Monthly Archives:
Brendette Brown Green (D)
Name: Brendette Brown Green Date of birth: October, 1957; 58 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Ran for House District 58, 2006; Member, executive committee of the Democratic Party. Professional experience: Board member, Women Lawyers Section; Birmingham Municipal Court judge, 2008-present; special circuit Judge, 2004-2006; senior trial referee, 2003-2006. Civic experience: Member, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Birmingham […]
Everett W. Wess (D)
Everett Wess Date of birth: July 19, 1961; age 54 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Member, Jefferson County Democratic Executive Committee; ran for Circuit Judge, Place 3, 2014; member, Jefferson County Citizens Coalition; member, Jefferson County Democratic Conference; member, Jefferson County Progressive Democratic Council; vice president, Jefferson County chapter of the New South Coalition. Professional experience: […]
Terry Dunn (R)
Terry Dunn Date of birth: July 3, 1959; age 56 Residence: Talladega Political experience: Public Service Commission, 2010-2014; executive member, state Republican Party, 2004-present; presidential delegate, Republican Party, 2004, 2008 and 2012; Co-chairman, Etowah County Building Authority, 1992-1994. Professional experience: General contractor, 1991-present. Civic experience: Board co-chairman, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind board of […]
Samuel K. Staggs (R)
Samuel Staggs Date of Birth: Dec. 21, 1952; age 63 Residence: Hueytown Political Experience: None Professional Experience: Principal, McAdory High School, 2001-2013; principal, North Highland Elementary School, 1997-2001; principal, Brookville Elementary School, 1995-1997; assistant principal, Mortimer Jordan High School, 1992-1995; community school supervisor, McAdory School, 1978; community school supervisor, Hueytown High School, 1975; English instructor, […]
Tom Parker (R)
Name: Tom Parker Date of birth: Aug. 19, 1951; age 64 Residence: Montgomery Political experience: Associate justice, Alabama Supreme Court, 2004-present; founding executive director of the Alabama Family Alliance (now the Alabama Policy Institute); founding executive director of the Alabama Family Advocates, associated with Focus on the Family and Dr. James Dobson; lobbied for pro-family […]
Carnella Greene-Norman (D)
Name: Carnella Greene-Norman Date of birth: October 1950; age 65 Residence: Birmingham Political experience: Special circuit judge, 2013-present; District Court judge, 2012-present; ran for District Court judge Place 3, 2012; ran for Circuit Court judge Place 23, 2010. Professional experience: President, Municipal Judges Association; District Court judge, 2012-present; private practice, The Norman Law Firm, 2002-2012; […]
John Tindle (R)
John Tindle Date of birth: March 17, 1962; age 53 Residence: Hueytown Political experience: Ran for District Attorney’s Office, Bessemer Division, 2001. Professional experience: Private law practice, 1990-present; active U.S. Army Reserve 170th Jag Unit, 1988-1991; bailiff with Circuit Criminal Court in Birmingham, 1985-1989; U.S. Military Intelligence, 1980-1984. Civic experience: Member, American Legion; member, board […]
Linda Hall (D)
Name: Linda Hall Date of birth: May, 1959; 57 Residence: Birmingham Political Experience: None Professional Experience: Private practice, 1998-present, legal counselor for Committee to Protect the Homes; volunteer, Birmingham Bar Association Civil and Domestic Relations. Civic Experience: Member, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church; mentor clerestory, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church; board member, Epilepsy Foundation; volunteer, Birmingham Museum […]
Russ Parker (D)
Name: Russ Parker Date of birth: April 1980; age 35 Residence: Hoover Political experience: Democratic candidate for state Senate, 2006. Professional experience: Private practice, focusing on employment discrimination; taught literature and composition at UAB; registered on the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster and the Alabama Arbitrator Roster; listed on the Panel of Neutrals for the […]
Bob Shores (D)
Jefferson County District Court Place 5 Bob Shores Residence: Homewood Professional experience: Private practice, Shores P.C. law firm Education: Birmingham School of Law Qualifications: Shores declined to participate in Voter Guide survey.
Jeff Newman (R)
Name: Jeff Newman Date of Birth: July 8, 1956; age 59 Residence: Millport Political experience: Member, Alabama State Board of Education, 2012-present, currently serving as vice-president of the board; Lamar County superintendent of education, 2008-2012. Professional experience: Lamar County Superintendent of Education, 2008- 2012; career/tech director, federal programs coordinator and principal, Lamar County School System, […]
Justin Barkley (R)
Name: Justin Barkley Date of Birth: Feb. 23, 1980; age 36 Residence: Homewood Political experience: Ran for Alabama House of Representatives District 46, 2014; chairman, Greater Birmingham Young Republicans Associate Board; member, Alabama Policy Institute Executive Committee. Professional experience: Chief administrative officer & general counsel, QCHC Inc., 2014-present; attorney, Spain & Gillon LLC, 2014; attorney, […]
Stephanie Bell (R)
Name: Stephanie Bell Date of birth: June 7, 1957; age 58 Residence: Montgomery Political Experience: Alabama State Board of Education, District 3: 1995-present. Professional Experience: Has served on the Education Commission of the States, National Association of State Boards of Education and Alabama’s Teacher Preparation Advisory Council; charter member of the Education Leaders Council. Civic […]
Richard C. Shelby (R)
U.S. Senate Richard C. Shelby Date of birth: May 6, 1934; age 81 Residence: Tuscaloosa Political experience: U.S. Senator, 1987-present; U.S representative, 1979-1987; state senator, 1970-1978. Professional experience: Attorney, 1963-1978; special assistant attorney general, state of Alabama, 1969-1971; prosecutor, city of Tuscaloosa, 1963-1971; U.S. magistrate, Northern District of Alabama, 1966-1970. Civic experience: Has served in […]
Zika: UAB Epidemiologists Recommend Pregnant Alabamians Not Travel to South American
UAB epidemiologists are telling Alabamians there is low risk of a Zika outbreak developing in the state. The virus, which has flu-like symptoms, is currently spreading through parts of South and Central America. It’s also been associated with a rise in a rare birth defect. Dr. David Freeman of UAB is one of 12 members of the World Health Organization’s Emergency Committee on Zika. He says that Alabama will likely see more travel-related cases, but not home-grown.
