Government
Some Doubt Gov. Robert Bentley’s Prison Reform Plan
Critics call them five-star prison hotels. Fact is, Alabama’s prisons are among the most overcrowded in the nation. The state’s correctional facilities, designed to hold 13,000 inmates, instead house almost double that. State prisons are also chronically understaffed, a factor thought to have contributed to two recent inmate riots at Holman Correctional Facility and a fatal inmate stabbing at Elmore Correctional Facility. A Senate budget committee approved Governor Robert Bentley’s proposed solution to the problem. But there’s uncertainty as to whether that’s indeed the way out.
Fairfield Considers Cutting Police Department to Save Money
The Fairfield City Council recently made an unconventional move: they voted to get rid of their police department in an effort to save money. But some city leaders say it’s a shortsighted response to a big budget problem.
Governor to Veto General Fund Budget
Governor Robert Bentley announced Thursday he’d veto the General Fund Budget passed by the Legislature, saying it would make the state's Medicaid system unsustainable. “The General Fund Budget is unacceptable because it lacks adequate funding for essential government services," Bentley said in a statement. "The proposed appropriation falls short of what the Medicaid Agency will require to provide services for the over one million Alabamians, most of them children, covered by Medicaid.”
ALEA Audit Shows No Discrepancies, Report Says
WBRC recently obtained a copy of an audit of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency released last month. The 17-page document, published to their website on Wednesday morning, "did not disclose any significant instances of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations."
Inside the Financial Crisis in Fairfield
When the Walmart closed in Fairfield, the city lost one of its largest sources of sales tax revenue. The small Birmingham neighbor now faces a looming $8 million dollar deficit after years of alleged financial mismanagement. For more on Fairfield’s money crisis, and the city council’s recent vote to terminate the police department, we turn to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson talk's about WELD's cover story on Fairfield's financial crisis. He tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Fairfield’s history, and how it got to this breaking point.
What’s Next After Allegations of an Affair by Governor?
Governor Robert Bentley says he did not have a physical relationship with a top advisor and that allegations of an affair are not true. But he says he did make inappropriate comments and that was a mistake. The remarks come after former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency director Spencer Collier detailed what he knew of the alleged affair in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Rumors of an affair have been swirling, fueled by the governor's divorce last year from his wife of 50 years. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the situation and says he doesn't seen how Bentley can now lead.
Scandal Erupts Between Alabama’s Governor and Former Top Cop
Alabama’s top law enforcement officer, Spencer Collier, is fired following statements he made about an alleged affair between Governor Robert Bentley and a top adviser, Rebekah Mason. For more, we […]
Governor Apologizes for Inappropriate Remarks, Denies Physical Relationship with Advisor
Governor Robert Bentley says he did not have a physical relationship with a top advisor and allegations of an affair are not true or accurate. But the governor says he did make inappropriate comments which was a mistake.
Alabama’s Former Top Cop Says Governor Had Affair
One day after being fired, Alabama’s top law enforcement official says Governor Robert Bentley has been having an affair with his a top advisor. Spencer Collier made the remarks at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery. Spencer is the first person to publicly confirm the rumored affair, which was fueled last year by Bentley’s divorce from his wife of 50 years, Diane Bentley.
Bentley Removes Collier as Law Enforcement Chief
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has announced that he is terminating Spencer Collier as the head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
New Bill Would Make Birmingham Civil Rights District a National Park
Federal and state leaders from Alabama announced a bill that would designate Birmingham’s Historic Civil Rights District as a National Park.
This Week in Montgomery: Alabamians to Vote on Right-to-Work Amendment
Thursday the Alabama Senate passed legislation designed to enshrine Alabama's position as a "right-to-work" state in its constitution. Now, Alabama voters will vote on the amendment in November. We hear more from Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. Also this week, a bill allowing Alabama to borrow $800 million to build four new prisons moved forward, passing a Senate Committee less than a week after two violent uprisings at Holman Correctional Facility in south Alabama. Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about how the recent prison violence moved legislators.
Birmingham Residents Speak on Potential Changes to Mayor-Council Act
More than 100 people gathered in city council chambers Thursday night hoping to understand the latest grievance between the mayor and city council and encourage civility. Tensions between Birmingham Mayor […]
Former Mayor, Birmingham Officials on City’s Power Struggle
Tensions between the Birmingham City Council and Mayor William Bell have escalated over the past several months. There's also a move in the state legislature designed to change Birmingham’s Mayor-Council Act of 1955, which has determined the devision of power in the city for decades. A few weeks ago, draft legislation circulated that would transfer some powers from the city council to the mayor. Thursday evening at 6 pm, the Birmingham City Council holds an open meeting about these possible changes. We talk with Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, about what former Birmingham officials think of the current battle in Birmingham government. Patterson also discusses the growth of small business in the Magic City, and what help entrepreneurs want from the city.
