Government
July 24 Morning Newscast
Scientist examine long-term health effects of Gulf oil spill; Alabama closes state mental hospital; Alleged Tuscaloosa shooter gets day in court....
July 23 Morning Newscast
How much are Super PACs spending on Birmingham television station political advertising; Why did an Episcopal Bishop in Alabama vote for blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples nationally, but not in Alabama; and what does an explosion of lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico mean for local species?
Two Remain Hospitalized in Tuscaloosa Shooting
Hospital officials say two of those injured in the shooting outside a Tuscaloosa bar remain hospitalized. One man remains in serious condition. Another is in fair condition.
New Details Emerge in Tuscaloosa Shooting
The roommate of a man who was allegedly shot by suspect Nathan Van Wilkins says race may have been a factor.
Former APTV Chief Sues Over Termination
Attorneys for former Alabama Public Television executive director Allan Pizzato have filed a civil suit against the Alabama Educational Television Commission. They allege the commission violated various state laws and statutes when it unexpectedly fired Pizzato and another top executive in June.
Tuscaloosa Shooting Updates
Tuscaloosa police have charged Nathan Van Wilkins with attempted murder in Tuesday's early morning shooting at a bar in downtown Tuscaloosa. Wilkins reportedly walked into a Jasper store and confessed. Police then took him into custody WBHM will update the story as more information is available.
Tuscaloosa Police Look For Answers in Shooting
Tuscaloosa's police chief says yesterday’s shooting in a downtown bar may have involved a dispute between rival motorcycle gangs. Chief Steve Anderson says Nathan Van Wilkins turned himself in yesterday afternoon. Van Wilkin has been linked to other incidents.
17 People Injured in Tuscaloosa Bar Shooting
Tuscaloosa Police continue the search for a gunman who shot 17 people at a downtown bar early this morning. Three University of Alabama students are among the injured.
Alabama Takes over Birmingham City Schools
With the state of Alabama now in control of Birmingham's school system, we talk about the details and delve into the political motivations of the school board.
Coverage of Alabama’s Immigration Law HB56
Alabama's immigration law is grabbing headlines again following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on a similar law in Arizona. For more than a year, Alabama has been the center of change concerning immigrants living in the state. Alabama House Bill 56 (HB 56) was signed into law in June 2011. Based on bills passed in Arizona and Georgia, this anti-illegal immigration bill came into effect in late September 2011. Here is WBHM's coverage of the events surrounding the law.
What does the Arizona Ruling mean for Alabama?
While Arizona’s immigration law was the first to reach the U.S. Supreme Court, a similar but tougher law in Alabama faces its own legal challenge. That case has been on hold, pending a ruling on Arizona’s law. As WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports, the question now is -- what does Arizona mean for Alabama?
Alabama Reacts to New Obama Immigration Policy
When President Obama announced last week that hundreds of thousands of immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally as children can now obtain work permits and be safe from deportation, immigrants across the country celebrated. In Alabama, home to the nation's toughest illegal immigration law, the new policy opens doors for many young people, but doesn't answer all the questions.
The State of Journalism in Alabama
The face of journalism is changing in Alabama. Starting this Fall, The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register will publish print copies just three days a week.
Jeffco Occupational Tax Dies in Legislature
The 2012 regular session of the Alabama legislature is over. Lawmakers worked late into the night – right up to midnight, actually – to hammer out a general fund budget and pass tweaks to the immigration law. They also killed many other bills, including a proposal for a Jefferson County occupational tax.
John Archibald on Jeffco’s Occupational Tax
When a judge ruled Jefferson County's occupational tax illegal it was clear the bankrupt county would have to find some way to replace that money. County commissioners appealed to the local legislative delegation, which responded by proposing a new tax. But with just two days left in the legislative session, the future of that bill is unclear.
