Government
Electronic Bingo Showdown
There's a new development in the showdown between Alabama Governor Bob Riley and the state's casino owners over electronic bingo machines. A judge will conduct a hearing next week on issues surrounding the closed Country Crossing casino in Dothan. Part of the debate is whether electronic bingo machines are allowed under state law. Riley says they're illegal slot machines. Casino owners insist they are perfectly legal. The face-off has prompted early morning raids of some high profile casinos. And as WBHM's Andrew Yeager report, many other operations have shutdown to avoid such a clash.
The Race for Mayor: The Runoff
Birmingham voters elected a new new mayor on Tuesday. William Bell won the runoff election with 54% of the vote.
Shelter and Cold
The cold weather gripping the south isn't just uncomfortable, it's dangerous. In Tennessee, police believe an 81-year-old man with Alzheimer's Disease froze to death after wandering outside in his bathrobe. In Birmingham, low temperatures in the teens make having a reliable source of heat essential. The city of Birmingham will open a warming center at Boutwell Auditorium this evening, but some people have already been looking for comfort in the area's homeless shelters. Ruth Crosby is head of First Light, a shelter which houses women and children. She tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager they have already been stretched thin by the economy.
John Archibald
Our weekly segment features The Birmingham News columnist John Archibald, discussing the city politic (and county and state politic too). Instead of being unplugged as he is in the newspaper, we offer him a bullhorn. Sort of.
Mayoral Forum
WBHM presents a web exclusive of Catalyst's Birmingham Mayoral Candidates Forum. It was recorded at Workplay on Tuesday evening, December 1. Speaking at the forum was Emory Anthony, William Bell, Scott Douglas, Steven Hoyt and Carole Smitherman. Catalyst also invited Patrick Cooper but he said had a prior engagement. The forum included questions from the audience as well as from moderator Natalie Davis of Birmingham Southern College.
Davis on Constitutional Reform
Advocates of a new state constitution will make their case this weekend at a Birmingham workshop - part of statewide campaign on the issue. The group Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform has supported drafting a new constitution for almost 10 years. The idea recently received a boost from Democratic Congressman Artur Davis. Davis has made a convention to rewrite the state constitution a centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign. He tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager the current 1901 Alabama constitution ties the state's hands in an array of areas.
Larry Langford Convicted
Alabama's largest city has a new mayor today. Yesterday, a federal jury convicted Larry Langford on bribery and corruption charges, ousting him from office.
Arrington’s Future
With Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on trial for bribery, there's speculation about who would run for mayor if Langford were convicted. As we reported yesterday, a conviction would lead to a special election. One of the potential names on the ballot is former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington. WBHM's Andrew Yeager looks at the revival of Arrington's political organization and a possible return to the mayor's office.
If He’s Found Guilty, Who Succeeds Langford?
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford's trial is underway. As Langford's fate hangs in the balance at the Tuscaloosa federal courthouse, many in Birmingham wonder what will happen to his job as mayor if he's convicted. WBHM's Bradley George takes a look at some of the possibilities.
Birmingham Mayor on Trial
The mayor of Alabama's largest city goes on trial today on federal bribery charges. Birmingham mayor Larry Langford is accused of accepting cash, clothes and jewelry in exchange for steering millions of dollars in county bond deals to an investment banker.
Corruption in Alabama: What’s the Deal?
This week on WBHM we're exploring the culture of corruption in Alabama. Over the last several years, Birmingham and Jefferson County have experienced a tsunami of political corruption. From the HealthSouth accounting scandal to the convictions of several former county commissioners. And, of course, next month Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford goes on trial in a 101-count federal bribery and conspiracy case. Why does corruption seem to be such a problem in Alabama? What's being done to address it? Friday (9/25) at noon on WBHM we discuss all this and more during On The Line: Alabama Corruption - What's the Deal?
Corruption: Who’s Watching?
This week on WBHM we're exploring the culture of corruption in Alabama. When it comes to rooting out shady deals, newspapers have historically been the most vigilant watchdogs. Think Woodward and Bernstein's Watergate. Or more recently, former Birmingham News reporter Brett Blackledge's coverage of the two year college scandal in Alabama. Blackledge won a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting.
Corruption and the Economy
Over the last several years, Birmingham and Jefferson County have experienced a tsunami of political corruption. From the HealthSouth accounting scandal to the convictions of several former county commissioners. And, of course, next month Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford goes on trial in a 101-count federal bribery and conspiracy case. Les Lovoy reports on the toll political corruption takes on the our local economy and what the local business community people are plan to do about it.
What’s the Deal: Whistleblowers
The movie The Informant took second place at the box office over the weekend. It's the story of a corporate whistleblower who works with federal investigators to take down an agriculture price fixing scheme. The movie is a real case turned into a dark comedy, but off screen whistleblowers are a serious tool for law enforcement when it comes to investigating corruption. There are laws designed to protect whistleblowers and thus encourage them to come forward. As we continue our weeklong series looking at corruption in Alabama, WBHM's Andrew Yeager examines if such protections, may be overblown.
What’s The Deal: Ethics Commission
Ethics is something that usually comes from within, but sometimes public officials need a little outside coercion to keep their ethics in check. For nearly 40 years, the Alabama Ethics Commission has worked to keep state employees and elected officials honest. As we begin a week of reports on corruption in Alabama, WBHM's Bradley George examines some of the challenges facing the commission and some of the proposal for ethics reform.
