Monthly Archives:
This Week in Montgomery: Minimum Wage, Guns in Cars and Earmarks
With the third week of the Alabama legislative session through, lawmakers have managed to pass some high-profile bills out of either the House or Senate. It's a key step if these measures are to become law. But the legislative progress doesn't debate wasn't heated. To help review the week's action is Don Dailey. He's host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television. He tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager about a bill that passed the House which would prevent cities from setting their own minimum wages, a bill allowing those with concealed carry permits to keep loaded guns in the cars and a bill to un-earmark millions in state revenue.
The Compassion Experience: A Virtual Exhibit on Global Poverty
Global poverty can seem pretty abstract to the average American. The Compassion Experience aims to change that. This traveling exhibit immerses people in the lives and cultures of children living in poverty around the world. It's on tour across the South and returns to Alabama next week. WBHM's Amy Sedlis saw the exhibit on its last Birmingham stop, and has this preview:
Birmingham’s Place in Historic Preservation Efforts
The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently declared Birmingham’s A.G. Gaston Motel a National Treasure. It also declared the landmark one of America’s eleven most endangered historic sites. Marita Rivero chairs the trust’s board and is Executive Director of the Museum of African American History in Boston. She’ll give the keynote address Thursday evening for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s Black History Month celebration. Rivero spoke with WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about Birmingham’s importance in the national conversation on historic preservation and the significance of the A.G. Gaston Motel.
Hoover Could Use Zoning to Block Apartments
Zoning hearings can often be the white noise of local government, but zoning decisions do have a great effect on how cities develop. The Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission made a recommendation last week to rezone 273 acres along Interstate 459 from apartment use to commercial. The Hoover City Council could consider the change next month. It's a change that represents more than a simple government reclassification. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the Hoover situation and about perceptions of rising crime around Birmingham.
Reveals in Case of Speaker Mike Hubbard Could Mean Trouble for Prosecutors
There’s been a big reveal in the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard that carries potential danger for prosecutors, and U.S. Senator Richard Shelby has quickly progressed from inspirational campaign commercials to attack ads spearing his Republican opponents. Kyle Whitmire has more on this.
2015 Saw Rise in Hate Groups and Extremists in U.S.
The Southern Poverty Law Center released today its annual count of hate groups and extremists in the U.S.
Protesters Rally Against Bill Blocking Local Minimum Wage
State lawmakers passed a bill out of the House Tuesday evening that would block cities in Alabama from establishing a local minimum wage. As the debate grew contentious in Montgomery, about 50 protesters gathered in Mountain Brook to protest the bill, proposed by a legislator from that city, and to show support for the Birmingham City Council's decision to raise that city's minimum wage.
Dennis Covington and Revelation: The Search for Faith in a Violent Religious World
"Faith, as St. Paul said in his letter to the Galatians, is a fruit of the spirit, and a fruit is something tangible, life sustaining, a gift." Dennis Covington.
Infamous West End Property Set for Demolition
A blighted property in West End that city officials say has been a scar on that area for too long is being demolished. Birmingham city leaders announced today that demolition of Larkway Gardens begins tomorrow morning, Wednesday, February 17, at 9 a.m. following asbestos removal. In an interview with WBHM last year, Councilwoman Sheila Tyson […]
Barbershop Forum Aims to Boost Support for Hillary Clinton
What happens when a handful of people gather in a barbershop to talk politics? People tend to speak their minds. That was the idea behind an event Monday evening at Moore Styles Barbershop in Birmingham’s Civil Rights District.
