Government
Life After Prison: Victims Face Tough Road Too
All this week in our series Life After Prison we've been exploring the challenges inmates face rebuilding their lives after serving their sentences. It's part of a reporting project in partnership with AL.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting. But for every prisoner there's a victim and often victims face a tough road. WBHM's Andrew Yeager explores this through one crime victim's experience.
A Candidates Forum for the Republican Primary Runoff in Alabama’s 6th Congressional District
Republican voters will decide their candidate for Alabama's 6th Congressional District race in a runoff election July 15th. To help inform voters Jefferson State Community College hosted a forum June 24th at its Shelby-Hoover campus between the two candidates -- State Rep. Paul DeMarco and policy analyst Gary Palmer. WBHM airs this forum Thursday, June 26th at 2 p.m.
How Prison Shaped a Woman’s Career Path
For 10 years of her adult life, Jamie Faust was in and out of county jail and federal prison. In 2012 she entered Julia Tutwiler's Prison for Women as an HIV positive inmate. At the time, HIV inmates were segregated from the general population. She tells WBHM's Sarah Delia that living with HIV in prison wasn't easy, but the experience pushed her to follow a career path she might not have otherwise.
John Archibald: Give Edward Lane a Job
Idealists like to think of the little guy going to Washington and coming out on top. Every once in a while reality reaches toward that idealism. It happened in a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The justices ruled unanimously in favor of Edward Lane, a former Alabama 2-year college system employee who testified about corruption he saw and was fired. They say the First Amendment protects his testimony. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says he needs more than a moral victory.
Life After Prison: Ex-Felons Often Struggle to Find a Job
Throughout the week, WBHM is reporting on the hurdles ex-felons face once they're released from prison. One of the primary challenges they face is finding stable employment. In addition to the external struggles ex-felons face when looking for work, many also grapple with internal ones, like drug addiction or mental health issues. But, issues aside, ex-offenders need a job to provide for their basic needs, in addition to money required to pay court expenses and restitution. The long path back to a normal life begins with whether or not an employer will give ex-offenders a chance. For WBHM News, Les Lovoy has more.
Hear Highlights from “Issues & Ales: Alabama’s Prison System”
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM hosted an "Issues & Ales" event concentrating on Alabama's Prison System on Tuesday, June 17 at WorkPlay. Listen for highlights from the event on WBHM at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 25. If you missed the event and the broadcast, listen here. This panel discussion focused on what Alabama residents want from the prison and criminal justice systems and how policy makers and communities can punish wrongdoing, rehabilitate offenders and, by extension, reduce crime in Alabama.
Kyle Whitmire: 6th Congressional District Campaign Tactics
Kyle Whitmire, of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the campaign tactics of the two Republican candidates battling to represent Alabama's 6th Congressional District. Paul DeMarco and Gary Palmer will face each other in a runoff on July 15. The winner goes to the November general election.
The City of Birmingham is Preparing for Uber
The ride sharing company Uber could be driving into Birmingham. The company has posted online ads for drivers although they won't say specifically whether they have plans to come to Birmingham. Such ride sharing operations have become common in larger cities around the country and the world. But many local governments have cried foul saying they're just unregulated taxi services. Birmingham City Councilwoman Kim Rafferty, who chairs the transportation committee, is trying to get ahead of that.
Life After Prison: Ex-offenders Face Many Challenges When Reentering Society
Alabama's overcrowded prisons currently house more than 25,000 inmates. The vast majority - about 97% - will one day be released and return to the communities they left behind. After incarceration, former inmates face staggering challenges. All this week, WBHM's Life After Prison series will explore the stories of Alabama's recently released prisoners struggling to reintegrate into society. It's part of our investigation into the Alabama prison system, in partnership with al.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting. To start this series, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley examines what stands between ex-offenders and a productive life outside of prison.
What We Heard at WBHM’s Issues and Ales
On Tuesday, June 17, WBHM hosted an Issues and Ales panel discussion focusing on the Alabama prison system. Over three panels, speakers covered the system's current problems with overcrowding, along with how to best rehabilitate offenders and what Alabama could do to improve the prison system. Panelists included Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner Kim Thomas, State Senator Cam Ward, former inmates, and people who provide services to ex-offenders. WBHM's education reporter Dan Carsen and news director Rachel Osier Lindley moderated the discussion. They sat down after the event to discuss some of the highlights. The event was hosted in collaboration with the Alabama Media Group.
