Government
FEMA Payments Delayed
As the east coast dries out following Hurricane Irene, the storm is causing financial snags for Alabma. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will delay certain payments for existing disaster operations, such as rebuiling after April's tornados or the twister in Joplin, Missouri. Instead money will be directed to Hurricane Irene response. Alabama Emergency Management Director Art Faulkner says this restriction does not affect individual payments or debris clean up. It will affect longer term projects.
A Challenge to Alabama’s Immigration Law
Opponents of Alabama's new immigration law spent Wednesday in federal court trying to convince a judge to block the measure from going into effect on September first. The legal showdown over what's been called the toughest crackdown on illegal immigration in the country pits the U.S. Justice Department, a coalition of civil rights groups and church leaders against attorneys for the state of Alabama. They argue there's no reason the law shouldn't take effect as planned. NPR National Correspondent Debbie Elliot is watching the action at the federal courthouse in Birmingham and spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
A Verdict in Alabama’s Gambling Corruption Trial
Prosecutors with the Justice Department are contemplating their next move after the jury in Alabama's gambling corruption trial returned no guilty verdicts. The partial verdict still leaves VictoryLand casino owner Milton McGregor and six others facing unresolved charges. While defense lawyers were glad to have acquittals on some counts, WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports they're still gearing up for what could be another court battle.
Alabama’s Gambling Corruption Trial
This summer nine defendants including Alabama casino owner Milton McGregor go on trial. They're accused of buying and selling votes around a pro-gambling bill in the state legislature. The case draws on hours of secretly recorded wiretaps and promises to reveal the underside of wheeling and dealing in Montgomery. WBHM's Andrew Yeager will follow the month's long case and offers updates of the unfolding action.
Open Meetings Law
Jefferson County Commissioners will meet tomorrow to determine their next move as the county struggles with more than three billion dollars of sewer debt. They could reach a settlement with creditors or file what would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. But they'll hold the meeting in executive session. That means meeting with lawyers, behind closed doors. And as WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports that has some questioning if they're violating Alabama's open meetings law.
Legislative Review and Preview 2011/05/06
The 2011 Alabama legislative session is underway and lawmakers have their plates full. A slow economic recovery means budget cuts are likely. A new governor is in town. And Republicans take the reigns of the legislature for the first time in 136 years. Friday mornings, WBHM's Andrew Yeager talks to two state lawmakers to update you on activity from the state house.
The 2011 Tornadoes: Cullman
President Obama spent Friday morning touring tornado-ravaged neighborhoods in Tuscaloosa. He says he's never seen such devastation. Almost 300 people have died so far from tornados which blanketed the south Wednesday. More than two thirds of the deaths are in Alabama . For survivors, one of the biggest issues to deal with is no power. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Alabama’s Immigration Bill
The Alabama House is set to take up bill today aimed at curbing illegal immigration. It's patterned after a similar law passed last year in Arizona and would punish individuals in Alabama without documentation for trespassing. That could mean jail, fines or being turned over to federal immigration authorities. WBHM's Andrew Yeager talks to some in the business community who are worried about what an Arizona-style law might mean for Alabama.
Jefferson County Tax Ruled Unconstitutional
Jefferson County's Occupational Tax is unconstitutional. That's according to a unanimous ruling issued by the Alabama Supreme Court, which upholds a lower court's ruling.
Tax Refund: Paper to Plastic
Are you waiting for your tax refund? A lot of people are. But now a handful of low income taxpayers have the option of putting their refunds on a prepaid debit card. It's faster, more secure and the government says it'll save money. As WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports, a lot of eyes will be watching how this countrywide experiment pans out.
Alabama and the Oil Spill: Federal Report
A president commission studying last year's BP gulf oil spill is out with its final report this week. It contains recommendations the panel hopes will prevent another large-scale oil disaster. The include a new federal agency to oversee offshore drilling, an industry-created institute to police safety and increasing the liability caps for damages when companies drill off shore. The report also pieces together the events surrounding last April's oil well explosion. Commissioner Terry Garcia tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager that the panel concluded the disaster could have been prevented and that blame doesn't rest just with BP. It goes industry wide.
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.
On The Line: Ask The Mayor
The city of Birmingham faces a major financial crunch with salaries and services likely taking cuts. Its mass transportation system remains unreliable. At the same time, there there are success stories such as the opening of Railroad Park and luring the Birmingham Baron's to a downtown baseball stadium. Mayor William Bell joins us for On The Line: Ask the Mayor.
Polling Place Confusion
There are long lines at polling places across the state, but one of the most frustrating is in Homewood, where voters mix with people just trying to renew their vehicle tags.
Bob Riley: The Exit Interview
Governor Bob Riley talks about his two terms in office with WBHM's Bradley George.
On the Line: Election 2010
Next Tuesday, Alabamians head to the polls for this year's mid-term elections. Voters will select a new governor among other state offices. Control of the Alabama legislature and Capitol Hill are up for grabs. WBHM wants to hear your thoughts on the candidates and issues during our special call in program, On The Line: Election 2010.
