Maggie Kates (she/her)

"On behalf of local environmental groups, on Tuesday the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, asking that the coal darter be protected under the Endangered Species Act." -@margkates, @aldotcom al.com/news/birmingha…

Tonight... With the Legislature on spring break, all eyes are on Washington as Congress continues negotiation a DHS funding deal and, once again, Alabama's delegation is in the thick of it. Todd's guests: ▶️@aldotcom's @margkates ▶️Natalie Steed & Melanie Poole of The American Village ▶️@uabmedicine's Dr. Louis Lambiase Watch at 7:30 on APT!

“I knew something was wrong with the water.” A decade ago, we learned tap water in some Alabama cities contained unsafe levels of forever chemicals. When officials went looking for the source, they determined it didn’t come from within Alabama. @margkates al.com/news/2026/02/h…

Your Friday Alabama news updates. Thanks to @margkates for joining me to talk about one city's struggles with water and sewage. Plus, another nitrogen execution, an update on Ivey Correctional and more: open.spotify.com/episode/2sCf2G…

"A new study has found that heavy metal contamination of the Mobile River, near @alabamapower’s Plant Barry, rivals the levels seen after the 2008 #CoalAsh spill in Tennessee, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history." @margkates, @aldotcom al.com/news/mobile/20…

"[Black Warrior Riverkeeper Nelson] Brooke argues that the short-term economic gain is far outweighed by the long-term environmental damage that could come from the mine expansion." -@margkates, @aldotcom al.com/news/tuscaloos…

Alabama family finds 32-million-year-old leatherback sea turtle fossil al.com/news/mobile/20…

NEW: An eight-year-old girl from Alabama is among the victims of a deadly flash flood that struck central Texas on Friday. Here's what we know: al.com/news/2025/07/8…

We’re so thrilled to see @SavannahTF recognized for Story of the Year! There’s a lot of great reporting going on across the @aldotcom newsroom and throughout our state. Congrats to everyone who earned recognition. Check out the work: al.com/news/2025/06/a…

The beautiful green heron, which can be found throughout Alabama in some seasons, is one of few birds known to use tools to catch fish. Learn more about them: al.com/outdoors/2025/…

MIDWESTERN POPE, B1G FOREVER

“Environmental justice,” a term used to describe disproportionate environmental threats to lower income or minority communities, would be considered “DEI” initiatives, according to the news release. From @margkates al.com/news/2025/04/t…

New book spotlights ‘forever chemicals’ in North Alabama: ‘I know I’m facing death.’ Thank you @margkates for speaking to me and Brenda! al.com/news/huntsvill…

@lee_hedgepeth Thanks, Lee!

Great reporting by @margkates on whether recycling materials from the Birmingham suburbs are actually being recycled

After dozens of calls didn't solve the mystery, @aldotcom used trackers to figure out where recycling is going. Great story by @margkates al.com/news/birmingha…

Paul Prine, the former police chief of Mobile, announced his candidacy for mayor backed by a throng of enthusiastic supporters. But questions about residency and lawsuits loom: al.com/news/mobile/20…

Even more development in Baldwin with large subdivision near Robertsdale. Good report per @margkates al.com/news/mobile/20…

Have you been denied health care coverage in Alabama? Is there a treatment you couldn't get due to insurance limitations or a life-saving drug that wasn't covered? Or have you had a positive experience you'd like to share? Fill out the form here 👇 docs.google.com/forms/d/1-RiC8…

The Super Bowl is Feb. 9 in New Orleans. If thinking about the city makes you hungry, note that AP style says they're crawfish, not crayfish, the classic sandwich is a po'boy with no space, and for dessert, it's bananas Foster, with the F capitalized because it is named for a customer at Brennan's Restaurant in New Orleans.

A historic winter storm in south Alabama on Tuesday brought well over 6 inches of snow to the region and the collapse of the roof of the Mobile Civic Center, according to the city. No injuries were reported, according to the city.