Alabama / Public News Service

According to the Brennan Center, since the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the gap in voter participation in Alabama between white and nonwhite voters has been expanding. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

AL faces battle at ballot box; groups look to federal laws for protection

Alabama has long been at the forefront of voting rights issues in the United States and despite some progress, advocates said residents continue to …

Medicaid expansion in Alabama could help an estimated 283,636 people gain access to health care. (Adobe Stock)

Calls grow for AL Medicaid expansion as legislative session winds down

Alabama is running out of time to tackle Medicaid expansion this legislative session. More than 230 people gathered earlier this month with the …

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, every dollar spent on SNAP generates between $1.50 and $1.80 in local economic activity during a financial downturn. (Irina Mikhailichenko/Adobe Stock)

Advocates rally for 2025 summer EBT funding amid Alabama meal gaps

Alabama is one of 14 states opting out of the 2024 summer electronic benefit program. As summer rolls around, there will be no programs in place to …

Faith in Action Alabama is a nonprofit working toward community safety, equal access to liberty and inclusive democracy. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama groups focus on year-round voter education, activism

Alabama civic-engagement groups are searching for strategies to maintain voter engagement outside of major election years. As candidates gear up for …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama has the fourth-highest rate of gun violence in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama groups unite to combat gun violence

Leaders from across Alabama are banding together in a united effort to combat gun violence and seek effective solutions. Alabama has one of the …

Alabama's Senate Bill 1 makes it a crime for anyone, except in specific situations, to

Alabama advocacy groups sue to block restrictive new voting law

Alabama's front line advocates focused on disability, voting and civil rights are taking legal action against what they see as voter suppression…

According to Thrivent, FAFSA delays are expected to affect more than 17 million students trying to make plans for the 2024-2025 academic year. (Adobe Stock)

AL students reflect on FAFSA delays

The revamp of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid - or FAFSA - was supposed to streamline the process for college hopefuls this fall…

According to research from the Brennan Center, if the voter participation gap had not existed in 2020, 9 million more ballots would have been cast. (Adobe Stock)

Southern groups advocate for democracy amid legislative challenges

In the battle for democracy, grassroots organizations throughout the South are actively engaging voters on the issues that directly affect their …

According to the Brookings Institution, one major barrier to higher education is affordability, as college prices and student debt levels have risen. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama Possible forges pathways to education equity with annual event

Alabama's goal of adding 500,000 more college-educated people to the workforce by 2025 is quickly approaching. One group is dedicated to breaking …

The White House predicted more than 6,500 people with prior federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana, and thousands of such convictions under D.C. law, could benefit from pardons. (Adobe Stock)

AL man's presidential pardon highlights marijuana reform trend

A man from Dothan, Alabama, serving a life sentence for selling drugs received a presidential pardon, which sparked discussions about long sentences …

In the Alabama Legislature, Senate Bill 57 would ban protestors near residences, defining

Alabama grassroots groups fight restrictive legislation

In the thick of Alabama's legislative battles and with election season peaking, a surge of controversial bills is sparking concern among civic groups…

Since 2009, Alabama has closed 13 hospitals with two reopening at a later date. (Galina Barskaya/Adobe Stock)

Groups call for Medicaid expansion to prevent hospital closures

This week, an Alabama group is drawing attention to the need for Medicaid expansion. Currently, approximately 300,000 people are stuck in a health …

The Hometown Organizing Project and Hometown Action helped win the first rural nondiscrimination ordinance in Montevallo, Ala., and have organized to fight against restrictions to reproductive freedom and LGBTQ rights, including bans on transgender healthcare. (Adobe Stock)

A focus on LGBTQ solidarity amid Alabama legislative challenges

In the face of anti-LGBTQ legislation and the tragic loss of a nonbinary teen in Oklahoma, an Alabama group is working to provide what it calls a …

One of 50 adult citizens, or 2% of the total U.S. voting eligible population, is disenfranchised due to a current or previous felony conviction. (Adobe Stock)

AL lawmakers look at restoring voting rights for people with past convictions

Super Tuesday was just another day for tens of thousands of people who cannot vote because of past felony convictions. In Alabama, state lawmakers …

Democracy Trailblazers works to engage, empower and inspire high school students through awareness, education and activation year-round. (Adobe Stock)

Democracy Trailblazers ignite enthusiasm among teen voters

Most teenagers eagerly anticipate turning 16 to start driving and 21 for other milestones, but the significance of obtaining the right to vote at 18 …

House Bill passed with an overwhelming vote of 94-6, with three abstentions. Its companion, Senate Bill 159, passed unanimously with a vote of 34-0. (Chad Robertson/Adobe Stock)

Alabama passes bills to protect IVF, but concerns remain

The Alabama House and Senate both passed bills this week that would help people resume in vitro fertilization and provide legal protections for provid…

Federal debt among borrowers age 62 and older has increased by 36.8% since 2017, according to Education Data Initiative. (Adobe Stock)

Crucial deadline approaches for AL student loan borrowers

Student loan borrowers in Alabama and across the country have a chance to slash their college debt or see it disappear entirely. The U.S. Department …

