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."
Partly Numb, A UAB ICU Nurse Finds Ways To Carry On
Caring for record numbers of coronavirus patients in the hospital takes a heavy toll on health care workers like Kelsey Jacks.
Bored Kids Stuck At Home? One Teen Finds A Captive Audience For Coding
Hoover High School sophomore Shaams Nur launched Hoover Codes earlier this year. It's a virtual computer programming camp for kids ages 8-12.
One Black Artist’s Quest To Shake Up The Comics World
Lashawn Colvin recently opened her very own comic book store in Montgomery, becoming the first known Black woman in the South to do so.
As The Pandemic Drags On, UAB Pastoral Care Head Finds New Ways To Connect
Eight months after we first spoke, we checked back in with Malcolm Marler, senior director of pastoral care at UAB Medicine.
Gov. Ivey Extends Mask Order Into 2021
Governor Kay Ivey is extending Alabama’s Safer-at-Home order until January 22, 2021.
State Finance Chief: All Coronavirus Relief Money Will Be Spent
The state is working through a backlog of requests from local governments, nonprofits, and others for CARES Act funds.
Alabama Nears Deadline To Spend Coronavirus Relief Money
Alabama must spend its remaining coronavirus relief funds by Dec. 30. Advocacy groups are urging Gov. Kay Ivey to fund immediate needs across the state. But, getting the money out isn’t an easy task.
‘Life Raft’ Explores Climate Change In The Gulf Region
Life Raft is a new podcast answering questions about climate change and relieving some of the stress that comes along with all of it.
Efforts to Keep Jones In U.S. Senate Sets New Records
The effort to re-elect U.S. Senator Doug Jones fell short. However, organizers say Black women, who were credited with helping him win the seat in 2017, are preparing for the future.
UA Sophomore Starts First Black Student-Led Magazine
The University of Alabama launched its first Black student-led magazine this semester. Nineteen Fifty-Six focuses on issues minority students face on campus and in everyday life.
Alabama Democrats Celebrate Biden Victory
Alabama Democrats celebrated the news that Joe Biden was declared the winner in the 2020 presidential race.
Young Alabama Voters Look Forward To Election Day
More than 15 million people have turned 18 since the last presidential election, and new research shows they are interested and politically active. We checked in with three young Alabama women to hear what they’re thinking.
Voters Answer Call To Become First-Time Poll Workers
As uncertainty around the November 3rd election looms, election officials and dozens of non-partisan organizations are recruiting poll workers.
Birmingham City Schools Superintendent Has Lifelong Passion For Education
Longtime educator Mark Sullivan is the new leader of Birmingham City Schools. He's no stranger to the school system and many hope that will keep him around longer than his predecessors.
City Leaders Approve Budget Despite Concerns About Library System
Demonstrators gathered outside Birmingham's city hall Tuesday night, just hours before council members approved a budget that furloughs more than 150 library employees.
Vestavia Hills Board of Ed. Stands By Rebel Name
There's another effort to remove the Rebel name from Vestavia Hills High School but leaders say the name has a new meaning.
Activists Make Hoover Their Focal Point For Protests
Months after the police killing of George Floyd, activists in Alabama continue to protest. One group is focusing its efforts on the city of Hoover.
College Virtual Learning Rife With Technical Challenges
As the pandemic spreads on college campuses, many schools are increasingly relying on virtual instruction. That's expected to bring a host of technical troubles.
Childersburg Principal Busts A Move In Back-To-School Parody
Childersburg High School's principal has gone viral for his parody of MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This." Quentin Lee said the video was simply a fun way to welcome students back amid the pandemic.
Birmingham City Schools Will Begin The Year Online
BCS joins a growing list of school districts, including Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Huntsville, that will begin the school year with remote learning only.
UAB Researchers Create Culturally-Based Protocol For Palliative Care
Ronit Elk led the study for the new protocol, after noticing the lack of respect for cultural differences for the nation’s sickest minority patients.
Researcher Finds Emojis Still Lack Diversity
Its World Emoji Day, a day to celebrate those little characters that help us express ourselves online. Emojis have come a long way, but how inclusive are they?
Selma City Schools Will Begin The Year With Online Learning
Selma City Schools is the first district in the state to announce they’ll be completely virtual to start the academic year. Superintendent Avis Williams said the decision was based on coronavirus numbers plus concerns from teachers and parents.
Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Optimistic About Black Lives Matter Movement
The civil unrest in America today looks a lot like protests held in the 60s, when Black Americans fought for equal rights. Foot Soldiers of that time say it's the same fight but they're hopeful change will come.
Community Organizer: ‘Our Protests Are Not Peaceful’
Alabama Rally Against Injustice has held several demonstrations in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. One of the group's representatives says leading rallies week after week is emotionally draining, but necessary. The group plans to continue holding rallies until policing policies change.
Hundreds Gather In Birmingham To Celebrate Juneteenth
Cities across the state are celebrating Juneteenth, the end of slavery. In Birmingham, hundreds gathered at Kelly Ingram Park to commemorate the holiday.
Organizer: Efforts To Rename Edmund Pettus Bridge Must Be A Group Effort
A petition calling on Gov. Kay Ivey to rename Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge has more than 120,000 signatures. We spoke with the Democratic strategist who started the online campaign.
Privacy Concerns Decrease Amid Launch Of Tech Giants’ Contact Tracing App
Alabama is one of a few states getting ready to deploy a bluetooth-based contact tracing app created by tech giants Apple and Google.
George Floyd’s Killing Sparks Frustration Among Birmingham’s Black Lives Matter Group
The police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota has triggered many protesters in the Birmingham area who are still seeking justice for Emantic “E.J.” Bradford, a black man killed by Hoover police in 2018. We spoke with Eric Hall, a founding member of the Birmingham chapter of Black Lives Matter.
Historic Theatres Among Businesses Damaged During Violent Protest
Clean up is underway in downtown Birmingham after demonstrations turned violent and protestors damaged several businesses including the historic Alabama and Lyric theatres.
Birmingham Brewery Bounces Back After Coronavirus Slows Sales
We checked back in with a Birmingham brewery owner who wasn’t sure in mid-March whether his business would survive the pandemic.
Traditional Graduation Ceremonies Back On At Some High Schools
Hoover City Schools announced it will move forward with in-person graduation ceremonies this week, and they’re not alone. Parents are divided on the issue.
