As the threat of AI looms over us all, @johnarchibald.bsky.social's multi-part story for @al.com highlights just how quickly (and quietly) the technology is creeping into the criminal legal system, almost always in ways that will make the lives of incarcerated people and their loved ones worse:

You know Tommy Tuberville is bad. If you want see just how far we have fallen, take a look at the words of this former Alabama GOP governor. Not so long ago. www.al.com/news/2025/12...

Just because

I find myself thinking of water often.

Fascinating book. Come talk about it.

Can Doug Jones do it again? www.al.com/news/2025/12...

Amen to that. :)

I'm so very sad over the death of Todd Snider. This is why.

Sim left Alabama to protect his family. He has since written a book “And the Dragons Do Come: Raising a Transgender Kid in Rural America.” Give it a read. thenewpress.org/books/and-th...

We live in a world where it's hip to be mean. Mean is the point, whether we’re talking SNAP benefits or immigration or prison or economics. Human rights, civil rights and common decency are 20th century concepts. Like retirement. Or conversation. Consider the case of Sim Butler and his family.

The Atlanta Olympics bomber Eric Rudolph may not be a household name these days, but he is talked about reverently by extremists on online forums, where the phrase “do a Rudolph” is used as a shorthand for terrorist attacks.

Check one off the bucket list.

Perhaps we should go ahead and rip that plaque off the Statue of Liberty and stop pretending to be something we are not. Kiss those huddled asses goodbye and claim it is all in the name of liberty and justice for all.

Thanks!

We have to take our stories back.

Just a little ode to the big man.

When you find yourself without internet or cell service you realize what's important.

Eric Rudolph wrote this of his targets: “It was irrelevant to me which particular issue – taxes, abortion, gun rights – ended up being the spark that ignited this revolution. This was a war between two entirely different world views.” Those who want to divide us want chaos. Don’t let them win.

Thanks! Y’all read Jordan Green.

Am I nuts to get bent out of shape about kids getting Bibles in schools? At a time when the president autographs them for cash and tells supporters he needs their $15 to further his unlikely bid to get into Heaven? Call me crazy. www.al.com/news/2025/09...

A thread. In the summer of 2005, more than 7 years and 20 surgeries after Eric Rudolph pressed a button on his homemade detonator and forever changed her life, Emily Lyons faced her bomber in a Birmingham, Alabama courtroom.

Redditors, join us for an AMA this morning from 10:30 to 12:30 to talk bombers and the damage they left behind. www.reddit.com/r/TrueCrimeP...

The great survivalist Eric Rudolph was caught by a rookie cop while dumpster diving. This is that story. Listen here: https://www.al.com/news/2025/08/american-shrapnel-part-7-how-a-rookie-cop-caught-the-uncatchable-eric-rudolph.html 

It really is. :)

Indeed

Episode 7 out today. I think it's a fun one. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

The best thing about Birmingham is that it is comfortable. The worst thing about Birmingham is that it is comfortable. We have no time to be comfortable, @randallwoodfin.bsky.social .

Most people hear "factory jobs" and think "1950s economic prosperity," which was only possible through strong unions. The GOP says "factory jobs" and means "1880s corporate dominance over the working class." Recognize the difference.

If you hate your property taxes, lemme show you what happens to a state living under tax caps first imposed by white racists in 1875. (Because they didn’t want to educate Black children.)

That would be nice ... If the University of Alabama wasn't rolling over like a ... hmm ... crimson tide?

A friend summed up Tuberville's plan for Alabama better than I did: “It's build factories, send kids to tech school to work at the factories, build prisons for those who don't want to work at the factories, and cut taxes for the factory owners.” Make Alabama 1901 again! www.al.com/news/2025/08...

I’ve know. This kid since he was ~10-11. We are from the same town, Blountsville, #Alabama and went to the same High School, J. B. Pennington. We even attended the same church in the past, Blountsville Baptist Church. He was raised there and has tried to support and give back to his community.

Last month he was prepping for the football season. Watching film, learning the new rule changes, getting in shape so, as a high school back judge, he could get everything in front of him. Now he's in ICE detention and can't see what lies ahead. www.al.com/news/2025/08...

My pleasure! Thanks for coming.

That was a lot of fun. Thanks to you and everybody for coming out.

“In the days after the Olympics, Rudolph decided he needed more powerful explosives, so he set his sights on dynamite stored at the Austin Powder Co. in Asheville, N.C.” Episode 5 dropped today. It’s not just about a bomber, but survivors. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Thanks so much, Larry.

He played ball at JB Pennington High, went to the Baptist church on Sundays and Methodist youth group Wednesday nights. He fell in love and drives a pickup and referees high school games and talks with a better Southern accent than I do. www.al.com/news/2025/08...

Episode 4 of American Shrapnel is out. And another bomber pops out of a funnel cloud. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

I've written at least five times over the years that "1984" was late, but on the way. Well here it is.

Man, I wish there were more people like Jermaine Hughes.

I honestly don’t know what else to say about "American Shrapnel." I’ve been working on it for years now with Becca Andrews and John Hammontree. The first three episodes dropped today, and I hope you will listen. Sure, it's history. But it's about now, too.

If you’re around Birmingham tomorrow come my way!

Three weeks to release but climbing the charts. Thanks so much for your help. Follow at Apple Podcasts to keep it going. @kbeccaandrews.bsky.social @johnhammontree.bsky.social

Long time coming. @kbeccaandrews.bsky.social, @johnhammontree.bsky.social and I are about to drop an 8-part podcast about serial bomber Eric Rudolph and the rise of Christian/white nationalism. We're excited about it. First episodes out July 30. Follow on Apple Podcasts to help us get it started.

I got a note this morning that this was overly sarcastic. I was like "I'm totally serious." Mostly. www.al.com/news/2025/07...

Newsflash. America does not live by the values it claims.