Gulf States Gumbo

This week, we're on the road in Alabama. Environmental justice reporter Danny McArthur looks at wastewater issues in the Black Belt, reporting that sanitation is a struggle for people who live in manufactured homes. And senior criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist visits Birmingham and speaks to Black men's groups, who are responding to a year of deadly gun violence. Community engagement producer Nellie Beckett also highlights a few of our Gulf States Gems.This episode is hosted by Kat Stromquist and edited by Tyler Pratt. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

When dock workers went on strike in October, many people rushed to panic buying. Senior economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha reports on the one thing people don’t have to rush to buy. And Eva Tesfaye with partner station WWNO reports on a community that’s fighting an upcoming grain elevator that could disrupt the majority Black neighborhood. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Red Bluff outside Morgantown, Mississippi. This episode is hosted by Danny McArthur and edited by Priska Neely. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.Read more: Here are 3 questions to ask before panic buying during a supply chain breakdownPort of New Orleans plans grain terminal in the Lower 9: 'It’s not going to be good for us'

Alabama has a new congressional leader — a Democrat. We learn more about this blue win in a red state. And we take a look at some of the food insecurity issues residents in the southern part of the state are experiencing. The Gulf States Newsroom presents an election week look back at our coverage of Alabama’s Congressional District 2. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Bacchanal Wine in New OrleansThis episode is hosted by sports and culture reporter Joseph King and edited by Tyler Pratt. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.Read more:  Alabama finally has a new congressional map after a lengthy legal fight | Stephan Bisaha How Alabama food banks are keeping rural communities fed |Maya MillerTo get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

The South is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from historic lawsuits with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Some call it a once in a lifetime opportunity. This giant pot of money is meant to help heal the damage caused by the opioid crisis. But our health equity reporter Drew Hawkins reports that in Alabama, medication that can help treat addiction is out of reach for many who need it the most. Also, guaranteed income is having a moment in the South.  Cities have been test running giving people cash and now advocates are looking to turn that into permanent policies. We talk to WWNO’s Aubri Juhasz about how those recent pilots went and the movement’s future. Our sports and culture reporter Joseph King went to a local high school in Birmingham honoring one of their alumni who’s now a WNBA champion. This Week’s Gulf States Gem: Red Samurai, a sushi place in a gas station parking lot in Ridgeland, Mississippi.This episode is hosted by Stephan Bisaha and edited by Priska Neely. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

In coastal Louisiana, an Indigenous tribe received their land back-- a sacred mound in Grand Bayou Indian Village, an hour South of New Orleans. But what does a Native American tribe do when their history is at risk of being washed away by climate change? Health Equity Reporter Drew Hawkins and Environmental Justice Reporter Danny McArthur teamed up for this double feature.This week’s Gulf States Gem: The Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Alabama.This episode is hosted by Maya Miller and edited by Tyler Pratt. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme. To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

When a hurricane is headed your way, do you stay or go? Economic mobility reporter Stephan Bisaha stuck with one family from New Orleans who made the choice to leave and keep track of the costs. Also, criminal justice reporter Kat Stromquist examines the growing movement to end forced labor in prisons. This week’s Gulf States Gem: Harold & Lillian’s in Clermont Harbor, Mississippi.  This episode is hosted by health equity reporter Drew Hawkins and edited by Priska Neely. Our theme music is by DJ Supreme.Read more: 1 reason people don’t evacuate for hurricanes? Rising costs, and they’re getting pricier To get in touch with the team, email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org.

Gulf States Gumbo is your weekly serving of stories from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana — cooked up by the Gulf States Newsroom. We'll bring you a mix of stories from our team of reporters and partner stations WBHM, WWNO, WRKF and Mississippi Public Broadcasting. New episodes every Friday starting October 18. Please subscribe and don’t forget to stir your roux!