through the pandemic. Can it survive water billing issues?
2023-12-22 10:58:36

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
2023-12-21 13:12:27

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.

She owed $7K due to a water leak. Her utility saw the signs but didn’t tell her
2023-11-29 09:42:20

Birmingham Water Works flagged Claire Ahalt’s account for unusually high water use, but she did not find out until asking a utility worker weeks later.

Vincent coffee shop becomes community hub
2023-11-16 05:00:00

Alicia’s Coffee in Vincent, Alabama, about 45 minutes southeast of Birmingham. The store is the site of WBHM’s latest News and Brews community pop-up Friday, Nov. 17. The story of Alicia’s Coffee is one of entrepreneurship and a little serendipity. 

The Gulf South looks to ‘charge up’ its economy with electric vehicles
2023-10-26 07:00:00

While some believe electric vehicles could lead to a southern manufacturing renaissance, workers and experts caution that it must be done carefully.

The Gulf South’s record heat brought another pain for residents — higher power bills
2023-10-12 07:00:00

This summer’s high temperatures also brought higher utility bills. The spike caused some, like Christopher Bogan, to make tough choices with their budget.

Health Care

One thing about unspeakable tragedy ... you have to speak about it
2024-09-30 12:08:53

Writer, musician, and standup storyteller, Sean Dietrich, entertains audiences across the country, including venues like the Grand Ole Opry. But he’s equally well known as an advocate for suicide prevention. His first bit of advice to people going through difficult times is to talk.

Deceptive drug tests ensnare new parents and babies
2024-09-06 09:52:42

Imagine giving birth and then testing positive for a drug. Except you didn't take any drugs. Still the state Department of Human Resources opens an investigation based on that erroneous test.

'A dream come true’: Alabama ‘grandfamilies’ are set to receive opioid settlement funds
2024-09-05 11:53:26

The new state program— the first of its kind in the U.S. — will give $280,000 from opioid settlement funding to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

11th Circuit allows Alabama to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for minors
2024-08-30 10:04:52

In a decision released Wednesday night, a majority of judges on the 11th U.S. Court of Appeals declined a request by families with transgender children for the full court to reconsider a three-judge panel’s decision to let the law go into effect.

High school football is back. How are Gulf South schools keeping players safe from the heat?
2024-08-29 14:04:59

Student-athletes may not be too concerned about playing in extreme heat, but parents, coaches and trainers are taking plenty of precautions to keep them safe.

Heart disease is rampant in parts of the rural South. Researchers are hitting the road to learn why
2024-08-19 08:47:19

Public health experts from some of the nation’s leading research institutions have deployed a massive medical trailer to rural parts of the South to test and survey thousands of local residents. The goal: to understand why the rates of heart and lung disease are dramatically higher there than in other parts of the U.S.

Need help with breastfeeding? Here are some local resources for Alabama parents
2024-08-05 11:30:21

August is National Breastfeeding Month, but the Gulf South has some of the lowest breastfeeding rates in the country. Advocates are trying to change that.

Women's health care in the Gulf South is 'bleak,' new report says. Here's how Alabama ranks
2024-07-29 08:19:56

Poor ratings in preterm birth rate, infant mortality led to Alabama ranking 45th in the U.S. in the Commonwealth Fund's new "scorecard" on women's health care.

This free training aims to address the Gulf South's shortage of sexual assault nurses
2024-07-24 14:40:38

The week-long, free program gives medical professionals tools to provide trauma-informed care — and potentially help with prosecutions.

Alabama birthing units are closing to save money
2024-07-22 05:00:00

One of the last remaining birthing units in southern Alabama will close next month to qualify for federal funding that will save the hospital’s emergency services, but doctors warn the move may cost newborns and pregnant women essential access to obstetric care.

Should heat waves get names like hurricanes? Some believe it could help save lives
2024-07-10 12:29:00

As heat waves and heat domes become more intense, the idea of naming extreme heat as we do with other major disasters is gaining traction with some experts.

Price increases? Job losses? How will UAB’s acquisition of St. Vincent’s impact local health care?
2024-07-02 16:55:52

The president of Alabama’s hospital association says the acquisition will help maintain access to care, but some economists predict the move will lead to job cuts and higher health care costs.

UAB to acquire Ascension St. Vincent's for $450 million
2024-06-26 14:31:02

Under the agreement, UAB will assume control of all Ascension St. Vincent's hospitals and providers in Alabama.

Q&A: Ruth Leitman on filming The Pink House, the frontline in the fight for abortion rights
2024-06-24 07:00:00

Leitman filmed the Jackson, Mississippi, clinic at the center of the SCOTUS decision on abortion rights for seven years for her documentary, "No One Asked You."

A court ruled embryos are children. These Christian couples agree yet wrestle with IVF choices
2024-06-08 07:00:00

How do you build a family in a way that conforms with your beliefs? Is IVF an ethical option, especially if it creates more embryos than a couple can use? The dilemma reflects the age-old friction between faith and science at the heart of the recent IVF controversy in Alabama, where the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos have the legal status of children.

Gulf South sees record ACA Marketplace enrollment, driven by enhanced subsidies
2024-06-05 06:30:24

A new report finds that the South leads the U.S. in increased ACA Marketplace enrollment — especially in states that have not expanded Medicaid.

Alabama officials hope renovated forensic mental health hospital will reduce backlog in county jails
2024-06-03 08:27:56

The expansion will provide more space to care for a growing number of people considered incompetent to stand trial because of a mental health issue.

