Arise in the News
The more people hear about our movement for change, the more supporters we gain. Arise staff members appear in hundreds of news stories every year to explain how better policy choices can make life better for everyday Alabamians. Check out these examples of how we’re sharing our vision for a better Alabama for all in print, over the airwaves and online.
In the News
Gun sellers, payday lenders remain open in Alabama as ‘essential business’
Payday loans in Alabama carry interest rates of up to 456% APR. "A lot of people will be harmed" financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, Arise's Dev Wakeley tells The Anniston Star. "The last thing we need is for people to exacerbate that and make money off of it." Read more in The Anniston Star.
In the News
A preventable cancer is on the rise in Alabama
Higher cervical cancer rates are a haunting example of the humanitarian toll of Alabama's failure to expand Medicaid. "When you actually talk to people about the [Affordable Care Act], it's very popular," Arise's Robyn Hyden tells The New Yorker. "But in general, people don't come into the room knowing about it. They've heard a partisan [...]
In the News
Alabama legal experts urge state to release vulnerable inmates amid COVID-19 outbreak
"When [the COVID-19 pandemic] gets into jails and prisons, it's going to kill people," Arise's Dev Wakeley tells Alabama Political Reporter. "It's absolutely impossible to follow CDC recommendations about distance." Read more from Alabama Political Reporter.
In the News
Stimulus checks may help, but not cure lasting economic ailments from pandemic
Medicaid expansion is essential to keep Alabamians healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. "No one should be afraid to get life-saving medical care because they're afraid of going bankrupt," Arise's Chris Sanders tells The Anniston Star. Read more in The Anniston Star.
In the News
A judge ordered the release of low-level prisoners because of the coronavirus. People were absolutely furious.
"We have overcrowded correctional institutions [in Alabama] and a real reluctance to address the problems that will cause during this pandemic," Arise's Dev Wakeley tells BuzzFeed News. Read more from BuzzFeed News.
In the News
Alabama Medicaid should use every tool it has to save lives
"Medicaid and other services that provide health care for struggling and marginalized Alabamians form the backbone of the health care system that protects us all," Arise's Jim Carnes writes in the Montgomery Advertiser. And the COVID-19 pandemic "only heightens the need for that system to be as strong as we can make it." Read more in [...]
In the News
Coronavirus concerns have you stocking up? Keep WIC families in mind
"We're all in this together, and some families are struggling a lot more to just meet basic nutritional needs than are others, especially when kids are home from school," Arise's Carol Gundlach tells WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham. Learn more from WBRC Fox 6 News.
In the News
State puts $5M toward coronavirus prep, testing
"The impact of COVID-19 on low-income people in Alabama is going to be huge," Arise's Jim Carnes tells Birmingham Watch. "The No. 1 thing we’re concerned about is lack of health coverage." Read more from Birmingham Watch.
In the News
Drop Alabama’s state grocery tax? Senate committee hears debate
Alabama is one of only three states with no tax break on groceries. "We're subsidizing a reliance on a tax loophole that helps a few people with a ridiculous and unjust tax on food that hurts everybody," Arise's Robyn Hyden told a state Senate committee. Read more from the Montgomery Advertiser.
In the News
Alabama’s food tax on the chopping block again
Alabama’s grocery tax is an abomination, Arise’s Chris Sanders tells AL.com. “We’re leaving folks in a position where they have to decide between food and medicine; they have to decide between food and rent,” Sanders said. “These are not decisions that the state should be forcing upon folks for the sake of raising revenue.” Read [...]