Bike Sharing in Alabama
Birmingham often finds itself at back of the pack when it comes to friendliness to cyclists. In fact, Bicycling magazine named Birmingham as one of the worst cities for cycling in the country in 2010. But a new pair of so-called “bike sharing” programs are trying to encourage residents to hit the streets on two wheels. WBHM intern Dannial Budhwani reports.
Local Government with John Archibald
Time is running out for state lawmakers to address Jefferson County's financial mess. The county needs new revenues to stabilize the budget and bring it out of bankruptcy. Many have pinned their hopes on a new occupational tax, but that has to be authorized by the legislature and there are just days left in this legislative session.
Tornado Mental Health Update
A year ago today, deadly tornados plowed through the state of Alabama. The storms tore down buildings and took lives. More than 250 people died statewide. In hard hit Tuscaloosa County, six University of Alabama students were killed. Today’s anniversary conjures up many strong feelings for survivors. And while debris has been cleared and rebuilding continues, the emotional scars linger. But as WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reports, mental health professionals are still working on that part of recovery.
Capitol Journal Update
Few issues in Alabama politics right now have drawn such strong opinions as the state’s immigration law. This week, lawmakers held the first hearing this legislative session on possible changes to the law. We hear about that and other action in Montgomery this week from Don Dailey. He’s co-host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal.
Local Government with John Archibald
Jefferson County's bankruptcy talks about the unlikely possibility of dissolving the county government and down in Shelby County the sheriff's battle over jail food funding points out problems with a state law. (AUDIO NOT AVAILABLE)
Faith Leaders Launch New Campaign Against HB 56
A coalition of Alabama faith leaders is launching a new television advertising campaign aimed at pressuring state lawmakers into changing the state's toughest-in-the-nation immigration law.
John Archibald
This week, members of the Birmingham City Council donned hooded sweatshirts in an act of solidarity with Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager shot to death by a neighborhood watch volunteer. John Archibald says the incident points out real problems in our own backyard.
Local Government with John Archibald
Birmingham City Council's sends a public message about Trayvon Martin's death and John says the case points to serious problems in Birmingham.
Local Government with John Archibald
John discusses Cooper-Green Mercy Hospital's financial troubles, the opening of a satellite court house in Center Point, and small town politics in Graysville.
Local Government with John Archibald
John dissects this week's primary election and what it might mean for the future of the Democratic party in Alabama.
Local Government with John Archibald
John explains why, despite yesterday's acquittals, the gambling corruption case may not be over. Also, hist takes on the Birmingham Water Works board members for spending $70,000 on travel last year.
Local Government with John Archibald
John explains why Jefferson County Commission president David Carrington has called for some county employees to undergo lie detectors tests after someon leaked an embarrassing internal memo to the Birmingham News.
Local Government with John Archibald
Analysis of how proposed 25% state budget cuts would affect local health care and law enforcement and how Jefferson County ended up deciding to lay off tax collectors to save money, but lost money in the process.
Local Government with John Archibald
Details on an emergency bankruptcy hearing, looming Jefferson County layoffs, a proposal to term limit the Birmingham mayor and a packed room at a public hearing on a smoking ban.
Alabama’s Prison Problem
Alabama faces a potential $400 million shortfall in the general fund budget this year. And that could leave the state’s already-strapped prison system at a tipping point -- so overcrowded Alabama could face the possibility of a federal lawsuit. As WBHM’s Andrew Yeager reports lawmakers are searching for ways to fix a system bursting at the seams.
Local Government with John Archibald
John's take on the first week of the 2012 legislative session. There's already a standoff over the budget and charter schools.
Legislature Considers Immigration Law Tweaks
The Alabama Legislature begins its regular session today and one of the big issues lawmakers will consider is changing the state’s immigration law. That law, HB56, is considered the nation’s toughest crackdown on illegal immigrants. When it passed last year it got very little attention from Alabama’s business community, but as WBHM's Tanya Ott reports, business leaders are driving the latest efforts to modify the law.
