Government
Federal Judge Puts Temporary Hold on Same-Sex Marriage Decision
Alabama same-sex couples who hoped to get marriage licenses today will have to wait a few more weeks to see if the state will legally recognize their relationships. A federal judge put a two-week hold on her decision striking down Alabama's ban on same-sex marriage. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley spoke to Andrew Yeager about what happened over the weekend and what might happen next.
Federal Judge In Alabama Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
Alabama has become the latest state to see its ban on gay marriage fall to a federal court ruling, as the issue of same-sex marriage heads to the U.S. Supreme Court. U.S. District Callie V.S. Granade ruled Friday in favor of two Mobile women who sued to challenge Alabama's refusal to recognize their marriage performed in California. Alabama's Attorney General's Office has asked the judge to put a stay on the ruling.
John Archibald: Birmingham to Host 2021 World Games
Birmingham leaders are celebrating today's announcement the city has won the chance to host the 2021 World Games. It's an international competition of non-Olympic sports. Birmingham beat Lima, Peru, and Ufa, Russia, to capture the games. City officials are not only talking about history and civic pride but economic impact as well. We hear reaction from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Two Churches Join Forces For MLK Holiday Worship and Community Service
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "The most segregated time of the week is on Sunday." Reverend James Sutton and Reverend Steven Castello, the leaders of Ardent Church and Holy Trinity World Outreach Ministry, are determined to change that. The two Birmingham churches -- one majority black, the other majority white -- are coming together this weekend to honor Dr. King Jr. by fostering friendships between the members of their congregations.
John Archibald: No Confidence Vote on UAB President
The UAB Faculty Senate will vote Thursday morning on a resolution expressing no confidence in university president Ray Watts. It's the latest fallout from his decision to end UAB's football, bowling and rifle programs. This is in addition to no confidence resolutions passed by the Graduate Student Government and the Undergraduate Student Government Association, the latter saying Watts misled people and didn't adequately inform the UAB community.
Kyle Whitmire: Leadership in the Legislature and at UAB
The Alabama Legislature met for their organizational session this week, and much of their key leadership will remain the same. What does this mean for this year's legislative session? Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and The Birmingham News joins us to discuss this, along with the potential no confidence vote for UAB President Dr. Ray Watts.
John Archibald: The Northern Beltline Boondoggle
Supporters of the Northern Beltline had a good 2014. Construction began on the planned 52-mile, $5 billion interstate highway stretching across the northern half of Jefferson County. Critics have long pointed to the price tag as a reason to abandon the proposal, but some new maps and data are adding to the cry of boondoggle. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Nancy Worley and Alabama’s Democratic Party in 2015
What's in store for Alabama's fractured Democratic Party in 2015? A humorous holiday letter sent from party chairwoman Nancy Worley has al.com and Birmingham News political commentator Kyle Whitmire concerned about the party's future.
New Year’s Resolutions for Alabama’s Political Leaders
2014 was a busy year for Alabama -- Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard was indicted on felony corruption charges, Republicans swept all the major elections in the state and Jefferson County had, arguably, its first slow news year in a decade. What's in store for 2015? Kyle Whitmire of al.com and the Birmingham News suggests some New Year's resolutions for Alabama's leaders.
Kyle Whitmire: Is Governor Bentley Now Open To Expanding Medicaid?
Governor Bentley has repeatedly said he's opposed to the state expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. But in a speech to legislators last week, Bentley seemed to change his tune. Is Medicaid expansion on the horizon for Alabama?
Ollie’s Barbecue: The Case that Integrated Restaurants
One of the enduring images of the Civil Rights Movement is of black protesters being pulled away from lunch counters. Fifty years ago this Sunday a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively ended segregation in restaurants. That case came from Birmingham.
What’s Behind the Decision to End UAB Football?
University of Alabama at Birmingham football players, coaches and staff are trying to figure out what's next after the university announced Tuesday its ending the school's football program. UAB President Dr. Ray Watts says UAB made the decision after a campus-wide study conducted by a consulting firm over the past year. But there's a perception among some that the decision to end football was dictated by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Kyle Whitmire from al.com and the Birmingham News explains.
Just How Bad Is Alabama’s General Fund Budget Shortfall?
Alabama has had its fare share of budget trouble, and this fiscal year is no different. Governor Robert Bentley, in a speech last week, said Alabama's General Fund could be short about $250 million. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News discusses the extent of the state's financial woes with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley.
Why Does Alabama Replace License Plates Every Five Years?
If you're like most Alabama residents, you received a new license plate in the mail this year. There was actually nothing wrong with your old one. Still, every five years, the state sends replacement plates for the majority of registered vehicles in the state. But have you ever stopped to think why? It costs the state millions of dollars and some are asking questions. WBHM's Sarah Delia has this report.
