Alabama mandates use of "Gulf of America" name amid hurricane threat

Alabama enacted House Bill 2, compelling every state-run entity and its staff to label the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" in all newly created materials, reflecting Donald Trump's naming preference. The mandate, effective last week, extends to university curricula, state maps, and public-media broadcasts, prompting the University of Alabama at Birmingham to order its one outlet-affiliated station WBHM to comply. Faculty members, such as geography professor Jason Senkbeil, argue the rule infringes on academic freedom, while the university's top lawyer admits the guidance is vague.

Major news services like the several outlets have refused to adopt the new terminology, but station workers say they will obey the law. Governor Kay Ivey dismissed criticism as partisan bias against the Trump administration, emphasizing that the change is simply state policy. The directive comes as Hurricane Isaias intensifies and threatens the Gulf coast, raising concerns about how the naming dispute might affect emergency communication.