Margaret Kates

5 days ago | al.com | Margaret Kates

They’re blue, round, and small. And birdwatchers throughout Alabama are hoping to catch sight of one before they head north for the summer. The cerulean warbler is one of many bird species that migrate through Alabama in the spring and fall. But the brilliant blue birds are hard to spot when they’re here, and they’re becoming even more rare. “It’s a really charismatic species,” said Thomas Thompson, a graduate student at Alabama A&M University who studies the Cerulean Warbler.

2 weeks ago | al.com | Margaret Kates

The first sea turtle has nested in Alabama for the year. Yesterday, Alabama Coastal Foundation—a nonprofit that works to protect sea turtles in the state—was alerted to a nest on Fort Morgan, laid by a Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, according to a Facebook post. “We had a turtley exciting start to the 2025 sea turtle nesting season!” the post said. The nest was laid one day before the official kick off of sea turtle nesting season, when the turtles will come ashore and lay a nest.

2 weeks ago | al.com | Margaret Kates

Two offices within Baldwin County’s Central Annex will be closed for nearly a year for renovations that will better accommodate the county’s growing population. “We encourage customers, during this time, to visit any of our other convenient locations in Bay Minette, Fairhope, or Foley,” said Baldwin County Judge of Probate Harry D’Olive in a news release. “Additionally, many services are available online…and customers are reminded of the ‘mail-in’ renewal option.

2 weeks ago | al.com | Margaret Kates

State offices, including state courts, in Alabama are closed today for a holiday, though it’s not one most places celebrate. Monday is Confederate Memorial Day, one of three Confederate-related holidays in the state. It is recognized on the fourth Monday in April every year. Mail will still run, and federal offices will be open, as well as most municipal offices. Alabama is one of only a few states that still recognizes confederate holidays.

2 weeks ago | al.com | Margaret Kates

The University of Alabama College Democrats say school officials are “coddling” President Donald Trump with threats to discipline students who disrupt his speech in Tuscaloosa this week. “We are aware that the university is desperately trying to coddle Trump’s ego as much as it can to stave off any threat of losing federal funding,” said Braden Vick, president of the UA chapter of the College Democrats, in an email to AL.com.