John Archibald: A Spat in the Mike Hubbard Case
A trial for indicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been delayed until next year, but it hasn't stopped people on both sides from trying to influence public discussion. Hubbard faces 23 corruption charges and Tuesday Acting Attorney General Van Davis released a statement pushing back against Hubbard defenders who say this is a political prosecution. By the end of the day Hubbard's lawyer said he would file new a motion with the court. Alabama Media group columnist John Archibald talks about the tit-for-tat.
Leadership and Diversity in Alabama’s Democratic Party
Alabama's Democratic party has long been led by white democrats, a trend that has continued after the November 4 elections. But the overwhelming majority of Democratic elected officials are black. Kyle Whitmire discusses why party leadership doesn't accurately reflect the party, along with the latest on House Speaker Mike Hubbard's ethics charges and what's next for U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller.
John Archibald: The Future of UAB Football
Alabama may be a football crazy state, but UAB's football program has always struggled to gain traction. Certainly there's the dominance of the teams at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. But UAB boosters say the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has undermined the team and is now trying to shut it down. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: Gerrymandering In Alabama
On Wednesday the US Supreme Court took up the complicated question of what kind of gerrymandering is acceptable and what kind is not. The court is being asked to decide whether a 2010 state legislative redistricting in Alabama overloaded some districts with black Democrats on the basis of race or party.
With Republicans Dominating the Ballot Box, What’s Next?
Alabama Republicans are celebrating their election victories as they maintained control of all statewide offices and all but one congressional seat. Republicans also added to their supermajority in the the Alabama legislature. That means 4 more years for Governor Robert Bentley and 4 more years of Republican dominance.
Election 2014 Results
Alabama Republicans maintained their dominance sweeping all statewide offices in the 2014 election. Governor Robert Bentley wins a second term and he'll have a legislature in firm Republican control to work with. We have the results.
Parker Griffith: Alabama’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate
Parker Griffith is a former congressman and state law maker as well as a retired physician. He's also the Democratic gubernatorial candidate facing incumbent Governor Robert Bentley on November 4th. WBHM's Sarah Delia spoke with Griffith about his campaign.
John Archibald: Don’t Despair about Political Corruption
Corruption seems to be gaining the spotlight in Alabama politics after being dormant for a few years. That's thanks to the indictment of Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard on 23 corruption charges. He's the latest in a long line of politicians wrapped up in corruption cases. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says don't despair.
A Guide to Alabama’s 2014 Constitutional Amendments
When voters head to the ballot box next week, they won't just be voting for governor, attorney general and other statewide offices. They'll also vote on five statewide constitutional amendments. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Anniston Star reporter Tim Lockette about the amendments.
The Races for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District
As Alabama voters pick their members of Congress at the polls next week, only residents of the sixth congressional district will be guaranteed to have new representation. Long-time Congressman Spencer Bachus is retiring from the district that covers suburban Birmingham. The fight for Alabama's only open seat is heating up.
Representative Spencer Bachus Reflects On His Time In Congress
A fixture on the Alabama political scene will soon be no longer. Spencer Bachus has served in Congress since 1993. But this year the Vestavia Hills Republican is retiring. He's one of 24 incumbents to step down this term.Congressman Bachus spoke to WBHM's Sarah Delia about his time in Washington. He started off by explaining why he decided to retire.
Alabama House Speaker Hubbard Indicted on Corruption Charges
The Speaker of the Alabama House has been arrested on a 23 count indictment alleging an array of ethics violations.
Alabama Attorney General’s 1976 Letter Told KKK Off In 3 Short Words
As part of our series Letters of Note, former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley tells NPR's Audie Cornish how he once replied to an angry letter from the Ku Klux Klan.
John Archibald: Birmingham Schools Superintendent Resigns
The Birmingham City Schools is looking for a new leader. Superintendent Craig Witherspoon surprised many when he announced his resignation Tuesday. It's effective December 31st. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald offers his thoughts on the move.
CDC Ebola Training Center opens in Anniston
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated a training course at the former Army base in Anniston for health workers intending to help with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
John Archibald: Security and Service
The topic of security for public officials is getting special attention this week writ very, very large. The Secret Service in Washington has a very big task. Keeping public officials safe is important, and John has written about the topic on a more Alabama-focused level. Meanwhile, election day is about a month away. The final push has a lot of energy, rhetoric and money at play. After November 4th, what's next?
Kyle Whitmire: Judge Lifts Restrictions On The Montgomery Advertiser
Last week Jefferson County Circuit Judge Robert Vance lifted his ban that temporarily blocked the Montgomery Advertiser from publishing information from Alagasco documents. We take a look at why the ban was set in the first place as well as job numbers in the state.
Kyle Whitmire: The Practice of Law and the Practice of Journalism
The practice of journalism and the practice of law are getting deeply intertwined in Alabama and nationwide. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss.