Laura McCauley Alvis (R)
Name: Lara McCauley Alvis Date of birth: Dec. 31, 1974; age 41 Residence: Pelham Political experience: None Professional experience: Private practice, Alvis & Alvis, 2007-present; adjunct professor, University of Alabama School of Law, 2006-present; associate attorney, Allison, May, Alvis, Fuhrmeister and Kimbrough, 2006-2007; judicial law clerk, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, 2000-2001; law clerk, Alabama […]
Patrick Kennedy (R)
Name: Patrick E. Kennedy Date of birth: June 15, 1971; age 44 Residence: Alabaster Political experience: None Professional experience: Private practice, 2001-present; contractor with the Administrative Office of Courts handling juvenile court matters, 2004-present; guardian ad litem, circuit court, 2009-present; has worked on occasion in Shelby County municipal courts, including as prosecutor; Army National Guard, […]
Jane Hampton (R)
Name: Jane Hampton Date of birth: Dec. 7, 1948; age 67 Residence: Highland Park Drive, North Shelby County Political experience: Shelby County Board of Education, Place 1, 2010-2016. Professional experience: Principal, Oak Mountain Elementary, 1997-2008; assistant principal, Inverness Elementary, 1990-1997; teacher, Inverness Elementary, 1983-1990; teacher, Valley Elementary, 1971-1982. Civic experience: Shelby County Arts Council Board, […]
Lori Frasure (R)
Name: Lori Frasure Date of birth: Dec. 23, 1972; age 43 Residence: Calera Political experience: None Professional experience: Private practice, 2003-present. Civic experience: None provided. Education: Cumberland School of Law, juris doctorate, 2003; University of Great Falls, master’s in human services, 1999; Western Carolina University, bachelor’s, 1995. Top contributors: Charles Middleton, $21,000; S. Scott Allums, […]
Tapeka Brown Fennell (D)
Name: Tapeka Brown Fennell Date of birth: January 1978, 38 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: None Professional Experience: Treasurer, Alabama S.T.E.M. Education, 2016; ECA Accountancy, 2014-2016; analyst for Sirote & Permutt Mortgage Banking, 2007-2011; member of the National Association of Black Accountants, Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; Internal […]
J. Timothy “Tim” Smith (R)
Name: J. Timothy “Tim” Smith Date of birth: Nov. 20, 1955; age 60 Residence: Hoover Political experience: None Professional experience: Private practice, more than 30 years; SafeHouse of Shelby County attorney, more than 25 years; member, Third Citizens’ Conference on the Alabama State Courts, 1995; member and group chair, Birmingham Bar’s Grievance Committee; former member […]
Sherry McClain (D)
Name: Sherry McClain Date of birth: October, 1962; 53 Residence: Brighton Political Experience: Jefferson County deputy treasurer, 2013-present; member, State Democratic Executive Committee, Jefferson County Federation of Democratic Women, Jefferson County Democratic Conference, Alabama New South Coalition and Jefferson County New Citizen’s Coalition. Professional Experience: Jefferson County deputy treasurer, 2013-present; director of community affairs, Jefferson […]
James R. “Jim” Kramer (R)
Name: James R. “Jim” Kramer Date of birth: Nov. 12, 1959; age 56 Residence: Alabaster Political experience: Won election to the district court in 2004 and 2010; ran unsuccessfully for Alabaster mayor, 2000, and Alabaster City Council, 1992. Professional experience: Shelby County District Court judge, 2004-present; president, Alabama Juvenile Judge’s Association, 2007-2008; child support referee […]
Ramona Rice (R)
Name: Ramona Piland Rice Date of birth: March 7, 1964; age 51 Residence: Helena Political experience: This is Rice’s first run for political office. Professional experience: Senior creative manager and designer, DST Health Solutions, October 2013- present; creative manager and designer, Oakstone Publishing, March 2000-Oct. 2013; creative manager and designer, University of Southern Mississippi, April […]
Why this Coal Industry Downturn may be Different
Alabama’s coal industry has faced its ups and downs through the decades. It’s clearly down now. Walter Energy, for instance, is embroiled in bankruptcy. While the industry has bounced back before, this time might be different. That’s where we start this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Chris Dunn (R)
Name: Chris Dunn Date of birth: July 2, 1970; age 45 Residence: Chelsea Political experience: None Professional experience: Area manager, ChemTreat, 2013-present. Civic experience: None Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, University of Alabama, 1988-1994, graduate, Bibb County High School, 1988. Top contributor: Self, loans, $720.37 Main issues: If elected, the candidate wants to address […]
Robbie Hayes (R)
