‘Infrastructure apartheid’: Africatown’s fight against toxins, new toll bridge
The historic Alabama town is already surrounded by polluting industries. An impact study says traffic avoiding a proposed toll bridge would only make the air more toxic.
‘Hurricane fatigue’: Gulf Coast emergency managers still rebuilding as they prep for more storms
Local officials are working to inform the public while still recovering from 2020’s record-breaking season—all on tight budgets.
Love bugs
We asked readers to submit memories and reflections about what fireflies and cicadas mean to you. Here are some of them:
Alabama deems execution an ‘essential function’ while leading in COVID-19 deaths per capita
The state plans to execute Willie B. Smith III on Feb. 11 in a prison on the coast. Experts worry it will only lead to more deaths.
‘It’s not something you have to do alone’: Rural Alabama churches address food insecurity
Southern communities have some of the highest levels of food insecurity, and it’s been worsening during the pandemic. Churches often fill in the gaps.
‘The people suffering have to have a seat at the table’: A Q&A with Catherine Flowers
The activist and MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” winner discusses her new book and what she believes needs to happen to achieve sustainable and equitable infrastructure solutions for rural America.
From arms to renewables: How workers in this Southern military industrial hub are converting the economy
Huntsville, Alabama is teeming with engineers and STEM talent. Some are leaving the defense economy for the clean energy one.