Rachel Osier Lindley
Rachel Osier Lindley is News Director at WBHM in Birmingham, Alabama. She works to shape WBHM’s local news coverage and increase the station’s news collaborations in the community.
Rachel grew up outside of Chicago where her best friend was her boom box. When they weren’t sitting on her porch listening to WDCB, they were busy recording radio plays with the kids down the block. Rachel continued blossoming into an AV geek at Riverside Brookfield High School. There, she was actively involved in the school’s broadcast program. She hosted a morning radio show and a talk show on the school’s cable access TV station.
She attended the University of Texas at Austin and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism. At UT, she was a DJ and Programming Director for KXRX, the student-run radio station, and a news intern at KUT, Austin’s NPR affiliate. She also participated in NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project.
After college, she spent over 7 years in Marfa, Texas where she was part of the team that started KRTS Marfa Public Radio, the regional public radio station for all of rural Far West Texas, and KXWT West Texas Public Radio, serving Midland and Odessa. During her time in West Texas, she also earned an MBA from Sul Ross State University.
Rachel and her husband, Chase, are the lucky parents of three sons and one dog. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, exploring Birmingham, and thinking about work.
The Junction: We Won’t Be Next
After police shootings and racially-charged murders this month, the national conversation is once again focused on the fraught relationship between police and black communities. To address these tensions, The Birmingham City Council recently hosted a forum in Ensley called “We Won’t Be Next.” Rachel Osier Lindley brings us the latest in our series, The Junction: […]
Birmingham Reacts to a Week of Violence with Marches, Rallies and Hope
The nation is still reeling from a string of violence last week, including the deaths of two black men, shot by the police, and the killings of five Dallas police officers during a peaceful protest. For more on the reaction from Birmingham, we’re joined by Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. He spoke to WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley.
Mother Suing Birmingham Clinic for Medical Negligence
Mothers-to-be put a lot of thought into how – and where – they want to give birth to their babies. And a lot of what influences that choice is how hospitals represent themselves. In Birmingham, a recent lawsuit accuses Brookwood Women’s Health of deceitful marketing and medical negligence, relating to promises they made to one […]
Does My Vote Matter? We Ask What You Think
Your right to vote is arguably the most important and coveted right a person can have in this country. When the 2016 presidential election is over, one person, the president, will represent a nation of close to 320 million people. After this primary season, more than a few of those American's have lost faith in American’s voting process.
Poultry Waste Dumping Causes Concern in Marshall County
At any given time there are roughly 5 million broiler chickens being raised in Marshall County, Alabama. It ranks third in the state for poultry production. While the industry creates more than 1,500 jobs, it also creates a lot of poultry waste. Some Marshall County residents say a Tyson chicken processing plant is disposing of […]
Alabama Republicans Look to Future After Mike Hubbard’s Conviction
Alabama Republicans are figuring out what's next after now former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was found guilty on 12 of 23 felony ethics charges last week. A jury determined Hubbard used his office for personal financial gain. He was considered one of Alabama's most powerful politicians. For more on what this means for future political leadership in the state, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley spoke with Natalie Davis, professor of political science at Birmingham-Southern College. Davis says, while Hubbard’s political career is over, his impact on the Alabama Republican Party will last for years to come.
Birmingham Remembers Victims of Orlando Nightclub Shooting
Hundreds gathered in downtown Birmingham yesterday evening to remember victims of Sunday’s mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people. A diverse group of faith leaders led those assembled in Linn Park in prayer.
Amid Rising Opioid Deaths, Alabama Cracks Down on Treatment Centers
Alabama and the nation are in the midst of an opioid epidemic, with deaths from prescription pain medication and heroin overdoses on the rise. Yet, as the death toll increased, Alabama cracked down on opioid addiction treatment centers, specifically methadone clinics. Currently two companies are trying to open methadone clinics in Lee County, and they’re seeing stiff pushback from local officials. Al.com's Amy Yurkanin recently reported on the state's struggle with methadone clinics, and she tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley more.
Closing Arguments Begin in Speaker Hubbard’s Felony Ethics Trial
Indicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard’s trial on 23 felony ethics charges is drawing to a close. Lawyers make final closing remarks Friday. Hubbard is accused of using his position as Speaker of the House for personal financial gain. If convicted, Hubbard will automatically lose his position as Speaker.