After years of increases, Jefferson County sees a decline in overdose fatalities
2024-05-23 14:30:55

Following years of record-breaking increases, Jefferson County is finally seeing a decline in overdose fatalities. We talk to local officials to better understand the reasons for the drop, and if it’s a sign of a longer-term trend.

‘Stupidity of politics’: Medicaid expansion effort dies in Mississippi
2024-05-07 10:25:05

Mississippi lawmakers couldn’t come together to pass a bill that could have expanded Medicaid for thousands of residents.

Florida's 6-week abortion ban will have a 'snowball effect' on residents across the South
2024-04-26 13:07:39

Abortion rights advocates say the ban will likely force many to travel farther for abortion care and endure pregnancy and childbirth against their will.

Why haven't Kansas and Alabama — among other holdouts — expanded access to Medicaid?
2024-04-22 13:17:24

Only 10 states have not joined the federal program that expands Medicaid to people who are still in the "coverage gap" for health care

Q&A: How harm reduction can help mitigate the opioid crisis
2024-04-19 14:04:48

Maia Szalavitz discusses harm reduction's effectiveness against drug addiction, how punitive policies can hurt people who need pain medication and more.

Alabama’s racial, ethnic health disparities are ‘more severe’ than other states, report says
2024-04-18 16:26:33

Data from the Commonwealth Fund show that the quality of care people receive and their health outcomes worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

IVF could help her start the family she wants. Will Alabama’s personhood law derail it?
2024-03-27 15:33:53

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.

What happens when a rural hospital shuts its doors? Look to Pickens County
2024-03-26 05:00:00

Residents in the west Alabama county warn that the lack of emergency care can have deadly consequences. It's a fate that could befall a growing number of rural communities.

Alabama pharmacists urge lawmakers to pass HB 238
2024-03-19 08:23:25

Supporters of the legislation say it would create a more transparent reimbursement system for struggling pharmacies. The bill's opponents worry it could drive up insurance costs.

Two Alabama IVF providers resume treatment under new law
2024-03-07 16:26:46

Patients celebrated the new legislation, which grants civil and criminal immunity to providers involved in IVF procedures.

Alabama governor signs legislation protecting IVF providers from legal liability into law
2024-03-07 06:11:47

Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed the bill after it was approved in a late-night session by lawmakers scrambling to address a wave of criticism after services were halted at some of the state's largest fertility clinics.

Alabama IVF patients describe heartbreak, anger after ruling
2024-02-28 08:36:30

The panel of patients came in the wake of an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that called into question the future of some fertility treatments in the state.

Alabama fertility care in limbo as lawmakers discuss legislation
2024-02-26 13:27:04

As patients lose access to care, the clock is ticking for Alabama lawmakers to agree on legislation to protect IVF.

A mother asks what’s next after Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children
2024-02-23 13:57:28

Dr. Aubrey Coleman, who’s a mom, pediatrician, and IVF patient, discusses the far-reaching repercussions of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that finds embryos are legally the same as children.

How an Alabama court ruling that frozen embryos are children could affect IVF
2024-02-21 19:32:09

The Alabama Supreme Court recently ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, raising concerns about how the decision could affect in vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF.

UAB puts pause on IVF in wake of ruling saying frozen embryos are children
2024-02-21 19:00:37

The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system said in a statement that it must evaluate whether its patients or doctors could face criminal charges or punitive damages for undergoing IVF treatments.

Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are 'children' under state law
2024-02-20 11:09:57

The decision, issued in a pair of wrongful death cases brought by couples who had frozen embryos destroyed in an accident at a fertility clinic, brought a rush of warnings from advocates who said it would have sweeping implications for fertility treatments.

Opioid overdoses are on the rise. A Louisiana medical student believes Narcan training can help
2024-01-26 10:33:07

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.

Alabama judge puts a temporary hold on medical marijuana companies
2024-01-05 08:32:36

A Montgomery circuit judge issued a temporary restraining order late Wednesday to stop the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission from issuing licenses for “integrated” facilities that grow, transport and sell medical marijuana. The coveted licenses will be on hold while he hears a challenge to the selection process.

Why trees are an environmental and health Swiss army knife
2023-11-21 07:00:00

Cool Green Trees plants trees in under-resourced communities in the Birmingham area to help mitigate climate change and advance environmental justice initiatives.

The flu is soaring in the South and rising elsewhere
2023-11-18 07:00:00

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted new flu data on Friday, showing very high activity last week in Louisiana, and high activity in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina.

LGBTQ doctors are leaving the Gulf South due to discrimination: ‘We weren’t welcome anymore’
2023-11-16 07:00:00

The loss of specialized doctors due to the influx of anti-LGBTQ laws is the latest blow to a region already dealing with a shortage of health care providers.

Pastor's suicide brings grief, warnings of the dangers of outing amid erosion of LGBTQ+ rights
2023-11-10 12:00:00

Copeland he took his own life two days after a conservative news site exposed social media posts where he appeared in women’s clothing, a wig and makeup.

Court ruling offers temporary victory for Alabama birth centers
2023-10-03 16:38:21

The preliminary injunction requires Alabama public health officials to license birth centers that meet certain national standards.

Education

Jill Biden and Lloyd Austin visit an Alabama base to tout expanded military benefits
2024-09-13 15:21:18

Biden and Austin visited a pre-kindergarten program the first lady has championed that funds universal preschool for children aged 3 and 4. The administration plans to expand it beyond military facilities and into education systems nationwide.

