Alabama

'Why on earth do you live in Alabama?' Because I love it.

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2024

'Why on earth do you live in Alabama?' Because I love it.

No one has ever asked me directly, but sometimes when I’m traveling (or, more recently, am on Facebook), I see in their eyes the unspoken question: Why on earth would anybody want to live in Alabama?

I hadn’t seen that look in a while. But then along came the Alabama Supreme Court with its ruling that embryos created through in vitro fertilization — IVF, for short — have the same rights as children.

Some analysts said justices thought they were doing the politically astute thing, seeing as how many religious conservatives (and there are a whole lot of them in Alabama) contend that life begins at conception. And if it does, then life is life right from the get-go.

Other analysts claimed that, in particular, Chief Justice Tom Parker’s opinion inappropriately quoted from the Book of Genesis as well as 13th century theologian Thomas Aquinas; while still others said the court was bound to rule as it did because of how the state Legislature, back in 2017, worded a constitutional amendment regarding “the rights of the unborn child.”

Whatever. When the Alabama Supreme Court issued its ruling a couple of weeks ago, the law of unintended consequences immediately kicked in.

Instead of being celebrated for protecting unborn children, the ruling shocked Americans from coast to coast who have friends and relatives whose pregnancies were made possible by IVF. When fertility clinics halted their operations in Alabama, women went public with heartbreaking stories of years-long attempts to conceive. Some were scheduled for embryo implantation when the ruling was issued, after which their clinics abruptly closed.

If you live in Alabama, you’re used to carrying a certain amount of baggage. After all, it gave the nation George Wallace, the Montgomery bus boycott and “Bloody Sunday,” and its largest city — Birmingham — was once known as “the most segregated city in America.” Birmingham was also the place where police turned dogs and fire hoses on black children and Ku Klux Klansmen bombed 16th Street Baptist Church and killed four little black girls.

Years later, we had a governor who, as he ridiculed the notion of evolution, pretended to be a monkey in front of other officials. He was succeeded by a governor who was convicted on corruption charges and spent six years in federal prison.

I could go on, but let’s just agree that Alabama has a shameful history of racism, and that its politics are marred by corruption, scandal and sometimes sheer idiocy.

So why stay? the looks say. Or why move to Alabama in the first place?

Why indeed? As the saying goes, it’s complicated.

I moved here in 1978, to be married to an Alabama resident. Nearly 46 years, two children and two grandchildren later, he and I are still together, I am still here, and I have developed a fierce affection for the state in spite of its flaws.

Geographically, Alabama is stunning. Its beaches and mountains are beautiful. There’s no better barbecue in the country, nor fresher seafood; and its people are as diverse as their soft Southern accents. Moreover, Alabama has given the world such notables as George Washington Carver, Tim Cook, Harper Lee, Helen Keller, Lionel Richie, Hank Aaron, Emmylou Harris, Rosa Parks and Nat King Cole.

Yes, we can be stubborn and foolish, and sometimes we act out of fear and ignorance. We are as likely as many other Americans to fall for political rhetoric and faux religious fervor. But we also can be kind, generous, thoughtful, deeply spiritual and authentic.

Alabamians care about one another, and it shows in how people greet you on the street, hold the door open for you at the bank and — young and old — routinely say “please,” “thank you,” “ma’am” and “sir.”

Fifty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson left the White House for good, heading home to his beloved Texas Hill Country. It was, he said, a place “where they know when you’re sick and they care when you die.”

From the good to the bad and the sometimes downright ugly, and in spite of the questioning looks we all occasionally get, that’s exactly how I feel about Alabama.

Frances Coleman is a former editorial page editor of the Mobile Press-Register. Email her at fcoleman1953@gmail.com and “like” her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prfrances.

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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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