City Council Elections
Voters in Birmingham head to the polls tomorrow to pick who'll represent them on the city council for the next four years. But with all that's been happening in Birmingham area politics, from a financial crisis in Jefferson County to a mayor set to go on trial for corruption, it can be difficult to cut through and figure out what's going on with the city council races. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to a number of political observers to gauge what might happen at the polls.
Civil Rights Pardons
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has issued a blanket pardon to those arrested in the city during the 1960s civil rights protests. Some 2,500, including children and the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, were jailed during that era of fire hoses and police dogs. But as WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports, the move seems more about reconciling the past than altering the record books.
Jefferson County Layoffs: Wes Gregory’s Story
News headlines are filled with stories about Jefferson County's budget crisis. But behind the public headlines, there are the personal stories of nearly a thousand county employees who've been laid off and find their lives turned upside down. Wes Gregory is one of them.
On The Line: Jefferson County Budget Crisis
Jefferson County faces a massive budget shortfall. County leaders and state legislators are looking for solutions, but will they be long-term or just a bandaid? Join WBHM for our live call-in program "On The Line: Jeffco Budget Crisis" Friday at noon.
Foreign Policy Priorities: A Local Perspective
What would make the world safer? What should America's foreign policy priorities be? They're not simple questions. They're meant to spark dialogue. And this week, that discussion comes to Birmingham.
Collins & Carns: Occupational Tax
Jefferson County officials are still waiting to hear whether they'll be allowed to spend occupational tax money while the legal battle against the tax winds its way through the courts. Earlier, a judge ruled the tax illegal. The county has appealed, saying if it loses the $75 million a year, the county will be financially devastated. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with Commissioners Bettye Fine Collins and Jim Carns.
Collins & Carns: Jeffco Sewer Hearing
Jefferson County officials are scrambling to determine how they failed to bill St. Vincent's Hospital, UAB and others large facilities for nearly three-million dollars in sewer services. The problem came to light Monday in a federal court hearing over whether a receiver should take over management of the county's sewer system. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with county commission president Bettye Fine Collins and commissioner Jim Carns.
Whitmire on Budget Woes and Kid One Transport
Birmingham's proposed 2010 operating budget is about $6 million dollars less than the current budget. It includes major cuts to some outside groups such as the downtown revitalization organization Operation New Birmingham and Child Care Resources. Mayor Larry Langford says times are tough and the cuts are necessary. But some of the groups being cut from the budget say they were given no warning.
Occupational Tax: An Overview
Jefferson County department heads have until June 1st to come up with a plan to cut their budgets by 33%. This comes on top of 10% they cut last month. The belt-tightening is all because of the occupational tax. And if that makes your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. The occupational tax and its legal limbo is complicated. We thought we'd break it down for you. We've got three reports -- the first, from WBHM's Tanya Ott.
Legislative Review and Preview 2009/05/18
The 2009 Alabama legislative session is underway and lawmakers face steep challenges this year. A economic slump means tax collections are down, social service needs are high and money concerns will overshadow all that's happening in Montgomery. Each week we'll update you on activity from the state house with our political expert, Dr. Natalie Davis from Birmingham-Southern College. She joins WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
War of Words
Facebook, Twitter and blogs are abuzz today with news of a showdown between Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and local tavern owner Jerry Hartley. Langford and Hartley verbally sparred at Wednesday's meeting of the Five Points South Merchants Association. Hartley tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager the confrontation erupted during a conversation about regional cooperation to address the problem of "brain drain."
More Budget Cuts?
There are just five more work days left in the Alabama legislative session and Jefferson County commissioners are anxiously watching what happens to a bill concerning the county's occupational tax. A judge declared the tax illegal earlier this year, meaning the county could miss out on about $70 million in revenue. That and other financial uncertainty prompted county officials to tell department heads to prepare for massive budget cuts. WHBM's Andrew Yeager reports on how those cuts could affect one county department.
Legislative Week in Review
We review the week in the Alabama Legislature with Rep. Merika Coleman (D-Midfield) and Rep. Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood).
City Councilwoman Miriam Witherspoon Dies
Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Miriam Witherspoon is dead after a sudden illness. Jeff Underwood of the Lakeshore Foundation remembers the passionate disability rights activist.
Anniston Update
Every month we'll hear from the staff of The Anniston Star about an issue of importance to the community around Anniston and Calhoun County. Join WBHM's Andrew Yeager for these engaging conversations.
New Lead Laws Affect 2nd Hand Clothing Stores
New consumer safety rules go into effect next week, aimed at making children's products safer. After a flood of imported toys came ashore with high lead levels, Congress moved quickly last year to make children's products safer. Maybe too quickly. The new 'Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act' takes effect Tuesday and there are more questions than answers. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports.
Book Hill Pulls out of County Contract
The Washington DC lobbying firm that was to represent Jefferson County in its efforts to secure federal aid for sewer debt says it's turning down the contract. In a letter made public today, Book Hill Partners says the 'toxic political landscape' in Jefferson County would undermine the firm's ability to get political support for the county. WBHM's Tanya Ott spoke with partner Rob Housman.
