Keeping tabs on Alabama. Editor of https://teapawt.net/t.co/JNI2S9vZig. Pulitzer 2021, two more 2023
Alabama, USA
Joined October 2012
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Challen Stephens retweeted
Important new story out from @njdotcom and partners about how little nursing homes spend on feeding residents.
The Hunger Games: Many nursing homes feed residents on less than $10 a day: ‘That’s appallingly low.’ nj.com/news/2025/04/many-nur… @TedShermanSL @SusanKLivio
Challen Stephens retweeted
Alabama frequently denies parole to people who are in minimum-security lockup, working regular jobs & walking around in regular clothes or fast-food uniforms each day, arguing that they’re safe enough to work, but not to sleep at home. (By @IvanaSuzette)
al.com/news/2024/12/alabama-…
Haley Butler-Moore was pulled over for speeding. Police said she seemed high. Having taken nothing, she thought meeting the Drug Recognition Expert would clear her. “I agreed to it, but I didn’t understand that at that point it was already over." al.com/news/2024/10/police-s…
What she didn't know was DRE officers -- more than 8,000 across 50 states -- say they can tell who is too high to drive and on what by systematically staring into eyes, pinching muscles, taking blood pressure & pulse, studying speech & balance. Critics call it junk science.
“I don’t know of anyone else who wouldn’t be anxious in that position. And especially when they sent me to jail at three in the morning after all of that." youtu.be/SNawfCJxVSk
Alabama finally lost it with the broken parole board, Dem & GOP lawmakers grilling the chair over why hardly anyone gets out -- despite rules saying most should be paroled. “Either the process is broken or her decision-making process is terrible." al.com/news/2024/10/alabama-…
Challen Stephens retweeted
"It is puzzling that in this case, the State downplays the significance of the new DNA evidence when the State otherwise relies on similar DNA evidence to secure convictions and clear cold cases," wrote a federal judge. Great reporting on injustice in an AL #deathpenalty case.
Christopher Barbour has been on Alabama Death Row for 30 years for the brutal slaying of Thelma Roberts in Montgomery in 1992. But now, a judge is listening to his innocence lawsuit after newly tested DNA evidence points to someone else.
al.com/news/2024/10/hes-been…
Challen Stephens retweeted
A man (another one) who is clearly innocent sits on Alabama's death row. 30 years after his conviction, DNA evidence points to someone else. Alabama wants to execute him, anyway. al.com/news/2024/10/whitmire…
Challen Stephens retweeted
This was a pretty tough one to write about my hometown. But it is in an existential moment.
al.com/news/2024/10/archibal…
Alabama still plans to execute this guy, but DNA from '92 now matches someone else in prison. State says OK, she maybe slept with that other guy first...then invited in some homeless guys who raped her and left no DNA. Judge: “the theory defies logic, common sense, and science.”
Christopher Barbour has been on Alabama Death Row for 30 years for the brutal slaying of Thelma Roberts in Montgomery in 1992. But now, a judge is listening to his innocence lawsuit after newly tested DNA evidence points to someone else.
al.com/news/2024/10/hes-been…
Challen Stephens retweeted
This is an amazing honor and I'm still pinching myself. Looking so forward to being a part of this board.
.@JohnArchibald of @aldotcom, @GinaSKChua of @semafor and @NTrethewey of @NorthwesternU have been elected to the #Pulitzer Prize Board! Click below to read more. pulitzer.org/news/archibald-…
Challen Stephens retweeted
Gas stations sell hemp products that look like marijuana, smell like marijuana, can provide the same high as marijuana, and can cause a failed drug test just like marijuana. In Alabama, the consequences can be devastating. (via @AmyKingsley4) al.com/news/2024/08/she-used…
Challen Stephens retweeted
Now for a 🧵 about 🍃 + an @examinationnews 🔍
Without much notice or scrutiny, it is now possible to buy THC products in most US states - including in places like Alabama, where marijuana remains illegal and can lead to jail time.
Fishermen and scientists are seeing surprising changes over last 15 years. Ecosystem off Oregon is vanishing. Gulf is turning tropical. Great Lakes are losing ice cover. Jersey shore is heating up fast. Reporting from across four newsrooms al.com/news/2024/07/warming-…
Already threatened by invasive species, whitefish are struggling as NOAA reports record low ice cover for the Great Lakes. “With no ice coverage, they’re hatching like a month early — like premature babies." mlive.com/environment/2024/0…
Off the Oregon coast, nearly two thirds of the kelp canopy vanished in the last decade. “Fast forward to now, the ocean without kelp doesn’t feel vibrant anymore, it doesn’t have much activity, much life.” oregonlive.com/environment/2…
Challen Stephens retweeted
Trememdous honor for @MarshallProj to be a runner-up for this year's Molly Prize, with our amazing reporting partners @aldotcom @readfrontier @postandcourier @MSTODAYnews & @guardian
And the series "Prosecuting Pregnancy," a series done in partnership by @MarshallProj, @aldotcom, @postandcourier, @MSTODAYnews, @readfrontier and @guardian.
themarshallproject.org/tag/b…
6/10
Challen Stephens retweeted
An Alabama driver who told an officer ‘get your ass out of the way’ has been ordered to apologize or go to jail for up to 30 days
al.com/news/2024/05/alabama-…
