WBHM Politics: A New Mayor for Birmingham
Out with the old, in with the new. That’s the message Birmingham voters sent in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Next month, 36-year-old Randall Woodfin will replace Mayor William Bell, who has held the office since 2010. Besides the upset, two incumbent city council members lost their seats: Kim Rafferty and council president Johnathan Austin.
Bell’s big selling point was his experience. But is it a bad thing to have someone who hasn’t been around the block at City Hall too often? How big of a learning curve will Woodfin have? And how will Tuesday’s election affect the often fractured relationship between the mayor’s office and council? Host and producer Andrew Yeager takes us through a lively conversation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald and WBHM local government reporter Sherrel Wheeler Stewart.
Our theme music is “Find Your Way” by Birmingham guitarist Eric Essix.
Trump sets 50% tariff rate for Brazil, blasting treatment of former far-right president
President Trump defended former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of plotting an attempted coup following his loss in the 2022 election.
Former White House doctor declines to testify in GOP probe of Biden’s mental acuity
Kevin O'Connor cited doctor-patient confidentiality and his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in deciding not to answer questions from Republicans on the House Oversight Committee.
Celine Song had too much fun as a matchmaker
Filmmaker Celine Song isn't religious, but that doesn't stop her from seeing certain dead insects as signs in her life and treating a good meal like prayer.
Diocese of San Bernardino issues dispensation saying Catholics who fear ICE don’t have to attend Mass
The diocese is the first in the U.S. to issue a special dispensation because of fears over immigration detentions.
Supreme Court blocks part of Florida’s immigration law
Immigrant rights organizations sued the state arguing that its new law conflicts with federal immigration law, and under longstanding Supreme Court precedent, states must bow to federal law in the event of such conflicts.
Clinging to a tree, and praying: how a family survived the Texas flash floods
"I thought my mom was going to die in front of me," said Taylor Bergmann, a 19-year-old who fought to save the people in his family after the Guadalupe River smashed through their home.