Birmingham May Help Neighboring Fairfield as Financial Troubles Continue
Financial troubles continue to plague Fairfield, Birmingham's struggling neighbor. On Monday, the city council had another contentious meeting, with arguments over unpaid bills and late paychecks. Last month, the city learned they were in debt to the Birmingham Water Works for more than $128,000, on top of a more than $500,000 debt to the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority for bus service. The authority voted to stop service to the area on July 5.
Ira Glass on Birmingham Performance, Upcoming TAL Project on Syrian Refugees
Ira Glass has one of the most recognizable voices in all of public radio. He’s hosted the wildly popular program This American Life for more than 20 years, and influenced a generation of young audio storytellers. Glass brings his unorthodox stage show “Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host," to Birmingham this weekend. As the title suggests, it features Glass, two dancers from Monica Bill Barnes & Company, and storytelling. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley talked with Glass to find out more.
How REV Birmingham Works With Local Small Businesses
As WBHM explores the Magic City's uneven revitalization, the weekly newspaper WELD continues its look at REV Birmingham, the city's economic development organization. This week, they focus on REV through the eyes of the small businesses it serves. REV launched in 2012 and cites “helping small business owners define and achieve their goals” as one of their core goals. Nick Patterson, editor of WELD, tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley what reporters
Birmingham Revitalization: While Downtown Grows, Frustrated Citizens Feel Left Behind
By certain indicators, Birmingham is having a moment. Boosted by the openings of Railroad Park and Regions Field, downtown’s seen almost 40 percent residential growth since 2000. Construction cranes dot the skyline, historic buildings are being restored, and the city was recently named a top destination by Lonely Planet and the Travel Channel. Despite this, Birmingham’s revitalization has only touched part of the city, leaving many longtime residents feeling ignored.
Deconstructing REV, Birmingham’s Economic Development Organization
What does REV Birmingham, the city's economic development organization, do? They describe themselves as a group "that stimulates business growth and improves quality of life in Birmingham." But WELD says that mission isn't clearly visible to Birmingham residents. Reporters from WELD took to Facebook to ask what their readers thought.
The 2016 Legislative Session in Review
Alabama’s 2016 Legislative Session is one for the books. Lawmakers wrapped up at midnight on Wednesday. Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, join’s WBHM’s Rachel Lindley to recap what bills passed, and what bills fell short, ike a hike in the gas tax and an agreement about what to do with BP oil spill settlement money. Perhaps the largest upset was the death of Governor Bentley’s prison bill in the session’s la
Federal Lawsuit Highlights Conflict Between State and Local Government
Alabama doesn’t have a minimum wage law. The state uses the federal rate of $7.25. Earlier this year, the Birmingham City Council tried to increase the city’s minimum wage, but we overridden by a bill Governor Robert Bentley signed into law inFebruary. The bill, originally flied by Mountain Brook Republican state Rep. David Faulkner, said only the state can set the minimum wage.
Bentley Scandal: In Pursuit of Wanda’s Desk
This week, Rep. Ed Henry and Red Bay Democratic Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, tried to get inside the governor's office and find the infamous Wanda's Desk. John Archibald, columnist for al.com and the Birmingham News, was there, and he tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley what happened.
Y’all Talk: Submission Guidelines for Commentary
Interested in submitting a commentary to WBHM? Email Gigi Douban at gigi@wbhm.org or Michael Krall at michael@wbhm.org for more information. Through our new occasional commentary series, “Y’all Talk,” WBHM seeks to broaden our listeners’ perspectives on news and the arts by including voices of the community. What makes for a good Y’all Talk commentary? For WBHM’s purposes, […]
Birmingham Ranks Poorly on Long-Term Small Business Growth
Birmingham has a lot to offer young companies, but the city is lacking when it comes to sustaining small businesses in the long term. That’s according to a new study by American City Business Journals. They measured the nation’s largest metro areas for small business vitality, and Birmingham ranked 82nd out of more than 100 metro areas.
Birmingham Hammers Kick Off First Official Season on Saturday
The Birmingham Hammers make their debut with the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League, or NPSL, on April 30. Fans in Birmingham's growing soccer scene -- and the players, of course -- hope competing at a higher level against teams like Nashville and Memphis will draw even more Alabamians to games.
This Week in the Legislature: Prisons, BP Oil Funds and Lane Cake
The sun is setting on Alabama's 2016 Legislative session. With only two more meetings left this year, the Alabama Senate and House discussed and passed a flurry of bills this week on everything from approving Governor Robert Bentley's $800 million prison construction bond proposal to how to spend BP oil settlement funds to naming the lane cake Alabama's official dessert.
