Issues
More than 150 false killer whales stranded on a beach in Australia’s Tasmania state
The reasons for the beachings are unclear. Reasons could include disorientation caused by loud noises, illness, old age, injury, fleeing predators and severe weather.
It’s Frankie Muniz’s world with both a NASCAR career and sitcom reboot in the works
For Frankie Muniz, balancing a career as a professional NASCAR driver and a TV actor isn't a fantasy; it'll be his very busy reality this upcoming year.
Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, Vatican says
Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs, according to the Vatican. There's concern about the ability of the 88-year-old pontiff to fight off the infection.
‘Our rights are under attack’: residents protest the Trump administration
A crowd of people carried homemade signs and American flags as they marched toward Birmingham City Hall through Linn Park on Monday afternoon. They chanted slogans, voicing opposition to various actions taken by the Trump administration.
Pope Francis’ hospital stay is extended due to ‘polymicrobial infection’
The 88-year-old pontiff was initially admitted to the hospital on Friday for bronchitis. On Monday, the Vatican said test results show Francis has "a polymicrobial infection of the respiratory tract."
Jacob Kiplimo sets new half marathon record, finishes in under 57 minutes
Kiplimo ran with a vengeance in Barcelona on Sunday — beating the previous fastest half marathon time by a whole 48 seconds.
Fans in Montreal loudly boo U.S. anthem prior to Americans’ 4 Nations game vs. Canada
It's the second time "The Star-Spangled Banner" drew that reaction in two games the United States has played at the NHL-run international tournament.
Doctors order ‘absolute rest’ for Pope Francis due to respiratory infection
Doctors prescribed "absolute rest" for Pope Francis, the Vatican said Saturday, a day after the 88-year-old pope was admitted to a hospital following a weeklong bout of bronchitis.
Will the Eagles visit the White House after Super Bowl win? They didn’t last time
The Eagles pulled out a win over the Kansas City Chiefs this week, but they might opt out of making the traditional visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
‘Moss Appreciation Week’: a lot of celebration for a very little plant
Moss Appreciation Week is packed with events both scientific... and also silly. Moss walks, moss talks, moss movies, crafting moss-themed Valentines, and a "gastropod derby" with snails and slugs (for whom moss is a nice moist microclimate).
Crime bills go before the Alabama legislature
Gov. Kay Ivey has said public safety would be her top priority this legislative session. Ivey put that into action this week as she and several mayors from around the state took to the Capitol to promote what's been called the "Safe Alabama" package of bills. We talk about that and other happenings in Montgomery with week with Todd Stacey, host of Capital Journal and Alabama Public Television.
Glenn Foster Jr’s family uses Super Bowl to bring awareness to his death, demand justice
The former New Orleans Saints player's family called on others, including the NFL, to advocate for Foster — who died while in police custody in Alabama.
Why Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets broke up
When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way … till the Jets decide you're not coming back next season.
Sweeping cuts hit recent federal hires as Trump administration slashes workforce
Employees across several agencies including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy and the General Services Administration have all been affected this week, with many being given notice on Thursday.
Deep cuts to NIH funding would cause economic harm across Trump-friendly Alabama
Birmingham has become one of the country’s leading hubs for biomedical research. Banners downtown brag about the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s status in the top 1% of institutions for NIH funding, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars into the region.
Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs against other countries
President Trump is threatening to levy taxes on imports to match those other countries charge on U.S. exports.
What is your best or your worst date?
It’s the season of love and we asked attendees at WBHM’s most recent News and Brews community pop-up event to tell us their stories of love or lack thereof.
New Orleans has beefed up security for Mardi Gras. For smaller parading krewes, it’s costly
The city is requiring more police officers at parades this year, putting higher costs on smaller, independent krewes vital to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras heritage.
A rare bipartisan coalition in Alabama pushes ban on machine gun conversion devices
Conversion devices that speed the firing of semi-automatic weapons are already banned under federal law, but there's currently no state law prohibiting possession.
Retailers including Trader Joe’s and Kroger have begun limiting egg purchases
Egg farmers have been plagued by widespread outbreaks of bird flu. Experts say it's hard to predict when the industry will bounce back from the illness' effects.
Trump’s pick for secretary of education is Linda McMahon. Here’s what to know
McMahon's confirmation proceedings are likely to focus on how she would handle Donald Trump's plans to dissolve the U.S. Education Department.
As coal plants close, Colorado towns consider nuclear waste storage
The federal government hopes former coal towns will help the nuclear industry grow, by taking on the decades-long challenge of storing radioactive waste
Alabama governor vows to sign bill that writes definitions of male and female into state law
The state House of Representatives voted 77-12 for the bill that defines sex based on reproductive organs that are present at birth. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey who has vowed to sign it.
No relief: Inflation unexpectedly heated up last month
Inflation remained stubbornly high in January, as grocery, gasoline and shelter costs all rose. Egg prices saw their biggest price hike in almost a decade.
Alabama seeks to join states that allow the death penalty for child rape
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 86-5 for the bill that would allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty when an adult is convicted of rape or sodomy of a child under 12. The legislation now moves to the Alabama Senate.
Trump funding freeze could leave communities on their own as climate threats grow
Without federal support, American communities will struggle to deal with a challenge as pervasive as climate change, market analysts and environmental advocates say.
Federal Reserve’s Jerome Powell says there’s no need to rush on interest rate cuts
Powell was also asked about the high cost of home ownership and President Trump's trade policies, but as usual, the Fed chair tried to steer clear of politics.
27 religious groups sue administration over immigration enforcement policy
27 religious groups are suing the federal government in response to the Trump administration's policy giving immigration agents more leeway to make arrests at "sensitive locations" like churches.
Pope rebukes Trump over migrant deportations and refutes VP Vance’s theology
In a strongly-worded letter to Catholic bishops in the United States, Pope Francis is taking to task the Trump Administration's stance on migrants, and that he's following what he calls a "major crisis" with the initiation of mass deportation.
Tourism in New Orleans remains strong despite terrorist attack. Will the trend last?
The Super Bowl is in town, and so far, fears that visitors would avoid the big game because of January’s attack on Bourbon Street have not rang true.
Burglary of Joe Burrow’s home is linked to a pattern of ‘crime tourism,’ FBI says
High-profile burglaries of pro athletes are seen as part of a wider pattern of criminals traveling from South America to target affluent homes in the U.S.
Why economists got free trade with China so wrong
The "China Shock" is revisited, and it raises questions about why economists failed to see the costs of free trade.