Alabama

A Campaign to Counter Christian Nationalism in State Politics

At a time when many Republicans appear increasingly willing to blur the lines between church and state, the Freedom From Religion Foundation wants to convince politicians that secular voters constitute a large and growing bloc.

  • By Daniela Altimari

Alabama Senator Calls on ‘Sore Loser’ Coloradans to Give Up Space Command HQ

Colorado politicians, however, are not giving up.

  • By Jacqueline Feldscher

The States and Counties Taking Russian Vodka Off Liquor Store Shelves

Removing Russian-made products from government-run stores “is just the right thing to do,” one official said.

  • By Andre Claudio

US Cities Where Rents are (Surprisingly) Going Down

Rents in a number of major metropolitans from coast to coast fell during the past year, although rents are trending upward overall, according to a new report.

  • By Andre Claudio

The Best and Worst States for Health Care

Massachusetts ranks as the best state for health care while Alabama ranks as the worst, according to a report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Mental Health Teams Increasingly Dispatched to Answer 911 Calls

Clinicians are showing up in situations once handled by police. There are signs the efforts are leading to fewer arrests and helping to connect people in crisis with needed services.

  • By Sharon O'Malley

The Best and Worst States for LGBTQ+ People

Nevada ranks as the best state for LGBTQ+ residents while Alabama comes in last, according to a report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Supply of Antibody Drugs Could Drop in Some States as Feds Take Over Distribution

The Biden administration announced the new policy after a handful of states, most of them with low vaccination rates, accounted for nearly three-fourths of orders for the Covid-19 monoclonal antibody treatment.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Hunting Destructive Feral Hogs Saves Livestock and Property—and Provides ‘Excellent Table Fare’

Hunters in Alabama can now legally hunt wild pigs at night, an additional method of controlling the destructive invasive species.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Lowest Rates, Highest Hurdles: Southern States Tackle Vaccine Gap

"It's not a Covid vaccine thing. It's a Mississippi thing."

  • By Aallyah Wright, Stateline

Report: Grocery Taxes Impede Food Security for Low-income Americans

About two-thirds of all U.S. counties tax grocery foods, which creates “serious burdens” for the families living at or below the poverty line, according to a Cornell University study.

  • By Brent Woodie

Vaccination Outreach Shifts as Demand Drops in Some States

Nationwide, state and local health agencies are coming up with a variety of new strategies to persuade people to get vaccinated against Covid-19

  • By Christine Vestal, Stateline
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What’s at Stake in Amazon’s Bessemer, Alabama, Union Vote: Five Questions Answered

COMMENTARY | In a way, the outcome isn’t the point. Union leaders are hoping the election itself – and Amazon’s aggressive efforts to persuade employees to vote “no” – illustrate labor law’s current weaknesses.

  • By Raymond Hogler, The Conversation

This Billionaire Governor’s Coal Companies Owe Millions More in Environmental Fines

The richest person in West Virginia, who is also the state’s governor, owns coal companies that routinely violate environmental laws. Latest filings say the companies owe over $3 million for not complying with a major water pollution settlement.

  • By Ken Ward Jr., ProPublica

In Alabama, South Carolina and Louisiana, CVS Vaccine Appointments Go Unfilled

“We know we have work to do to engage with the community to get the word out about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine,” says one public health expert.

  • By Phil Galewitz, Kaiser Health News

Researchers Examining Covid Vaccine Barriers, Skepticism in Five Communities

Johns Hopkins Center for Health is overseeing the project, which researchers hope can help state and local governments address challenges in distributing the coronavirus vaccine to the general public.

  • By Andrea Noble

OxyContin Manufacturer Pleads Guilty to Criminal Charges in Opioid Lawsuit

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Iowa misspent $21 million in coronavirus relief funds, audit finds ... California city will launch a pilot program to guarantee income for some residents ... Georgia voters may not know who funded campaigns before casting ballots.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Investigators Found Alabama’s Prisons Are Plagued by Rampant Violence. Is Sentencing Reform the Answer?

The Justice Department says much of the abuse in the state’s prisons stems from overcrowding. Advocates say overcrowding is caused by laws that result in harsh prison sentences that are out of sync with the rest of the country.

  • By Emma Coleman

From Jacksonville to Louisville, Confederate Statues Are Coming Down

Calls to remove the statues, denounced as symbols of white supremacy, were reignited in the wake of national protests against police brutality and the death of George Floyd.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

A State Could Require Schools to Play the National Anthem Weekly

An Alabama lawmaker said he decided to sponsor a bill after noticing that schools did not play the anthem at all sporting events.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

How One State Seeks to Help Parents with Early Child Development

In Alabama, parents can jump online to learn how to play and chat with their children in ways that encourage healthy development.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram