Alabama / Public News Service

In a letter to Alabama's congressional delegation, Faith in Action asks for stronger oversight and accountability, urging lawmakers to crack down on corruption, enforce existing laws and protect the voters who put them in office. (Adobe Stock)

AL faith leaders call for more congressional oversight of Trump team

Faith leaders across Alabama are raising concerns about what they see as an overreach of executive power, urging the state's congressional delegation …

On March 7, 1965, police and state troopers brutally attacked civil rights marchers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. Known as Bloody Sunday, the violence left many injured and sparked national outrage, fueling the fight for voting rights. (Nate Blunt/Adobe Stock)

Alabama teens use art to honor Bloody Sunday and push for change

Sixty years ago this weekend, young activists marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, demanding their right to vote and changing history in …

The Alabama Department of Labor reported the state's labor force participation rate rose to 57.7% in December. (Lane Erickson/Adobe Stock)

AL moves bill to tighten unemployment compensation rules

A bill moving through the Alabama Legislature could change how people who are unemployed can qualify for benefits. House Bill 29, sponsored by Rep…

The Prison Policy Initiative reports at least 28 states, including Alabama, have faced significant issues with bond forfeitures, raising concerns about accountability in the bail system. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama lawmakers explore bail reform

Alabama lawmakers are weighing a proposal to overhaul the state's bail system. House Bill 42, sponsored by Sen. Christopher England, D-Tuscaloosa…

In 2022, an estimated 4.4 million Americans - roughly 2% of the voting-age population - were barred from voting due to restrictive laws and policies, many rooted in post-Reconstruction-era disenfranchisement. (Adobe Stock)

AL advocates push to restore voting rights for the formerly incarcerated

An Alabama group is urging lawmakers to simplify the voter restoration process for people who have lost their right to vote. In Alabama, more than 8% …

In January, President Joe Biden permanently protected more than 625 million acres of federal waters, including areas in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific and Alaska. (JT Jeeraphun/Adobe Stock)

Environmental groups challenge offshore protection rollbacks in AL, U.S.

Environmental groups are suing to stop plans to expand offshore drilling across 625 million acres of federal waters. Advocates argue President …

In 2023, suicides accounted for 55% of gun-related deaths in the United States, the highest percentage recorded since at least 1979. (Adobe Stock)

AL Senate advances bill to help veterans facing mental health struggles

The Alabama Senate has passed a bill which would give gun owners struggling with mental health challenges the option to voluntarily surrender their fi…

According to Senate Bill 34, the state Department of Education will provide local school boards with instructional materials, models and curricula to guide the development of violence prevention, conflict resolution and mediation programs. (Adobe Stock)

AL Senate committee advances bill to teach middle schoolers conflict resolution

An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would require middle-school students to take a course on conflict resolution before high school…

As winter drags on, 40% of Americans report feeling down, with 41% sleeping more, 28% feeling fatigued, and 27% feeling depressed, according to the American Psychiatric Association. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Tips for beating winter blues in Alabama

Winter's chill is not just outside, it is affecting moods, too. Nearly four in 10 Americans report feeling gloomier in the colder months but experts …

Alabama Senate Bill 76 would also protect individuals from having to leave someone under their care if finding a suitable replacement is impossible during jury service. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama lawmakers advance bill to exempt nursing mothers from jury duty

An Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would exempt nursing mothers from jury duty. The proposal comes after an …

Alabama benefited from more than $14.5 billion in federal funds in fiscal year 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama families at risk as Congress weighs tax, budget cuts

Congress could make critical decisions this week which could reshape Alabama's financial future. Lawmakers are debating whether to extend the 2017 …

In 2020, Alabama had the third-highest maternal mortality rate in the nation, at 36.4 deaths per 100,000 live births. (Adobe Stock)

New health toolkit aims to bridge AL’s care gap for expecting mothers

Alabama has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country and access to care remains a serious issue, especially in rural areas. Now…

According to the Alabama Association of Nonprofits, nearly 44% of Alabama's nonprofit organizations operate without paid staff, relying entirely on volunteers. While the median staff size is just one person, the average size is 13. (Adobe Stock)

AL nonprofits face uncertain future, seek solutions at statewide summit

Alabama nonprofits are coming together to tackle challenges that may threaten their survival, from declining donor support to shifting federal …

Gov. Kay Ivey highlighted Alabama's progress in education in her State of the State address, noting that the state has climbed from 49th to 34th in reading and from 52nd to 32nd in math. She credits this improvement to initiatives such as the CHOOSE Act, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the Literacy and Numeracy Acts, and the Turnaround Schools Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Ivey highlights education, gun violence, maternity leave in AL state address

Gov. Kay Ivey delivered her 2025 State of the State address this week, focusing on education, public safety, and economic growth in Alabama. She …

In Alabama, an average of 110 children and teens lose their lives to gun violence each year, 61% to homicide and 30% to suicide. Nationally, gun deaths among youth follow a similar trend, with 62% classified as homicides and 33% as suicides. (Adobe Stock)

