John Archibald

3 days ago | al.com | John Archibald

This is an opinion column. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell won’t exactly say she was ghosted. Or ignored. Or even put on hold. She’s very diplomatic. But when the Trump Administration and those DOGE boys began to threaten federal grants to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, she wanted to arm herself with info she’d need to fight for the institution in Congress. UAB is in her district, after all. And UAB is important to Alabama.

1 week ago | al.com | John Archibald

This is an opinion column. U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents pulled the old bait and switch in Alabama last week. Classic stuff. They asked immigrants – people trying to dot their I’s and cross their fingers – to come on down to offices in Homewood and Gadsden and maybe more. And then – Psych! – ICE detained them. Seven people in Homewood, as Sarah Whites-Koditschek reported. Up to 18 in Gadsden. Welcome to the melting pot.

2 weeks ago | al.com | John Archibald

This is an opinion column. There’s this little studio in the Birmingham suburbs, just across the tracks from the Irondale Cafe that Fannie Flagg made famous as her Whistlestop, where for decades artists with autism have gathered to paint, to draw. To work. Sydney Windham paints flowers that burst with joy. Inés Orihuela’s charming works have evolved over the decades she has spent at that place. And the U.S. government thinks people like Sydney and Inés are a waste of money.

3 weeks ago | al.com | John Archibald

This is an opinion column. Professional politicians run from Tommy Tuberville like he’s Godzilla or something. Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth will head for the hills rather than face that atomic breath. AG Steve Marshall just wants to slide behind Tubs to take whatever’s left. Of the Senate. Democrats ran screaming – at each other, mostly – long ago. So we’re left in a crazy moment in which Tommy Tuberville is unbeatable as governor in a state he may or may not live in. You may have questions.

1 month ago | southernliving.com | John Archibald

There's shiny stuff swirling in the pan. Flecks of mica and pyrite and who knows what, but only fools and greenhorns mistake it for gold. You'll have to ignore a lot of sparkles to find what's truly valuable. Swish until the loose sediment washes away, until heavy black sand is all that's left. If you're lucky, and patient, you'll spot a yellow glint. Gold. Unmistakable. You'll know it when you see it. Dopamine will kick in, and the hair will stand up on the back of your neck.