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THE WEEKLY REVEAL

Saturday, May 10, 2025

This week:

For the sixth time in our organization’s history, we were named finalists for journalism’s highest honor: The Pulitzer Prize.

Our groundbreaking investigation “40 Acres and a Lie” wouldn’t have been possible without a few things: the innovation and commitment of our partners at the Center for Public Integrity; our merger with Mother Jones, which brought this essential work to readers of its website and award-winning magazine; and the support of readers and listeners like you, which has kept us alive for 10 years running.
 

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THIS WEEK’S REVEAL

Alabama’s Threats to Prosecute Abortion Helpers

Two people pass a box of Luvs through the window of a brightly painted bus
The Yellowhammer Fund’s turquoise and pink bus, named “Repro Raven,” carries free reproductive health supplies. CREDIT: Charity Rachelle/Produced with support from the Magnum Foundation and Commonwealth Fund

In August 2022, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall made a guest appearance on a local conservative talk radio show. It was two months after the US Supreme Court had overturned Roe v. Wade, and abortion was now illegal in Alabama. And Marshall addressed rumors that he planned to prosecute anyone helping people get abortions out of state.  

“If someone was promoting themselves out as a funder of abortion out of state,” Marshall explained to the host, “then that is potentially criminally actionable for us.” 

This particular threat launched an epic legal battle with implications for some of the most basic American rights: the right to travel, the right to free speech, the right to give and receive help. 

This week on Reveal, reporter Nina Martin spends time with abortion rights groups in Alabama, following how they’ve adapted to one of the nation’s strictest anti-abortion policies—and evolved their definition of help.

Listen to the episode
🎧 Other places to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pandora, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

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MORE TO THE STORY

Nikole Hannah-Jones: Trump Is Erasing Black History

A black and white illustration of Donald Trump and Nikole Hannah Jones, separated by a blue line
Mother Jones illustration; Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty; Regina Fleming

President Donald Trump’s second term has swung a wrecking ball at diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and programs throughout the country. Few writers seem better suited to explain this unique moment in America than Nikole Hannah-Jones.

A New York Times journalist and Howard University professor, Hannah-Jones has spent years studying and shaping compelling—and at times controversial—narratives about American history. In 2019, she created The 1619 Project, a series of stories and essays that placed the first slave ship that arrived in Virginia at the center of the US’ origin story. Today, the Trump administration is pushing against that kind of historical reframing while dismantling federal policies designed to address structural racism. Hannah-Jones says she’s been stunned by the speed of Trump’s first few months.

“We haven’t seen the federal government weaponized against civil rights in this way” since the turn of the century, Hannah-Jones says. “We’ve not lived in this America before. And we are experiencing something that, if you study history, it’s not unpredictable, yet it’s still shocking that we’re here.”

Find this episode wherever you listen to Reveal, and don’t forget to subscribe:

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeartRadio | Pandora

In Case You Missed It

Black and white illustration of a school hallway with an adult in the center, fixing the hair of a child
🎧 Teaching Kids to Read: How One School District Gets It Right
A collage featuring three black-and-white portraits of young men on the left, a central orange-tinted image of ICE officers in police jackets peering into a doorway, and on the right, a close-up of a tattoo on someone’s leg. The tattoo is of an autism awareness ribbon, composed of puzzle pieces, with the name "Neryelson" written in cursive beside it.
🎧 Trump's Deportation Black Hole
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🏆 Ending on a Good Note

We had a big week: In addition to our Pulitzer nod, we also learned recently that our documentary film The Grab was nominated for four Emmy Awards. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can stream it on most of the popular streaming platforms. We are honored that the Emmys continue to recognize the critical documentary and film work of our CIR Studios team.

This issue of The Weekly Reveal was written by Kate Howard and edited by Nikki Frick. If you enjoyed this issue, forward it to a friend. Have some thoughts? Drop us a line with feedback or ideas!
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