Alabama anti-DEI law shuts Black Student Union office, queer resource center at flagship university
2024-08-31 08:23:32

Under the bill signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in March, DEI is defined as classes, training, programs and events where attendance is based on a person’s race, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, national origin or sexual orientation.

Community effort boosts reading scores at BCS
2024-06-06 12:26:39

Results from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program released last month showed 81% of third graders in the district are now reading at or above grade level. This is up from just 53% on the previous year’s standardized test.

Pro-Palestinian demonstration draws counter-protest at University of Alabama
2024-05-02 17:15:59

Students gathered demanding the school call for a permanent and immediate ceasefire and to push the school to sever ties with defense contractor Lockheed Martin.

'A bad day to be a panther': Students react to BSC's closure
2024-04-05 15:41:17

Birmingham-Southern College students learned about their school's closure while on Spring Break. When they returned to campus, their emotions ranged from frustrated to angry to sad.

BSC’s Daniel Coleman talks about his years-long effort to save the school and what happens next.
2024-03-28 16:44:42

After the news that Birmingham-Southern College is closing, we sat down with the school’s president, Daniel Coleman.

Struggling Birmingham-Southern College says it will close at end of May
2024-03-26 16:38:53

The College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to close the longtime institution, officials announced in a news release. The announcement came after legislation, aimed at securing a taxpayer-backed loan for the 168-year-old private college, had recently stalled in the Alabama Statehouse.

SATs are going all digital, and students have mixed reviews of the new format
2024-03-09 06:00:00

As SAT season kicks off this weekend, students across the U.S. for the first time will take it with computers and tablets — and not the pencils they've used since the college admissions test was introduced nearly a century ago.

What's special about historically Black colleges and universities
2024-01-30 08:12:55

What do Oprah Winfrey, Roy Wood Jr. and Stacey Abrams have in common? They all received diplomas from historically Black colleges or universities. They’re also 3 contributing writers for NPR Weekend Edition Sunday host Ayesha Rascoe’s new essay collection.

A books-to-prisons program creates connection behind bars
2023-12-19 06:00:00

Katie Willis and Megan Lyle, founders of the local bookstore Burdock Book Collective, began their books-to-prisons program in 2020.

City OK’s $5 million to help keep Birmingham-Southern College open
2023-11-29 09:02:50

BSC President Daniel Coleman said in a statement that next he’ll ask Jefferson County to meet the city’s commitment, focus on private donors and reengage with state leaders to work on getting more funding.

Birmingham-Southern hoped to borrow money. Now the school is on borrowed time
2023-10-27 14:02:35

Birmingham-Southern College is running out of money and time. After the State Treasurer rejected the school’s $30 million loan application, school officials must now consider their options, including closing the 167-year-old campus on Birmingham’s west side.

Montgomery judge dismisses Birmingham-Southern College lawsuit against state
2023-10-25 15:56:54

Judge James Anderson said he was “sympathetic” to the college, but said after a roughly hour-long hearing that phrasing in the law favored the treasurer.

Birmingham-Southern sues Alabama state treasurer, says college was wrongfully denied loan
2023-10-21 11:00:00

The lawsuit contends Treasurer Young Boozer wrongly denied the college a loan from the program created this year to provide a financial lifeline to the institution. The 167-year-old college will likely close without emergency relief from the court, lawyers wrote in the lawsuit filed Wednesday.

Science and Technology

UAB building among Alabama's first to feature 'bird safe' glass
2024-05-15 11:25:10

Advocates hope the new glass will prevent window collisions, a leading causes of bird mortality.

This new high-speed fiber internet project aims to close the technology gap in Alabama’s Black Belt
2024-03-21 07:00:00

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

Arts and Culture

An art exhibit reckons with Alabama’s death penalty toll
2024-09-05 07:00:00

The traveling exhibit includes artwork, letters and audio from people incarcerated on Alabama’s death row.

One woman is walking from Chicago to Montgomery to speak out about racial injustice
2024-08-23 09:22:58

Besides walking, Rachelle Zola performs her one-woman show, Late: A Love Story. In the show, Zola shares her journey of learning about racial inequality.

New book tries to recapture the narrative on aging
2024-08-02 14:59:04

Look at mainstream culture and it’s clear – youth is king. But a new book pushes back against that notion. The book Old Enough celebrates the process of aging.

Q&A: Baldwin & Co. bookstore owner on James Baldwin's impact, carrying on his legacy
2024-08-01 07:36:59

DJ Johnson discusses Baldwin’s lasting legacy ahead of a 100th birthday celebration, and the importance of keeping Black businesses thriving in New Orleans.

What's unique about this Gadsden restaurant? It's more than the food
2024-07-31 05:00:00

Beautiful Rainbow Café is unusual. Students with significant cognitive disabilities staff the café, and it’s one of few vegetarian-only restaurants in Alabama.

'Southern Rock Opera' revisited: celebrating two decades of the Drive-By Truckers’ landmark album
2024-07-26 05:00:00

When the Drive-By Truckers released their third studio album, Southern Rock Opera, in 2001, they might not have foreseen the impact it would have on the Muscle Shoals-bred group or the Southern rock style as a whole. 

Exhibit shows the 'real people' around the Civil Rights Movement
2024-07-19 12:38:18

The Temple Beth El Civil Rights Experience is a guided tour that allows visitors to explore the lives of Jewish people during the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit highlighted Jews who were passionate activists and Jews who didn’t do much for the cause.

