Deep South’s most vulnerable residents share their stories during EPA’s ‘Journey to Justice’ tour
Black residents of Southeast Louisiana, dedicated to fighting air and soil pollution in their own neighborhoods and towns met with EPA Administrator Michael Regan on his “Journey to Justice,” listening tour, sharing their stories and frustrations.
JeffCo Commission announces $1.1 billion deal with Smucker’s
Food maker J.M. Smucker, known for its peanut butter and jelly products, is bringing a manufacturing and distribution plant to McCalla.
Alabama, Gulf States receive F rating in March of Dimes’ 2021 maternal health report
Alabama ranked toward the bottom in the nation for maternal and infant health outcomes in an annual report put out by March of Dimes, an organization that promotes maternal and infant health across the United States through research, education and advocacy.
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Gulf South health care systems are failing to equally serve people of color, study says
A new analysis from research foundation Commonwealth Fund shows that health care access and outcomes are poor for people of color across the nation, and even worse in Gulf South states.
State: Ex-speaker Hubbard’s words show apology was insincere
Alabama state prosecutors say Mike Hubbard’s apologies for his crimes are insincere, citing emails and phone calls made by the former House Speaker.
An unlikely place, Lowndes County, has the highest COVID-19 vaccination rate in Alabama
At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Lowndes County was one of the hardest hit places in Alabama. So when the vaccine became available, doses were rushed to Lowndes and other Black Belt counties by the federal government.
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Lawsuits challenge new legislative, congressional lines
The NAACP, Greater Birmingham Ministries, and others filed a lawsuit this week against Alabama's new legislative and congressional districts. They say the redistricting allows for racial gerrymandering.
Alabama judge opposed to death penalty set for ethics trial
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tracie Todd faces an ethics trial in Montgomery this week. Roughly five years ago, Todd ruled that Alabama's capital punishment law was unconstitutional.
Alabama is last in math. Politicians look for ways to close gap
Fifth graders could be required to pass a new math test to advance to the sixth grade. One lawmaker is proposing legislation for the 2022 Alabama Session.
Culinary professionals eat up discussion on food and civil rights
The relationship between food and civil rights goes much deeper than sit-ins at lunch counters or bake sales that funded boycotts. A discussion about the intersection between the two was the main dish at a conference in Birmingham last month.
Black farmers’ land leases are vanishing. Some say racist policies are to blame
Black farmers and their families once owned and worked on thousands of acres of land in Louisiana’s Iberia Parish. The land has shrunk over the last several decades, and some, like Eddie Lewis III, say it stems from racist policies.
Board rejects bid for Woodlawn High School stadium
The Birmingham Board of Education rejected the bid to build a stadium and fieldhouse on the campus of Woodlawn High School. This comes just months after the ceremonial groundbreaking.