Prison Uprising Puts Governor’s Prison Plan in the Spotlight
Alabama lawmakers are considering a plan from Governor Robert Bentley to overhaul Alabama's prison system. It would use an $800 million bond issue to build four new prisons while closing most others. The proposal takes on renewed importance after two violent uprisings at the Holman Correctional Facility in south Alabama on Friday and Monday. In remarks after touring the facility, the governor says he can't guarantee the same thing won't happen again. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Senate Committee Approves Prison Consolidation Plan
A Senate budget committee approved a prison construction bill Wednesday. The bill would close 14 state prisons and build four large regional facilities. Senator Cam Ward was among the bill’s supporters, […]
Medicaid Funding Struggles Could Send Alabama Legislature into Special Session
Alabama is once again heading for a budget standoff. This week, the house committee approved a General Fund budget. The state's Medicaid commissioner says it would cause severe cuts to the program. The $1.8 billion budget steers an additional $15 million to Medicaid, but that's short of the $100 million the agency says is needed to maintain services. Governor Robert Bentley’s already threatened a veto, and state lawmakers are talking about a special session. Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal, told WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley more about the budget and the rest of this week's news from Montgomery.
The Rising Cost of Helping the Homeless in Alabama
Life is difficult without identification. For homeless people, not having it can make life even more challenging. There are organizations that help homeless people get state-issued IDs, but cost increases […]
What is the Mayor-Council Act of 1955?
The power struggle between Birmingham Mayor William Bell and the Birmingham City Council is escalating. Last week, Bell suggested changes to the Mayor-Council Act to state legislators. But what exactly is The Mayor Council act of 1955, and how did the city council and the mayor get to this point? Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, says it’s a long battle that precedes this mayor and this council. Patterson told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about the history behind the conflict.
Birmingham Mayor/Council Power Struggle Reaches State Level
A war of words and political posturing is escalating between the Birmingham City Council and Mayor William Bell. The mayor vetoed two ordinances last week, one of which would have granted the city council access to city equipment and facilities when the want it. The other would force the mayor to present budgets on time. Now the fight is rising to the state level with two bills that could be introduced in the legislature. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Payday Loan Bill Alive, But For How Long?
A public meeting was held in Montgomery Wednesday, March 9, to discuss legislation that would affect payday loans, a U.S. lawmaker from Alabama is chosen to advise Republican front-runner Donald […]
Does ALDOT Just Do What They Want?
As a federal judge considers a lawsuit seeking to block a planned rebuilding and expansion of Interstate 20/59 through downtown Birmingham, opponents of road projects often contend state transportation leaders ignore local concerns. They say the Alabama Department of Transportation does what it wants or that ALDOT doesn’t listen.
Alabama Lawmakers Could Consider “Ban the Box” Bill
Research shows a key factor in preventing a felon from reoffending is having a job. But studies also show half of employers are unwilling to consider an applicant with a criminal background. So-called “ban the box” policies try to close that gap and Alabama legislators could consider such a proposal this session.
High Court Voids Alabama Ruling Against Lesbian Adoption
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that Alabama's top court went too far when it tried to upend a lesbian mother's adoption of her partner's children. The justices threw out a ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court in a dispute between two women whose long-term relationship ended bitterly.
This Week in Montgomery: PREP Act, Bentley’s Bond for Building New Prisons and More
This week in the Alabama Legislature, senator Del Marsh’s introduced the PREP Act. If it becomes law, Alabama teachers would be evaluated by student test scores and have to work longer before they get tenure.
Analysis Shows Great Voting Divide in Jefferson County, A Win for Ben Carson
Less than half of Jefferson County's 411,838 registered voters went to the polls on Tuesday. A total of 82,928 voted in the Democratic Primary and 93,985 voted in the Republican Primary.
Judge in Jefferson County Rules Alabama’s Death Penalty Statute Unconstitutional
In January, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Hurst v. Florida that Florida’s death penalty statute was unconstitutional. Alabama and Delaware are the only other states with similar statutes that require a judge – not a jury – to make the final decision about life of death in a capital case. Attorney General Luther Strange has held that the Supreme Court ruling does not apply to Alabama. But today one judge in Jefferson County disagreed. Ruling that the death can’t currently be imposed in Alabama.
Issues & Ales: Crime in the Greater Birmingham Area
Join us on Thursday, March 10 for "Issues and Ales: Crime in the Greater Birmingham Area.” Local law enforcement officials and community members will discuss crime and brainstorm solutions.
Protesters Hold Memorial for Deceased Former Etowah County Detainee
The Etowah County Detention Center has been under increasing scrutiny in recent months after complaints about poor inmate health care and a detainee hunger strike. The center is used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to hold unlawful immigrants. Over the weekend, protesters held a memorial service for Teka Gulema, a former inmate who died shortly after being released.
Simple Investigation or Attempt to stop Speaker’s Ethics Trial?
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is conducting an internal investigation into suspected wrongdoing. Details are few but the admission comes two weeks after Governor Robert Bentley placed ALEA Secretary Spencer Collier on medical leave. At the same time, Collier signed an affidavit related to the ethics trial of House Speaker Mike Hubbard, something the governor didn't want Collier to do Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the situation and why he suspects the investigation is part of an attempt by the governor to stop the Hubbard trial.
Looking Forward to the General Election
Super Tuesday has come and gone in Alabama. What was surprising and what to expect come November? Analysis of the primary elections. And House Speaker Mike Hubbard is back in court tomorrow - Thursday, March 3. A look at what's happening in that trial taking place in Lee County.
Storms Couldn’t Keep Alabamians Away From Polls
Alabamians hit the polls yesterday for what’s been dubbed the "SEC Primary" and voter turnout was high despite severe weather.