What do you have to do each summer?
2024-06-26 05:00:00

Sunshine and rising temperatures herald in a new season as people prepare for their favorite summertime activities. During the WBHM Junior board’s recent beer release at Trimtab Brewing, we asked those present what was at the top of their summer to-do lists.

In Northeast Mississippi, Black cowboys celebrated Juneteenth with a horse show
2024-06-21 07:00:00

More than 100 people attended the inaugural show, hosted by A Step Above Horse Riding Club in the farming community of Pontotoc, to celebrate the holiday.

Alabama native Willie Mays, Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid’ has died at 93
2024-06-18 22:45:23

Mays' family and the San Francisco Giants jointly announced Tuesday night he had died earlier in the afternoon in the Bay Area.

What does Juneteenth mean to you?
2024-06-18 13:00:00

Wednesday is Juneteenth. a holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. The date goes back to 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation.  During our recent News and Brews community pop-up at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, we asked people what Juneteenth means to them.

Jon Batiste reflects on the South's musical history: ‘I’m rooted in something bigger than me’
2024-06-10 07:00:00

Before a recent concert in Birmingham, the Grammy-winning jazz pianist took time to learn more about the city’s history and influence on American music.

A farewell to WBHM's Mary Scott Hodgin
2024-05-31 08:06:14

Friday is a bittersweet day WBHM as we say goodbye to our longtime health and science reporter Mary Scott Hodgin.

WBHM 90.3, Gulf States Newsroom win 14 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards
2024-05-30 09:29:47

Regional winners automatically advance to the national competition. National winners will be announced in August.

Alabama actress finds home at center stage
2024-05-29 07:00:00

Alabama actress Lily Kate Gwin, 22, was adopted at birth. She found home through her adoptive parents and her chosen home, the theater.

Birmingham's poet laureate writes her homecoming
2024-05-28 11:29:02

Birmingham’s inaugural poet laureate, Salaam Green, finds her home in the sensory details, the most important being poetry. But finding that home was a process.

Here's what you said were the hidden gems in Walker County
2024-05-24 05:00:00

There are things we notice about where we live that others might miss. That might be a hidden gem or other surprise. We set out to discover a few of them in Walker County at our recent News and Brews community pop-up.

Taylor Hunnicutt is championing her home state with debut album ‘Alabama Sound’
2024-05-17 05:00:00

Alabama offers a diverse symphony of swampy rock, swaggering blues, murky country, and bone-rattling soul. It’s a sound singer-songwriter Taylor Hunnicutt recently reimagined on her debut album, Alabama Sound, which is out now.

Q&A: Bobby Carter on leading Tiny Desk, his time at Jackson State, early career advice
2024-05-08 07:00:00

Carter, a Jackson State alumnus, took over as the new series host and producer for NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concerts” series in April.

What's your favorite thing about Alabama?
2024-04-18 08:35:08

That's the question we put to those at our recent News and Brews community pop-ups at Hop City and Saturn in Birmingham.

Clothing makes the character: Disney costumes come to the Birmingham Museum of Art
2024-03-08 11:01:57

The Birmingham Museum of Art’s latest exhibit, Heroes and Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume, consists of 70 original costumes from live-action Disney films, offering the Birmingham community a peek behind the curtain to see the costumes’ artistry up close.

A South Asian krewe in New Orleans wants to ‘put the masala in Mardi Gras’
2024-02-07 15:43:21

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.

Why Birmingham is overlooked when it comes to jazz
2024-01-23 06:45:00

Jazz is associated with cities such as New Orleans, Chicago and New York. But Birmingham has had profound influence on the genre too. That’s the argument from a recent book.

New opera delves into less familiar part of Helen Keller's story
2024-01-19 14:39:22

The opera TOUCH, commissioned by Opera Birmingham, depicts Keller's later life as an activist and feminist and conflict with her interpreter Anne Sullivan.

Pajamas, movies, relish: hear some of our favorite holiday traditions
2023-12-20 06:00:00

We heard from patrons at Adventurer's Coffee Co. in Calera about their unique holiday traditions.

How a pianist is using classical music to bridge divides in Alabama
2023-12-11 12:01:43

Classically trained concert pianist, Miki Sawada, is aware of the impression classical music has. She's trying to bring the music to a wider audience and bridge the country's divides.

Man featured in 'S-Town' podcast shot and killed by police during standoff, authorities say
2023-12-04 16:14:19

Joseph Tyler Goodson was shot by officers after he barricaded himself inside a home and “brandished a gun" at officers early Sunday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. Bibb County Coroner Patrick Turner said that Goodson was pronounced “brain dead” Tuesday night at a hospital.

LGBTQ community finds a home in Birmingham's punk scene
2023-12-01 09:15:26

Plenty of people are familiar with the sound and look of punk. But not as many are familiar with the importance of compassion when it comes to being a punk. That's meant the punk scene has become a refuge for some LGTBQ individuals.

Community connects Dia De Los Muertos artwork
2023-11-03 10:57:30

Artist Helga Mendoza said she’s always been interested in the grieving process. With grieving a strong theme of her work, it seemed appropriate that Mendoza was selected to create the featured image for this year’s Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, festival in Birmingham.

Remembering Margaret Walker 50 years later, as her groundbreaking poetry festival returns to Jackson
2023-11-01 06:00:00

A conversation with author Maryemma Graham on her biography of Walker, famed novelist and professor who created the Phillis Wheatley Festival in 1973.

Paws and prayers: Hoover church's furry congregation gets blessed
2023-10-24 12:38:08

The recent service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church is part of honoring St. Francis of Assisi.