John Archibald: Can Inmates Ever Stop Serving their Time?
The problems with Alabama's prisons are well documented. The state prison system is at almost twice capacity. It's costing the state more money every year. Plus there are numerous allegations of poor, even illegal treatment of prisoners by employees. Those issues were part of a panel discussion this week called Issues and Ales. WBHM hosted the event along with the Alabama Media Group and the Center for Investigative Reporting. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald listened to that conversation and shares his thoughts.
Kyle Whitmire: Is a State Lottery in Alabama’s Future?
In 1999, Alabama voters rejected a state lottery that would have paid for the college education of some students. Since then, GOP lawmakers have been relatively quiet on pushing the state lottery issue. But, some may be coming around to the idea as state education costs continue to rise. We discuss the possibility of a state lottery plus we’ll take a look at Governor Robert Bentley’s job performance with Kyle Whitmire, political commentator for AL.com and the Birmingham News.
A Hispanic Church Reflects on Immigration Reform in Alabama
After House Majority Leader Eric Cantor primary defeat last week, immigration reform is taking center stage yet again. Alabama is no stranger to the immigration debate. The state's immigration law, HB 56, was known as the toughest in the nation when it passed in 2011. But a federal settlement last fall blocked several key provisions of the law. For WBHM, Nathan Turner Jr. visited a local Hispanic church to explore what's changed for the congregation since the settlement. He also hears what some say still needs to change in Alabama's immigration policies.
Joseph Ellwanger: “Strength for the Struggle”
Of the many people involved in the civil rights movement, Joseph Ellwanger's participation came from a unique position. He's white and in the 1960s pastored the predominantly black St. Paul Lutheran Church in Birmingham's Titusville neighborhood. He also led a group called the Concerned White Citizens of Alabama. They marched in Selma on what turned out to be the eve of Bloody Sunday. Ellwanger has written the book "Strength for the Struggle" which reflects on his experiences first in Birmingham and later in Milwaukee. He spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Problems in Alabama’s Prisons Pose Challenges For The State
It's been an eventful week for the Alabama Prison System. On Tuesday, Governor Robert Bentley announced initial plans for rebuilding the state's overburdened and underfunded prison system. Governor Bentley said Alabama would work in partnership with private agencies and the government to examine the prison system and suggest reforms. Bentley's announcement came on the same day the Southern Poverty Law Center released a highly critical report on medical care in Alabama prisons. For WBHM, Les Lovoy outlines the numerous challenges facing Alabama's prisons, and what the state is doing to solve the problems.
John Archibald: New Numbers Show Birmingham City Council Still Traveling A Lot
With summer here many people will be taking off on getaways to the beach. The Birmingham City Council has been traveling as well, although on the taxpayer dime. It's a pet peeve of Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He has new numbers that show city councilors are still spending more on travel than many other cities.
Some Airport Taxis in Birmingham May be Skirting the Rules
As summer travel season picks up, some people flying into Birmingham may take a taxi to leave the airport. That ride though isn't always a pleasant one. WBHM has discovered cases of airport taxi drivers skirting city rules, even refusing to offer service to passengers if they live close to the airport. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
It’s Actually Illegal to Hail a Cab in Birmingham
Cities around the country heavily regulate taxis and Birmingham is no different. The ordinance governing taxis, limousines and other "vehicles for hire" stretches 40 pages and covers everything from the types of credit cards taxis are supposed to accept to how frequently seats are wiped down. But it also says cab drivers aren’t allowed to drive around looking for passengers. Also, it's illegal for someone to hail a taxi outside of downtown or Lakeview.
Kyle Whitmire: VA Healthcare and Alabama’s Prisons
On Tuesday Governor Robert Bentley announced a plan to overhaul the state's severely overcrowded prison system. Also this week, the Southern Poverty Law Center released a detailed report highlighting medical care problems in Alabama's prisons. Plus, we take a look at wait times for Alabama veterans to receive medical attention. Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us.
Interview: U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance on Alabama’s Heroin Problem
Heroin use is on the rise across the country, including Alabama. Since 2012, heroin overdoses have killed more than 150 people in Birmingham and surrounding suburbs. And that number continues to rise. A community summit Tuesday at UAB examines the numerous complicated issues surrounding heroin addiction and abuse. For more on the growing heroin problem in Northern Alabama, Rachel Osier Lindley spoke with U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance. Vance discusses the path to heroin addiction and law enforcement's efforts to stop the drug from spreading.
