Leroy Stover: Birmingham’s First Black Police Officer
Leroy Stover: Birmingham’s First Black Police Officer
On December 14, Birmingham’s NAACP chapter will honor Birmingham’s first black police officer with a lifetime achievement award. Leroy Stover joined the Birmingham Police Department in 1966 and retired as Deputy Chief in 1998.
His niece, Bessie Stover Powell, has published a book chronicling her uncle’s 32 year career. The book describes Stover’s struggles, rejection, and success.
Stover spoke with WBHM’s Sarah Delia about the book and his career. He started by describing his first day on the job where he was abandoned by his white partner at roll call. Without the help of a friendly bus driver who was also white, Stover wouldn’t have made it to his beat and possibly through his first day.
Mentally ill people are stuck in jail because they can’t get treatment. Here’s what’s to know
Hundreds of people across Alabama await a spot in the state’s increasingly limited facilities, despite a consent decree requiring the state to address delays in providing care for people who are charged with crimes but deemed too mentally ill to stand trial. But seven years since the federal agreement, the problem has only worsened.
Ivey appoints Will Parker to Alabama Supreme Court
Parker fills the court seat vacated by Bill Lewis who was tapped by President Donald Trump for a federal judgeship. The U.S. Senate last month confirmed Lewis as a U.S. district judge.
How Alabama Power kept bills up and opposition out to become one of the most powerful utilities in the country
In one of the poorest states in America, the local utility earns massive profits producing dirty energy with almost no pushback from state regulators.
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