Ukrainian baker reconnects to Birmingham by sharing her sweet treat
2023-10-13 10:47:57

Vasilisa Strelnikova fled to Birmingham following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. When she arrived, baking became a refuge . But she also wanted to use baking to show her love of Birmingham, and her love for her friends.

Environment

Coal miner dies at Alabama mine with dozens of recent safety citations
2024-09-29 07:00:00

In the past week, the mine was cited for not having proper roof and mine support. The fatality follows a leadership change at the company and a federal lawsuit alleging that leaking methane blew up a home above the mine in March.

Jefferson County released from sewer consent decree
2024-09-09 09:01:24

A federal judge on Thursday released Jefferson County from a decades-long consent decree ordering rehabilitation of its sewer system. As part of the agreement, the county committed to completing several additional capital improvement projects by early 2027 that are planned and funded to further reduce sewer overflows.

These 3 farms are an example of Mississippi’s growing network of sustainable agriculture
2024-08-22 16:10:52

A group of Mississippi farmers is taking advantage of more federal support for climate-smart agriculture, with plans to grow membership and train others.

Keeping the Coosa safe one bag of river water at a time
2024-08-12 10:53:02

Each summer, Coosa Riverkeeper publishes a virtual guide that shows the levels of contaminants at around fifty popular swimming holes on the Coosa River every week.

A new EPA grant is sending millions to the Alabama Black Belt to solve sanitation issues
2024-08-07 10:22:03

The team that received the $14 million grant is also partnering with others to help fully address the Black Belt's sanitation issues.

Black and other minority farmers are getting $2 billion from USDA after years of discrimination
2024-08-01 14:00:00

More than 23,000 farmers were approved for payments ranging from $10,000 to $500,000, according to the USDA. Most payments went to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama.

In Alabama’s bald eagle territory, residents say an unexpected mining operation emerged
2024-07-21 05:00:00

Aside Lake Guntersville, bald eagles are royalty. But locals say a planned chert pit is already changing that status.

Alabama family to add wrongful death claim in lawsuit over home explosion
2024-06-25 09:09:17

In a court hearing, lawyers for the Griffice family said their investigation into the March explosion is continuing despite a lack of engagement from state or federal regulators.

‘This ain’t the same sun’: Extreme heat is changing summertime for kids in the South
2024-06-21 17:29:19

Driven by climate change, extreme temperatures are forcing parents and camp counselors to change their summer routines to keep kids safe.

Thousands across Alabama live without access to public water
2024-06-11 07:00:00

In rural Marion County, some residents do the only thing they can think to do: call their legislator and cry.

How a Mississippi canoe company is raising a new generation of river caretakers
2024-06-04 05:00:00

The Mississippi River is an endangered river. For 25 years, a Clarksdale canoe company has worked to teach kids to respect and protect the waterway.

EPA formally denies Alabama’s plan for coal ash waste
2024-05-24 07:27:10

The federal agency says the state’s plan was not as protective as federal standards, allowing toxic waste to remain in unlined pits that may contaminate groundwater. Alabama officials say they will appeal.

UAB building among Alabama's first to feature 'bird safe' glass
2024-05-15 11:25:10

Advocates hope the new glass will prevent window collisions, a leading causes of bird mortality.

Researchers look into community health impact of wood pellet production in rural Mississippi
2024-05-15 10:57:39

Brown University and Tougaloo College students are testing for potential air and noise pollution near the Drax wood pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi.

Alabama coal company sued for a home explosion is delinquent on dozens of penalties
2024-05-14 09:53:19

Crimson Oak Grove Resources has been cited for 204 safety violations since the March 8 blast, many involving “significant and substantial” safety violations.

Alabama coal mine keeps digging after hundreds of fines and a fatal explosion
2024-04-27 07:00:00

Following the death of a grandfather, Crimson Oak Grove Resources has left a community afraid for their homes and lives. An expert warns one resident may need to evacuate her home while she still can.

Birmingham is 3rd worst in the Southeast for ozone pollution, new report says
2024-04-24 12:10:24

The American Lung Association's "State of the Air" report shows some metro areas in the Gulf States continue to have poor air quality.

Once praised, settlement to help sickened BP oil spill workers leaves most with nearly nothing
2024-04-20 07:00:00

Thousands of ordinary people who helped clean up after the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico say they got sick. A court settlement was supposed to help compensate them, but it hasn’t turned out as expected.

A ‘gassy’ Alabama coal mine was expanding under a home. After an explosion, two were left critically injured
2024-03-22 05:00:00

Oak Grove Mine has a long history of safety violations. In 2006, federal officials evacuated its workers because of dangerous levels of methane, a flammable gas.

Alabamians want public officials to mitigate landslide risk
2024-03-14 14:58:53

In Birmingham, residents want two properties shielded from development and turned into parkland. Councilors decided to protect one parcel years ago. The vote never stuck.

From sea to table to sea: How recycled oyster shells are restoring the Alabama coast
2024-02-28 10:55:56

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

'Sick!' New kids book by Alabama author explores how animals fight germs
2024-02-20 15:46:47

A new children's book by Alabama author Heather Montgomery explores how animals fight off pathogens.

Meet the Alabama woman who is turning her farm into an indigenous food forest
2024-02-14 15:31:45

As the climate changes, some Gulf South producers are focusing on ways to preserve the land.

