In this edition of Alabama Out Loud, APR’s Aydan Conchin explores free and low-cost public beach access along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. As visitors head to the coast throughout the summer season, communities continue balancing tourism, safety and coastal conservation efforts. 🌊☀️🏖️

May is mental health awareness month, and organizations across the United States use this time to educate Americans on how to both understand mental health issues and offer support to people who are struggling. We're joining those voices with our last Simplified episode of the month: an informative chat with Dr. Abby Horton, an Assistant Professor at The University of Alabama’s Capstone College of Nursing. Dr. Horton has over a decade of researching wellness and mental health on her resume, making her the perfect guest to answer questions from Lacey (and the listening audience!) about what goes on in our heads and how to best take care of them.

Clarence B. Jones, who helped argue the Alabama based U.S. Supreme Court case “New York Times v. Sullivan," has died. The civil rights activist and attorney also wrote part of the iconic “I Have A Dream” speech delivered by Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior in 1963 in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Jones was 95.

A three judge panel is ruling against the state of Alabama and its plans to erase a African American U.S. House seat. There’s also reportedly separate deadline associated with this case starting Tuesday. The three judges in the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, in Birmingham, says the state cannot use voting maps that delete the African American and Democratic District two.

This week on StoryCorps, we return with Ty Cramer and Steve Romein as they discuss how Common Power branched out towards Selma, Alabama and the significance it has for education and voting rights.

This week, Don reviews Ode to the Bones by Carolyn Haines.

Today is Memorial Day. And for many Alabamians that means a visit to the U.S.S. Alabama Memorial Park. This year marks twenty five years since the attacks on nine eleven. The park will hold a commemoration as well as a flag lowering ceremony. Genovese Harris is with the Memorial Park. She says these events can be a poignant reminder to young people who come to visit…

Military Dogs ("War Dogs") have served warriors and soldiers since ancient times; their loyalty and bravery have made them invaluable assets on the battlefield.

A three-judge appellate panel may soon decide the fate of four U.S. House Districts in Alabama’s mid-term election. All sides gathered in Birmingham, with the Secretary of State arguing that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for legislators in special session to erase the new District 2, currently held by Democrat Shomari Figures. Critics of the state’s actions say Alabama is redrawing voting lines illegally based on race.

A divided Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed Alabama's bid to be allowed to execute a convicted murder who was found by lower courts to be intellectually disabled.

As communities settle into the summer season, local libraries continue serving as welcoming spaces for learning, creativity and connection. In this edition of Alabama Out Loud, APR’s Aydan Conchin highlights free library programs, summer reading events and community activities happening across Alabama.

Tuscaloosa’s black warrior river is home to an endangered species that may be in a “family way” about now. The waterway is one of the few spots where the so called Black Warrior Water Dog is known to live. The salamander’s mating season happened earlier this year. That means the hatchlings may be showing up in the coming weeks. Politics in Washington may be complicating life for this, and other species considered endangered in Alabama.