Government

Alabama OKs $725M bond sale to build 2 supersize prisons

That money will be added to $135 million in state funds and $400 million in pandemic relief dollars that the state already agreed to put toward the project.

Britt wins tumultuous Alabama Senate race scrambled by Trump

Katie Britt won the Republican nomination for Senate in Alabama Tuesday, defeating six-term Rep. Mo Brooks in a primary runoff after former President Donald Trump took the unusual step of rescinding his initial Brooks endorsement.

2022 Alabama primary runoff results

Republicans will be choosing between Katie Britt and Roy Moore as their nominee for U.S. Senate. Democrats will pick a nominee for governor between Yolonda Flowers and Malika Sanders-Fortier.

Voters go back to the polls Tuesday for primary runoffs

Party runoff ballots are fairly light for Tuesday’s election. But at the top of the Republican ballot is the nomination to the U.S. Senate. At the top of the Democratic ballot is nomination to the governor’s race.

Trump endorses Katie Britt in Alabama Senate race

Trump called Britt "an incredible fighter for the people of Alabama." The former president had originally backed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in the race, but rescinded that endorsement in March after their relationship soured.

54% of support comes from members

Brooks leans into the ‘Big Lie’ in Republican Senate runoff

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks faces Katie Britt in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on June 21.

Sleeping shelters for homeless people will be built for The World Games. What happens next?

Security parameters will be put in place, restricting access to otherwise public places. People without homes who use some of these public spaces for shelter will have to find other places to be. 

Once dumped by Trump, Brooks seeks his endorsement again

Former President Donald Trump pulled his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks in the Alabama Senate race. Brooks took to Twitter to encourage the president to change his mind.

Scott Thurmond named Birmingham Police Chief

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin announced Thurmond’s appointment as police chief Thursday. Thurmond succeeds Patrick Smith who announced his resignation as police chief in January citing personal matters.

Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks are headed for an Alabama Senate runoff

Alabama's Republican primary for U.S. Senate is going to a June runoff between Katie Britt and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks after neither candidate captured a majority of the vote.

Incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey wins GOP primary in Alabama

Up against eight Republican challengers, Gov. Kay Ivey will move forward to the general election for governor in Alabama where a Democrat hasn't been elected to the office for a quarter-century.

2022 Alabama primary results

Statewide races include governor, U.S. Senate, attorney general and secretary of state.

Alabama Republicans weigh-in on their favorite primary candidates 

Nine Republicans are for governor in Alabama and six for an open U.S. Senate seat.

Alabama Democrats hope for improved showing in 2022 elections

Republicans hold all statewide offices plus supermajorities in the state legislature. But Alabama Democrats are in a good position this year, according to the head of the Alabama Democratic Party.

Ivey, challengers race to right in Alabama GOP primary

The race was supposed to be a cake walk for Gov. Kay Ivey, who still remains favored to win a second full term. But right flank opponents are trying to make it a referendum on her conservative credentials.

Party match-ups go to the voters in balloting on Tuesday

The Alabama primary elections are May 24th. Do you know who's on the ballot? Check out the complete list and sample ballots.

Birmingham mayor proposes largest city budget ever

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin introduced a $517 million budget proposal, the largest in city history, during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Judge’s ruling a “sigh of relief” for families of transgender youth

A federal judge in Alabama ruled to block part of a law that makes it a felony to provide gender-affirming care to minors on Friday. Families with transgender kids tell WBHM they are cautiously relieved.

Transgender medication law in Alabama blocked by judge

The law made it a felony to prescribe gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormones to transgender minors. U.S. District Judge Liles Burke issued a preliminary injunction to stop the state from enforcing the medication ban, which took effect May 8, while a court challenge goes forward.

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54% of support comes from members

JeffCo Probate Judge: tightened security will delay voting returns in the primaries

Jefferson County’s chief election official is warning that a new voting security measure will delay returns from the May 24 primary elections.

Judge weighs request to block Alabama transgender law

Barring a judge's order, a new law is set to take effect Sunday in Alabama that would outlaw the use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat transgender minors.

Birmingham targets motels over illegal activity and blight

Since last fall, Birmingham city officials have sued or taken other measures to shut down the businesses.

Judge hears testimony in challenge to Alabama’s ban on gender-affirming care

A group of parents and doctors want the judge to stop the law from going into effect while a lawsuit continues.

Biden visits Alabama Lockheed plant as weapons stockpile strained

President Joe Biden credited the assembly line workers at a Javelin missile plant in Troy for doing lifesaving work in building the antitank weapons that are being sent to Ukraine.

“Still in shock.” Abortion defenders, foes stunned by leak

People on both sides of the abortion divide have been expecting the Supreme Court this summer to reverse the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide. But many said the draft opinion was nevertheless stunning.

State signs $623 million contract for 4,000-inmate prison

The new prison contact is part of a sweeping construction plan partially paid for by pandemic relief funds.

Alabama signs prison construction contract, quiet on details

The Alabama Department of Corrections declined to release a copy of the contract. A spokeswoman said it needed to be redacted and that would take some time because it is a lengthy contract.

Parents challenge law outlawing treatment of trans kids

The new Alabama law makes it a crime for doctors to treat trans people under 19 with puberty blockers or hormones to help affirm their gender identity.

Birmingham Council OKs New Districts Despite Dissent

Councilors sparred Tuesday over the maps which were redrawn based on numbers from the 2020 census.

One year later, where is the Birmingham Civilian Review Board? 

A year ago, Mayor Randall Woodfin announced the launch of the Birmingham Civilian Review Board to offer independent accountability for police. But the board doesn't seem to be active.

EXPLAINER: What do new Alabama laws say about transgender kids?

Alabama has become the first state to criminalize the use of puberty blockers and hormones to treat transgender people under age 19. So what do these laws mean?