During Mardi Gras, tons of fun comes with tons of toxic beads
2024-02-13 15:00:00

New Orleans and Mobile dispute where Mardi Gras was birthed, but both Gulf Coast cities struggle with the same plastic waste. Where will a greener carnival be reborn?

Will the Moody Landfill Fire Ever Be Extinguished? The EPA Isn’t So Sure.
2024-02-03 07:00:00

One resident, a former firefighter, said the fire should be completely extinguished. An EPA official said that may not be possible.

Environmentalists rattled by radioactive risks of toxic coal ash
2024-01-31 09:24:19

The EPA now recognizes the risks of gamma radiation from radium in coal ash, but many states aren’t even sure where the toxic waste has been used. In Alabama, environmental regulators say they do not track so-called ‘beneficial’ uses of coal ash.

Deadline approaches for USDA loan discrimination funds for underserved farmers
2024-01-12 10:51:29

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.

What did Alabama students think of the climate change quip in the presidential debate?
2023-12-16 07:00:00

Two University of Alabama students, a conservative and a progressive, said they’re hoping for a more nuanced conversation on the environment.

Place, Erased: A virtual listening session with the Gulf States Newsroom; watch replay
2023-12-15 13:53:17

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

Meet the tiny fish that only call Jefferson County home
2023-12-13 06:00:00

Though the creek water at Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is crystal clear, and thousands visit the preserve each year, it’s highly unlikely most will see three unique fish species that swim alongside them. They are the endangered watercress, rush and vermilion darters 

How making Jackson's famed Farish Street more green could also help cool it off
2023-12-12 07:00:00

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.

A year after the Moody landfill fire: "We need just as much help now"
2023-11-22 07:00:00

Around Thanksgiving a year ago a landfill near Moody caught fire blanketing the surrounding area with smoke. The fire burned for months before the Environmental Protection Agency covered the landfill with dirt to extinguish the flames, but there have been flare ups since. To understand what things are like now, we heard from one nearby resident.

Why trees are an environmental and health Swiss army knife
2023-11-21 07:00:00

Cool Green Trees plants trees in under-resourced communities in the Birmingham area to help mitigate climate change and advance environmental justice initiatives.

Place, Erased: A look at Gulf South communities transformed by forces beyond their control
2023-11-07 17:11:53

Reporters Danny McArthur and Drew Hawkins traveled across the Gulf South to tell the stories of three towns erased by major environmental shifts.

Place, Erased: Is this Mississippi community really a ghost town? It depends on who you ask
2023-11-02 07:00:00

Some say this coastal Mississippi town doesn’t exist anymore, wiped off the map due to repeated storms. But to its residents, it’s still alive and well.

Place, Erased: The fight for the remains of a Louisiana town
2023-11-01 07:00:00

Toxic pollution forced a small, Black community in Louisiana to relocate. Now, chemical companies say they own its final remnant — the town’s cemetery.

Place, Erased: How a drowned Alabama town still holds lessons 60 years later
2023-10-31 07:00:00

Some southern towns have been erased by environmental disasters — whether natural or man-made. One Alabama town offers lessons on the hidden cost of progress.

In disposing coal ash, Alabama is not like other states
2023-10-10 11:52:56

Toxic coal ash has polluted Alabama’s waters for years. Is the state doing enough to stop it?

Religion

Paws and prayers: Hoover church's furry congregation gets blessed
2023-10-24 12:38:08

The recent service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church is part of honoring St. Francis of Assisi.

Crime

Q&A: Gulf States Newsroom reporters discuss covering Birmingham mass shooting
2024-09-26 15:11:39

Reporters Drew Hawkins and Stephan Bisaha discuss their perspectives of covering the mass shooting in Birmingham’s Five Points Neighborhood.

Q&A: Is an innocent man on Alabama death row? Here's the latest on Toforest Johnson's case
2024-09-25 17:16:58

Reporter Beth Shelburne talks with the Gulf States Newsroom about how Johnson's case has progressed a year after the release of her podcast, "Earwitness."

Death penalty opponents speak out as Alabama preps for next nitrogen gas execution
2024-09-24 14:02:24

Despite criticism, state officials have defended the use of “nitrogen hypoxia” ahead of Alan Eugene Miller’s scheduled execution this week.

Birmingham leaders plead for information on mass shooting and announce reward money
2024-09-23 12:50:37

Authorities have still made no arrests after Saturday’s shooting killed four people and left 17 others injured. Police described it as a targeted “hit” on someone by multiple shooters who opened fire on a crowd waiting in line outside a nightspot in Birmingham’s bustling Five Points South district.

Birmingham Police: Five Points South mass shooting may have been murder-for-hire; 4 dead, 17 injured
2024-09-22 01:43:57

Police say one person was the target of late Saturday's mass shooting, with bystanders caught in the crossfire. More than 100 shell casings were at the scene.

An art exhibit reckons with Alabama’s death penalty toll
2024-09-05 07:00:00

The traveling exhibit includes artwork, letters and audio from people incarcerated on Alabama’s death row.

Meet the people working to protect Southern protesters’ civil rights
2024-08-09 15:27:41

Legal observers are trained to painstakingly document everything that happens at a protest. They've become more crucial as demonstrations have ramped up.

Understaffed, the Birmingham Police Department is trying to rebuild trust and its ranks
2024-08-01 15:39:24

Police departments nationally, especially larger agencies, have seen a drop in recruits and an increase in resignations and retirements, since prior to the pandemic. Some indicators are pointing to a turnaround.

