Government
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.
September 12 News
Former UAH professor pleads guilty to murder while former AL Governor reports to prison and Gadsden's federal courthouse targeted in closure.
September 11 News
Alabama asks an appeals court to reconsider the state's immigration law; Former Governor Don Siegelman reports to prison today; and Tuscaloosa real estate developer Stan Pate launches media campaign against the September 18 referendum.
September 7 Morning News
Did two Birmingham City Councilmen use city money to attend the Democratic National Convention? Also, financial relief for families affected by last year's tornadoes and a German auto supplier announces plans to open in Alabama.
September 6 Morning News
Tar balls wash up on Alabama shores; Justice Department issues harsh memo on BP action in Gulf; and lawsuit challenging state's segregation of HIV+ inmates moves ahead.
September 5 Morning News
Western and southern Alabama dig out after flooding, while other parts of state gets federal drought aid; Alabama football team No. 1 in country.
September 4 Morning News
Mixed emotions over Barons move from Hoover to downtown Birmingham; oil production resumes post-Isaac; and schools figuring out how to replace textbooks with laptops.
September 3 Morning News
Bessemer residents protest closure of courthouse; U.S. Steel and United Steelworkers reach tentative agreement; and move afoot to pardon the Scottsboro Boys.
John Archibald on Cooper Green Mercy Hospital
The Jefferson County Commission votes to discontinue in-patient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. John Archibald offers his thoughts that situation as well as the latest from the Birmingham Board of Education, and Artur Davis' political switch.
August 29 Morning Newscast
A mundane Birmingham Board of Education meeting ends of an explosive note; Cooper Green Mercy Hospital to close, but a bankruptcy judge may have a final say; and Hurricane Isaac bring rough weather to Alabama's coast.
August 28 Morning Newscast
Residents along Alabama's coast are hoping to avoid the worst from tropical storm Isaac; the Jefferson County Commission will consider again whether to close the inpatient unit at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital; and the Bessemer Cutoff's court system will continue to operate with at least one judge, whether it's at the current courthouse or somewhere else.
August 27 Morning News
Residents along Alabama’s coast are scheduling to begin evacuating at 8 a.m. this morning. Governor Robert Bentley has declared a state of emergency and ordered mandatory evacuations ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac. Current tracking has the storm making landfall in Louisiana some time tomorrow, but Alabama’s coastal areas are under a hurricane warning, and forecasters say strong wind and heavy rain could extend miles inland.
Tropical Storm Isaac Update
Tropical Storm Isaac is churning across the Gulf of Mexico and while its current path won’t mean a direct hit for Alabama, the state will still feel the effects of this storm. Governor Robert Bentley has declared a state of emergency and ordered evacuations of low lying areas along the gulf coast. WBHM intern Will Dahlberg spoke with John DeBlock with the National Weather Service in Birmingham about the latest storm forecast.
Governor Cancels Tampa Trip for Tropical Storm
Governor Robert Bentley today urged Alabamians to keep watch on changing weather conditions as Tropical Storm Isaac continues to move toward the northwest. The Governor also announced he is canceling his plans to attend the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
August 24 Morning News
State officials watch Tropical Storm Isaac; the Alabama Homeland Security Dept. steadily loses funding; and some state court system employees get big raises while others lose their jobs.
August 22 Morning News
Justice Dept. establishes civil rights unit in Alabama; College freshman not ready for coursework; and Krispy Kreme reopens in Tuscaloosa.
August 21 Morning Newscast
Appeals court throws out provision in Alabama immigration law; Birmingham business community pays to defend Spencer Bachus; and legislators want to change school start date (again).
August 20 Morning Newscast
Alabama Public TV gets a new executive director; Tampa and Charlotte prepare for national conventions amid changing political landscape; and hunters take aim at alligators.
Birmingham School Board Gets Down To Business
The Birmingham school board finally gets down to business; and emotions run high as county commissioners look to close inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.
August 14 Morning Newscast
Jefferson County Circuit Judge Houston Brown rules that the Birmingham School Board must stop interfering in a state takeover of the school system; the Alabama Democratic Party will hold a hearing Friday on disqualifying Harry Lyon as the party's nominee for chief justice; and The Business Council of Alabama supports a proposed constitutional amendment to permit the removal of nearly $146 million a year for three years from a state trust fund for use in balancing the state General Fund budget.
August 13 Morning Newscast
The Jefferson County Commission votes tomorrow to close e inpatient care at Cooper Green Mercy Hospital by Oct. 1; Alabama lags in incentives for solar power; and a monument being built to honor Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest is stirring up controversy in Selma.
August 9 Morning Newscast
Judge allows lawsuit in Alabama Public Television Controversy; State Attorney General defends process of redistricting; and job fair draws thousands of people seeking work in Birmingham.
August 8 Morning Newscast
Jefferson County leaders set date to vote on closing Cooper Green Hospital's in-patient services; Birmingham's mayor looks to attract pro sports; and a judge says "time is of the essence" in Alabama Public Television lawsuit.
August 7 Morning Newscast
Mark A. Elgart President and Chief Executive Officer of AdvanceEd says he has serious concerns with Birmingham Board of Education and testimony continues in a lawsuit between Allan Pizzato and the Alabama Public Television Commission.
Testimony from the Alabama Public Television Lawsuit
Testimony in a Jefferson County courtroom is revealing more details about the unexpected firing of former Alabama Public Television executive director Allan Pizzato. Pizzato filed suit in Jefferson County Circuit Court against the Alabama Education Television Commission and its seven members, claiming they violated the state’s open meetings law when they fired him at a June 12th meeting.
August 6 Morning Newscast
A former Jefferson County commissioner is transferred from federal prison and a new study says the Alabama county circuit clerks retirement plan is underfunded.
August 2 Morning Newscast
Attorney alleges Birmingham school board president doesn't live in Birmingham; Former Governor Don Siegelman is likely headed back to prison; and UA gets approval for $9 million athletic facilty.
Court Considers Firing of School Superintendent
Attorney alleges Birmingham school board president doesn't live in Birmingham; Former Governor Don Siegelman is likely headed back to prison; and UA gets approval for $9 million athletic facility, but what does UAB get?
August 1 Morning Newscast
Alabama Educational Television Commission hired Birmingham law firm; Students at UAH call for closure of campus Chick-fil-A; and Eastern Equine Encephalitis confirmed in Alabama.
July 31 Morning Newscast
New law increase beer bottle sizes; dozens of Alabama roads and bridges to get upgrades; and Alabama State Bar has a new president.
July 30 Morning Newscast
Alabama bans texting while driving; restaurants and bars defying indoor smoking band; and remembering longtime TV and movie character actor who grew up in Birmingham.
