The Sunrise News

11/07/2025

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” budget bill, which was passed by Congress last week, includes nearly $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid.

On average, 28% of the population in the 24 counties that make up the Black Belt region receive healthcare through Medicaid, according to Garrett Till, a graduate research assistant with the Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama.

Additionally, according to a report from the Alabama Medicaid Agency, about 38% of Medicaid funding is allocated to hospitals — which could further exacerbate a trend of rural hospitals closing in the Black Belt, where 27 hospitals are at risk of closing already according to the report.

Read more on our site. https://buff.ly/q37qAdR

10/07/2025

"Located in an old quarry on the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey, Ave Maria Grotto is the home of the artistic works of Brother Joseph Zoetl...He created his work from a large array of found objects and concrete, using them to create works such as his replica of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum in Rome, the Alamo, Jerusalem and the Leaning Tower of Pisa."

Read more about our writers' latest excursion to the Ave Maria Grotto, located in Cullman, Alabama, on our site.

https://buff.ly/UhDHCdP

09/07/2025

Programs being targeted by the administration’s funding review include:
- Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, which provides funds for teacher professional education and other initiatives to improve teaching outcomes
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provides funds for afterschool programs and other enrichment opportunities
- Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which provide flexible funding for schools to use on enriching student activities
- English Language Acquisition and Migrant Education Grants; which both fund programs aiding the education of migrant children
- Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants, which help fund education programs for adult learners.

Read more about the funding freeze on our site. https://buff.ly/q37qAdR

02/07/2025

Did you know that there are dragons in Alabama? This one can be found at Ave Maria Grotto in Cullman, Alabama, and is the work of Brother Joseph Zoetl. Check out the full article on our website and be sure to listen to the podcast episode on Spotify!

https://buff.ly/UhDHCdP

16/05/2025

With summer right around the corner, you might be looking for new places to visit with family. Check out our latest article by Josie Jones, which covers the Butch Anthony Museum of Wonder. Located in Seale, Alabama, the museum promotes itself as “the world’s first drive through museum.”

Photo by Josie Jones.

https://thesunrisenews.com/visiting-butch-anthonys-museum-of-wonder/

23/04/2025

The wait is over! We've officially launched our new multimedia project, Alabama Spotlight, with a new podcast episode.

In this episode, Wesley Hyde and Harrison Neville discuss the iconic film “Big Fish” which was largely filmed in Alabama. The conversation largely centers around their visit to Jackson Island, which is where the abandoned movie set for Spectre, a key location in the film, can still be visited.

Their conversation touches on storytelling, family and the power of a legacy on the lives of those around us.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EyCB8uSXCRohDzkQgTViR?si=umBmF2-JQKepWTgms_J8HA This episode, Wesley Hyde and Harrison Neville discuss the iconic film &qu ...

18/04/2025

The wait is almost over! Get ready to celebrate the release of Alabama Spotlight, a new multi-media project focused on celebrating the best parts of Alabama by shining a light on people, places and things unique to our state.

You can sign up for the Alabama Spotlight newsletter and get a sneak peek at some of our work on our website. https://buff.ly/LE5lxzh

16/04/2025

Why do they call it Alabama the Beautiful? Well, we're here to tell you! Get ready to dig deep and find your next great Alabama obsession with the Alabama Spotlight, our new multi-media project releasing soon!

Check out the link to subscribe to the Alabama Spotlight newsletter and see just a few teasers of some of the work we've done so far.

https://buff.ly/LE5lxzh

12/04/2025

At The Sunrise News, we take joy in celebrating the best parts of Alabama, so we are excited to announce our new multimedia project, Alabama Spotlight.

Alabama Spotlight will be a recurring series that will feature articles, podcast episodes and photos all focused on highlighting people, places and things unique to Alabama. Stay tuned for more updates and subscribe to the Alabama Spotlight newsletter for exciting previews and new content.

https://buff.ly/tXuqEoY

02/04/2025

Alabama is projected to lose up to $800 million in federal support for Medicaid if planned cuts by Republican lawmakers go forward according to a report by KFF, an independent health policy organization.

The chair of Alabama's Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund committee, Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, said that Alabama's Medicaid program might have to be scaled back due to cuts.

Currently, Medicaid covers over 1 million residents in Alabama, including 57% of children and 68% of those living in nursing homes.

Check out the Alabama Roundup on our website and subscribe to our weekly newsletter to stay informed on events in our state!

Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, was detained by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcem ...

01/04/2025

Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, was detained by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on the morning of March 25.

According to representatives from ICE, Doroudi was detained because his visa had expired, though students are allowed to stay in the U.S. as long as they maintain their status as students, even if their visa expires.

“ICE HSI made this arrest in accordance with the State Department’s revocation of Doroudi’s student visa,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement two days after Doroudi’s arrest. “This individual posed significant national security concerns.”

No further details were offered to clarify what threat Doroudi posed.

Check out our weekly Alabama Roundup newsletter to stay up to date on news across Alabama!

Alireza Doroudi, a doctoral student studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama, was detained by the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcem ...

01/03/2025

Currently, the medical age of consent in Alabama is 14, allowing minors to consent to care without a parent's permission. Two bills in the senate would change that so everyone younger than 18 must have a guardian's consent for medical treatment.

At a public hearing for the bill, opponents voiced concerns for teenagers who lived in unstable households where parents would be unwilling or unable to consent to medical care for them.

Read more about the bills on our site. https://buff.ly/41u8Zzy