Mixed reaction to anti-crime program which blocks some Birmingham streets
2024-07-24 17:00:00

Streets in Birmingham’s East Lake neighborhood are now blocked by brightly painted concrete barriers and houseplants in a new effort by Mayor Randall Woodfin to reduce crime. They’ve been placed there by the mayor’s office as part of a new initiative in a neighborhood plagued by shootings, drug dealing, prostitution and more.

2 shootings in Birmingham kill 7 people, including young child, Alabama police say
2024-07-14 19:27:25

Four people died in a shooting at a Birmingham nightclub late Saturday, while an earlier shooting outside a home in the city killed three people, including a young child, authorities in Alabama said.

Q&A: Prison reform advocate Terrance Winn on gun violence in Shreveport, Louisiana
2024-07-11 11:18:30

Winn sat down with the Gulf States Newsroom's Kat Stromquist to discuss what causes Shreveport to struggle with shootings, and what could help.

Gun violence and incarceration issues go ‘hand in hand’ in this Louisiana city, residents say
2024-07-03 10:19:14

Some residents say Shreveport’s history of mass incarceration has changed their community — and their families.

In the fight against gun violence, this Gulf South city is searching for ways to save lives
2024-06-27 09:59:59

As violent crime slows down across the South, Shreveport, Louisiana, is reckoning with the aftermath of an unusually deadly 2023.

After their son died in a Louisiana jail, a family struggles for answers
2024-05-29 09:38:04

The case surrounding Jerome Stevenson's death highlights the barriers to information that families face when someone is hurt or dies while in custody.

Gulf South states among U.S. leaders for juvenile life without parole sentences, study shows
2024-05-19 07:00:00

A youth sentencing study shows Alabama and Mississippi are among just four states that top the nation in new juvenile life without parole sentences since 2012.

Q&A: A former New Orleans police chief says it's time the U.S. changes its marijuana policy
2024-04-17 07:00:00

Ronal Serpas is one of 32 law enforcement leaders who signed a letter sent to President Biden in support of moving marijuana to a Schedule III drug.

'Living in fear': Small-town Mississippi residents are skeptical of DOJ's police investigation
2024-02-13 07:00:00

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

New Alabama law aims to improve police interactions with people with disabilities
2024-01-25 13:33:25

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
2024-01-25 11:39:53

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

New Orleans residents are uneasy about the NOPD’s planned drone program, documents show
2024-01-05 17:16:24

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

Alabama’s prison population sees troubling growth in latest DOJ report
2023-12-06 13:00:48

For the first time in nearly a decade, U.S. prison populations are trending up. Alabama's numbers are a part of troubling gains across the Gulf South.

Race and Culture

One woman is walking from Chicago to Montgomery to speak out about racial injustice
2024-08-23 09:22:58

Besides walking, Rachelle Zola performs her one-woman show, Late: A Love Story. In the show, Zola shares her journey of learning about racial inequality.

Q&A: Baldwin & Co. bookstore owner on James Baldwin's impact, carrying on his legacy
2024-08-01 07:36:59

DJ Johnson discusses Baldwin’s lasting legacy ahead of a 100th birthday celebration, and the importance of keeping Black businesses thriving in New Orleans.

In Mississippi, student filmmakers tell Emmett Till's story through their lenses
2024-07-25 07:00:00

The Mississippi Delta Film Academy's program helps local students reimagine Till's tragic story and deepen their understanding of their region.

A family’s search for their native and formerly enslaved heritage in South Alabama
2024-06-11 12:43:45

The Tate Family has spent nearly two decades uncovering records that establish their ancestors' time in Alabama before its statehood.

Kamala Harris leads Bloody Sunday memorial as marchers' voices ring out for voting rights
2024-03-04 05:54:49

Harris joined those gathered at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where voting rights activists were beaten back by law enforcement officers in 1965. The vice president praised the marchers' bravery for engaging in a defining moment of the civil rights struggle.

What the Lost Cause narrative masks about Alabama history
2024-02-01 12:26:41

Many Alabama officials have for generations pushed the false narrative that residents of the state were nearly unanimous in their support for succession prior to the Civil War. Howell Raines, former executive editor of the New York Times and an Alabama native, says otherwise.

MLK Day is Monday. In Alabama and Mississippi, it’s also Robert E. Lee Day.
2024-01-12 16:30:00

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

The 2023 moments that will stick with us: Reflections from the Gulf States Newsroom
2023-12-28 12:40:43

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

Birmingham's first Black police officer has died
2023-11-06 13:52:49

Leroy Stover became an officer in March 1966 at 33 years old and moved up the ranks. By 1992, he was promoted to deputy chief in charge of field operations.

At the Magic City Classic, what you wear is just as important as who you cheer for
2023-10-27 07:00:00

For many, the annual game between HBCU rivals Alabama A&M and Alabama State is about more than football. It’s a chance to connect and celebrate Black culture.

Weather

In Louisiana, mutual aid networks help residents prepare for the peak of hurricane season
2024-07-30 11:42:11

Groups like Micah 6:8 Mission are forming mutual aid networks to help fill in the gaps left by federal funding — pooling and volunteering resources.

Should heat waves get names like hurricanes? Some believe it could help save lives
2024-07-10 12:29:00

As heat waves and heat domes become more intense, the idea of naming extreme heat as we do with other major disasters is gaining traction with some experts.

1 year after devastating tornado, Rolling Fork mobile home park residents fight to return home
2024-04-01 07:00:00

Modern building codes, rebuilding expenses and a low inventory of existing permanent housing have made returning to a normal life in Rolling Fork a struggle.