Group Looks to Bring “Bible-Based” Classes to Public School Students
School Ministries of Birmingham's goal is to establish Christian-oriented released time education (RTE) programs in high schools in the greater Birmingham area. The group's first program started at Spain Park High School in Hoover in January. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about SMB's plans and the legality of RTE programs. Patterson also discusses the third annual Cahaba Riverkeeper water quality and bacteriological testing program.
Remembering April 27: Pratt City Sees Progress, Setbacks
Walk around Pratt City, a northern Birmingham neighborhood, and you’ll see rolling hills and meet proud residents. But you’ll also see many vacant lots, reminders of a tornado that struck five years ago this week. It was part of a tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people statewide. The community has rebuilt, but there’s still a lot of be done. Five years later, some residents think the recovery is taking far too long.
Key Issues Linger as 2016 Legislative Session Winds Down
Only five days remain in Alabama’s 2016 legislative session, and big issues are still on the table, from a lottery bill to a possible $800 million dollar bond for building new prisons. However, in recent weeks, these important issues have been overshadowed by scandal in the wake of accusations Governor Robert Bentley had an affair with a former top advisor. This week, a lawmaker introduced a resolution that could impeachment proceedings against Bentley forward. For more on this, we talk with Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama public television. To start, Dailey tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Bentley’s recent comments to the media.
Raising Poultry Increasingly a “Raw Deal” for Alabama Farmers
Poultry production has risen in the past several decades. It's now a more than $45 billion industry in the U.S. Alabama is located in the heart of what’s considered the agricultural “chicken belt” of America. In 2013, Alabama farms produced roughly 1 billion chickens. While that may make it sound like the state's poultry farming economy is healthy, farmers tell a different story. Every one of Alabama’s chickens is produced by contract famers, and some of these farmers tell the weekly newspaper WELD that they’re getting a raw deal.
WBHM Wins Seven Regional Murrow Awards
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM has won seven 2016 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). WBHM’s competition region includes Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world. RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements […]
This Week in the Legislature: Cannabidiol Oil, Teacher Pay Raises and Bentley Impeachment
There are only eight more meeting days left in Alabama’s 2016 Legislative Session, and the Alabama State House saw a burst of activity this week. For an update from Montgomery, we talk with Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television. To start, Dailey tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Leni’s Law, a bill the house passed Wednesday that would criminalize a specific marijuana oil in a bid to help people coping with debilitating seizures. It’s named for Leni Young, a girl and former Alabama resident who suffers from a seizure disorder.
Why I Support WBHM: “I Don’t Have to Think About the Oxford Comma!”
Nick Patterson is the editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, and joins WBHM each Thursday during All Things Considered to discuss the week’s news. He’s not just one of the voices you hear on WBHM. He’s also a member and a fan. “I love the education stories and the in depth news stories,” says Patterson. “I love the […]
Primary Runoff Voter Guide 2016
Voters go back to the polls April 12 to determine the nominees in several races that were undecided after the March 1 primary. For races in which no candidate got half of the votes or more, the top two candidates will compete for the nomination.
Why I Support WBHM: Ryan Iversen and Alexander
WBHM listener Ryan Iversen lives in Hanceville, Alabama. He installs heating and air conditioner equipment, and is on the road a lot for his job. He says WBHM helps keep him entertained during those long drives. “I really like the variety of what public radio brings to their stories,” says Iversen. “Music or movies or what’s […]
This Week in the Legislature: Bentley Impeachment Articles, Medicaid and More
The scandal surrounding Governor Robert Bentley took a new turn this week when a legislator filed articles of impeachment against the governor. Bentley’s been under fire since allegations of an affair with his former chief advisor surfaced last month. But that’s not all happening in Montgomery. As the 2016 legislative session moves into its final days, Don Dailey of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television say lawmakers have a lot on their plates. Dailey’s the host , and he tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley what’s next for the legislature and the embattled governor.
Problems, Protests Continue at Etowah County Detention Center
Protesters gathered again last weekend at the Etowah County Detention Center, one of the nation's most notorious holding pens. The center houses immigration detainees awaiting possible deportation. It's been under fire in recent years for poor conditions and treatment of prisoners, and some even engaged in a hunger strike last year.