To be eligible for judicial review under House Bill 29, an inmate must have been sentenced prior to May 26, 2000, meaning anyone eligible would have served at least 24 years in prison. (Adobe Stock)

AL lawmakers urged to rethink lengthy prison sentences

More than 7,000 people age 50 or older are serving time in Alabama prisons, and prison reform advocates have said the system is ill prepared for …

In Alabama, you lose your voting rights if you are convicted of certain felonies under state<br />law. If you are convicted in federal court or in another state, you only lose your voting rights if your conviction would constitute a disqualifying offense under Alabama law. (Adobe Stock)

Working to help Alabama residents understand, restore voting rights

As people in Alabama mobilize for the 2024 General Election, one group wants to make it easier for those with felony records to understand their …

About 60% of the nation's students in chronically underfunded districts are in just 10 states, including Alabama. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Alabama schools among 'most underfunded' in the nation

A new report showed Alabama is among 39 states that "critically underfunds" its K-12 public schools. The report on the state school finance systems …

According to the National Weather Service, the Jan. 12, 2023 storm tore across the landscape for almost 23 miles with wind speeds that peaked at 130 miles per hour. It tracked northeast from near Orrville, through downtown Selma, and ended near Burnsville. (Benjamin Simeneta/Adobe Stock)

Alabama communities reflect on building resilience after tornado devastation

It's been just over one year since tornadoes ravaged communities in areas such as Dallas, Coosa and Tallapoosa counties in Alabama. While the new …

The EmpowerED Conference aims to create a platform for collaboration, inspiration and knowledge-sharing among leaders, educators and students within the HBCC/PBCC network, according to Alabama Possible. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama's Black community colleges join forces to increase education access

Black community colleges across Alabama are teaming up to expand their reach in the state. Chandra Scott is executive director of nonprofit …

There were 11 gas executions in the U.S., using cyanide, between 1979 and 1999, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a research group tracking executions. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns raised about AL's first-in-nation nitrogen-gas execution

By Maurice Chammah for The Marshall Project.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Marshall Project-Public New…

In the United States, more than 44 million people, including 13 million children, experience food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill could help AL food banks struggling to meet demand

In a state where nearly 12% of households face food insecurity, Alabama's food banks are grappling with an urgent problem. The nonprofit group …

An estimated one-third to one-half of individuals killed in police encounters have some form of disability, according to the Police Brutality Center. (Adobe Stock)

New AL law aims to improve police understanding of sensory needs

Police encounters can be stressful for anyone but especially challenging for people with disabilities. A new state law aims to improve police …

According to a new report from Alabama Arise, Alabama is one of the top five states for auto manufacturing, producing 1.3 million cars and light trucks in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

New report calls for higher wages for Alabama's autoworkers

Cars are Alabama's biggest export and the auto industry is a huge employer, responsible for about one in six Alabamians' jobs, about 45,000 people…

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, Alabama has an incarceration rate of 938 per 100,000 people in prisons, jails, immigration detention, and juvenile justice facilities.(Tracy King/Adobe Stock)

Report addresses disparities in imprisonment, explores paths to reform in AL

More than 50% of those incarcerated in Alabama are people of color. A new report from The Sentencing Project highlights some of the disparities that …

According to a report by The Sentencing Project, more than one in 10 African American adults is disenfranchised in eight states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee and Virginia. (AI Generated Photo/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Bill aims to restore voting rights for those incarcerated in Alabama, US

Nationwide, nearly 5 million people cannot vote because of felony convictions but a bill in Congress would restore their voting rights in federal …

As of now, 13 Democrats and eight Republicans are running for the Alabama's 2nd Congressional District. The primary election is set to take place March 5, 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama organizers discuss voter suppression tactics

Voting rights organizers say people across the South are facing a new wave of voter suppression tactics. Alabama Values, SOLVE and the Groundwork …

According to the advocacy group Kids in Danger, there were 100 children's product recalls in 2022, the highest number since 2013. (Adobe Stock)

Experts: Beware of privacy risks in 'smart toys'

The "smart toy" market is now a more than $16 billion dollar industry and is expected to double by 2027, and this holiday season, experts are warning …

According to TheWorldCounts.com, more than 48 million tons of electronic waste have been thrown out, a growing issue because of the toxic chemicals, which can have dangerous health impacts such as birth defects and kidney damage. (Adobe Stock)

Legislators push for transparency in tech device longevity and repairability in AL

Legislators in Alabama and across the country are demanding more information for residents about longevity and repairability of tech devices…

According to a new report, an inventory of emissions from wood-pellet production found more than 55 hazardous air pollutants, along with more than 10,000 tons of volatile organic compounds and more than 14,000 tons of particulate matter in annual emissions. (Adobe Stock)

Report cites biomass energy impacts on Alabama health, air pollution

A new report found biomass energy and wood-pellet production may be worse for human health and air pollution in comparison to fossil fuels across Alab…

MarketBoxx partners with universities and colleges food pantries to address food insecurity and combat 'food deserts,' which can affect the health and nutrition of college students on a budget. (Adobe Stock)

