“In the News” is published quarterly and provides a sampling of stories, articles, or reviews that reference or relate to beliefs, myths, and narratives in Southern culture since 1970.

“Alabama faculty says new DEI law, pay impact decisions to leave state, retire: survey” from al.com (October 21, 2024)

“About 29% of Alabama professors who responded to a recent survey have applied to jobs outside of the state, according to the American Association of University Professors. This reflects a national trend among higher education in the South.”

“AAUP conducted the survey in August and received 2,924 responses from faculty in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. Approximately 60% of respondents would not recommend their state as a desirable place to work.”

“Louisiana’s 2020 Teacher of the Year sues to stop Ten Commandments Law” from NOLA.com (October 22, 2024)

“Louisiana’s 2020 Teacher of the Year is suing the state over a new law that requires public schools to post the Ten Commandments, arguing it makes teachers complicit in promoting religion and conveying to students that some faiths are superior to others.

“The lawsuit, filed in federal court last month, is the second legal challenge to Louisiana’s new law and the first to be brought by a public school employee. It comes as schools face a Jan. 1 to display the biblical text in every classroom.”

“South Carolina to builds its first monument to an African American” from CNN.com (October 23, 2024)

“The idea for a statue to [Robert] Smalls has been percolating for years. But there was always quiet opposition preventing a bill from getting a hearing. That changed in 2024 as the proposal made it unanimously through the state House and Senate on the back of Republican Rep. Brandon Cox of Goose Creek.”