Government
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.
Kyle Whitmire: Changes In Governor Bentley’s Staff
The governor's office announced today that former House Speaker Seth Hammett has been named the interim chief of staff for Governor Robert Bentley. Hammett replaces David Perry, who also announced today he has accepted a new position in Birmingham. Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss.
John Archibald: A Sit-down with Mike Hubbard
Politicians often feel they have a target on their backs. If there's anyone who that applies to right now in Alabama politics, it's House Speaker Mike Hubbard. A grand jury in Lee County has already ensnared two state lawmakers and the conventional wisdom is that body is after Hubbard. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald sat down with Mike Hubbard last week and offers his observations.
Kyle Whitmire: Public Prayer In Alabama
This week the Supreme Court ruled that it is lawful for prayers to be held before public events such as city council meetings. The ruling has spurred great debate especially in states like Alabama where public prayer is quite common. Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us to explain the ruling and offer his own thoughts on public prayer.
Interview: State Senator Cam Ward on Alabama’s Prison System
Alabama's prison system is under investigation by the Justice Department after a federal report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women. If some big changes aren't made, the federal government could take over the prison system. State Senator Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, is fighting that. He's a vocal advocate of prison reform and chairs the Alabama Legislature's joint oversight committee on prisons. Ward spoke with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about what he believes the legislature needs to do.
John Archibald: A Miracle After the Tornadoes
Bessemer and Kimberly are among the towns cleaning up after a series of tornadoes plowed over Alabama Monday night. The storms killed three people statewide, tore off roofs and downed trees. It's a familiar sight to anyone who's lived in Alabama for very long. But the latest round of tornadoes has Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald thinking about one word -- miracle.
Kyle Whitmire: Lethal Injection Policies
In Oklahoma Tuesday night, Clayton Lockett was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection. But something went wrong. Lockett regained partial consciousness during the injection process. The execution was stopped and he died 20 minutes later from a heart attack. Death penalty politics and the sentiments behind lethal injection was a hot button issue during Alabama's 2014 legislative session. We take a closer look with Kyle Whitmire of AL.com and the Birmingham News.
Tornadoes Rip Through Alabama; School Closings and Delays
Powerful storms blew through Alabama Monday afternoon and overnight, killing at least three people in the state, overturning cars and destroying homes. Possible tornadoes hit Limestone and Madison counties before plowing through parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties.
Scenes Of Damage In Bessemer
Bessemer, Alabama was hit extremely hard by Monday night's storms. WBHM's Andrew Yeager visited Bessemer today to document the damages.
Alabama Recovers from Tornadoes Before the Next Round
At least 3 people in Alabama have died and more than 100,000 Alabama Power customers were without electricity after strong storms raked across the state Monday night. As many as 18 tornadoes may have touched down. But as residents dig out there's a second line of storms on the way.
Interview: Reporter Brian Lawson Discusses Inmate Healthcare
For the next several months, WBHM joins AL.com and the Center for Investigative Reporting as part of the Alabama Media Group's Investigative Journalism Lab. We're taking a closer look at Alabama's prison problems. Earlier this year, a Department of Justice report detailed cases of rape and sexual abuse at the Julia Tutwiler prison in Wetumpka. As part of their continued investigation of Alabama prisons, the Department of Justice is seeing if inmate medical care and mental health care are constitutionally adequate. AL.com reporter Brian Lawson has been looking into inmate health care, and he's heard some troubling stories for former inmates and their families. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley sat down with Lawson to find out more.
John Archibald: Some Numerical Perspective on the Northern Beltine
State and Birmingham leaders broke ground this week on the first portion of the Northern Beltline. That's the planned 52-mile highway which would arc across the northern half of the metro area, a counterpart to Interstate 459 to the south. The road is expected to take several decades to build and it comes with a $5.5 billion price tag. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald believes the price tag needs to be put in a little perspective.
Kyle Whitmire: Alabama’s 6th Congressional District Primary
Seven candidates are in the running to become the Republican nominee to represent Alabama's 6th Congressional District in Washington, D.C. following the retirement of Representative Spencer Bachus. The June 3 primary is seven weeks away. We discuss the candidates and more with Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News.
Longtime Secretary of the Alabama Senate Dies
Former longtime secretary of the Alabama state Senate, McDowell Lee, has died at the age of 89. His daughter says Lee died Thursday afternoon after a brief illness at his home in Auburn. In 2008, WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Lee about his position and the change he had seen through five decades in the legislature.
