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.
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.
Coronavirus Peaks In Alabama On April 20. Here’s What To Expect
COVID-19 is expected to peak Monday. Here’s how UAB has been preparing for this and the months that follow.
Birmingham To Launch Ride Service For COVID-19 Patients
A new service to transport low-income COVID-19 patients to health care facilities is expected to launch in Birmingham this week.
Schools Faced Social Distancing Hurdles In Meal Prep And Distribution
Since schools have been out statewide, some districts have struggled to continue to provide meals. After a bumpy start, Birmingham and Jefferson County schools have opted to outsource their meal programs.
Coronavirus Scams Peddling Fake Cures And Work-At-Home Schemes On The Rise
The continued spread of the coronavirus is making people increasingly anxious. That climate of fear opens up an opportunity for online scammers.
Lt. Gov. Ainsworth: ‘We’ve Got To Get This Under Control’
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth wants Alabamians to take the coronavirus pandemic seriously. Other state leaders don’t seem to share the same urgency.
COVID-19 Repercussions Will Strain Next Fiscal Year’s State Budget
The state budget is sure to take a hit next year. Lawmakers say it’s too early to tell how big it will be.
Fearing Coronavirus Spread, Many Area Schools Close Immediately
As concerns about the spread of coronavirus grow, more schools opt to close immediately.
Gov. Kay Ivey Declares State Of Emergency Due To Coronavirus
Alabama schools will close and a second coronavirus case is confirmed — this one in Jefferson County.
The Big Q: Coronavirus In Alabama. What Do I Need To Know?
Experts answer your questions about coronavirus in Alabama.
Universities Prepare For COVID-19 Ahead Of Spring Break
Samford and UAB are taking precautions in the event coronavirus spreads. There are currently no confirmed cases of the disease in Alabama.
State Health Department Offers COVID-19 Testing
Alabama’s state health agency now has the capability to test for COVID-19. They’ll no longer have to send samples to the CDC for testing.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Lawmakers Consider Legalizing Yoga, Banning Gender Therapies
State lawmakers this week considered bills around yoga, guns, and gender therapy for minors.
Alabama Ban On Gender Therapies Moves Forward
Doctors would not be allowed to administer gender therapies to youth, according to a bill moving forward in the Alabama Legislature. Opponents say the bill is fear mongering.
Medical Marijuana, Transgender Athlete Bills Pass Committee
A bill to allow medical marijuana in Alabama picked up steam in the Alabama Legislature this week as a Senate committee overwhelmingly approved it. Another committee backed a bill requiring transgender students to play sports under their “gender assignment at birth” as opposed to how they identify.
As Sessions Falls out of Favor, More Voters Look to Byrne, Tuberville
Alabama voters heard from two of the three leading GOP candidates for U.S. Senate over the weekend. Three weeks away from the March 3 Alabama primary, a clear favorite in that race hasn’t yet emerged.
‘Star-Spangled Banner’, Car-Smoking Bills Pass Committee in First Week of Legislative Session
Here’s a wrap-up of the first week of the 2020 legislative session with Alabama Public Television’s Don Dailey.
Delayed School Start Times Thursday Feb. 6, 2020
Flooding and early morning tornado risks Thursday have led several school systems to delay start times.
Ivey Proposes Education Investments, Cautious on Lottery in State of the State Address
Pay raises, new prisons, and a shift from and elected state school board to an appointed one were among the highlights of Gov. Kay Ivey’s State of the State address.
Regularly Scheduled Newscast – Andrew Yeager
Here’s the audio entry for ‘Regularly Scheduled Newscast’ by WBHM’s Andrew Yeager.
Regularly Scheduled Newscast – Miranda Fulmore
Here’s the audio entry for ‘Regularly Scheduled Newscast’ by WBHM’s Miranda Fulmore.
News Reporter Entry – Janae Pierre
Here’s an audio montage for the News Reporter award entry for Janae Pierre. A narrative is attached separately.
News Reporter Entry – Mary Scott Hodgin
Here’s an audio montage for the News Reporter award entry for Mary Scott Hodgin. A narrative is attached separately.
Birmingham Remembers Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney
Three-year-old Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney was buried Sunday. The girl was kidnapped and killed more than 10 days ago.
Police Believe They’ve Found Body of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney
Police say they’ve found the remains of Kamille “Cupcake” McKinney in a Birmingham dumpster.
