Alabama tops headlines again over a major voting rights ruling, shedding light on past laws and ongoing civil rights debates. Population snapshot: Deep South state with Gulf coast, Tennessee, Georgia borders.
Dominiq Ponder, a Colorado football player, died in a car accident in Boulder County. He lost control of his Tesla, which struck a guardrail and an electrical pole before catching fire. His death has prompted tributes from teammates, coaches, and the university community. The investigation suggests speed was a factor.
A federal judge in Manhattan has dismissed capital punishment charges against 27-year-old Mangione, citing legal flaws. The government will not appeal, and his federal trial is scheduled for September. He faces separate state charges, including a murder trial in June, related to the 2024 killing of Thompson.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Charles 'Sonny' Burton to life in prison without parole, citing concerns over justice and fairness. Burton, 75, was convicted in 1992 for a robbery during which another man shot and killed Doug Battle. The decision follows debates over his guilt and the appropriateness of executing a participant who did not pull the trigger. Burton's supporters and some jurors have urged clemency, while prosecutors oppose it. Burton's scheduled execution by nitrogen gas on March 12 will no longer proceed, marking a rare clemency decision by Ivey.
A US KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq during a support mission against Iran, killing six service members. The incident occurred in friendly airspace, with no hostile fire involved. The victims include personnel from Alabama, Ohio, Indiana, and Washington, with investigations ongoing.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, 81, is recovering at the Governor’s Mansion after a procedure to remove lung fluid. She was hospitalized for two nights following discomfort and shortness of breath. Ivey plans to return to work next week. She previously battled lung cancer in 2019.
A US Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker crashed over Iraq during a support mission, killing six crew members, including Major Alex Klinner. The aircraft was supporting operations against Iran, and the crash is under investigation. The incident highlights ongoing risks in military operations in the region.
Recent studies reveal significant undercounting of COVID-19 deaths and rising heart disease among women aged 25-44. New guidelines aim to improve cholesterol screening and reduce mortality, especially in vulnerable populations. These findings highlight ongoing health disparities and the need for targeted interventions.
The US is experiencing unprecedented weather extremes in March, including severe heatwaves on the west coast, snow in the south, and chaotic temperature swings across regions. Experts link these patterns to climate change, with jet stream shifts causing simultaneous extremes. These events highlight the intensifying impact of the climate crisis.
A large-scale heat dome is causing unprecedented temperatures across the US, with record-breaking highs in multiple states. The heat is expected to persist into early April, driven by climate change and atmospheric patterns, impacting millions and setting new climate records.
A 16-month-old kangaroo named Chesney escaped Sunshine Farm in Necedah, Wisconsin, after jumping an eight-foot fence. He was missing for three days, prompting a community-wide search involving drones and search parties. Chesney was safely recovered after being spotted under a tree and approached calmly by a helper. The farm plans to publish a children's book about his adventure.
The NCAA has introduced new rules affecting college athletes' eligibility, including a requirement for prospects to withdraw from opt-in professional drafts. The changes follow recent legal cases and proposals for extended eligibility, with ongoing debates about legal protections and the impact on college sports.
Federal authorities have charged Luther Davis and CJ Evins with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity theft. Davis is accused of impersonating NFL players using disguises to secure nearly $20 million in fraudulent loans. They are scheduled to plead guilty on April 27.
Marie-Thérèse Ross has been returned to France after being detained in US immigration custody for over two weeks. Her case involves allegations of estate interference by her stepson, a US federal employee, and has raised concerns about US immigration practices. Ross's return follows French government criticism of US methods.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Texas’ Ten Commandments display in public schools, ruling it does not violate students’ or parents’ rights. The decision reinforces similar laws in Louisiana and Alabama and comes as debates over religion in classrooms intensify, with several states proposing or expanding displays and Bible-related curricula.
The Biden administration has approved new execution methods, including firing squads, electrocution, and gas asphyxiation, citing drug shortages and legal changes. This move follows a 20-year hiatus and aims to expand options for federal executions, despite declining public support for the death penalty. It will likely take years before executions are scheduled.
Voters are casting primary ballots as Alabama implements a new map after a Supreme Court ruling, with four districts facing special primaries in August to align with redrawn boundaries that affect minority representation and party control of the U.S. House.
A pregnant woman gave birth on a Brooklyn courtroom bench after being arrested on charges of drug possession and trespassing. Advocates say she lacked adequate medical care and privacy; prosecutors dispute the accounts. The case has sparked renewed scrutiny of custody practices amid New York City's carceral system.
Stanford's Educational Opportunity Project has found that, in most U.S. districts, reading scores have declined over the past decade, with 83% reporting lower reading results last year. Math has declined in about 70% of districts. The data underscore a long-term trend predating the pandemic and point toward a shift toward phonics-based instruction in some states.
US soul singer Clarence Carter has died at 90 from pneumonia complications, leaving a legacy rooted in Fame Studios and a catalog that spans gospel-tinged blues to provocative R&B hits such as Slip Away and Tell Daddy.
Rallies have organized in Selma and Montgomery to push back against Supreme Court rulings that have weakened the Voting Rights Act. Veterans and new activists call for renewed defense of Black political power as Alabama redraws districts and faces legal challenges.
The New York Times and Reuters report that Donald Trump’s endorsements and attacks have shifted primary outcomes in Indiana, Louisiana and Kentucky, with Cassidy’s defeat signaling a stronger hold on the party; Letlow advances in Louisiana and Massie faces a stiff challenge in Kentucky.
The Supreme Court has left in place lower-court rulings in favor of Joseph Clifton Smith, who has spent roughly half his life on death row after a 1997 murder conviction. The Court has not issued a decision on how to handle multiple IQ scores near the 70 threshold in intellectual disability determinations.