‘Where’s Jeff?’: Unhoused and struggling with opioid addiction in Birmingham

As Alabama decides how to spend its opioid settlement funds, a good Samaritan spends her free time helping “her people” who struggle with addiction.


What is Amendment One?

This year, there’s just one statewide constitutional amendment on the ballot for Alabama voters. But it affects only two counties.

16th Street Baptist Church wins national historic stewardship award 

The 16th Street Baptist Church received national recognition on Monday for its historic site stewardship from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This comes after years of church staff and community members working hard to restore and preserve the structure as it looked in 1963. 

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Alabama’s 2nd nitrogen gas execution raises questions about method’s future use

As Alabama sets the course for the controversial execution method’s future, activists and legal scholars say eyewitness accounts could halt widespread adoption.

Alabama mine expansion could test Biden policy

The project’s fate has become a litmus test for the Biden administration, which has moved to phase out mining of federal coal in the Powder River Basin of Montana and Wyoming.

The anatomy of a rumor about migrants in Sylacauga

This fall, Sylacauga, Alabama, found itself in an uproar. The city gained national attention for what was characterized by some as an invasion of Haitian migrants. But the reality was much more benign, with only a few dozen migrants actually in the city. The Atlantic staff writer, Elaina Plott Calabro, reported on the incident. 


In coastal Louisiana, a sacred mound is returned to the Native American tribe who built it

The Atakapa-Ishak/Chawasha tribe views the land’s rematriation as a joyous occasion — even though it’s disappearing due to coastal land loss.

Birmingham police chief announces plans to retire

Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond announced at a press conference that he will step down at the end of November, two years into his tenure as the historic city's top cop.

Alabama lawmakers question parole board chair on low releases, lack of responsiveness

Leigh Gwathney, the chairwoman of the three-person Board of Pardons and Paroles, appeared before the Legislative Prison Committee in a sometimes tense meeting to take lawmakers’ questions about the parole process. The meeting was marked by a series of terse exchanges as lawmakers accused Gwathney of not answering their questions.

What’s your favorite thing about fall?

With cooler mornings and shorter days, if feels like fall is finally here. So what’s your favorite thing about fall? We put that question to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up in Cullman.

From scrap to sculpture: Joe Minter’s art reflects Birmingham’s pain and joy

Artists often use their surroundings to influence their work. In the case of Birmingham artist Joe Minter, his sculptures can’t be separated from his life in the city – literally. A site-specific exhibit in Titusville recently honored Minter’s legacy. “Joe Minter is Here” highlighted Minter’s life and artwork.

Efforts to restore voting rights for people with felony convictions lag in the Gulf South

A new report shows that more people with past felony convictions can vote in this election cycle than previous ones, but millions remain disenfranchised.