Monthly Archives:
Civil Rights Attorney Fred Gray On Fighting George Wallace And Segregation
In 1957, on the heals of his successful lawsuit that ended the Montgomery Bus Boycott, civil rights attorney Fred Gray represented a group of African American voters from Tuskegee who were shut out of voting in local elections when the Alabama Legislature re-drew the city limits in such a way as to remove them from the city. Gray sued the State in Federal Court. Almost four years later, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that race-based gerrymandering was unconstitutional.
For Undocumented Alabamians, Medicaid Cuts Could Make Health Care Even Harder To Find
After more than a week of disagreement in Montgomery, Alabama Senators approved a cut-filled general fund budget on Monday. It includes millions of dollars in cuts to the state’s Medicaid budget. Medicaid provides health care for low income individuals and families. But often poor undocumented immigrants can’t receive care under Medicaid. Advocates for the undocumented say Medicaid cuts will make health care even more difficult to find for this marginalized group.
“Medicaid Cuts Will Affect Everyone” Says UAB Health System CEO
Alabama Senators are approved a cut-filled general fund budget after lawmakers could not agree how to fill a more than $200 million budget hole. The proposed spending plan cuts nearly that much from mental health services, law enforcement, state agencies and Medicaid. State hospitals are especially concerned about cuts to Medicaid. Will Ferniany, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of UAB Health System, the largest academic medical center in Alabama, told WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley why Medicaid cuts have him worried.
High School Banks On New Focus And Old Identity At Banks Academy In South East Lake
The glory days of Banks High School brought lots of sports championships before the high school closed in 1989. Graduates became lawyers and doctors, preachers and politicians, and almost any other profession you can name. Alumni and supporters are returning to their East Lake home base to continue a legacy at Lakeview Baptist Church on 8th Avenue South.
How the Business Community Sees the Birmingham City Schools
Birmingham City Schools students are back in class for another year. It’s a district Birmingham educators say has made progress in the last few years, but one that still faces a poor reputation in the wider community. We talk about how the business community sees the Birmingham schools in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
‘Watchman’ Publication Revives An Old-Fashioned, Boozy Alabama Dessert
The deep south has seen a resurgence of interest in southern culture since author Harper Lee published her newest novel, “Go Set a Watchman.” The author previously wrote beloved classic “To Kill a Mockingbird,” so it’s no wonder her new book set off sparks of conversation about southern identity. Within that, however, there’s been speculation […]
Little Consensus Among Alabama Legislators During Special Session
Alabama Lawmakers are more than halfway through a special session designed to fix the state’s more than $200 million dollar budget shortfall. Legislators passed no new revenues this week, and agreed on very little. That means Alabama is likely headed to a special session. For more, we talk with Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television. Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley what did and didn’t happen in Montgomery this week.
Birmingham Residents On The Racial Divide
There’s a greater focus on race in public discussion after the June murders of nine black churchgoers in Charleston, South Carolina and a recent series of well-publicized deaths or assaults against blacks while in the custody of police custody. A recent poll by The New York Times and CBS News says nearly six in 10 Americans, black and white, think race relations are generally bad. For reaction to the poll and more on the local conversation, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley spoke to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. He wrote this week’s cover story, “Thoughts on the Racial Divide,” and joins us most Thursday
Lawmakers Appear Headed to Another Special Session
Time is running out for Alabama lawmakers to come up with a solution to the state's general fund budget shortfall. The general fund faces at least a $200 million gap and state legislators are meeting in a special session to figure out what to do about it. But with plenty of disagreement among legislators that's fueling talk of another special session. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
As Heroin Use Rises, More Families Struggle With Loss And Addiction
Heroin use has exploded in Alabama, and heroin-related deaths more than doubled in Jefferson County last year. That means more and more relatives have to cope with the mistrust, deception and shame that come with addiction. Despite the stigma, parents and families are reaching out for help.
Does Anything Look Encouraging in the Special Legislative Session?
The special session in the Alabama legislature is underway, and it turns out to be not much different than the regular session. Lawmakers are unable to agree on how to fund the state’s $200 million dollar shortfall. Here to discuss this is Kyle Whitmire. He’s the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL […]
Civil Rights Attorney Fred Gray Reflects on Montgomery Bus Boycott
Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the law that abolished literacy tests and other tools designed to keep black people from voting. The momentum for Selma and the civil rights victories of 1965 started ten years earlier with the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955. Tuskegee civil rights lawyer Fred Gray was one of the forces behind that boycott. For WBHM, Greg Bass recently spoke with Gray about the bus boycott, and his extraordinary career. Gray went on to represent the Selma Marchers, Martin Luther King and a seamstress named Rosa Parks.
WBHM Wins Seven Alabama AP Awards
WBHM 90.3 FM/WSGN 91.5 FM has won a total of seven 2015 Alabama Associated Press awards and received seven honorable mentions. The awards were given for work broadcast between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2014. Contributors included team members Dan Carsen, Sarah Delia, Scott Hanley, Michael Krall, Rachel Osier Lindley, Larry Lee, Les Lovoy and Andrew Yeager.
