Gigi Douban
News Director
Gigi Douban has reported for public radio since 2006. She’s filed stories for WBHM, NPR, Studio 360, and Public Radio International’s The World. Most recently, Gigi reported for Marketplace, bringing the country stories about toxic landfills, debtors prisons, and lighter fare, like why urinals are ubiquitous in public bathrooms, but not in homes. She's also written for Bloomberg News and Runner’s World, and on occasion, actually runs.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Updated Sex Ed Language, DA’s Fight Medical Marijuana Bill
Alabama lawmakers have been more receptive to bills that ease restrictions on alcohol this year. Senators approved a wine delivery bill this week without much debate.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Racial Profiling, Voting, Vaccine Passport Bills Considered
A bill to ban racial profiling has failed to win support for almost a decade, but it was one of many measures debated this week in the Alabama Legislature.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Senate Moves To Nullify Federal Gun Control, Passes Gambling Bill
Alabama is one of several conservative states where lawmakers are considering a measure making it a crime to enforce federal gun regulations.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Medical Marijuana, Yoga Bills Gain Traction
The push to legalize medical marijuana is gaining momentum in the Alabama Legislature. The bill would allow people with certain conditions to buy medical marijuana with a doctor’s approval. We have more in our weekly legislative wrap-up.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Bills on Habitual Offenders, Trans Athletes, Public Records Advance
Alabama's prisons are severely overcrowded. Some state lawmakers say repealing a law that stiffens punishment for repeat offenders would help alleviate that.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Transgender Sports, Abortion, Riot Bills Advance
Alabama is one of several states considering bills restricting transgender minors. The sports bill is the second one related to transgender youth introduced this session.
Alabama Tornado Outbreak Rips Off Roofs, Snaps Trees As State Braces For More
Storms are expected to last through the night and into Thursday morning.
Severe Storms Barrel Through Alabama
Impacts of the storm system could be severe.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Gambling Fails, Medical Marijuana, Anti-Riot Bills Face Hurdles
A bill that would have added a lottery and casinos was defeated in the Senate. In the aftermath, some lawmakers said a lottery-only bill would have stood a better chance.
Birmingham VA Offers Vaccines To Eligible Veterans of All Ages
The agency announced the change on Wednesday.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Lighter Marijuana Penalties, Transgender Youth Therapies, Confederate Monuments
The week's highlights: A bill to ban therapies for transgender minors passed in the Alabama Senate. Lawmakers rejected a measure that would have given cities and towns more flexibility to move unwanted Confederate monuments elsewhere.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Gambling, Medical Marijuana, No-Excuse Absentee Voting
One of the measures that passed with very little debate in the Alabama Senate this week would authorize the use of medical marijuana. But the measure could face bigger challenges in the House.
Alabama Senate Committee Passes Gambling Bill Before Break
Sweeping gambling legislation cleared a hurdle in the Alabama Legislature this week.
Sentencing Reform, COVID Business Relief Take Priority As Lawmakers Return
A number of bills that stalled in last year's abbreviated session returned.
WBHM 2020 Newscast
Here’s the entry for best regularly scheduled newscast by reporter and host Andrew Yeager.
WBHM COVID Testing Site Instructions
Here’s audio of the step-by-step instructions people hear in their cars as they move through UAB’s community COVID-19 drive-thru testing site. The site serves an estimated 350 patients a day.
Alabama Republicans Condemn Pro-Trump Mob As Many Vow To Continue The Fight
Alabama lawmakers in Congress ranged in their reactions to Wednesday's Capitol breach by a mob of Trump supporters.
Jeffco Health Department To Roll Out Moderna Vaccine
The health department will soon begin its vaccine rollout as UAB drafts a timeline for making the vaccine available to more employees.
Alabama Labor Department Discontinues In-Person Unemployment Assistance
Labor officials cite safety concerns as the primary reason for moving to a phone-based system.
DOJ Sues Alabama Over Violence In Prisons
The lawsuit is an attempt by federal officials to force the state to remedy a prison system long riddled with violence.
Uncertainty Looms Over Validity Of Some Jefferson County Absentee Ballots
County voters who used a waiver to bypass the state's witness or notary requirements are unsure whether their absentee ballots will be counted.
Woodfin Says Sale Of Parking Decks Would Lessen COVID-19’s Economic Damage
The city could sell six parking decks, the proceeds from which could help offset a significant budget shortfall sparked by the pandemic.
Gov. Ivey Extends COVID-19 Mask Order
Alabama's mask mandate will remain in place through Nov. 8.
Everything You Need To Know To Vote Absentee In Alabama
Want to cast your ballot by mail in Alabama? Here's a guide.
SEC Announces Delayed Start Of 2020 Football Season
The SEC is delaying the start of its football season and taking extra precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Report: Complicated Alabama Voting Rules Restrict Access To The Polls
A new report details barriers and inconsistencies around voting that significantly limit access to the ballot box for Alabama's poor, rural, and minority voters.
Low ICU Capacity Could Affect Non-Coronavirus Patients The Most
As coronavirus hospitalizations increase, more hospitals are feeling squeezed. The president of the Alabama Hospital Association says the state is far from getting the pandemic under control. Limited hospital capacity will most affect patients seeking care for health issues other than coronavirus.
As Coronavirus Cases Spike, Numbers Bear ‘Very Close Watching’
Alabama hit record highs this past week in the number of new coronavirus cases. Health officials are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Protests Spread to Birmingham’s Majority-White Suburbs
A protest in Homewood remained peaceful. It was one of several planned in Birmingham's mostly-white suburbs.
Crews Remove 115-Year-Old Birmingham Confederate Monument
Workers removed most of a Confederate monument that became the center of Birmingham protests over the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
Alabama’s Absentee Ballot Rules Draw Increased Scrutiny Amid Pandemic
Criticisms of Alabama’s absentee ballot requirements are intensifying. Legal challenges to the law call for greater accessibility, especially to the state's most vulnerable populations -- black residents, the elderly and those with disabilities.
Despite Relaxed COVID-19 Restrictions, Many Plan To Stay At Home
Gov. Kay Ivey will ease coronavirus restrictions starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. Under the new rules, businesses and all retailers can reopen. So will beaches and doctors offices. Nevertheless, many people plan to stay put.
