Educators, psychologists say attending school at home hampers students’ development

Roughly 70% of students at Birmingham City Schools ranked below their grade level in math, and 40% of students ranked below their grade level in reading.


JeffCo, Birmingham spend federal money on housing assistance, other needs

More than $359 million in federal dollars flowed through the hands of Jefferson County and Birmingham city officials in the past two years.

Exhaustion and nervousness after 2 years of COVID in Alabama

March 13 marked two years since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Alabama. Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson said we're in a good place now, but there's concern of another surge.

More News

Key COVID moments in the Gulf South 2 years later

On the two-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, take a look back at the Gulf States Newsroom’s coverage of the infectious disease’s impact on the Gulf South region.

Alabama won’t require background checks for concealed guns

Alabama will become the latest state to allow people to carry concealed handguns without first undergoing a background check and getting a state permit.

Alabama lawmakers roll the dice on a new lottery bill

The constitutional amendment would authorize a state lottery, sports betting, eight full casinos and two smaller gambling operations.


Why Gulf South oil producers can’t protect the region from rising gas prices

Experts say activating unused oil wells could temper the rising costs of gas, but consumers should not expect prices to get anywhere near their COVID low.

Alabama’s ‘ultimate school choice’ bill gets complicated when considering race and poverty

Parents could get about $5,600 per kid in state money to use for other schooling options. The proposal is currently in a legislative study committee. But experts told WBHM school choice brings up concerns around equity.

Vestavia Hills schools and city face a lawsuit for allegedly withholding public information

The Vestavia Hill City Schools along with the superintendent and the city face a lawsuit alleging they’re improperly withholding public information on COVID-19 masking and safety protocols. The lawsuit was filed by two parents last month.

Kamala Harris marks ‘Bloody Sunday’ anniversary in Selma

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Selma, Alabama, on Sunday to commemorate a defining moment in the fight for equal voting rights.

Alabama lawmakers advance a record-setting education budget

Legislators also took up measures to improve math education and attack what's known as "period poverty."

After a wave of HBCU bomb threats, a look at another era of violence at Jackson State

In 1970, the campus was the scene of a violent shooting by police that left two young men dead, many others injured and campus changed forever.