Nonprofit fights hunger at colleges across three states

Just in time for the holidays, a nonprofit is taking a stand against hunger among college students and making a difference in three states. Nearly 30…

According to the State of Local News report from Northwestern University, today there are only about 550 local or state digital news sites in the entire country, and fewer than 1,000 active local minority or ethnic news outlets - the vast majority of which are located in major cities or state capitals. (Adobe Stock)

Alabamians struggle with limited local news access in rural communities

Alabama's local news landscape is experiencing a severe divide, leaving rural communities at a significant disadvantage. The latest State of Local …

The Farm Credit System is cumulatively the largest lender to the agricultural sector, making about 45% of all agricultural loans, with $350 billion in assets. (Dusan Kostic/Adobe Stock)

Report calls for changes in Farm Credit System to address fairness, sustainability

A new report is calling for greater accountability in the system providing funding to farmers in underserved communities. The research takes a dive …

In Alabama correctional facilities, prisoners are allowed a total of four books, to include a Bible or equivalent religious study book, an educational dictionary, a law book, and/or novel, at any one time. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama bookstore works to break barriers for people in prison

An Alabama bookstore is working to make sure people in prison have access to books. The Burdock Book Collective in Birmingham is on a mission to …

Alabama is one of only 12 states still taxing groceries. (Adobe Stock)

Alabama Arise unveils 2024 policy priorities to aid marginalized communities

Alabama Arise, a statewide advocacy group, is fighting for marginalized communities affected by poverty. The organization recently unveiled its 2024 …

Even with a no burn order in place since November 9, 86 wildfires have burned approximately 278 acres of land in Alabama, according to the Alabama Forestry Commission. (Adobe Stock)

Rain eases fire restrictions in Alabama

Some Alabama residents can breathe a sigh of relief as rain showers have finally brought an end to a statewide fire ban. The Alabama Forestry …

According to a Feeding America report, Alabama has three counties ranking among the top ten in the country for the highest rates of food insecurity among children. (Dragana Gordic/Adobe Stock)

Alabama food bank tackles meal gaps crisis amid rising costs

As Thanksgiving approaches, some Alabama residents are facing a meal gap crisis, forcing people to choose between buying gas and medicine or putting …

American Education Week was established in 1921 by the National Education Association, to serve as a reminder that education is a collaborative effort involving teachers, parents, students and communities. (Przemek Klos/Adobe Stock)

Alabama educators spotlight school libraries in student education

It is American Education Week, a time to commemorate and reflect on the achievements of students, educators, and parents. In Alabama, educators are …

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual tuition and fees for a graduate program in the 2019-20 academic year cost $12,410 for public institutions and $28,430 for private institutions. (Adobe Stock)

AL college offers tuition-free graduate degrees to incoming freshmen

As college costs continue to skyrocket, many students find themselves unable to afford tuition. In response, some schools are taking proactive …

According to the Under Pressure report, 66% of people received money or food assistance from a faith-based charity or church that they would not have had to request if it were not for their court debt.(Adobe Stock)

Alabama's debt-driven license suspensions softened by new law

A new law in Alabama is helping thousands regain their driving privileges after license suspension for debt-related reasons. Senate Bill 154 allows …

Alabama Values sent out more than 45 news releases and 52 e-blasts around redistricting. The organization also created nearly 130 toolkits and social media posts, and conducted more than 50 interviews for an upcoming documentary on redistricting. (Alabama Values)

Reflecting on AL voters’ fight for fair representation

Many Alabama voters are celebrating the state's new voting maps for congressional districts and the groups who worked to get them redrawn are reflecti…

About 13% of Black students in the United States choose community colleges. Nationally, there are 12 historically Black community colleges and 49 predominantly Black community colleges. (Adobe Stock)

Leaders advocate for increased funding for Black community colleges

Historical and predominantly Black community colleges often get overlooked when it comes to funding for higher education but leaders across the countr…

Alabama is one of only two states that does not hear directly from the person applying for parole in his or her parole hearings. (Tracy King/ Adobe Stock)

Alabama's low parole approval rate sparks calls for reform

Only one in ten of the people in prison who apply for parole receives it in Alabama, and a new report is prompting calls to reform the state's parole …

Data show fewer than 10% of parole petitions are granted in Alabama. (Adobe Stock)

Report reveals racial disparity in Alabama prisons

A new study of incarceration trends revealed Black individuals in Alabama are imprisoned three times more than their white counterparts, and make up …

Congress has passed two crucial new laws to improve the process of applying for federal student aid: the FUTURE Act and the FAFSA Simplification Act. (Jacob Lund/Adobe Stock)

AL campaign aims to help more students access higher education

Alabama Possible is working to make higher education more accessible for students in the state. Through its annual campaign, "Alabama Goes to College,…

The average student loan debt in Alabama is more than $37,000. (Adobe Stock)

Expert offers tips for pursuing higher education without excessive debt

As student loan payments resume after a three-year halt, experts offer advice on pursuing higher education without accumulating unnecessary debt…

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