Subject

State & Local Government

Latest Reports

SNAP Error is Not SNAP Fraud

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, helps people with low incomes buy food. Read the full release.  

Special Congressional Primary Continues Trend of Declining Political Participation in Alabama

Only 5% of registered voters in the Alabama Congressional Districts holding elections last week cast ballots, producing one of the Read the full release.  

Local Court Fee Increases Associated with Increased Jail Detention, New Research Finds

New research led by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) and MDRC indicates that each additional $100 in Read the full release.  

Subject

Education & Workforce Development

Latest Reports

Alabama Sees Third-Grade Reading Progress Slow

After multiple years of progress, Alabama third grade reading performance plateaued in 2026, with 11.8% of students scoring under the Read the full release.  

Graduation and Readiness Rates Continue to Rise

Seniors in the graduating class of 2025 set records on two measures: 93% of seniors graduated on time four years Read the full release.  

Fewer 2025 High School Grads Passed Workplace Readiness Test

Despite the increasing emphasis on college and career readiness in Alabama high schools, fewer students are earning work-readiness certifications through Read the full release.  

Subject

Quality of Life

Latest Reports

Cities in the north, south, and east grow fastest; Central cities continue to see population flow to suburbs

Growth moderated across most of Alabama cities in 2025 according to new population estimates for Alabama cities. Printable PDF available Read the full release.  

How a Change in Federal Regulations Could Threaten Life-Saving Progress in Alabama’s Opioid Crisis

            PARCA’s 2026 Annual Forum, “From Crisis to Collaboration: How Data, Policy, and Partnership Saved Lives in Alabama,” spotlighted the Read the full release.  

2026 PARCA Annual Forum Review

Deaths from drug overdose dropped sharply in 2024 and 2025, due in part to bold policy decisions, the deployment of Read the full release.