Grayce Kilkenny

Mardi Gras means parties and parades along the Alabama Gulf coast. That means it’s also prime time for people who like to catch the colorful beads and doubloons that are thrown from the parade floats. This may sound like all fun and games, but environmentalists say there’s a darker side to this Mardi Gras tradition.

January marks national anti-human trafficking month. Lawmen say even small-town Alabama isn’t free of this crime, which is a billion dollar industry worldwide. The National Human Trafficking Hotline says it received over two hundred calls for help in 2023. The group says thirty-three of those callers were victims in this crime involving sex for money.

Alabamians will get the chance to learn more about domestic violence this week. The Huntsville area support group AshaKiran plans to hold a ZOOM meeting on the causes of this type of violence and what people can do about it. APR listeners have been hearing about domestic violence in the U.S. and how the issue is having international impact.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month in Alabama. The issue is also a concern internationally. The U.S. State Department invited APR to discuss its human rights coverage with Erika Leonaite. She’s the human rights ombudsperson with the Parliament of Lithuania.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Alabama. The Centers for Disease Control estimates nearly nine percent of women are victims of violence from their partners every year.

Live bluegrass music and BBQ come together for Huntsville’s sixth annual tradition. The festival was originally created to showcase Southside Park when it first opened. Now, it’s purpose is to bring local bluegrass music and good food to the Huntsville community.

Experts say that Alabama is one of the worst states to work in the U.S, according to Oxford America. The report covered 27 policies split into three metrics including wage policies, worker protections, and rights to organize. In all three categories, Alabama ranked in the bottom 10 states.

September marks suicide prevention month, focusing on raising awareness for mental health issues and the individuals affected. Suicide can impact anyone, no matter their age, gender, or background. This month focuses on creating safe spaces for those struggling, and providing resources like The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Project Semicolon, and The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The University of Alabama wheelchair basketball team is gearing up to brings athletes from around the country to Tuscaloosa.

The backcountry trails of Alabama’s Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores are being featured at a nine-mile scenic cycling event. The 15th annual Good Life Bicycle Ride taking place Saturday, May 4, Tuesday, May 7, Thursday, May 9 and Saturday, May 11.