Government
Dueling Endorsements for Mayor Among Birmingham Police
Talk about choosing sides -- Birmingham police are split on who they support for mayor in the upcoming runoff election on Oct. 3.
WBHM Politics: Mayor/Council Friction
In this episode of WBHM Politics, we discuss the fractured relationship between Birmingham Mayor William Bell and the City Council and how upcoming elections may affect that.
Selfies and Handshakes and Smiles, Oh My! Birmingham Mayor’s Race Heats Up
The Birmingham city election runoff is less than two weeks away, and in the mayor’s race, almost any street, coffee shop, boutique or park can turn into a battleground for votes.
Alabama Schools Chief Michael Sentance Resigns
After one year on the job, State Superintendent of Education Michael Sentance abruptly resigned Wednesday. His contract had been on the agenda for the State Board of Education meeting scheduled for the following day.
Hurricane Irma and Alabama
Resources and news items complied by the WBHM news team
As Irma Swirls Toward Florida, Alabama Prepares
Alabama appears to be outside of the path of Hurricane Irma, the deadly storm swirling 145-mile-per-hour winds over the Caribbean. But on Wednesday officials with the state Emergency Management Agency said they are preparing for the worst.
Preview of the Birmingham Mayor’s Race: The Woodfin-Bell Divide
The results are in for the Birmingham Municipal Election. But while these numbers don’t lie, they do leave lots of questions
The Breakdown: How Woodfin and Bell Fared Around the City
If you want to know how 36-year-old former school board President Randall Woodfin captured the largest percentage of votes in his bid to win out over incumbent Mayor William Bell, just look at the numbers.
Internal City Government Spats Affect Election Outcome
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the results of Tuesday's municipal elections in Birmingham.
Your Birmingham Election Roundup
WBHM’s city government reporter Sherrel Wheeler Stewart offers an overview of Tuesday's municipal elections in Birmingham.
Birmingham Mayor’s Race Goes to a Runoff
Birmingham Mayor William Bell and challenger Randall Woodfin will head to a runoff. The runoff will take place October 3.
Low Voter Turnout So Far at Some Birmingham Polls
Turnout appears low at several Birmingham polling places as voters go to the polls to elect a mayor, city council and school board.
Trudy Hunter Wants To Tackle Education, Poverty
For Trudy Hunter, a law school grad and a social worker from southwest Birmingham, this run for the city’s top job has been 10 years in the making. She says she wrestled with God about whether to step out on faith and run.
State Sues City Over Confederate Monument
The City of Birmingham and its mayor are being sued by the state for allegedly violating an Alabama law that protects historic monuments. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a lawsuit today after Birmingham Mayor William Bell ordered the construction of a plywood barrier to obscure a Confederate monument in a city park. Alabama law prohibits the removal, […]
Some Voters Required to Verify Information at the Polls
An attempt to update the state’s voter rolls left some Alabama voters confused and angry at the polls in Tuesday’s US Senate primary. Those whose status was bumped to "inactive" were permitted to vote after they verified their information.
Strange and Moore Headed to a Runoff
Senator Luther Strange will face former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in a September runoff. Neither candidate took more than 50 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s special Senate primary.
Doug Jones Wins Democratic Senate Primary
Former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones will be the Democratic candidate in the race for Jeff Sessions' former seat in the U.S. Senate. Jones was declared the winner of Tuesday's primary election, with most districts reporting in by around 9 p.m.
Democrats Hope for a Comeback in the U.S. Senate Race
Doug Jones is best known for successfully prosecuting the 16th Street Baptist Church bombers and helping indict Birmingham abortion clinic bomber Eric Robert Rudolph. Now the former US Attorney is running in the Democratic Senate primary for the seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions.
2017 Birmingham Mayoral Debate
WBHM and the Birmingham Business Journal partnered to present the 2017 Birmingham Mayoral Debate. We hear from the top three candidates in Birmingham's race for mayor as determined by public polling: incumbent Mayor William Bell, and challengers Chris Woods, and Randall Woodfin.
Outgoing State Ethics Commissioner Takes Aim at Fellow Commissioners
An outgoing member of the Alabama Ethics Commission says the panel has been lax in upholding rules to keep state government in line.
Birmingham Council District 5: A Tale Of Two Cities
Seven people are vying for the District 5 seat on the Birmingham City Council in the August 22 elections. That’s the area representing most of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods from Crestwood to Smithfield. Managing this district won’t be easy. Some parts stand out as hip places to be in Birmingham, while others languish in extreme poverty and blight.
Many GOP Voters Still Undecided on Senate Candidates
Four candidates attended at the GOP Senate forum: incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, Bryan Peeples, Randy Brinson and Congressman Mo Brooks. They wanted to win votes. But as they hashed out issues from abortion to concealed carry laws, many voters left undecided.
Birmingham Gentrification Task Force To Meet This Month
A new task force to address gentrification in Birmingham is set to meet for the first time later this month.
Philemon Hill: Birmingham Needs Economic Development and Strong Schools
Philemon Hill is a sports marketer. He’s promoted sporting events from baseball to golf around the Southeast. But he’s also become a fixture at Birmingham City Council and School Board meetings. Now, he’d like to make the leap from gadfly to mayor.
Bell, Woods, and Woodfin Top Poll and Fundraising in Birmingham Mayor’s Race
A WBRC Fox 6 News poll in the Birmingham mayor’s race shows incumbent William Bell, building contractor Chris Woods and Birmingham school board member Randall Woodfin leading the race as the Aug. 22 election approaches. Those same three candidates are leading in fundraising, according to a WBHM analysis.
From Poverty to Potholes, Frank Matthews Wants to Fix the City
Frank Matthews has been a preacher, a media consultant and co-director of the Mayor's Office of Citizens' Assistance. Now, the he wants to become mayor of Birmingham .
The Risk Brooks Took: Choosing Sessions Over Trump
Congressman and Republican U.S. Senate candidate discusses his decision to criticize President Donald Trump over publicly berating Attorney General Jeff Session.
Trump’s Attacks on Sessions Become Part of U.S. Senate Primary
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the Republican side of the special primary election for U.S. Senate.
Fernandez Sims Says Birmingham Needs A Servant Leader
Brother Fernandez Sims is a Birmingham minister. From his time in the pulpit and counseling people in the community, he says he sees the needs of Birmingham residents. He says he wants to be mayor to address those some of those needs.
Former Chief Justice Roy Moore Campaigns on Return to Morality
As former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, he's not backing away from his opposition to same-sex marriage or his views on religion in government.
Crowded Field of Eight Battle For District 2 Council Seat
There’s only one seat for the Birmingham City Council in District 2, and eight people want it – including the incumbent. The district, which includes the east Birmingham communities of East Lake, Roebuck Springs, Liberty Highlands, Crestwood South, Huffman and several others, has attracted a combination of young professionals and community leaders.
Crime, Education, Jobs Among Top Issues For Birmingham Voters
Many of those running for office in Birmingham, whether for mayor or city council or school board, have their own ideas on how to improve life in the city. But ask some of the city’s 212,000 residents what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear the same concerns come up over and over again: jobs, education, and crime.
