Janae Pierre
Host/Reporter
Janae Pierre is an award winning journalist from New Orleans, La. She is the station’s general assignment reporter and local host of NPR’s All Things Considered.
Pierre has worked and volunteered with several different media organizations, notably NPR affiliate WWNO, the New Orleans Tribune and WBOK. In her spare time, Pierre enjoys listening to old vinyl records (she loves that scratchy sound). Some of her favorite artists include Al Green, Gil Scott Heron and Dinah Washington.
Pierre earned an Edward Murrow award for "Hard News" in 2020. In 2019, she was recognized as “Best Large Market Radio Reporter” by the Alabama Broadcasters Association. Pierre was also listed on Radio Ink's 2017 “Future African American Leaders in Radio."
State Health Officer warns Alabama is ‘not in a good place’ fighting the Omicron variant
During a media call Tuesday, State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said Alabama is seeing the highest new daily case numbers of the pandemic.
NBA G League’s Birmingham Squadron hosts home opener at Legacy Arena
The Birmingham Squadron will face the Mexico City Capitanes Sunday at the newly renovated Legacy Arena.
After a blowout pilot season, high school girls flag football could be an official sport in Alabama
Two teams will take the field in downtown Birmingham Wednesday for the girls flag football high school state championship.
Culinary professionals eat up discussion on food and civil rights
The relationship between food and civil rights goes much deeper than sit-ins at lunch counters or bake sales that funded boycotts. A discussion about the intersection between the two was the main dish at a conference in Birmingham last month.
Gov. Ivey signs vaccine exemption bills, new legislative maps into law
The governor's actions cap a weeklong special session that ended late Thursday night.
Community leaders call for ‘fair maps’ ahead of special session on reapportionment
State legislators will meet Thursday for their second special session of the year. This time they'll vote on new legislative maps following the 2020 census.
UAB to build new Cooper Green clinic, replacing old hospital by 2025
Officials with Jefferson County and UAB Health System announced the new clinic will cost between $55 and $65 million and will replace the old Cooper Green Mercy Hospital on 6th Avenue South in Birmingham.
After an 18-month pause for the pandemic, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra returns to live concerts
The COVID-19 pandemic halted performances last year, but now, live concerts are back.
Beer And Wine Delivered To Your Door? It Will Happen Soon In Alabama
Alabama's alcohol home delivery law goes into effect Friday, thanks to a new law passed this year.
Alabama Will Follow CDC Guidelines For COVID-19 Booster Shots
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has authorized a third shot of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for certain groups.
20 Years After 9/11, Leader With The Birmingham Islamic Society Says Progress Is ‘Miniscule’
Many will reflect on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks this weekend. But for members of the Muslim community, that event brings on a complicated set of emotions.
Alabama Names Ashley M. Jones As Its New Poet Laureate
Jones, a Birmingham native, is Alabama's first Black poet laureate and the youngest person to hold the position.
White House Vaccinations Coordinator Has Message For Alabama: ‘Get Vaccinated’
Dr. Bechara Choucair visited Alabama last week. During the few days Choucair was in the state, Alabama surpassed 650,000 COVID cases for the pandemic and more kids contracted the virus than ever before.
Donald Trump’s ‘Save America’ Rally Packs Farm Near Cullman
The former president of the United States fired up supporters Saturday night, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the troop withdrawal in Afghanistan and more.
Remembering A Murdered Birmingham Priest For His Faith And Courage
This week marks 100 years since Father James Coyle was murdered in broad daylight in downtown Birmingham hours after he secretly married an interracial couple. He's remembered for his faith and courage during a time of religious intolerance, racism and xenophobia.
Hispanic Interest Coalition Of Alabama Founder Looks Back At Two Decades Of Leadership
Isabel Rubio founded HICA more than 20 years ago in an effort to assist Latinos who migrate to the state. She'll step down as CEO at the end of the year.
ACLU Of Alabama’s Director Looks To The ‘Next Iteration Of The Civil Rights Movement’
JaTaune Bosby, the first Black woman to lead the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, took the job during a tumultuous time in the country with the pandemic and last year’s summer of racial reckoning.
Birmingham Museum Of Art To Return Artwork To Native American Tribes
The Birmingham Museum of Art will return objects from its collection to the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The move falls under a 1990 law providing a pathway for federally recognized tribes to request certain cultural items.
Birmingham Residents Offer Solutions To Gun Violence But Some Victims Feel Hopeless
Birmingham residents are concerned about the city's gun violence. Local activists say reducing shootings has to be a community effort, with local government support. But some victims say there’s not much authorities can do.
Shipt Founder, Bill Smith, Brings His Latest Startup To Birmingham
Landing, an apartment rental company, will relocate it headquarters to Birmingham, creating more than 800 new jobs.
Gov. Kay Ivey Launches Reelection Campaign for 2022 Gubernatorial Race
In a campaign video, Ivey, 76, noted the state's economic growth, low unemployment and critical improvements in education and to the state’s infrastructure.
Birmingham Activists Remember George Floyd One Year After His Death
Those who gathered at a vigil Tuesday evening remembered Floyd and other Black people who died at the hands of police. They also called for police reform.
‘When Buses Were A-Comin’: Remembering The Freedom Riders 60 Years On
A group of young civil rights activists began their journey to the South to challenge segregation on interstate buses in May 1961. The riders were taunted and beaten by white mobs – and jailed. Participants of the movement share what their fight means now.
Survivors Continue To Cope 10 Years After Historic Tornado Outbreak
The powerful tornadoes that hit Alabama 10 years ago killed hundreds and left behind significant destruction. With trauma, time doesn’t always heal. Some of the survivors continue to show the scars.
Gov. Kay Ivey Announces ‘Safer Apart’ Order As Mask Mandate Ends
Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday issued a proclamation transitioning the state from an amended Safer at Home Order to a new Safer Apart Order.
Calls Continue Urging President Biden To Honor ‘Drum Major for Justice,’ Fred Gray Sr.
Fred Gray Sr. led landmark cases representing Black activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. Now, many believe it’s time to award Gray with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Lawmakers Continue Debating Controversial Anti-Riot Bill
The sponsor of the bill says it would protect first responders from being attacked at tumultuous protests. But the measure has been a sore spot for state Democrats and others who fear the bill’s language is too vague, and that it'll only serve to criminalize peaceful protests.
Remembering Homewood Resident And Civil Rights Activist Eileen Walbert
Eileen Walbert died last month at the age of 100. She was heavily involved in school desegregation and led a group of white people during a voting rights march in Selma the day before Bloody Sunday.
U.S. Para Cyclists Train For Season Start Amid Pandemic
U.S. Paralympics Cycling will return this Spring in Huntsville, after a year of being benched by the pandemic. Most athletes are looking forward to the start of the domestic season.
Remembering Sheila Washington, Who Brought Honor To The Scottsboro Boys
Alabama native, Sheila Washington has died. For several decades she overcame a series of obstacles to tell the story of the Scottsboro Boys -- nine young African-American males falsely accused of rape by two white women in 1931.
Bill Would Mandate Feedback On Jefferson County Public Health Rules
Lawmakers have proposed legislation that would require more oversight of the local health officer in Alabama's most populous county. Area physicians strongly oppose the measure.
Devastated Fultondale Residents Hope To Bounce Back
Clean up continues after a strong tornado devastated parts of Fultondale Monday night. Residents are, once again, coming together to pick up the pieces.
