Government
Kyle Whitmire: Tough Questions for the Voting Rights Act
Conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court asked tough questions Wednesday about the need for portions of the Voting Rights Act. The court is hearing a challenge to the law filed by Shelby County, Alabama. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire talks about the case.
John Archibald Visits Alabama’s Worst Cities
Birmingham News columnist outraged some readers with his list of Alabama's Best and Worst Cities. He's making amends by visiting some of the underdogs.
Kyle Whitmire: The Fight Over Gambling, Renewed
Alabama's on-again, off-again battle over gambling is definitely on-again this week as Attorney General Luther Strange took action to try and stop four casinos in the state. One is a familiar target -- VictoryLand. The other is newer -- The Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire has more.
Kyle Whitmire: A Bankruptcy Deal in the Works
Jefferson County commissioners say they have a deal to lower interest rates on a portion of the county's debt. It's a sign a plan to exit municipal bankruptcy could be on the way. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire explains.
John Archibald: Politics over substance in Montgomery?
With the Alabama Legislature back in session, issues range from cost of living raises for teachers to no fewer than five separate bills dealing with guns. Birmingham News columnist John Archibald says Alabama has hard, weighty problems, that require thoughtful, creative minds. But fixing those problems is something the Alabama Legislature does NOT do well.
Kyle Whitmire: A Penny Sales Tax for Another Five Years
No relief for Birmingham shoppers as the Birmingham City Council, reauthorizes a one percent sales tax for five years. We hear more from The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire
Long Hostage Drama Over in Midland City, Alabama
The FBI says it will conduct a review of events leading up to the death of a South Alabama man who held a young boy hostage for nearly a week. Law enforcement officers stormed Jimmy Lee Dykes' underground bunker in Midland City yesterday afternoon. They freed the five-year-old hostage, a boy identified as Ethan, and sources say they killed Dykes because they were convinced the child was in imminent danger. Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson said late last night that Dykes was armed when officers entered the bunker to rescue Ethan.
Kyle Whitmire: A Big Week for Bankruptcy
This week is an important one for Jefferson County's efforts to exit bankruptcy. Two county commissioners spent time in New York meeting with hedge fund managers. On Wednesday a trail gets underway on creditors' request to lift a stay preventing legal action against the county. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire explains the situation.
Kyle Whitmire: Why the Legion Field Box is so important?
Two Jefferson County Commissioner deny a report they're split over a proposed redistricting plan. But there's no denying that which district Legion Field ends up in has major political implications. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire explains.
MLK Unity Breakfast: Disunity?
For 27 years people of all races, ages and gender have celebrated Martin Luther King Junior's birthday by attending The Unity Breakfast, in the heart of downtown Birmingham. This year's breakfast has special significance because of the 50th anniversary of some of the major events of the Civil Right movement. But attendees at today's Unity Breakfast will see a public show of disunity.
A New Direction for Alabama’s Medicaid System
When Alabama lawmakers kick off the new legislative session next month, they’ll have to tackle Medicaid. The program provides healthcare for almost a million low income residents. It takes up about a third of Alabama’s non-education spending and the costs keep rising. As WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reports, a panel met this week to recommend changes to Medicaid, but whether they’ll work is still unclear.
Jefferson County’s Closed-Door Bankruptcy Meetings
Jefferson County is trying desperately to exit municipal bankruptcy. Earlier this week commissioners met in closed-door sessions with their attorneys to presumably work on another plan to present to creditors. Meanwhile, sewer rates are skyrocketing in another nearby county.
Kyle Whitmire: Inching out of Bankruptcy
A big question this year is whether Jefferson County will exit municipal bankruptcy. County commissioners spent a good deal of time this week working toward that effort in closed door meetings. We talk about it with The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Pulitzer Prize-winning Civil Rights Columnist Dies
Eugene Patterson garnered national attention for his moving column after the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. A family spokesman says he died Saturday night, surrounded by family and friends at his Florida home. Patterson was 89.
Eden Rise
A small Black Belt town is the scene of a civil rights era killing and years later the defendant is brought to trial in a Birmingham federal court. Sounds like Alabama history, but it’s actually the plot Eden Rise, the first novel from award-winning historian Jeff Norrell.
Kyle Whitmire: RSA vs. AEA
There's a battle playing out in Montgomery between the leaders of the Retirement Systems of Alabama and the Alabama Education Association. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire explains the talk of a board "power play."