AL lawmakers urged to prioritize children's health, safety

As Alabama's legislative session kicks off, one advocacy group is calling for urgent action to protect children's health and safety. VOICES for …

Since 2000, the number of prisoners in Alabama over 60 increased from 85 to more than 2,300. (Katerina Bond/Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates call on AL lawmakers for prison reform

With the new legislative session getting underway next week, advocates are calling attention to conditions inside Alabama's prisons. The state's …

Alabama ranks 44th nationwide in BroadbandNow's annual assessment of internet coverage, speed, and availability. (Adobe Stock)

Report highlights how Alabama can unlock rural infrastructure, broadband

A new report highlighted how regional commissions are helping improve infrastructure in rural America. According to the Brookings Institution…

In today's polarized climate, college campuses are working to rebuild a sense of community and foster understanding after divisive events, according to the Constructive Dialogue Institute. (Adobe Stock)

AL dean prioritizes bridge-building, empathy training for students

Samford University in Birmingham is paving the way for students to have meaningful conversations and foster connections across cultural and ideologica…

Alabama's Human Trafficking Hotline, 1-888-373-7888, has identified 815 cases of human trafficking and 1,823 victims since its inception. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama takes action against human trafficking

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, spotlighting efforts to combat the crime. Human trafficking, the world's second-largest …

Montgomery, home to a population of 200,603 as of 2020, stands as the second-largest city in Alabama, following Birmingham. (Adobe Stock)

Montgomery mayor seeks housing solutions at U.S. Conference of Mayors

More than 250 mayors from cities in Alabama and across the country gathered this weekend to tackle the nation's most prominent issues at the 93rd annu…

People in Alabama will experience increased risks from heat, rainfall and fires due to climate change over the next 30 years, according to ClimateCheck. (Ramon Cliff/Adobe Stock)

Report: AL needs to make energy efficiency a priority

A new report contended Alabama needs to invest more in energy efficiency so it can do more to lower power bills and curb the effects of climate change…

Alabama Senate Bill 129 prohibits state agencies, schools and universities from requiring students, employees or contractors to engage in training, coursework or activities that promote

AL educators, students sue over state law's effect on higher education

Alabama professors and students, along with the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 129…

According to ClimateCheck, heat risks are highest in Montgomery and lowest in Florence, while precipitation risks peak in Decatur and are lowest in Dothan. Birmingham faces the highest drought risk; Montgomery the lowest. (Adobe Stock)

How Alabama employees can drive climate action in 2025

By Ethan Brown for The Sweaty Penguin.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Alabama News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

McClure v. Jefferson County Commission, a lawsuit filed in Alabama, highlights Jefferson County's changing demographics, with the Black population increasing from 33% in 1980 to 43% in 2020, according to U.S. Census data. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama redistricting trial challenges fair representation

The battle over Jefferson County's 2021 redistricting maps heads to court this week with plaintiffs arguing the map violates the Voting Rights Act and…

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, more than 3,400 people are unhoused in Alabama on a given night. (Adobe Stock)

North Alabama warming centers prepare for winter storm

A winter storm is headed for north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee, and warming stations are working to provide a safe space for the unhoused…

In 2024, over 771,000 people in the U.S. faced homelessness, meaning about 23 out of every 10,000 residents lived in shelters, transitional housing, or unsheltered spaces, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Adobe Stock)

AL expands housing support for people with mental illness

Housing help is on the way for people in Alabama with mental health issues. A legislative committee has approved a new contract to help secure …

The National Weather Service reports an EF-1 tornado struck Athens at 11:15 p.m., packing peak winds of 100 mph. It remained on the ground for five minutes, carving a 3.87-mile path that was up to 160 yards wide. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama community pushes forward after tornado ravages downtown

Athens, Alabama, is bouncing back after an EF-1 tornado ripped through its downtown late Saturday night, leaving devastation but sparing lives. Now…

Alabama's maternal mortality rate is 36.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is more than double the national average of 17.4. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama Arise prepares to tackle poverty, health issues in 2025

With the 2025 legislative session around the corner, the nonprofit advocacy group Alabama Arise said it plans to take aim at poverty and systemic …

More than 40% of undergraduate students in the U.S. are pursuing an associate degree. (Adobe Stock)

AL higher-ed conference to address workforce, boost student transfers

Alabama faces a critical workforce gap, with only 38 available workers for every 100 open jobs, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To …

Millions of families across the U.S. depend on home-based child care, with over 750,000 children enrolled in these programs, often because parents consider them more flexible than traditional child care centers. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama joins national effort to expand pre-K access

Alabama is part of a national program aimed at diversifying early childhood education. The Enriching Public Pre-K Through Inclusion of Family Child …

Alabama spends less per pupil than the national average but allocates a similar percentage of taxpayers' personal income to K-12 education. The state ranks 39th in education funding and 41st in per-student spending. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Advocates push to modernize Alabama’s school funding formula

