Arts and Culture
What Hollywood Gets Wrong About The South
Author Ben Beard surveys the South through movies in his new book "The South Never Plays Itself."
Bernard Lockhart’s Work Ethic Fueled His Passion For Jazz And Community-Building
Bernard Lockhart, founder of Avondale's Jazz in the Park, died last month from complications related to COVID-19.
Annual Birmingham-Area Bird Count Canceled Due To Pandemic
Since Alabama Audubon's Christmas Bird Count won't happen this year, researchers could miss out on data about bird populations.
One Black Artist’s Quest To Shake Up The Comics World
Lashawn Colvin recently opened her very own comic book store in Montgomery, becoming the first known Black woman in the South to do so.
A Visit With Santa? It’s Still Happening Despite The Pandemic
How do you visit Santa in a pandemic? It's a question retailers, families and Santa himself are dealing with this season.
New Exhibit At Birmingham Museum of Art Shows American History’s Violent Struggle
A new art exhibit features the work of Jacob Lawrence, widely considered one of the greatest modernist painters of the 20th century.
UA Sophomore Starts First Black Student-Led Magazine
The University of Alabama launched its first Black student-led magazine this semester. Nineteen Fifty-Six focuses on issues minority students face on campus and in everyday life.
Birmingham Theaters Take To The Stage Despite A Pandemic
Live theater generally means tight quarters for performers and audience. Some Birmingham theater groups are finding ways to make it work in the pandemic.
Will COVID Cancel Halloween? Not Necessarily.
Public health leaders say Halloween celebrations can happen, but with adjustments.
City Leaders Approve Budget Despite Concerns About Library System
Demonstrators gathered outside Birmingham's city hall Tuesday night, just hours before council members approved a budget that furloughs more than 150 library employees.
New Book From NPR’s Guy Raz Draws Lessons From Entrepreneurs
The podcast "How I Built This" follows entrepreneurs' ups and downs. In his new book, Guy Raz shares what he's gleaned from inspiring company founders and reflects on his own life.
Poets Reflect On Six Months Of Pandemic
Several Alabama poets share their experiences and works inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.
Remembering An Alabamian Driven To Figure Out How Things Worked
Fred Bischoff worked hard and played hard. The devoted family man a died in June from COVID-19.
A Year In The Life Of A Dying Alabama Mall
The Jasper Mall takes the spotlight in a documentary playing at the Sidewalk Film Festival later this month.
Through The Intercom, Nursing Home Employee Sings To Residents
At a nursing home in Marion, Alabama, one employee uses her voice to help lift morale among residents and staff during the pandemic.
This Year’s Sidewalk Film Festival Becomes A Drive-In
The annual event will move from its home in downtown Birmingham to a drive-in theater in Leeds.
SEC Announces Delayed Start Of 2020 Football Season
The SEC is delaying the start of its football season and taking extra precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic.
An Update On The Pandemic’s Effect On WBHM
We don’t often turn the spotlight on ourselves, but the last four months at WBHM have been unlike any other time in the station’s history thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. In advance of WBHM's one-day fund drive, we hear from station's executive director Chuck Holmes on how COVID-19 has affected WBHM.
Community Organizer: ‘Our Protests Are Not Peaceful’
Alabama Rally Against Injustice has held several demonstrations in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. One of the group's representatives says leading rallies week after week is emotionally draining, but necessary. The group plans to continue holding rallies until policing policies change.
First Woman To Lead The Episcopal Diocese Of Alabama
The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama will consecrate Rev. Glenda Curry as a new bishop on Saturday. She's the first woman to hold the position.
NASCAR Fans React To Confederate Flag Ban, Noose Incident
A day after a noose was placed in the garage of NASCAR's only full-time Black driver, fans at Talladega Superspeedway condemned the incident, but were mixed on NASCAR's decision to ban the Confederate flag.
Hundreds Gather In Birmingham To Celebrate Juneteenth
Cities across the state are celebrating Juneteenth, the end of slavery. In Birmingham, hundreds gathered at Kelly Ingram Park to commemorate the holiday.
Organizer: Efforts To Rename Edmund Pettus Bridge Must Be A Group Effort
A petition calling on Gov. Kay Ivey to rename Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge has more than 120,000 signatures. We spoke with the Democratic strategist who started the online campaign.
The Murals Of Downtown Birmingham Transform Vandalized Streetscapes To Avenues Of Hope
Murals can be found on plywood throughout downtown Birmingham.
Roger James Retires From Alabama Symphony Orchestra After 35 Years
COVID-19 put an abrupt end to the 99th season of the ASO and that meant no public send-off for those who are retiring. Roger James reflects on learning to play the violin, how to keep the passion when playing familiar songs, and when to make an exit.
George Floyd’s Killing Sparks Frustration Among Birmingham’s Black Lives Matter Group
The police killing of George Floyd in Minnesota has triggered many protesters in the Birmingham area who are still seeking justice for Emantic “E.J.” Bradford, a black man killed by Hoover police in 2018. We spoke with Eric Hall, a founding member of the Birmingham chapter of Black Lives Matter.
Finding A Way Forward In Birmingham After Violence And Destruction
A Confederate monument has been removed from downtown Birmingham. The city also suffered damage to downtown buildings after protests turned violent. Rev. Thomas Wilder, who leads the church once led by Birmingham civil rights figure Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, shares his perspective on these events and moving forward.
Historic Theatres Among Businesses Damaged During Violent Protest
Clean up is underway in downtown Birmingham after demonstrations turned violent and protestors damaged several businesses including the historic Alabama and Lyric theatres.
Protests Spread to Birmingham’s Majority-White Suburbs
A protest in Homewood remained peaceful. It was one of several planned in Birmingham's mostly-white suburbs.
Birmingham Brewery Bounces Back After Coronavirus Slows Sales
We checked back in with a Birmingham brewery owner who wasn’t sure in mid-March whether his business would survive the pandemic.
Some Restaurants Continue Curbside Service Despite Relaxed Restrictions
Gov. Kay Ivey’s updated “safer-at-home” order puts most of the hospitality industry back to work. Some business owners were quick to open their doors, but others are sticking with curbside service only.
Businesses Eagerly Reopen As Others Take A Phased Approach
On the first day many businesses were allowed to reopen since the pandemic, not all opted to jump back in.
