Alabama Accolades
Kudos to two Alabama papers for a couple of strong projects. "Flood Maps" by Steve Myers of the Mobile Register investigated how federal flood maps for the state are dangerously inaccurate. Myers looked at flood records for eight hurricanes that hit Alabama in the past 36 years and compared the actual high-water marks along the coast with the official maps. He also explored how some homeowners are avoiding flood safety standards and how Alabama is getting little guidance on avoiding hurricane damage while Louisiana and Mississippi get post-Katrina attention. Thank you Brian Summers for this suggestion. http://blog.al.com/pr/flood_maps/
The Tuscaloosa News' "Seeking Stability" series this week examines the housing and transportation hurdles facing people with mental illness. The series kicks off with Sarah Bruyn Jones' "By Bus, Foot and Taxi," which chronicles the nearly 11 hours that Maggie Flynn, who has been diagnosed with severe depression, spends as she navigates her way around the city trying to apply for a Section 8 housing voucher. I like how this minute-by-minute account details how difficult the system can be for people without much money. The accompanying story by Jones explores how the lack of affordable housing in West Alabama leaves many people with mental illness on the streets or behind bars. Special note: Halfway through this story, I realized this must be the same Sarah Jones I knew when she was a student at Medill. Way to go Sarah! tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070624/NEWS/706240375/1007