Michael Krall
Program Director
If you’ve ever had a question or comment about the station’s programming, or were looking for a story from WBHM or NPR, chances are you’ve spoken with WBHM’s Program Director Michael Krall. His job includes managing the sound of the station -- from overseeing the on-air staff to curating the program schedule.
You can hear Michael hosting Morning Edition or All Things Considered from time to time, and listen out for his interviews with artists and other interesting people who make their way through Birmingham.
Michael came to WBHM in 1998 from WCBU in Peoria, Illinois. A graduate of the University of Maine, he’s spent his entire career in public radio working in WKNO in Memphis and WSCL in Salisbury, Maryland, as well as Maine Public Radio.
In his free time, Michael enjoys hiking, attending concerts, and playing Scrabble.
Arc Stories: Holiday Edition
‘Tis The Season: Stories about the Holidays: A Christmas gift that completely changed the trajectory of on man’s life; the first time a little-girl gets a glimpse of the adult world; and a confession 20 years in the making, as a boy searches his parents house for that Christmas gift he really wanted. Originally aired: […]
Arc Stories: November 2015 Edition
Stories about people trying to navigate through major dilemmas. A young man tires to discover a family secret; a girl comes to grips with the loss of her mom; and a woman finds herself completely exposed outside of a stranger’s house. (Originally aired November 19, 2015 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Kyle Whitimire: Could gambling become legal in Alabama?
Gov. Bentley wants to take authority to enforce Alabama’s gambling laws away from Attorney General Luther Strange and vest that power in local sheriffs and district attorneys. And, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill goes on a voter registration drive. Kyle Whitmire is state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com and he spoke […]
Artur Davis files suit against AL Democratic Party
A judge will hear arguments on former congressmen Artur Davis’ lawsuit against the Alabama Democratic Party; the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reopens some satellite driver’s license offices; and an update on Alabama keeping open money losing, state run liquor stores. Kyle Whitmire is state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com, he spoke with […]
Alabama Keeps Money-Losing Liquor Stores Open
A Perry County Judge tells offenders they can either pay their fine or give blood. And Alabama closes driver’s license offices, but keeps money-losing liquor stores open. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, and he talks about these issues with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Jerri Hardesty: Changing Lives Through Poetry
Emotion often fuels poetry. Sometimes though that emotion is so personal it’s like being let into a secret space. That’s the way it is with poems we’ll hear from Jerri Hardesty. She’s president of the Alabama State Poetry Society. She’s won more than 600 awards and titles for both written and spoken word poetry. Hardesty […]
Arc Stories: October 2015 Edition
Three storytellers find themselves in frightening situations. A camp ghost story that gets out of hand; a man forced to look death in the face; and trying to spy on religious fanatics (Originally aired October 22, 2015 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Why I Support WBHM: Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington’s winning design is featured on the newest edition of WBHM’s pint glass for the Fall 2015 fund drive. For a contribution of just $7.50/month or a one time contribution of $90.00, this pint glass is a wonderful reminder of your support of public radio for Birmingham and North Central Alabama, Here’s two […]
Should Larry Langford Go Free?
The former Birmingham Mayor remains in jail serving a 15 year sentence. And Governor Bentley proposes a possible solution to reopen 31 rural driver’s license offices.Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, he talks with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Getting a Driver’s License in Alabama’s Black Belt is Difficult
The closure of 31 driver’s license office leaves 28 counties in Alabama without a place you can get a driver’s license. The closings, all in mostly poor rural counties, many of them with majority African-American populations has some saying the state is making it more difficult for black Alabamians to vote. Kyle Whitmire is he state […]
Arc Stories: September 2015 Edition
Stories include a man trying to do the right things when society is telling him otherwise; one man’s conflict within his own making; a young girl impersonating someone of a different race and gender; and a father trying to keep up appearances in front of his daughter. (Originally aired September 24, 2015 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
What Ever Happened to Artur Davis?
What ever happened to former Congressman Artur Davis? Once seen as a rising star in the Democratic party, he’s now struggling to get back to the Democratic party itself, after briefly defecting to the Republican party. Also, is the Alabama Ethics Commission relevant anymore? WBHM’s Michael Krall talked about all this with Kyle Whitmire, state political columnist […]
Education Budget Cuts, Cigarette Tax, and Winners and Losers
The second special session of the Alabama Legislature could soon be in the books with a combination of cuts to the education budget and a cigarette tax. That combination avoids some funding cuts to state agencies — Medicaid, corrections, mental health, human resources and the court system are all expected to be level funded. But […]
Season Opener! Carlos Izcaray Leads the Alabama Symphony Orchestra
This weekend, newly appointed Music Director Carlos Izcaray conducts the Alabama Symphony Orchestra in a program featuring both modern and romantic works. Izcaray (pronounced “eez-ca-RYE”) spoke with WBHM’s Michael Krall about the program, his management style, and about how audiences might approach a modern, contemporary work. The conversation began with Izcaray talking about why he moved his […]
Arc Stories: August 2015 Edition
Stories that will make you laugh, make you cry, and perhaps both at the same time — hear what it was like growing up in the Civil Rights era; a woman risks her own dignity to get a chance at love; a guy raging against his own social awkwardness, and becoming a father to three […]
Birmingham City Council Approves Minimum Wage Increase To $10.10
The Birmingham City Council has passed an ordinance to increase minimum wage in the city to $10.10-an-hour by July 2017. The council passed the measure during a meeting Tuesday. Kelsey Stein of AL.com reports that the city's legal department is reviewing the ordinance. Were it to take effect, the increase is believed to be the first of its kind in the Southeast U.S. Stein talked to WBHM's Michael Krall about today's meeting.
