Government
Larry Contri, Former Interim School Superintendent, Vies for a Board Seat
The veteran Birmingham educator, who was interim school superintendent but passed over for the permanent job, is running for a seat on the Birmingham Board of Education. Contri qualified Friday to run in District 3. Mary Drennen Boehm, the former executive director of A+ College Ready Alabama, has also qualified for that race.
Birmingham Election Qualifying Ends This Week — Who’s In?
The list of candidates so far includes several incumbents and other familiar names. Qualifying ends at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 7.
Trump Administration Cuts Funding to Anti-White-Supremacy Group
A group that helps people leave white supremacist organizations recently lost a huge federal grant. Officials with Life After Hate say the news was upsetting but not surprising. The Department […]
Marchers Urge Birmingham to Become Sanctuary City
Immigrant advocates and residents marched in downtown Birmingham Saturday from Kelly Ingram Park to City Hall. They want Birmingham to become a “sanctuary city” – one that does not use city resources to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
Birmingham Officials Spend Hundreds of Thousands on Travel Annually
A review by the weekly newspaper Weld finds one Birmingham City Council member was responsible for nearly half of the council's entire travel budget last fiscal year.
Is Robinson Indictment the Beginning of “Alabama’s Watergate?”
Alabama is currently waiting to see what happens next in the situation involving former state Rep. Oliver Robinson. He pleaded guilty last week to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud. AL.com's John Archibald thinks there may be more indictments to come.
Focus on Birmingham Mayor’s Race as Election Revs Up
Between the mayor’s race, city council and school board – 19 seats in all are up for grabs in the Birmingham City Elections set for August 22.
Medicaid Cuts Could Hit Alabama Seniors Hard
The U.S. Senate has delayed a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. As of now, the proposed new bill would result in deep cuts to Medicaid. But a recent report says Alabama is one of seven states where rural seniors rely more on Medicaid for their health care than they do in most other places.
Ex-State Lawmaker Oliver Robinson to Plead Guilty In Federal Bribery Case
Former State Representative Oliver Robinson will plead guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud in a scheme to block expansion of a Superfund site.
Investigation Shows State School Board Member Conspired Against Superintendent Candidate
The Alabama Board of Education accepted a report Wednesday that found five people, including a state school board member, conspired to keep a leading candidate from being chosen as state superintendent last year.
Humane Society Approved for New 27-acre Facility in Titusville
The Birmingham City Council Tuesday transferred ownership of the property in Titusville to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Despite overwhelming support from residents, some in the neighborhood voiced concerns about the move. Hear more from Nick Patterson of Weld.
Finding Agreement in a Divisive Culture
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a shooting that left a congressman wounded and flaws he sees in Alabama's constitution.
Special Coverage: Attorney General Jeff Sessions Testifies on Capitol Hill
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open hearing on Tuesday. Senators will likely ask about his recusal from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and what if anything he knew about President Trump reportedly asking former FBI Director James Comey to ease off the inquiry into onetime national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Changes to Mayor-Council Act Deepening Rift at Birmingham City Hall
Weld investigates changes to the Mayor-Council Act and what Mayor William Bell is doing with his new authority.
Mayor Bell Takes Interest in Delinquent Water Works Customers
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about why all of a sudden Mayor William Bell is voicing concern about the Birmingham Water Works' decision to start cutting off service to customers who are behind on their bills.
Special Coverage of James Comey’s Senate Testimony
Former FBI Director James Comey is testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence this week, speaking publicly for the first time since he was fired by President Trump nearly a month ago. Thursday's public hearing begins at 9 am CT. NPR journalists covering national security and politics have annotated Comey's opening remarks, which the Senate Intelligence Committee released in advance.
Former Lawmaker’s Message Led to Concerns About Property Values
Former State Rep. Oliver Robinson abruptly resigned his legislative seat last November. He recently confirmed to WBHM that he is under investigation. The details of that investigation aren’t known, but reports suggest it’s tied to his interference with efforts by the US Environmental Protection Agency to test for contamination in his former district.
Birmingham Mayor’s Office Releases Proposed Budget
Weld editor Nick Patterson talks about Birmingham Mayor William Bell's proposed city budget.
Monuments Law Adds to Alabama’s Troubled Story
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a new law that prevents removal of long-standing historic monuments, including those connected to the Confederacy.
Birmingham’s VA Faces Challenges Keeping Wait Times Down
Wait times have been shrinking at the Birmingham VA after zooming up last year, but challenges with space and hiring still remain.
Alabama Lawmakers Close Out Legislative Session
Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey discusses the final week of the 2017 legislative session.
The Great Gun Rights Divide in Alabama
A look at gun rights and ownership in Alabama following the death of a bill in the 2017 legislative session that would've made the concealed carry permit optional.
Former State Lawmaker Discouraged Pollution Cleanup Efforts
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses an investigation that found former State Representative Oliver Robinson tried to discourage efforts to clean up pollution from North Birmingham neighborhoods.
Crowded Field Vies for U.S. Senate Seat
Wednesday was the deadline for candidates to qualify to run for U.S. Senate in this year’s special election. As expected, it’s a crowded field.
Lawmaker Investigation Tied to Pollution Near North Birmingham
Former State Rep. Oliver Robinson confirmed to WBHM he is under investigation. The investigation, as al.com reports, seems to be connected to efforts by the EPA to test neighborhoods in Tarrant and Inglenook for air pollution. Gigi Douban talked with Robinson Tuesday afternoon and offered this update.
Autism Bill May Fall Short in Legislature
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says if bill requiring insurers cover a particular type of autism therapy receives final passage, it would be a miracle.
Alabama’s Exotic Pet Laws Could Soon Change
Nick Patterson, editor of Weld, discusses how Alabama lawmakers are considering changing the state’s regulations on exotic pet ownership.
Judge has Questions for Special Grand Jury Meeting in Birmingham
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a special grand jury that's been meeting in Birmingham.
UAB Political Scientist Assesses The First 100 Days of President Trump
The first 100 days is the time when the new president could be possibly more successful than later in the term.
Historic Monuments Bill Passes, City Council Raises Blocked
This week in the Alabama legislature, the Senate voted to block a big pay raise for the next Birmingham City Council. And after hours of heated debate Thursday, lawmakers in the Alabama House passed the controversial historic monuments bill.
Roy Moore Announces U.S. Senate Run
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses Roy Moore's announcement he's running for U.S. Senate and how the field of gubernatorial candidates is shaping up.
Savings Uncertain With Birmingham’s LED Street Lights
Birmingham is installing new LED street lights across the city. But while other cities across the country have seen dramatic savings after switching, there's no guarantee Birmingham will see similar savings.
