Alabama needs better PR: I’m sure we are all aware that Alabama has nothing short of a stellar reputation with the rest of the United States (Can you feel the sarcasm?).

Aging Alabama: According to The Associated Press, which cited recent census data, Alabama’s population has remained fairly stagnant for the last 10 years.

Magic City Chefs: If there’s one thing that Birmingham can definitely be proud of, it’s our chefs.

Destruction in Japan: Last week, we talked about how this month’s SuperMoon (the moon’s closest approach to the Earth) might cause strange weather patterns, earthquakes, or other such chaos.

99 Problems: Budget cuts are the name of the game right now, not just here but across the nation. In Alabama, several cities are starting to feel the heat for costly plans to send delegates on trips to conventions.

Flight of the Conquered: We’ve said it time and time again here at Birmingham Weekly: Birmingham is a better city than its given credit for.

Southern Fried Couch Potatoes: It’s common knowledge that Alabama is one of the most obese states in the Union. But, according to an article by Marie Leech of The Birmingham News, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alabama is also one of the laziest.

Ecuador and Goliath: U.S. oil giant Chevron was recently ordered by a court in Lago Agrio in Ecuador’s Amazon jungle to pay $8 billion in damages. Faulty drilling practices by Texaco, which was purchased by Chevron in 2001, damaged rainforest and harmed indigenous peoples in the 1970s and 80s.

Budget Wars: The governor’s seat in Alabama has turned into a hot seat it seems. Governor Bentley, still only a few weeks into his term, recently told the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, “I’ve been governor now for four years.

The King’s Seat: Piers Morgan, host of “Piers Morgan Tonight”, has found himself in a bit of a rocky position since taking over Larry King’s old time slot.