How Gulf South outdoor workers dealt with the hottest August on record
2023-10-05 07:00:00

With no federal or state guidelines regarding extreme heat, outdoor workers and employers in the Gulf South are coming up with their own methods for protection.

Sports

Bill Greason, the oldest-living Negro Leaguer, takes another trip around the bases at 100
2024-09-05 16:27:56

Greason, a former pitcher for the Birmingham Black Barons, was honored for his contributions to baseball, his community and his country at a recent celebration.

High school football is back. How are Gulf South schools keeping players safe from the heat?
2024-08-29 14:04:59

Student-athletes may not be too concerned about playing in extreme heat, but parents, coaches and trainers are taking plenty of precautions to keep them safe.

Why some Paralympians' journeys run through Birmingham
2024-08-29 11:10:41

As the Paralympic Games get underway in Paris this week, the Lakeshore Foundation's presence in Birmingham means Alabama has a small part in the events overseas.

Rickwood Field, a time capsule of opportunity and oppression, welcomes MLB for Negro Leagues tribute
2024-06-19 17:00:00

Rickwood Field, the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S. and former home to baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays and the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues, will host an MLB game between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants on Thursday.

Hall of Famer Willie Mays will not be in attendance for Negro League tribute game at Rickwood Field
2024-06-18 08:21:25

Mays, who began his career in Alabama with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues and played for the Giants from 1951-72, told the San Francisco Chronicle that he will enjoy the game at home.

Birmingham-Southern's magical postseason ends with 11-10 loss in D-3 World Series
2024-06-02 20:24:53

It’s a painful finish for a never-say-die team that had brought so much joy to the school’s tight-knit community while captivating the hearts of American sports fans who could relate to the Panthers’ story mixed with loss and pride.

Birmingham-Southern keeps inspiring, magical season alive with walk-off win at D-3 World Series
2024-06-01 19:55:53

Now playing for a school that technically no longer exists, the Panthers kept their hopes of winning a national championship alive on Saturday with a thrilling 9-7 comeback win over Randolph-Macon in the Division III World Series.

Birmingham-Southern baseball team vies for an NCAA title as the school prepares to close
2024-05-24 13:50:55

When Coach Jan Weisberg called the Birmingham-Southern College baseball team to an impromptu meeting on March 27, players were confused. They gathered together in the locker room and found out the news – BSC would close on May 31.

For some Gulf South schools, a March Madness loss can still be a win off the court
2024-04-09 11:45:46

Making it into the NCAA Tournament can translate to boosts in student enrollment, athletic involvement, merchandise sales and more for participating schools.

Broken sticks and lots of laundry: what it takes to keep the Birmingham Bulls on the ice
2024-04-01 11:48:22

Ray Pack has been the Birmingham Bulls equipment manager for seven years. He operates behind the scenes making sure home and away teams have everything they need.

March Madness is here! Here are the Gulf South teams to watch in the men’s, women’s tournaments
2024-03-20 07:00:00

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
2024-03-12 07:00:00

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.

The HBCU Legacy Bowl is more than a game. It also prepares students for life after sports
2024-03-06 07:00:00

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.

DeBoer embraces chance to replace Saban at Alabama
2024-01-13 21:01:43

The former Washington coach, hired two days after Saban's retirement, said he's giving the 72-year-old ex-coach “100 percent access” to his program

Kalen DeBoer hired to replace Nick Saban at Alabama
2024-01-12 19:57:33

The powerhouse program tapped DeBoer on Friday to replace Saban, just two days after the 72-year-old coach announced his retirement.

Nick Saban’s retirement is a blow to Alabama football's fans — and a boon to its haters
2024-01-10 21:07:19

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

Alabama's Nick Saban retiring after 7 national titles, most in major college football history
2024-01-10 18:15:21

Nick Saban’s coaching reign has come to an end. His dominance over college football, however, will forever linger in the lore of the sport.

Michigan Wolverines to play for national title after stopping Alabama
2024-01-02 06:35:51

Michigan advanced to its first College Football Playoff championship game with a 27-20 victory over fourth-seeded Alabama in the Rose Bow

A tantalizing Rose Bowl matchup pits Saban's Alabama against Harbaugh's Michigan in the CFP
2023-12-31 19:40:24

Nick Saban has won six national championships at Alabama, establishing the most successful program of the 21st century. Jim Harbaugh has completely revitalized his alma mater, reaching three straight College Football Playoffs at Michigan with style and controversy.

Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South is ready to prove it’s ESPN’s ‘Band of the Year’
2023-12-15 07:00:00

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.

Alabama makes the College Football Playoff
2023-12-03 14:17:53

Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama were selected Sunday and Florida State became the first unbeaten Power Five conference champion to be excluded from the field.

A pro jiu-jitsu league is bringing grapplers from across the globe to a small city in Alabama
2023-11-20 07:00:00

For acclaimed grappler Brandon Mccaghren, Decatur, Alabama, was the perfect place to grow the Professional Grappling Federation from idea to reality.

At the Magic City Classic, what you wear is just as important as who you cheer for
2023-10-27 07:00:00

For many, the annual game between HBCU rivals Alabama A&M and Alabama State is about more than football. It’s a chance to connect and celebrate Black culture.

At Huntingdon College, Alabama's 1st NCAA women's wrestling team is ready to roll
2023-10-20 07:00:00

Players, coaches and school officials hope Huntingdon's women's wrestling program can serve as a blueprint to continue the sport's growth in the South.