Kyle Whitmire Draws Parallels from Special Sessions in 1975
One special session of the Alabama legislature is in the books, another is looming. That’s because the lawmakers were unable to agree on how to fund the state’s $200 million dollar shortfall in the General Fund. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com, and he talks about this issue and […]
Does Anything Look Encouraging in the Special Legislative Session?
The special session in the Alabama legislature is underway, and it turns out to be not much different than the regular session. Lawmakers are unable to agree on how to fund the state’s $200 million dollar shortfall. Here to discuss this is Kyle Whitmire. He’s the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL […]
Arc Stories: July 2015 Edition
Stories about how our families shape us, change us, and even surprise us — a man who joins his father to defend their home against an intruder; a young woman defends her sister and goes to unique lengths to avenge her; one man discovers his father was not who he thought he was, and one man’s entire […]
Timber: Music That’s Haunting, Low and Easy
Timber is a collaboration between Janet Simpson and Will Stewart. Stewart, an Alabama native, is currently based in Nashville. A few years ago, he was working on an EP when Birmingham musician Les Nuby, (Verbena, Vulture Whale) suggested he get together with Simpson. Blame is the first single from Timber’s self-titled EP. Simpson describes the group’s sound as haunting, low and easy. Timber is part of Secret Stages 2015 – they play Friday, July 31st at 10:15 p.m. at the 20 Midtown Stage located at Pale Eddie's Pour House.
Taxes, Gambling, and the Special Session
Governor Bentley calls a special session and then it was promptly adjourned for three weeks. And Republicans face a choice between new taxes or gambling. Here to discuss this (and other news)is Kyle Whitmire. He’s the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com
Despite BP Settlement, Alabama’s General Fund is Still Ailing
Alabama will receive 2.3 billion dollars over 18 years through a settlement with BP over the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. One billion dollars of that settlement is to cover economic losses. Even though that money will go into the state’s general fund, Governor Bentley made it clear that there will still be special legislative session […]
If Everybody Can Get Married, Then Nobody Can Get Married?
The United State Supreme Court rules that gay and lesbian couples have a fundamental right to marry, but several counties in Alabama are not complying. Some probate judges are getting out of the marriage business altogether, while others are marrying heterosexual couples, but not gay and lesbian couples. WBHM’s Michael Krall talks about the state […]
Arc Stories: June 2015 Edition
Stories about people overcoming challenges both big and small in some unique ways. A man who risks everything to chase a dream; a young woman’s relationship is interrupted by divine intervention; and one man tries to get through one very hot night. (Originally aired June 25, 2015 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama Can Either Live In The Past or Future
Governor Bentley removes the Confederate flag from the Alabama Capitol Grounds; Google makes a $600 million dollar investment in Alabama; and the looming special legislative session session will aim to fix problems with Alabama’s general fund including the possibility of gambling. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com, and he […]
Commentary: The Steel City’s Spice via Bicycle
When commentator John Houser lived in Indianapolis, the city built a bike and pedestrian path weaving through the city’s downtown cultural districts. After trying bike commuting for just a few months, he sold his car — transforming his commute from a stressful ride on city streets into a leisurely jaunt past parks, public art, and along a downtown canal. […]
Arc Stories: May 2015 Edition
Stories about love, about loss, and the lengths to which both will make us go. A little boy finally gets his wish; and a young woman does her best to get her out of a pretty awkward situation. (The audio refers to the program as Arc Light Stories — the previous name of the program.) […]
Steel City Jug Slammers: Delta Blues and Old-Time Jug Music
Birmingham's own Steel City Jug Slammers perform Delta blues and old-time jug music.
Governor and Lawmakers Still Split over Budget Crisis
This week, Governor Robert Bentley defended his agency heads from accusations they’re using scare tactics in describing the effects of possible budget cuts to the state’s general fund. To fill us in on this and other activity in Montgomery this week is Don Dailey. He’s the host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Antiques Roadshow from Birmingham!
Part history lesson, part story, and part suspense, public television's Antiques Roadshow comes to you from Birmingham!
Arc Stories: March 2015 Edition
A man gets a chance to show a former girlfriend what she missed out on; a girl gets an audience for one of her first intimate moments; and a young woman meets some random strangers and gets into a fight.
Interview: Wye Oak
Thursday night, the band Wye Oak, Brooklyn composer William Brittelle, and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra collaborate on innovative orchestral re-imaginings of Wye Oak songs. WBHM's Michael Krall spoke with band member Andy Stack about the concert and the band's sound...
