John Archibald: More City Travel Paid for by the Taxpayer

| March 27, 2014 

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2014/03/archibald-thumbnail.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:596;s:6:"height";i:300;s:4:"file";s:31:"2014/03/archibald-thumbnail.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"archibald-thumbnail-336x169.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:169;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"archibald-thumbnail-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"archibald-thumbnail-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"archibald-thumbnail-470x237.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:237;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:31:"archibald-thumbnail-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:75860;s:14:"optimized_size";i:43497;s:7:"percent";d:42.659999999999997;}s:5:"sizes";a:7:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:24243;s:14:"optimized_size";i:12519;s:7:"percent";d:48.359999999999999;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:67:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail-140x140.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:4873;s:14:"optimized_size";i:3266;s:7:"percent";d:32.979999999999997;}s:6:"medium";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:67:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail-336x169.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:8933;s:14:"optimized_size";i:5370;s:7:"percent";d:39.890000000000001;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:65:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:2397;s:14:"optimized_size";i:1746;s:7:"percent";d:27.16;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:67:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:16180;s:14:"optimized_size";i:9781;s:7:"percent";d:39.549999999999997;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:67:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail-470x237.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:15060;s:14:"optimized_size";i:7713;s:7:"percent";d:48.780000000000001;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:67:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/03/archibald-thumbnail-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:4174;s:14:"optimized_size";i:3102;s:7:"percent";d:25.68;}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1651864740 
1395878400

It’s spring break for many people this week and that’s time when folks often travel. On the travel itinerary for some Birmingham city officials this spring is the annual Neighborhoods USA conference. The trip is attracting attention once again because of the price tag, which is ultimately covered by taxpayers. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.

 

Syrian Druze recall what they believe to be past lives — even vivid details

In Syria's large Druze minority, a belief in reincarnation binds the community together.

U.S. intelligence memo says Venezuelan government does not control Tren De Aragua gang.

The memo weakens President Trump's argument for invoking the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants.

The conclave to choose a new pope is about to begin

As more than a billion Catholics around the world await the election of a new pope, all eyes will be on the Sistine Chapel, where 133 cardinals will begin the secretive process known as a conclave.

Feeding the hungry will be harder than ever for the world’s largest food aid agency

The World Food Programme, a U.N. agency and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, is facing cuts in its budget that experts are describing as "unprecedented."

Brutality and humanity at the Angola Prison Rodeo in Louisiana

While the event has been criticized for its controversial and dangerous events, it also offers a chance for participants to connect to the outside world.

Police found a missing woman 60 years after she disappeared. She wants to stay hidden

Sauk County Sheriff's Office says Audrey Backeberg, now in her 80s, is living outside of Wisconsin. The detective who managed to track her down says she "had her reasons for leaving" in July 1962.

More Government Coverage