Alabama

Some Alabama counties among highest SNAP users in nation

Published

5 months ago

October 29, 2025

Some Alabama counties among highest SNAP users in nation

Some parts of Alabama are among the nation’s most reliant on food benefits, data shows.

About 15% of Alabamians will feel the impacts of a pause on Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program benefits if a weekslong government shutdown does not end by Nov. 1. That’s about 754,000 people – many of whom are children, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

But the need is much more pronounced in some of the state’s rural Black Belt counties, AL.com found, where as many as one in three residents received SNAP benefits in 2024.

Few other counties in the U.S. have higher enrollment rates than west Alabama’s Wilcox, Perry and Dallas counties, according to a recent report from the Associated Press.

Can’t see the map? View it here.

Nearly half of Alabama households receiving food stamps reported having a child under 18 or someone with a disability living among them. And two in five lived with at least one senior citizen, according to 2024 Census survey data.

Need closely mirrors racial wealth gaps in the state. Recent research from the Economic Policy Institute found that cuts to SNAP could disproportionately harm families of color.

Nearly a quarter of Black householders in Alabama were enrolled in SNAP benefits last year, compared to just 8% of white householders. About 15% of Hispanic and Native American householders in the state also received benefits.

Statewide, SNAP enrollment ranged from just 5% of the population to up to 38%.

Shelby County, which has the lowest share of residents living below the poverty line, saw the lowest SNAP participation rates, at just 5.5%.

Other high-need counties span across much of lower and west Alabama, with Greene, Lowndes, Sumter and Butler counties reporting enrollment rates of more than 25%.

Far-reaching impacts

Nationwide, SNAP disbursements have been on the decline since reaching a peak in 2012. Today, far fewer Alabamians are receiving benefits than did a decade ago.

It’s a trend that largely mirrors economic patterns, experts say: As employment and income levels improve, fewer people enroll in food benefits. The country saw some of its lowest poverty rates in history in 2019, before swinging back up slightly during the pandemic.

Can’t see the chart? View it here.

The shutdown began on Oct. 1, after Democrats refused to pass the Republican-sponsored bill to fund the government unless health care tax credits, part of the Affordable Care Act, were extended.

The Trump administration has confirmed it would not use roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits flowing into November.

As states like Alabama brace for a pause, researchers and advocates warn of far-reaching impacts.

In addition to sending more than $140 million in food benefits to Alabamians each month, the program supports more than 7,800 jobs and $350 million in wages for grocery employees statewide, AL.com reported earlier this week. Cuts or interruptions to the program could cost Alabama up to $1.7 billion in annual federal funds, resulting in a $2.6 billion economic loss.

Alabama’s Department of Human Resources said individuals can still apply for SNAP during the pause and that current recipients must still recertify their benefits, report as they normally would and submit all normal documentation.

“These steps are of the utmost importance so DHR can submit each recipient’s benefit file as soon as the suspension is lifted; in other words, this will allow recipients to more quickly use their November funds in the grocery stores,” the press release said.

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Alabama

Prattville 19 year old creates Alabama Children’s Theatre

Published

3 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Prattville 19 year old creates Alabama Children’s Theatre

PRATTVILLE, Ala. (WSFA) – Maggie Kervin has a passion for the theater. She started as a little girl and loved it ever since.

“I went to Prattville Christian Academy and got my start in theater there,” said Kervin.

After graduating from high school, she got a job, but noticed something was missing in her community. So, she started the Alabama Children’s Theatre. Keep in mind she’s just 19 years old.

At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started the Alabama Children’s Theatre.(WSFA)

“There’s just not a lot of opportunities for kids in theater. I really wanted to provide that opportunity.”

Two years ago, she had $50 in her pocket and a dream. Now things are picking up steam and she’s enjoying the ride. This is for kids between the ages of five and 18. Right now, they’re working on Annie Jr.

“We’ve had so many kids why are shy and timid the first time they are one stage. When it’s their third or fourth time, they are very different.”

It’s different for her too. She’s used to being the one up on stage. Now she’s behind the computer, with them for every word, in every song.

At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started... — At 19 years old, Prattville native Maggie Kervin found a unique way to give back. She started the Alabama Children’s Theatre.(WSFA)

“I didn’t think I’d ever be in the position of running my own theater.”

The reward for Maggie, getting to see her always improving stars, continue to shine.

“It’s just so exciting to see them put the hard work into something and watch it blossom. They are so excited and so dedicated.”

You can check out Annie Jr. this month. The shows are at the Pine Level Community Center.

She’s hoping you come see them for yourself, at the Pine Level Community Center. Here’s a link to show times and ticket prices for the end of the month. Her next goal is to find a facility of their own one day. Visit the Facebook page if you’d like to help make that happen.

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Alabama

Listen to Alabama Shakes’ New Protest Song “American Dream”

Published

15 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Listen to Alabama Shakes’ New Protest Song “American Dream”

Last year, Alabama Shakes returned with “Another Life,” their first original track in 10 years. Now they’ve followed it up with a protest song titled “American Dream.” Brittany Howard’s lyrics reference gun violence, abortion rights, climate change, the wage gap, and President Donald J. Trump’s White House renovations. Take a listen below.

In a press statement, Howard described “American Dream” as “a snapshot of what we’re living through in 2026.” She continued, “I look around and wonder how we got to a place where there’s so much strain and so little support. I mean, it shouldn’t be impossible to take off work so you can bring your child to the doctor—that’s actually insane. My hope is that one day people will hear this song and say, ‘Yeah, shit was crazy back then, but we made it through.’”

Alabama Shakes’ last album was 2015’s Sound & Color. Next week, the trio of Howard, Heath Fogg, and Zac Cockrell kick off a North American tour that runs through mid-June. They’ll then play shows in Europe and the United Kingdom in July.

Revisit the review of Howard’s 2024 solo album What Now.

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Alabama

Alabama Fair and Fiesta in Pelham offers sensory nook for families with sensory issues

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Alabama Fair and Fiesta in Pelham offers sensory nook for families with sensory issues

PELHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Alabama Fair and Fiesta, which runs through April 19, kicked off Thursday night at the site of the former Oak Mountain Amphitheatre in Pelham.

In addition to offering rides and entertainment, this fair offers a respite for families with sensory issues.

From sweet funnel cakes to savory meats, there’s something for everyone, including a “sensory nook” for individuals with sensory issues.

Kissel Entertainment’s fair has been “sensory inclusive” certified by KultureCity.

The only thing you hear inside this KultureCity certified space is the white noise of the air conditioning unit humming overhead.

Paris Kissel with Kissel Entertainment says this room has gotten a lot of visits in the cities they’ve visited:

“Dozens of times a day,” she explained. “I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that someone’s not requesting to use the room, so we’re really proud. We know there’s a need there, and to be able to provide a solution.”

Guests can also check out a “sensory bag” at the Welcome Center located near the entrance to the midway.

“For this year we have headphones,” she explained. “We have communications cards which are a big thing of helping folks that are nonverbal express any of their needs while they’re with us ,we have fidget spinners, tools like that, things to emotionally regulate people who have sensory deprivation.”

The calming space is also appealing to young families who don’t have sensory issues like Aeriel Cole, who arrived at the fair with her husband and a 4-month-old and a 2-year-old in tow.

“I just had a baby myself,” Cole explained. “And I know how overwhelming all this can be, the lines, the chaos, and all the things that the fair brings, this a great little relaxing place that the mom can go to.”

Kissel Entertainment is the only carnival provider in the U.S. is sensory inclusive certified. Kissel said she wishes more carnivals were certified.

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