Alabama Election 2010: Congressional District 2
Across the country, congressional democrats are at risk of losing their seats in next week's election, thanks to anti-incumbent fervor. In Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, polls put incumbent democrat Bobby Bright ahead of his republican challenger Marthy Roby. But some pundits say it could be a toss-up.
House District 47 Pits Jack Williams Against Chip McCallum
Alabama voters will decide many races in the mid-term elections next week, but one of the more contentious fights is over House District 47, which covers parts Vestavia Hills and Hoover. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports on the battle pitting incumbent Republican Jack Williams against Independent Chip McCallum.
Election 2010: Governor’s Race and Gambling
Next week, Alabamians head to the polls for this year's mid-term elections. Voters will select congressmen, state legislators, and a new governor. This morning on WBHM, we kick off Election 2010 - a week long look at some of the key races and issues on the ballot.
Gambling Arrests
Federal agents arrested 11 people in Alabama this Monday, including four state senators and Alabama's top two casino owners, in an alleged vote-buying scheme. The case centers on a failed effort to legalize electronic bingo. It's the latest in a months-long bribery and corruption investigation and legal battle over bingo expansion in Alabama. WBHM's Andrew Yeager retraces the events.
Jefferson County Attorney’s Pay
Across the country, city and county governments are laying off employees in droves to deal with budget deficits. Jefferson County is no exception, so it may come as a surprise that the county's legal team appears to be among the highest paid local government attorneys in the country.
The Tea Party in Alabama
Tea Party members are celebrating big wins in several states after yesterday's primaries. Across the country, the Tea Party movement continues to put pressure on incumbents. But here in Alabama the movement has been relatively quiet. WBHM's Tanya Ott wondered why.
A Receiver for Jeffco’s Sewer: What Does It Mean?
Jefferson County's troubled sewer system will soon be run by a receiver. So, what exactly is a receiver? What power will he or she have?
Occupational Tax Settlement
Jefferson County commissioners approved a settlement today in the long running dispute over the county's occupational tax. Lawyers for workers in Jefferson County had successfully challenged the legality of the tax, prompting court ordered refunds. Under the plan, the county would get about $20 million in exchange for giving up the right to impose a new, retroactive tax. Employed Jefferson County residents would split nearly $31 million with lawyers who challenged the tax. The lawyers have requested a 35% fee. Alabama State Bar President-elect James Pratt mediated the settlement approved today. Pratt says he will now issue a report to the judge.
Robert Bentley
Bradley Byrne and Robert Bentley have just a few days left to convince voters they should be the Republican nominee for Alabama governor. Tuesday is the runoff election. It's been a hot contest at a time when Alabama's weak economy underlies virtually every issue. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with State Representative Robert Bentley who says legislation he authored in the last legislative session is helping put some Alabamians back to work.
Jefferson County Commission Runoff
'Vote early, vote often' is one of the more cynical sayings in politics. But those words have a ring of truth for voters in Jefferson County Commission District 1.
On the Line: Ask the Mayor
The city of Birmingham faces a major financial crunch with salaries and services likely taking cuts. Its mass transportation system remains unreliable. Big ticket projects have been put on the back burner. A difficult environment for Birmingham Mayor William Bell. Friday (6/18) WBHM's Bradley George talks to William Bell as we discuss these and other issues during On The Line: Ask the Mayor.
The Future of the Jefferson County Commission
Next Tuesday, voters will whittle down a field of nearly 40 candidates running for Jefferson County Commission.
Alabama Gubernatorial Primary 2010
Alabama voters have less than a week to decide the Republican and Democratic nominees for governor. Alabamians have already endured months of campaigning, political ads, attacks and counter attacks. So as we look to the June first primary, WBHM's Andrew Yeager has this final exam of sorts for the candidates.
Bike to Work
Friday morning, the Greater Birmingham Regional Planning Commission is among the sponsors of a Bike-to-Work day. Tom Maxwell is an environmental planner with the planning commission. He agrees Birmingham is not particularly friendly to cyclists. But Maxwell tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager that discussion of these issues goes back quite a ways.
On The Line: Fixing 280
It's the road you love to hate. But state officials say they have a plan to ease congestion on U.S. 280. Some business leaders like the idea. Local government officials are split on it. And a group of citizens has proposed an alternative plan. Friday (4/30) at noon on WBHM we discuss all this and more during On The Line: Fixing 280.
US 280: Tolling
All this week we've been exploring the debate around a plan to stem congestion on U.S. 280 in Jefferson and Shelby Counties. The proposal from the Alabama Department of Transportation would add elevated lanes to a portion of the route. It would also add tolls to four lanes. But how effective would tolling be? WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Richard Arnott, an urban economist at the University of California, Riverside. Arnott says tolls are one strategy cities use to control congestion. But toll roads are less common within a metropolitan area.