Name: Robert C. “Robbie” Hayes Date of birth: April 16, 1961; age 54 Residence: Chelsea Political experience: Shelby County Commission, District 9, 2005-present. Professional experience: Optometrist and owner, Hayes Eye Center in Chelsea, 1992-present. Civic experience: Board of directors, Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham, 2006-present; sideline volunteer, Chelsea High School Football, 1991-present; member, South […]
Ron Griggs (R)
Name: Ron Griggs Date of birth: April 1, 1952; age 63 Residence: Alabaster Political experience: None Professional experience: Producer, The Insurance Store in Alabaster, 2013-present; assistant principal and principal, Thompson High School, 1993-2005; administrative assistant and assistant principal, Shelby County High School, 1987-1993; teacher, coach, bus driver and administrative assistant, Pelham High School, 1977-1987; teacher, […]
Gene Rowley (R)
Name: Gene Rowley Date of birth: April 29, 1970; 45 Residence: Alabaster Political experience: None Professional experience: Senior code reviewer/system analyst, Xerox Corp., 2014-present; unmanned aerial vehicle operator, AAI Corp. (Textron Systems), 2009-2014; budget and finance NCO/comptroller, Alabama National Guard 20th Special Forces Group, 2001-2009; owner/voiceover talent, Gene Rowley Voiceover, 1989-present. Civic experience: Vice president/general […]
Ward Williams (R)
Name: Ward Williams Date of birth: Oct. 13, 1973; age 42 Residence: Alabaster Political experience: None Professional experience: Founder and executive director, Vineyard Family Services, 2007-present; associate pastor of youth and outreach, Inverness Vineyard Church, 2002-2007. Civic experience: Graduate, Leadership Shelby County, 2014; member, Shelby County Children’s Policy Council, 2007-present; youth sports coach, YMCA and […]
Statewide Amendment One
Primary voters going to the polls March 1 will see one statewide ballot measure to amend the Alabama Constitution. Amendment One deals with retirement for future district attorneys and circuit clerks of the state. Currently those positions are part of Alabama’s supernumerary service system. This amendment would allow the state to set up a new […]
Delegates and What They Do
Primary voters going to the polls March 1 will see one statewide ballot measure to amend the Alabama Constitution. Amendment One deals with retirement for future district attorneys and circuit clerks of the state.
Monica Agee (D)
Name: Monica Agee Date of birth: January, 1962; age 54 Residence: Forestdale Political experience: None Professional experience: Private practice, Law Office of Monica Agee, 2000-present; U.S. Department of Commerce; Jefferson County Personnel Board; Berry Company; Big B Drugs; Birmingham Board of Education; U.S. Air Force; University of Alabama at Birmingham. Civic experience: Volunteer, American Red […]
Elizabeth French (D)
Name: Elizabeth French Date of birth: December, 1972; age 44 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: Jefferson County Circuit Judge Place 17, 2010-2016. Professional Experience: Incumbent Circuit Court Judge, 2010-2016; member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the Alabama Supreme Court; The French Firm private practice, 1998-2010; former president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of the Alabama Lawyers […]
Joe Basgier (D)
Name: Joe Basgier Date of birth: October, 1974; 42 Residence: Vestavia Hills Political Experience: None Professional Experience: Private practice, Bloomston & Basgier, 2004-present; attorney for the Police Benevolent Association; executive committee member, Birmingham Bar Association; president of the criminal justice section, Birmingham Bar; prosecutor, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, 2004. Civic Experience: Board member for […]
Javan Joielle Patton (D)
Name: Javan J. Patton Date of birth: May 1982; age 34 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: None Professional Experience: Assistant city attorney for Birmingham, 2011-present; Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, 2009-2011; prosecutor with Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, 2007-2009. Civic Experience: Director of the Liturgical Dance Ministry at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church; volunteer for Sisters Inspiring Sisters […]
Charles “Chuck” Price II (D)
Name: Charles “Chuck” Price II Date of birth: October 1976; age 39 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: None Professional Experience: In private practice; litigation associate/shareholder, Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker LLC, 2005-2014; law clerk, Alabama Securities Commission, 2004-2005; law clerk, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bernard Harwood, 2003-2004; member, executive board, Magic City Bar Association, 2014-present; Alabama […]
