Government
Election 2012: Alabama and the Nation
Alabama voters go to the polls today to elect a president, members of congress, a state supreme court chief justice, president of the Alabama Public Service Commission and several other offices. They'll also decide on eleven constitutional amendments including one controversial measure that removes racist language from the 1901 constitution.
Baxley Loss Could Be End of Era
Democrats controlled Alabama for 136. But in 2010 Republicans wrest control of the legislature and today there's only one Democrat in statewide elected office and she faces an uphill battle in Tuesday's election.
Republican State Supreme Court Chief Justice Candidate Roy Moore
Voters will choose a new Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice next Tuesday. On the Republican side is a well-known name in Alabama. Roy Moore served as chief justice from 2001 to 2003. But he was ousted from that position when he refused to remove a Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama judicial building. Moore talks to WBHM’s Andrew Yeager.
Vance Responds to Allegations of Elections Violations
Democratic State Supreme Court Chief Justice candidate Bob Vance says allegations of elections violations are a distraction and a desperate effort by Republicans. Alabama Republican Party Chairman Bill Armistead held a press conference Thursday accusing Vance of failing to disclose a donation to then Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in 2008.
Democratic State Supreme Court Chief Justice Candidate Bob Vance
Alabama isn’t much of a factor in the presidential election, but the race for state Supreme Court Chief Justice is shaping up to be an intriguing contest. For Democrats, Jefferson County circuit court judge Bob Vance is a late addition to the race. He spoke to WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Cooper Green and UAB Reach Agreement on Inpatient Care
UAB Health Systems has agreed to help Cooper Green Mercy Hospital now that the county-owned facility is ending inpatient care. Jefferson County manager Tony Petelos announced at a press conference Thursday the county came to an agreement with UAB. That hospital will expand to take patients who need inpatient care.
Effort to Save Girl Scout Camp now a Legal Fight
The fight over the future of several Girl Scout camps around Alabama is entering the legal arena. WBHM has learned a former Girl Scout council president has filed a pre-suit discovery petition against the Girl Scouts of North Central Alabama. The move comes in response to the Girl Scouts’ announcement this summer that it plans to sell four of six camps, including the 87-year-old Camp Coleman near Trussville.
Rev. Al Sharpton Coming to Birmingham
The Rev. Al Sharpton will be in Birmingham Friday to attend a forum and rally against the downsizing of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. But will Sharpton's appearance pressure Jefferson County Commissioners into changing their minds? John Archibald and Tanya Ott discuss that, plus a city councilwoman's criticism of a lesbian photo exhibit, the resignation of the school board president, and demands by the county attorney for a pay raise.
Patient Satisfaction at Birmingham Hospitals
The controversy over the closure of Cooper Green Mercy Hospital's in-patient services has focused a lot of attention on the finances of the hospital. But medical outcomes and patient satisfaction have received relatively little attention. How do patients score Cooper Green, UAB Hospital and St. Vincent's? Click the link above for the answer.
After Home Brewing Seizure, Confusion and Unease
Making your own beer in Alabama has always been an uneasy hobby. That’s because Alabama is one of only two states where it’s illegal to home brew. But a recent enforcement action by the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board is drawing attention to the apparent inconsistent application of the law.
Bentley Reveals Retirement Incentive Plan Details
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley plans to ask legislators to pass a bill offering eligible state employees an incentive if they voluntarily retire. He says the program would save taxpayers up to $26 million a year.
Democratic Donkey Gone From AL Ballot
A mistake results in the traditional donkey logo signifying the Democratic ticket not appearing on Alabama's ballots in the November election. Party officials worry it could hurt the party's vote.
State Board Rejects Rule to Close Neuter Clinics
A state board has rejected a proposed rule that would have closed the doors of low-cost spay and neuter animal clinics across Alabama.
Senators Rally Behind Spay Neuter Clinics
Five Alabama state senators are trying to keep the state's low-cost spay and neuter clinics open. A rule proposed by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners would essentially put them out of business.
