WBHM and Birmingham’s Gigi Douban Chosen for Political Reporting Partnership with NPR

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2015/09/gigi-with-quote.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:810;s:6:"height";i:450;s:4:"file";s:27:"2015/09/gigi-with-quote.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:12:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-336x187.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:187;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-771x428.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:428;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-768x427.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:427;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"gigi-with-quote-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-560x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:560;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-470x261.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:261;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-600x450.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:450;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"gigi-with-quote-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:244292;s:14:"optimized_size";i:181754;s:7:"percent";d:25.600000000000001;}s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:55:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:142766;s:14:"optimized_size";i:107030;s:7:"percent";d:25.030000000000001;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:6:"medium";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:5:"large";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:63:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote-771x428.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:91660;s:14:"optimized_size";i:65070;s:7:"percent";d:29.010000000000002;}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:3159;s:14:"optimized_size";i:2981;s:7:"percent";d:5.6299999999999999;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:63:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2015/09/gigi-with-quote-125x125.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:6707;s:14:"optimized_size";i:6673;s:7:"percent";d:0.51000000000000001;}}}
        )

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

)
1669782788 
1441208371

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM and Birmingham reporter Gigi Douban have been chosen collectively as participants in NPR’s Political Reporting Partnership. Douban and WBHM, along with a group of sixteen reporters from other public radio stations across the country, will work closely with NPR to cover the 2016 election from a state and local perspective.

“With the addition of Gigi Douban to WBHM’s news team, we’ll be able to ensure Alabama is part of the national conversation in 2016,” said Rachel Osier Lindley, WBHM’s News Director.

Working with Lindley and NPR’s Local Partnership Editor, Brett Neely, Douban will find new and surprising political stories from Alabama.

“We’re extremely excited to work with WBHM to cover the 2016 election,” said Neely. “NPR’s Political Reporting Partnership with stations is designed to help the public radio system cover this election from the ground up. We are impressed with WBHM’s commitment to expand their political coverage and know they’ll be a great partner.”

A public radio reporter since 2006, Douban has reported stories for WBHM, NPR, Studio 360, and Public Radio International’s The World.  Most recently, Douban reported for Marketplace, bringing the country stories about toxic landfills, debtors prisons, and more serious matters, like why urinals are ubiquitous in public bathrooms, but not in homes. She also writes for Bloomberg News and Runner’s World.

“WBHM is delighted to join with NPR and other leading stations across the country in service of journalism and the public,” said WBHM’s General Manager Scott Hanley. “This is an exciting opportunity to expand and deepen our coverage for Alabama and the nation, sharing insights, perspectives and voices that deserve more attention.”

Douban will start reporting from WBHM in fall 2015.

About WBHM

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM, a listener-supported service of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is “Your NPR News Station” and home to the Alabama Radio Reading Service, a resource for the blind and print-impaired. WBHM programming and award-winning regional journalism also can be heard in North Central Alabama on WSGN 91.5 FM through a partnership with Gadsden State Community College. Listen and give at wbhm.org and follow the station on Twitter @WBHM and on Facebook.

About NPR

NPR connects to audiences on the air, online, and in person. More than 26 million radio listeners tune in to NPR each week and more than 30 million unique visitors access NPR.org each month making NPR one of the most trusted sources of news and insights on life and the arts. NPR shares compelling stories, audio and photos with millions of social media users on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Snapchat; NPR News and NPR One apps, online streaming, podcasts, iTunes radio and connected car dashboards help meet audiences where they are. NPR’s live events bring to the stage two-way conversations between NPR hosts and the audience in collaboration with the public radio Member Station community. This robust access to public service journalism makes NPR an indispensable resource in the media landscape.

 

Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry

The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor

Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor. 

Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums

Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.

Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering

U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.

Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana

An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.

Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community

After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.

More Front Page Coverage