War of Words
Facebook, Twitter and blogs are abuzz today with news of a showdown between Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and local tavern owner Jerry Hartley. Langford and Hartley verbally sparred at Wednesday’s meeting of the Five Points South Merchants Association. Hartley tells WBHM’s Andrew Yeager the confrontation erupted during a conversation about regional cooperation to address the problem of “brain drain.”
The mayor’s office did not return repeated calls for an interview. Langford did tell the Birmingham News that he had no intention of fighting and that he was simply defending the city’s reputation.
One side note to this story. Hartley is active in Free the Hops, an organization pushing legislation to raise the state limit on alcohol content in beer. Last year, Free the Hops boycotted Birmingham Budweiser — the distributor where Larry Langford is director of public relations. Hartley says that issue had nothing to do with his comments to the mayor.
Pig kidney transplant fails after patient rejection
Surgeons at NYU Langone Health in New York City had to remove a genetically modified pig kidney from Towana Looney, 53, of Gadsden, Ala., because her body rejected the organ. She's back on dialysis.
To instill confidence, China tries to reassure private entrepreneurs of support
As the country faces slowing economic growth and a trade war with the U.S., China has taken pains to reassure entrepreneurs by telling them they can start businesses, create jobs and benefit society.
Jewish students at Georgetown protest detention of professor Badar Khan Suri
More than 130 Jewish students, staff and alumni from Georgetown University signed a public letter opposing the detention of Badar Khan Suri, saying that President Trump's policies make Jews less safe.
How to get what you want without using cash (you read that right)
Experienced traders share real-world tips on how to barter with your community. People are more open to the idea than you may realize, they say.
Alabama Senate passes record education budget
There's one thing Alabama lawmakers are required to do each session -- that's pass the budgets. Legislators spent time this week working toward that goal as the Senate approved a record-setting education budget. We hear about that other legislative happenings with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
What to know about Dan Caine, the nation’s newly-confirmed top military adviser
The Senate voted around 2 a.m. Friday to confirm retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump plucked him from retirement to be his top military adviser.
