Birmingham-Southern’s Interim President
One week ago today, David Pollick stepped down as President of Birmingham-Southern College. Trustees named Mark Schantz as the school's Interim President.
Conversation with Gene Bartow
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has inducted its first class of Athletics Hall of Famers. Leading the pack is former men's basketball coach and athletic director Gene Bartow. Bartow came to UAB in 1978, after a stint at UCLA, where he worked in the shadow of legendary basketball coach John Wooden. Bartow says starting a new program at UAB was a learning experience of its own.
Coal Ash Controversy
Every day for the rest of the year, a long train will travel through Birmingham on its way from a power plant in Tennessee to a landfill in Uniontown, Alabama. Tim Lennox has our report on the controversy the muck on board that train is causing in Alabama's Black Belt.
Lee McAlister’s Courthouse Wait
There are many childhood milestones that parents count: first steps, kindergarten, first lost tooth. But for kids, getting a driver's license is the biggie! For WBHM intern Lee McAlister the joy of earning her license was quickly replaced by frustration, thanks to Jefferson County's economic problems.
Businesses’ Take on the Birmingham Business Alliance
Local business owners are closely watching what direction economic development takes since the formation of the Birmingham Business Alliance. The merger between the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Development Board took place a few weeks ago. The Alliance covers a large swath of central Alabama, including Jefferson, Shelby and five neighboring counties. The union sounds great on paper, but what does it really mean for local businesses? WBHM's Varun Krishnan reports.
City Stages Vendors Left with Bill
It's been several weeks since City Stages announced it was taking its final curtain call. The non-profit music festival had struggled for many years with a deficit. And now, local businesses who provided services for this year's festival say they're scrambling to make ends meet because they weren't paid for their work.
Gay/Straight: Bullying Gay Students
It's a phrase many kids use almost daily: That's so gay. Experts say that the use of homophobic slurs in schools is on the rise. Two 11-year-olds recently committed suicide after being bullied with anti-gay taunts. And though a new law requires the Alabama Department of Education to come up with a policy prohibiting harassment, that new policy isn't likely to mention sexual orientation.
Making Do: School Lunch
Want to know if times are tough? Look at the number of kids eating school lunch. Birmingham area schools report that since the economic crunch, fewer children are brown bagging it. School nutritionists say for the price, you can't beat school lunch. But is cheaper better?
Marie Sutton on Race Relations
Folks are still reeling from the first major speech by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder. When it comes to race, he said, we're all cowards. Commentator Marie Sutton agrees. She says there've been many times she could have talked with white friends and coworkers about race, but chose not to because she was afraid.
Considering Faith: Prayer in School
Public schools are expected to be neutral when it comes to all matters religious. In reality, however, there's plenty of preaching going on. But the real surprise is this: chances are the people talking to your children most about God in school are other kids. Gigi Douban takes a look at a school club with a heavy evangelical streak.
