Tanya Ott
Tanya Ott is a part-time editor at WBHM and instructor for the University of Alabama's journalism department. She hosts a podcast on business strategy and emerging technologies and trains public radio newsrooms around the country. Over her 30+ year career, she has reported for Marketplace, NPR and other networks and worked at local stations in Florida, Colorado, Georgia and Alabama, including as WBHM's news director from 2002-2013.
First Black Member of U.S. Federal Reserve Dies
“If, as Booker T. Washington asserted, a man should be judged by the obstacles he had to overcome in life, then Dr. Andrew F. Brimmer was indeed a giant and his lifetime accomplishments should continue to be an inspiration to future generations.”
State Board Rejects Rule to Close Neuter Clinics
A state board has rejected a proposed rule that would have closed the doors of low-cost spay and neuter animal clinics across Alabama.
Senators Rally Behind Spay Neuter Clinics
Five Alabama state senators are trying to keep the state's low-cost spay and neuter clinics open. A rule proposed by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners would essentially put them out of business.
Rev. Al Sharpton To Protest Cooper Green Closure
The Rev. Al Sharpton is scheduled to appear at a rally protesting the closure of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital's inpatient care unit. Critics say poor patients will be denied treatment at other local hospitals.
UAB to Open New Med School Branch
UAB officials say a new medical school branch in Montgomery will help address a looming shortage of primary care physicians in Alabama. It's estimated the country will need 45,000 more primary care physicians and 46,000 more surgeons and specialists by 2020 to meet the needs of an aging population.
Gov. Bentley Says He’ll Intervene in Cooper Green If Asked
Gov. Bentley says he believes the hospital should keep its in-patient services open, but cut payroll costs. He says he'll intervene in the debate if both sides ask for his help.
John Archibald on Changes at Birmingham News
The Birmingham News shifted to three day a week print editions this week and public reaction has been mixed, though largely negative, on social media sites. John Archibald discusses what the change means for news reporters and consumers and addresses other thorny issues like the status of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Rep. John Rogers Questions County’s Management of Cooper Green Money
Rep. John Rogers says the county co-mingled Cooper Green Hospital funds with county money and has no idea how much the hospital actually costs. Still, he says new numbers show the hospital is "in the black."
U.S. Senator Blasts BP for Cleanup
A U.S. Senator blasts BP's cleanup efforts along the Gulf Coast while a judge dismisses one lawsuit against the oil company. In other news, embattled Birmingham schools superintendent Craig Witherspoon gets kudos from his peers.
David Carrington Fields Your Questions
WBHM is "The station where you can listen... and be heard". Well, we put that in action and let you ask questions of Jefferson County Commission president David Carrington.
Found Sound: Boyd Hayes
Public radio listeners are accustomed to hearing people share their very personal stories (think Story Corps). Today, WBHM's Will Dahlberg shares the story of his adoptive father's quest to hear his own father's voice for the first time.
Carrington Responds to Charges of Racism
Jefferson County Commission President David Carrington tells WBHM's Tanya Ott he's moving forward with plans to downsize Cooper Green Mercy Hospital despite protests.
Jefferson County Passes Balanced Budget with Cuts to Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
Jefferson County has passed a $160M balanced budget, but not without questions concerning Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Jeffco Commission Pres. Carrington on Budget Cuts
Jefferson County has a new budget. Commissioners approved it yesterday. The Associated Press describes it as a "balanced" budget, which it's required by law to be. Other local media outlets are describing it as "bare bones" or worse. At $160 million, it's more than a $100 million less than the county's budget was just a few years ago.
Alabama’s High Gender Wage Gap
A new analysis of U.S. Census data finds that Alabama has one of the largest gender wage gaps in the country. In 2011, the typical working woman in Alabama was paid only 74.2 cents for every dollar the average man made.
September 26 News
Gadsden and Trussville pass budgets; Birmingham continues talks over $150M bond issue; and Selma stops construction on controversial monument to Civil War general and KKK leader.
Peanut Butter Recall
Several brands of peanut butter sold in Alabama are being recalled over concerns about possible salmonella contamination. Complete list of recalled products here.
September 25 News
Selma debates whether to honor a Civil War general who also led the Ku Klux Klan; Alabamians who lost homes to foreclosure could get piece of $25B settlement; and Alabama newspaper legend dies.
September 24 News
Birmingham man arrested for tweeted death threats against Pres. Obama; UAH professor goes on trial for murdering colleagues; Plea deal may be in the works in running death of Etowah County girl.
Opera Birmingham Announces New Season
Opera Birmingham has announced its 2012-2013 season. The season opener features the winner of the “Opera Idol 2012” Audience Favorite Award and later in the season the company presents Mozart's The Magic Flute for the first time in more than a decade.
September 21 News
Mexico reviews possible NAFTA violations related to Alabama's immigration law; ABC agents seize supplies from Hop City Birmingham; and tests confirm tar balls from BP spill.
September 20 News
Hoover could get three free-standing emergency departments and infant mortality rate is at an all-time low in Alabama, but the news isn't all good.
Is $437M Transfer Just a Temporary Bandaid?
It's official. By a 2-to-1 margin, Alabama voters have approved a constitutional amendment to transfer $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund Budget. The money will help pay for basic services like Medicaid, prisons and child protective services. But John Archibald says it may just be kicking the can down the road.
September 19 News
Voters approve transfer of $437 million from trust fund to General Fund; BP loosens documentation requirements for oil spill losses; and Alabama faces expensive and deadly obesity crisis.
September 18 News
Polls are open till 7 p.m. and state officials expect low turnout for today's referendum; a lawsuit over segregating HIV-positive prison inmates goes to trial; and heavy rains drench the region.
September 17 News
Birmingham's burgeoning food truck movement could face a setback; forces on both side of the September 18 referendum look forward to tomorrow's vote; UAH professor who murdered colleagues could profit from invention.
The Rise and Decline of the Redneck Riviera
The beaches that run from Mobile Bay to Panama City are some of the most beautiful in the world. Prior to World War Two they were sparsely populated and undeveloped. But that began to change after the war when the beach became a tourist destination.
September 14 News
Forces are rallying on both sides in advance of next week’s statewide referendum. The constitutional amendment would allow the transfer of $437 million dollars from the Alabama Trust Fund to be used for Medicaid, prisons and other state services.
Sept 18 Vote, More Trouble at School Board, and Big Lobbying Bills
Next week, Alabama residents go to the polls to vote on a referendum state leaders say is vital to the financial health of the state. The vote would authorize moving $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to shore up the state’s general fund budget. Supporters say without the transfer critical state services will be hurt, but opponents argue the state should live within its means. John Archibald tackles that and other regional news in this week's interview.
September 13 News
New numbers show poverty is down slightly in Alabama, but median income still lags national average. Also, efforts to reopen Alabama's oldest licensed abortion clinic are dealt a blow.
New Report on Senior Citizens a Mixed Bag
A new federal study offers a snapshot on the status of seniors. Fewer are living in poverty, but more are living with chronic health problems.
September 12 News
Former UAH professor pleads guilty to murder while former AL Governor reports to prison and Gadsden's federal courthouse targeted in closure.
