The Year Ahead in Birmingham Politics

| January 5, 2017 

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There was plenty of political conflict last year between Birmingham Mayor William Bell and the City Council, plus fights surrounding the Birmingham Water Works Board. This year looks to offer up more of the same with a mayoral election coming up in August. We talk about what to expect in 2017 with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He also remembers Alabama Governor Albert Brewer, who died this week at age 88.

 

Residents survey the aftermath of deadly weekend storms across the southern U.S.

Officials are still assessing the scale of property damage in several states after an outbreak of twisters and dust storms hit the region over the weekend that left dozens dead.

The March Madness men’s bracket is out, and the SEC dominates with a record 14 teams

In an all-time record, 14 of the tournament's 68 teams all come from one conference — the SEC. The women's bracket will be unveiled at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Games tip off this coming week.

Pope Francis seen praying in first photo since his hospitalization a month ago

In the image published online by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff was seated in a wheelchair and praying in the private chapel of Rome's Gemelli Hospital.

3 dead in Alabama after tornadoes pummel the South

The deaths came in Dallas and Talladega counties.

Hundreds of alleged gang members deported from U.S. despite court order

It was not immediately clear if the deportations happened before or after a federal judge in D.C. on Saturday issued an emergency order that told the administration to stop using wartime powers to deport anyone, and turn around any planes already in the air.

The missing children of Syria: Hidden in orphanages under Assad, where are they now?

Assad's forces detained mothers and children and sent many of the youth to orphanages. Syrians whose children vanished during the war are now seeking information on their fate. NPR investigates.

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