WBHM Politics: A Look Back at 2017
What a year! It seemed Alabama politics was on overdrive on 2017. We got a new governor after the previous one was forced to resign in the fallout of an alleged affair. Birmingham voters picked a new mayor, representing a generational change in the Magic City. And of course Alabama voters narrowly selected a Democrat to represent them in the U.S. Senate, the first time that’s happened in 25 years.
It’s a lot to talk about as we look back on 2017. Offering their perspectives are WBHM’s local government reporter Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, Birmingham Times executive editor Barnett Wright and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Listen here or subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Soundcloud, or NPR One.
Can bringing back manufacturing help the heartland catch up with ‘superstar’ cities?
In recent decades, America has seen economic opportunities concentrated in superstar cities. Manufacturing boosters hope reshoring factories could help change that. We look at the theory and evidence.
New books this week cover problematic parents, the ultrarich, and a year without sex
Publishing this week: new fiction from Susan Choi, essays from Evan Osnos and memoir from Molly Jong-Fast. Plus, Melissa Febos reflects on her year of abstinence.
Researchers say the true cost of prisons and jails is higher than many realize
A new report tries to capture the true cost of incarceration to families of people behind bars. It found it costs them around $350 billion every year – almost four times the government's estimate for the cost of incarceration.
Jacinda Ardern reflects on a career focused on the power of kindness
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks to former Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern about balancing leadership and motherhood.
The fate of the EV tax credits depends on the GOP’s megabill
The House version of the tax bill would revoke credits for EVs starting at the end of this year. If the plan survives, it would dramatically shape automaker investments and EV sales.
Britain gets a defense boost aimed at sending a message to Russia, and to Trump
Like other NATO members, the U.K. has been reassessing its defense spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