Alabama is one of six states still using The Foundation Program to calculate aid to schools, which uses a formula focused on the number of students …

Nearly 1,000 Alabamians from 41 counties shared their experiences with court debt in a survey, revealing 50% had been jailed for failing to pay. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Panel explores cost of fines, fees on Alabama's most vulnerable residents

Alabama's reliance on fines and fees to fund state services can turn minor incidents such as a traffic violation into overwhelming debt for low-income…

Obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 or higher, increases risks for serious health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, while also affecting mental and social well-being. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama task force tackles obesity crisis, explores data and solutions

Alabama leaders are zeroing in on the state's obesity crisis, which now ranks seventh-highest in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease …

A new report from the University of California-Santa Barbara says nature-based agriculture can reduce the environmental footprint of chemical-intensive agriculture and provide good jobs in rural areas. (Adobe Stock)

Study: How AL farmers can cultivate resilience

It is estimated Alabama row-crop farmers could lose more than $236 million this year, with prices for cotton, soybeans, corn, peanuts and wheat all …

Data show firearms were the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-17 in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama leaders unite to address gun violence, reimagine community safety

Gun violence has long been a pressing issue in Alabama, and the recent tragic shooting at Tuskegee University has reignited urgent calls for action…

The USDA is investing more than $3 billion in about 140 pilot projects for

USDA's 'Climate-Smart' efforts raise questions on transparency, impact

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Alabama News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Americans with diabetes have medical expenses about 2.6 times higher than those who do not<br />have diabetes. (Adobe Stock)

Tips to prevent, manage diabetes in AL

Over a half-million adults in Alabama live with diabetes - that's roughly 15% of the state's adult population. Each year, another 23,000 people in …

Alabama's Summer Adventures in Learning initiative supported 38 programs last summer, including a record nine new additions across 63 locations in 20 counties. (Adobe Stock)

As reading programs dwindle, Alabama's SAIL highlights need, impact

As winter break approaches, Alabama's Summer Adventures in Learning program is encouraging parents to think ahead to summer, particularly as quality …

In 2016, legislation eased the rights-restoration process after completion of sentence for persons not convicted of a crime of

Alabama felony voting ban leaves thousands disenfranchised as polls open

As Alabamians head to the polls, some people will be unable to vote in the general election because of a past felony conviction. Research by The …

With no early voting option in Alabama, absentee ballots by mail are available only for voters unable to vote in person. All others are expected to cast their ballots at the polls on Election Day. (Adobe Stock)

AL network engages residents to enhance election access, security

Ahead of November's election, the Alabama Election Protection Network is reaching out to voters through a statewide survey, aiming to enhance voting …

Medicare Advantage plans will see significant changes to both funding and drug-cost liability for 2025. (Adobe Stock)

Medicare Advantage changes hit Alabama amid open enrollment; experts offer tips

Medicare Advantage, a private version of Medicare plans offering additional benefits such as dental and vision coverage, is becoming more uncertain …

For fiscal year 2024, the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program is giving out a record $14.3 million in funding. (Adobe Stock)

Program helps kids learn more about farming in AL

Across Alabama, programs are helping kids learn more about farming and nutrition with the help of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is …

The Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles conducted 22 hearings on Sept. 11, granting parole to four individuals and denying requests for 18 others. (Adobe Stock)

A push for parole reform as AL prisons face overcrowding, violence

Groups across Alabama are joining forces to advocate for big changes to what they see as the state's flawed parole system. In a panel discussion led …

The median household income in Alabama is $59,703. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama’s path to prosperity sees progress, but challenges remain

Alabama has made some strides in its fight against poverty but substantial challenges remain, according to a new report from the group Alabama …

The Mobile County Public Defenders Office launched in October 2020. Most counties in the state do not have such an office. (Adobe Stock)

From prison to advocacy: Fighting for justice in Mobile County

A man who once faced the harsh realities of Alabama's criminal justice system is now working to ensure others in Mobile County do not have to endure t…

A report from the Brennan Center for Justice emphasized cash bail often allows release based on financial resources rather than public-safety considerations. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

How Alabama bail reform could transform justice system

As Alabama lawmakers look at bail reform, a new report outlines how eliminating cash bail could impact the state and beyond. House Bill 42, sponsored …

Alabama's FAFSA completion rate fell by 19.8% points from the previous year, yet the state remains 16th in the nation, with a completion rate of 45.8%. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama Possible helps pave the way for smoother FAFSA process

An Alabama nonprofit will play a critical role in shaping the future of federal student aid. Alabama Possible is breaking new ground as one of the …

Alabama releases roughly 220,279 men and 78,247 women from its prisons and jails each year. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Alabama woman works to help returning citizens rebuild their lives

An Alabama woman is on a mission to help people who've been incarcerated for decades successfully transition back into society. The mission to …

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