Interview: Kim Thomas, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner
For the last several months, WBHM has joined al.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting as part of the Alabama Media Group's investigative journalism lab. Together, we're taking a look at Alabama's prison problems. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice accused Alabama of failing to protect prisoners at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women from sexual abuse and harassment from male officers. To hear more on the issues and challenges facing the Tutwiler prison, Les Lovoy spoke with Kim Thomas, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner.
Primary Election 2014 Results
Alabama voters made their selections in statewide, state legislative, congressional and local primaries Tuesday. Here are the results from key races with the winner declared by the Associated Press. If no candidate won a majority, the top two finishers advance to a runoff July 15th.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama’s Primary Election
Alabama's primary election was held this week. We take a look at voter turnout rate, the results, and surprises of the primaries with Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News.
At The Polls in Lowndes Country With Alabama’s New Voter ID Law
As voters head to the polls for today's primary election, it's the first time people in Alabama will be required to show a photo ID to cast a ballot. Critics say the new law is a roadblock for the poor and minorities. It's a particularly hot issue in Alabama's Black Belt, where African-Americans during the civil rights era were met with violence when trying to vote. Supporters of the law say a photo ID will cut down on voter fraud. But as Ashley Cleek reports, the new law might not stop the type of fraud some say is rampant in the region.
Find Your Polling Place for June 3 and Learn About Alabama’s New Voter ID Requirement
Primary elections in Alabama are Tuesday, June 3. This is the first election where Alabama's new voter ID law will be in effect. Voters in all precincts in Alabama will be required to show a state issued photo ID or a student ID from an Alabama college or university. Here's all the information you need to be prepared for election day.
Interview: Reporter Alex Walsh on Alabama’s Prison Budget
Alabama's prison system is currently under investigation by the Justice Department. If some big changes aren't made, the federal government could take over the prison system. We've heard a lot about the conditions inside Alabama prisons, but today we explore a different side: the state prison budget. One in every four dollars in Alabama's general fund budget goes to prisons. And that's growing. Al.com data reporter Alex Walsh joined WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley to talk about corrections spending.
John Archibald: A Different Primary and Talk of a Dome
Voters go to the polls next Tuesday to vote in primary elections and residents will have an important decision -- whether to take a Republican or Democratic ballot. It's not an insignificant choice since in some races the winner of the primary is all but guaranteed to carry the general election in November. That means some voters in effect will have to pass on their chance to meaningfully affect the outcome of certain races. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about that as well as revived talk of a dome.
Kyle Whitmire: Judge Overturns Alabama Accountability Act
A Montgomery judge ruled today that the Alabama Accountability Act is unconstitutional. He said it violates the state Constitution's requirement for the Legislature to have only one subject in a bill. Plus, Representative Patricia Todd voices her opinions on closeted lawmakers living a double life.
How Do Newspapers Affect Voting and Community Participation?
Since 2007, more than 250 newspapers have stopped publishing. As newspapers across the country fold or choose to publish less frequently, media experts are asking big questions. If newspapers scale back, will citizens know less, and even care less, about where they live? And does this affect how many people vote? Research says "yes." On the heels of Alabama's June 3 primaries, Les Lovoy reports on the challenges today's newspapers face, and what it means for civic life.
John Archibald: State Rep. wants Perjury Charges Dismissed
State Representative Barry Moore of Enterprise is awaiting a judge's decision on dropping perjury charges against the south Alabama Republican. Moore was indicted last month, but this week appeared in court in Lee County as his lawyers argued for the case to be dismissed. It's a case that's already embroiled one other lawmaker and still has many wondering if it will also mean more trouble for House Speaker Mike Hubbard. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald was in that court hearing and offers his thoughts.
Kyle Whitmire: Luther Strange Returns PAC Money
Last month Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange's reelection campaign accepted a $50,000 donation from a newly registered Alabama political action committee. After the Alabama Media Group inquired about the transfer, the Strange campaign returned the donation to the PAC. Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to follow the money.
John Archibald: PSC Candidates and Why You Might Think Twice About Eating Fish in Alabama
It almost sounds like a joke. Two public service commissioners and two challengers walk into an elevator. The elevator gets stuck. That happened Monday when the quartet went to meet with the Birmingham News editorial board. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald was there. He talks about the candidates and other environmental politics.
