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.
Drawing a More Diverse Crowd to the Outdoors
There’s a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts who say nature isn’t just for white people. They want recreation groups to do more to attract people of color. The Birmingham Audubon Society organized a trip where black birders led a group to Hale County.
Can Gov. Ivey Keep Doing Her Job During Cancer Treatments?
Gov. Kay Ivey says her radiation treatments for lung cancer will not interfere with her job as governor. We talk with an oncologist about the likelihood she could continue with business as usual.
Birmingham-Area Republicans Gather for Trump Reelection Watch Party
Area Republicans gathered Tuesday night to watch President Trump’s televised rally in Florida launching his reelection campaign. Many there say they’ve already made up their minds no matter who else joins the race. They’ll support Trump.
Here’s What You Missed in the 2019 Legislative Session
It was one of the busiest and most contentious legislative sessions in years. The near-total abortion ban passed by Alabama lawmakers overshadowed many other bills. What else happened?
Reading Proficiency, Equal Pay Among Bills Passed in Alabama Legislature
Lawmakers approved a slew of bills this week, which is expected to be the last one of the 2019 session. Measures on equal pay and holding back third-graders who don’t read proficiently were among those passed in the push toward the session’s end.
Lawmakers Pass a Restrictive Abortion Ban as Time Runs Out in the Session
Alabama lawmakers this week passed what’s considered one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. We look at the fallout and where this leaves one other major legislative priority here in the state — prisons.
John Paul White Makes His Peace With Being an Artist
It took years for singer-songwriter John Paul White to come to terms with the ego the music world demands. His latest album “The Hurting Kind” is a testament to how he’s finally made his peace.
Alabama Farmers Uncertain About Tomato Tariffs Effect
The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs on Mexican tomato imports could take effect as early as this week. Some say it’ll help Alabama tomato growers. Others say the plan could backfire.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Lawmakers Advance Abortion Ban, Education Budget
House members passed one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation this week. And the Alabama Senate passed a hefty education spending plan.
Alabama Senate Approves Lottery Bill
Alabama Senators voted 21-12 to approve a lottery bill. The measure would limit a lottery to paper tickets. It now goes to the House of Representatives.
State Lawmakers Consider Eliminating Marriage Licenses
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling allowing same-sex marriage was a hard pill to swallow for some Alabama probate judges. Some still refuse to issue marriage licenses in their counties. But a proposed bill could force them to comply with federal law.
Alabama Legislature Considers an Abortion Ban and Prison Reforms
This week Alabama lawmakers considered a bill that would make abortions a felony unless the mother’s health is at risk. And it wrestled with a solution to the state’s prisons crisis.
Lawmakers Consider a Lottery, Medical Marijuana, and Common Core Repeal
Medical marijuana, a repeal of the Common Core, and a lottery bill were all on the legislative agenda this past week. We take a look at these and other measures lawmakers considered.
Alabama House Approves Gas Tax Increase
The Alabama House of Representatives on Friday approved legislation to increase the state gas tax by 10 cents per gallon. The tax increase would be phased in over three years
Alabama House Set to Consider Gas Tax Increase
It’s hard to know how much consensus there will be among Alabama House members on a proposed gas tax increase. The House is set to consider the bill Friday.
Gov. Ivey Calls Special Session Around Gas Tax Proposal
A gas tax increase, more money for prisons, and a pre-kindergarten expansion were among the legislative priorities Gov. Kay Ivey highlighted in her State of the State address on Tuesday.
Crews Ramp up the Search for Lee County Tornado Victims
Crews in Lee County Monday kicked the search and recovery efforts into high gear, as officials expect the injury and death toll to rise.
WBHM Digital – 2018 – Regional Murrows
Protesters talk about how they still don’t have answers for the police shooting of #EmanticBradfordJr Protesters talk about how they still don’t have answers for the police shooting of #EmanticBradfordJr https://t.co/lt0QBvsDpI — WBHM 90.3 FM (@WBHM) November 27, 2018 Police line the sidewalk outside Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato’s house. Protestors are here for #EmanticBradfordJr Police […]
Merrill to Testify Before Congressional Committee
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill plans to testify Wednesday before a congressional committee looking into election security. Merrill is one of a handful of state and local election officials giving feedback on a bill meant to improve the nation’s voting laws. He has issues with some of the provisions in the proposed legislation.
Alabama Prison Officials “Deliberately Indifferent” to Mental Health Needs
A federal judge ruled the Alabama prison system has failed to monitor the mental health of prisoners isolated in segregation cells, a failure to which the Alabama Department of Corrections is “deliberately indifferent,” the order says.
What the DOJ Review Could Mean for Bradford Shooting Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice is reviewing the case of the Hoover police officer who shot and killed 21-year-old Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr. on Thanksgiving. To help us unpack this, we turned to former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Joyce White Vance.
AG Steve Marshall Explains Why He Cleared Hoover Officer in Fatal Shooting
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office spent more than two months investigating the shooting death of Emantic “EJ” Bradford Jr. at the hands of a Hoover police officer. Marshall released the findings of his investigation and explained to WBHM why he won’t prosecute the officer.
Andrew Yeager
Andrew Yeager’s newscast on a regular news day
Doug Jones Plans Summit to Explore HBCU Challenges
Alabama has more Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCU’s, than any state in the nation. Many of those schools struggle financially. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones has worked to boost federal funding of HBCU’s. On Friday he holds the first annual HBCU summit at Lawson State Community College.
Janae Pierre
Here are a few spots by reporter Janae Pierre. They’re part of our continuing coverage of the fatal police shooting of a 21-year-old at an Alabama mall.
Alabama Midterm Election Coverage
Our reporters delivered thorough, incisive coverage of the 2018 elections. Our audience heard candidates outline their priorities. We spoke with voters who were worried that since hundreds of thousands were purged from state voter rolls, perhaps their votes wouldn’t count. We reported on questions surrounding Secretary of State John Merrill’s partisanship and, more specifically, his ability to oversee an […]
Andrew Yeager – Top Newscasts – 2018
Our listeners often tell us how much they appreciate Andrew Yeager’s morning newscasts. As WBHM’s host of NPR’s Morning Edition, his reports are informative, dynamic, and rich with sound from the latest news, whether it’s a new development in an ongoing story or an election recap. He projects authority in his writing, which […]
After the Destruction, Wetumpka Begins to Recover
Wetumpka began what will likely be a long road to recovery on Sunday, one day after a powerful tornado ripped through the town causing extensive damage to a number of buildings and homes.
Birmingham Police Officer Killed, Another Wounded in Downtown Shooting
A Birmingham police officer was fatally shot downtown Sunday morning and another critically wounded. The slain officer has been identified as Sgt. Wytasha Carter, 44, of Birmingham.
