Darrell McCalla
Director of Technology & Engineering
Darrell McCalla has worked in various aspects of radio and broadcasting since his teenage years. Always fascinated with all things radio, he acquired an FCC Novice Class license at the ripe old age of 6 and has never looked back! From announcing on his local AM station as a teenager to acquiring a bachelor’s in mass communications at the University of Montevallo to the present day, Darrell has worked in radio, TV and radio frequency (RF) engineering in Alabama, Texas and the Caribbean. He holds his FCC General Radiotelephone Operators License, is certified by the Society of Broadcast Engineers in five different broadcast engineering specialties, has an Amateur Extra Class license(KV4DM) and is an ARRL VEC Volunteer Examiner.
Darrell and his wife Joan have a son and a rambunctious set of twins who keep it interesting around the house at all times. They enjoy, boating, traveling and attending various aviation-related events such as Hot Air Balloon rallies where Darrell flies balloons or airplanes.
Election 2008: National Conventions
Republicans are leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention. That leaves 60 days for John McCain's and Barack Obama's camps to battle it out on the campaign trail. One Republican delegate who is eager for that fight is Alabama State Senator Hank Erwin. He says he's upbeat, excited and energized about McCain as he returns to Alabama.
Banking Woes
It's been a sour housing market of late with rising mortgage defaults and consumer debt. And big banks have been feeling the hurt too. Birmingham's Regions Financial reported second quarter profits are down by more than 50% and cut their dividends by an even higher percentage. Charlotte, N.C.-based Wachovia had losses approaching $9 billion and is cutting more than 6,300 jobs nationwide, including some jobs in Alabama.
HIV/AIDS in the South
A new report from the Southern AIDS Coalition says HIV has taken hold in the Deep South, plaguing some of the poorest people in the country and creating a health disaster.
Realty Check
Playing the numbers game is common when buying or selling a home - but there's one number that can't be avoided when looking at the real estate market.
Chief Roper: The Interview
He's been on the job for eight months, has initiated a zero-tolerance arrest effort to chip away at a culture of lawlessness on the streets, and says his faith tells him to fight the evildoers. The mountain is a steep one, but Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper tells WBHM's Steve Chiotakis the department is marking inroads.
Birmingham City Budget
The Birmingham City Council is expected to look at - and possibly vote on - the city's operating budget that Mayor Larry Langford proposed weeks ago. The council wants to approve the budget by July 1st, when the new fiscal year begins.
