Alabama Attorney General’s 1976 Letter Told KKK Off In 3 Short Words
In 1970, shortly after being elected Attorney General of Alabama, Bill Baxley reopened the 16th Street Church bombing case – a racially motivated act of terrorism that resulted in the deaths of four African-American girls at Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church in 1963. Baxley’s commitment to the case attracted much hostility, particularly from local Klansmen, and in 1976 he received a threatening letter of protest from white supremacist Edward R. Fields -founder of the “National States’ Rights Party” and “Grand Dragon” of the New Order Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Fields accused Baxley of reopening the case for tactical reasons.
In an interview recently recorded at WBHM, Baxley spoke to NPR’s Audie Cornish about the letter he received and his response. Listen to the interview.
Baxley continues to practice law in Birmingham.
Major bills cross the finish line with one day left in legislative session
Gov. Kay Ivey signed both budgets and supplemental spending packages Thursday. A plan to reduce the state sales tax on food is on the way to her desk as well.
After decades of attempts, major bill to cut state’s 4% grocery tax wins final passage
The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Kay Ivey, whose office said she will review it when she receives it. Alabama is one of only three states that tax groceries at the same rate as other purchases.
A water leak led to a $20K bill for an Alabama couple. A smart meter could have saved them
When smart water meters work, they can detect expensive leaks early. But the tech’s costly to do right — and even more so when it’s done wrong.
Alabama sets July execution date as state resumes lethal injections after a series of problems
The governor's office set a time frame for the execution of James Barber. The 30-hour window is designed to give the state prison system more time after two most recent executions were called off because of trouble with intravenous lines.
How TikTok and the South’s urban legends opened new doors for Alabama’s Joshua Dairen
The local content creator turned his love of the paranormal into a promising side gig thanks to TikTok. Now, he wants to make space for others like himself.
Former governor says Alabama’s approach to the death penalty should shock the conscience
Don Siegelman served as both Attorney General and Governor in Alabama. He says he’s come to believe that the state’s approach to the death penalty is flawed.