What’s Ahead for 2013?
We've closed out one year and are starting another. Seems like a good time to reflect on the big regional news of 2012 and look ahead to 2013. John Archibald says there's one story that could rock the core of the state GOP.
Kyle Whitmire: A New Year for Cooper Green
With the new year comes a new set up for Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. The Jefferson County-owned facility turned its emergency room into an urgent care center on January 1st. The hospital also closed inpatient care and laid off more than 200 people. We talk about it with The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Will Gun Control Fly in Alabama?
In the aftermath of last week's school shooting, President Obama says it will take a national effort to address gun violence. In a press conference yesterday he mentioned several recent shootings, including the one last weekend at Birmingham's St. Vincent's Hospital.
Kyle Whitmire: A Subpoena for GOP Financial Records
Alabama's attorney general has subpoenaed financial records from the State Republican Party, ones that show a company co-owned by House Speaker Mike Hubbard benefited from party spending. We talk about that with the Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire.
Jeffco Sets Closure Date for Cooper Green
After several delays, Jefferson County officials now say Cooper Green Mercy Hospital will discontinue inpatient and emergency room service on Dec. 31. Acute care patients will be moved to other hospitals, and Cooper Green will operate as an urgent care facility.
Question Linger in Shootout Involving Mayor
Birmingham Mayor William Bell has had a relatively low key tenure compared to his predecessor. But not last weekend. The mayor and his security detail were involved in a downtown shootout that could have been ripped from a Hollywood movie. There are still a lot of questions about the incident.
Kyle Whimtire: Birmingham’s Mayor Caught in a Shootout
It's not every day a city leader is in a roadside shootout. But that happened to Birmingham Mayor William Bell on Friday. And while the mayor is okay, The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire says police aren't being forthcoming with details.
Jefferson Finally Getting Public Defenders Office
Criminal defendants in Jefferson County who can't afford to hire a lawyer will have a new advocate in their corner. Birmingham Attorney Kira Fonteneau will lead the newly created Public Defender Office.
Kyle Whitmire: The Fight over the BJCC Board
There are three open seats on the BJCC Board. The problem is four people have been appointed. It's a dispute that's embroiled the Jefferson County legislative delegation and is now spurring legal action. The Birmingham News' Kyle Whitmire has details.
Appellate Court Declines to Review Immigration Ruling
A federal appeals court has handed a new victory to opponents of Alabama’s tough immigration law. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta turned down a request by the State of Alabama Tuesday for the full court to review the decision made in a challenge brought by a coalition of individuals and groups.
Alabama Municipalities Dangerously Vulnerable
A new report shows some of Alabama's largest municipalities have very low financial reserves. Local governments rely a lot on sales taxes and revenues have been lower since the recession. The report from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama finds that the City of Montgomery had a negative fund balance for 2010, though the city's finance director disputes that. Kyle Whitmire says many other communities may be in the black, but they're still dangerously vulnerable.
Public Hearing on U.S. 280 Improvements
Tonight, the Alabama Department of Transportation holds a public hearing to discuss possible solutions to the congestion problems on U.S. 280. They'll be seeking public input and according to one source revealing new improvement proposals.
Potential Power Shift on Birmingham Board of Education
After months of infighting that resulted in a state takeover, there appears to be a power shift on the Birmingham Board of Education. New board member Carole Clarke was sworn in this week and minutes after taking the oath the board elected a new president and vice president. Who they elected and how is pretty telling.
Bentley Rejects Health Exchanges, Medicaid Expansion
Alabama is joining a growing list of states that will not set up an insurance exchange under the federal health care law. Gov. Robert Bentley says the tax burden is too high, but critics say the decision is a major blow to the state's health care system and the overall economy.
Democratic Leader Criticizes Bentley on ACA
House Minority Leader Craig Ford (D-Gadsden) says Gov. Bentley's decision to not set up a health insurance exchange is disappointing and dangerous.
Jefferson County First Anniversary Bankruptcy Check-up
Friday is the first anniversary of Jefferson County filing the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. The $4.1 billion dollar filling last year, mostly debt on the county’s sewer system, attracted a lot of attention. But with the case now working through bankruptcy court, it’s fallen off the radar a bit. We have a check-up with Samford University law professor Michael Floyd.