Gov. Bentley Says He’ll Intervene in Cooper Green If Asked
Gov. Bentley says he believes the hospital should keep its in-patient services open, but cut payroll costs. He says he'll intervene in the debate if both sides ask for his help.
Rep. John Rogers Questions County’s Management of Cooper Green Money
Rep. John Rogers says the county co-mingled Cooper Green Hospital funds with county money and has no idea how much the hospital actually costs. Still, he says new numbers show the hospital is "in the black."
Bentley says No to Affordable Care Act
Governor Robert Bentley said Monday he won't implement part of the federal Affordable Health Care Act in Alabama. Bentley's aides announced he has sent a letter to the Obama administration saying he's an opponent of the act.
David Carrington Fields Your Questions
WBHM is "The station where you can listen... and be heard". Well, we put that in action and let you ask questions of Jefferson County Commission president David Carrington.
Carrington Responds to Charges of Racism
Jefferson County Commission President David Carrington tells WBHM's Tanya Ott he's moving forward with plans to downsize Cooper Green Mercy Hospital despite protests.
Jefferson County Passes Balanced Budget with Cuts to Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
Jefferson County has passed a $160M balanced budget, but not without questions concerning Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
Jeffco Commission Pres. Carrington on Budget Cuts
Jefferson County has a new budget. Commissioners approved it yesterday. The Associated Press describes it as a "balanced" budget, which it's required by law to be. Other local media outlets are describing it as "bare bones" or worse. At $160 million, it's more than a $100 million less than the county's budget was just a few years ago.
September 26 News
Gadsden and Trussville pass budgets; Birmingham continues talks over $150M bond issue; and Selma stops construction on controversial monument to Civil War general and KKK leader.
September 25 News
Selma debates whether to honor a Civil War general who also led the Ku Klux Klan; Alabamians who lost homes to foreclosure could get piece of $25B settlement; and Alabama newspaper legend dies.
September 24 News
Birmingham man arrested for tweeted death threats against Pres. Obama; UAH professor goes on trial for murdering colleagues; Plea deal may be in the works in running death of Etowah County girl.
September 21 News
Mexico reviews possible NAFTA violations related to Alabama's immigration law; ABC agents seize supplies from Hop City Birmingham; and tests confirm tar balls from BP spill.
Is $437M Transfer Just a Temporary Bandaid?
It's official. By a 2-to-1 margin, Alabama voters have approved a constitutional amendment to transfer $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund Budget. The money will help pay for basic services like Medicaid, prisons and child protective services. But John Archibald says it may just be kicking the can down the road.
September 19 News
Voters approve transfer of $437 million from trust fund to General Fund; BP loosens documentation requirements for oil spill losses; and Alabama faces expensive and deadly obesity crisis.
September 18 News
Polls are open till 7 p.m. and state officials expect low turnout for today's referendum; a lawsuit over segregating HIV-positive prison inmates goes to trial; and heavy rains drench the region.
September 17 News
Birmingham's burgeoning food truck movement could face a setback; forces on both side of the September 18 referendum look forward to tomorrow's vote; UAH professor who murdered colleagues could profit from invention.
September 14 News
Forces are rallying on both sides in advance of next week’s statewide referendum. The constitutional amendment would allow the transfer of $437 million dollars from the Alabama Trust Fund to be used for Medicaid, prisons and other state services.
Sept 18 Vote, More Trouble at School Board, and Big Lobbying Bills
Next week, Alabama residents go to the polls to vote on a referendum state leaders say is vital to the financial health of the state. The vote would authorize moving $437 million from the Alabama Trust Fund to shore up the state’s general fund budget. Supporters say without the transfer critical state services will be hurt, but opponents argue the state should live within its means. John Archibald tackles that and other regional news in this week's interview.
September 18th Referendum
Voters in Alabama will go to the polls next Tuesday to vote on a referendum state leaders say is vital to the financial health of the state. The vote would authorize moving money from the Alabama Trust Fund to shore up the state’s general fund budget. That budget supports many services from child protection to prisons. But if the referendum does not pass, one of the biggest programs to feel the effects is Medicaid, as WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reports.
