Government
Racking Up Tickets in Birmingham? It’s Amnesty Time
If you have unpaid parking tickets in Birmingham or tickets for minor traffic offenses, the city is giving you two months to pay. No extra fines. It's part of the city's latest amnesty program.
Hoover City Council to Consider Sales Tax Increase
The Hoover City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on increasing its sales tax by a half cent. The council will also consider boosting some lodging taxes and rental property fees.
Why People Are Talking About Gov. Ivey’s Age
There's a lot of chatter among political pundits and voters about whether Gov. Kay Ivey is up to the task of leading the state for a full term. Is it a question that comes up often for older female political candidates?
Judge Helen Shores Lee Remembered For Equity and Fairness
Judge Helen Shores Lee, the first African America female elected to the Jefferson County Circuit Court, died today. She was 77.
Trump’s Budget Wish List: What It Could Mean for Alabama
How President Trump's proposed budget cuts could affect Alabama's urban and rural residents.
AG Marshall Speaks Out About Wife’s Mental Health Struggles
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall shed light today on circumstances around his wife's death this past Sunday. In an emotional press conference, Marshall set the record straight about his family.
Amazon Expected to Change Bessemer’s Economy
Bessemer city officials and Amazon have confirmed that the nation’s largest e-commerce company will build a $325 million fulfillment center along I-20/59 near Bessemer City High School.
Teachers, School Funding Among New Schools Chief’s Priorities
Eric Mackey is Alabama’s new superintendent of education. Before this, he was a lobbyist for state school superintendents. Mackey says Alabama schools must address poverty, teachers, and school funding.
Birmingham City Council Approves $436 Million Budget
The $436 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 includes basic support for city services and a small cost of living adjustment for employees. But some funds and requests will be handled differently.
Analysis of Alabama’s Primary from the Right and Left
Democrat Walt Maddox and Republican Kay Ivey will meet in the fall race for Governor. Some other races in Alabama's primary will go to runoffs first. We have analysis from Republican consultant Jeff Vreeland and Democratic pollster Zac McCrary.
Ivey, Maddox to Face Off in November
Gov. Kay Ivey won Tuesday's Republican primary with a significant lead over her three opponents, giving her a chance to be elected to the seat for the first time in November. She will face Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in the race for governor.
Birmingham Lands New Pro Football Team For 2019
Birmingham is getting a new professional football team and Legion Field is getting a new tenant. The Alliance of American Football League, led by television and film producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Pollian, announced Monday it will include Birmingham in its initial eight-team line up.
Alabama Governor’s Primary Race is All About Corruption
There’s been rampant corruption among state leaders in Alabama, and it’s escalated in recent years. Voters have noticed. And judging by the anti-corruption political ads and fliers blanketing mailboxes and screens, candidates in Tuesday’s primary are responding.
Council Proposes Changes to Birmingham Mayor’s Budget
The Birmingham City Council wants to restore funding for neighborhood associations and several non-profits in its proposed changes for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s 2019 budget. The council submitted its budget counterproposal to the mayor on Tuesday.
GOP Plays to Social Conservatives in Statewide Primaries
Alabama voters go to the polls June 5th for party primaries. In addition to governor, they’ll choose nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general and chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
2018 Elections: Candidate Profiles
Four Republicans and six Democrats are vying for the party nominations in the June 5 Alabama primaries. Here are their profiles.
Conservation Groups Push For Faster Alerts on Sewage Spills
Sewer operators are required to notify the public of sewer spills if they endanger public health. Conservation groups say it's not happening fast enough.
Three Things the New Jeffco Commission Needs to Do
The Jefferson County Commission's $4 billion bankruptcy is in the rearview mirror. But to fully recover, outgoing Commissioner David Carrington says the new commission will need to focus on these three things.
National Neighborhood Leaders Meet in Birmingham
More than 800 people from around the country are in Birmingham this week for the annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference. Local neighborhood leaders say this is their time to show off Birmingham.
2018 Governor’s Race: James Fields
Democrat James Fields was the first African American to run for a legislative seat in mostly-white Cullman County. Many told him to withdraw, but he went on to win that seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2008. Now he's running for governor.
2018 Governor’s Race: Doug “New Blue” Smith
Democrat Doug "New Blue" Smith says previous Republican administrations have dismantled the state's "economic machinery." He would restore it if elected governor.
2018 Governor’s Race: Scott Dawson
Scott Dawson is a newcomer to politics. But the Republican evangelist says he was inspired to run for Alabama governor after watching former Governor Robert Bentley’s administration fall apart amid Bentley’s alleged affair with an aide.
2018 Governor’s Race: Sue Bell Cobb
Sue Bell Cobb was the first woman to be elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Now the Evergreen native has her sights set on the governor’s office. Her conversation with WBHM’s Dan Carsen starts with a horrific event from Cobb’s days as a county judge when a man who’d appeared in her court firebombed her house.
City Cracks Down on Residential Code Violations
Birmingham has a housing problem. Many of the homes – about 42 percent of them – are in need of major repairs, and city officials are cracking down on building code violations.
Birmingham Explores Electronic Payment Options for Meters
If you park at a meter in downtown Birmingham or on Southside, you’d better be carrying change. But maybe not for long. The city is considering electronic payment options for parking meters.
DA Candidate Fights To Include His Name on Countywide Ballot
Bill Veitch, a candidate for the Republican nomination for Jefferson County District Attorney, has appealed to the state Supreme Court to have his name placed on the ballot in both county jurisdictions.
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Senator Shelby
A watchdog group has filed an ethics complaint against Alabama Senator Richard Shelby.
2018 Governor’s Race: Christopher Countryman
Democrat Christopher Countryman has been active as an LGBTQ activist. He now has his eye on the governor's office.
Woodfin Presents First City Budget Proposal
The Birmingham City Council heard Mayor Randall Woodfin’s first proposed spending plan today, then set a budget hearing for May 14. The mayor says, the city has to make some tough decisions.
Environmental Groups: Fees Tied to Solar are ‘Unlawful’
Attorneys recently filed a complaint with the state Public Service Commission against Alabama Power over extra fees the power company imposes on homes, schools, and small businesses that use solar power. The complaint calls the five-year-old fees “unlawful” and “contrary to the public interest.”
Judge Sends Case of Huffman High Shooter to Grand Jury
A Jefferson County grand jury will decide the next steps in the case of Michael Barber, accused of fatally shooting his schoolmate Courtlin Arrington in March at Huffman High.
WBHM Politics: Tariffs and China
China and the U.S. have locked horns over tariffs. Alabama companies and farmers are right in the middle.