This Week in Montgomery: Minimum Wage, Lottery and Common Core Repeal
From the lottery to minimum wage to Common Core, it was a busy past few days for the Alabama Legislature. Here to catch us up on all this week’s action from Montgomery is Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. To start, Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about a bill aimed at blocking Alabama cities from raising their minimum wage.
Alabama in Need of Road Repairs to Spur Economic Development
A report out this week from a Washington think tank outlines the top transportation maintenance projects it says are needed to improve economic growth in Alabama.
Newgrass Mandolin Master Sam Bush Returns to Birmingham
Sam Bush, considered by many to be the father of newgrass, the more progressive form of bluegrass music, brings his band to the Lyric Theatre Saturday night, February 13. Like the founding father of bluegrass, Bill Monroe, Bush grew up on a farm in Kentucky surrounded by a family of musicians. Both fell in love with the mandolin and with traditional music. There the comparison ends. Monroe grew up in the 1920s, while Sam Bush came of age in the era of television that brought the stars of country music right into his home.
Birmingham-Area Schools Account for One-Third of State’s “Failing” List
“These assessments are not the only indicator of success for a school. If you look at schools, I’m sure you’ll see what some are doing to make it better,” Malissa Valdes-Hubert, Alabama State Department of Education spokesperson.
Community Leaders Meet to Discuss Plans for Green Space Under I-20/59
Last week, representatives from REV Birmingham and consultants Barge Waggoner and Cannon met with community leaders to discuss possibilities for the 6,600 foot stretch of land under I-20/59. The consultants presented a plan for creating usable public green space under the interstate. For more on this, we talk to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson says people at the public meeting were divided on what to use the space for, some calling for public space, and others calling for more parking.
Keeping up with South Carolina and a Political “What if”
Whether it's grades in school or keeping up with the Joneses, it's hard not to compare yourself to others. States aren't immune from that tendency either. For years, Alabama found itself ahead of South Carolina on measures such as jobs and population. That's no longer the case. We talk about what to take away from that comparison with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He also talks about a political "what if" that happened 50 years ago this week.
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Tells Students to “Use That Vote as a Weapon”
The Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., visited Birmingham this morning to talk to local community leaders and students about empowerment and the importance of being civic minded. Jackson was keynote speaker at Wenonah High School’s 13th Annual Unity Breakfast. He urged the crowd to follow the political process and register to vote.
100 Year-Old Mural in Bessemer Gets a Makeover
When the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was restored in the 1980s and 90s, people were awe struck by the transformation. Vibrant colors and details that had been hidden for centuries could be seen once again. At the Bright Star in Bessemer, which bills itself as the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Alabama, the staff is experiencing similar feelings as the eatery’s more than 100 year-old mural slowly gets a makeover.
Alabama IRS Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing Taxpayers Identities
An Alabama woman has pleaded guilty to identity theft and fraud in a tax scheme.
Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Visits UAB for Black History Month
UAB Hosted a discussion with one of the founders of the social justice movement Black Lives Matter Monday evening. While the event was scheduled around Black History Month, the conversation was focused in the present.
Federal Officials OK Change to Alabama Medicaid Program
Federal officials have approved Alabama's plan to switch its Medicaid program to managed care. Governor Robert Bentley made the announcement in a Tuesday press conference. The waiver approval comes after three years of planning and negotiation with federal officials over the proposed change.
Report: Mountain Brook, Ramsay Highs Send 92, 93 Percent of Students to Higher Ed
Mountain Brook High School and Birmingham’s Ramsay High School send the largest percentages of graduates on to higher education in the Birmingham-metro area, according to data presented recently by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama.
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM Launches Magic City Sounds
Starting today, Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM will air Magic City Sounds, a new project featuring the voices and sounds that make up the Magic City in brief audio segments. WBHM will air these daily fragments of life, engaging moments, and personal reflections on air throughout regular programming and on-line at MagicCitySounds.org. The station hopes […]
Wintry Weather Delays Schools
Due to the potential of snow and icy conditions across northern portions of Alabama, a number of school districts have delayed starts on Tuesday, February 9
Bill Would Stop Removal of Confederate, Historic Markers
As some cities make the decision to shed Confederate monuments, some Alabama lawmakers want to prohibit those removals unless legislators say it is OK. The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday will hold a public hearing on the bill titled the "Alabama Heritage Protection Act."
Andrew Glaze, Alabama’s 95-Year-Old Poet Laureate, Has Died
According to his family, poet and playwright Andrew Glaze died Sunday February 7, 2016. Glaze has been called "an essential poet for more than sixty years." The novelist, playwright and poet was currently serving as Poet Laureate of Alabama.
