Issues
Alabama Chief Justice Faces Ouster After Gay Marriage Fight
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore faces removal from the bench over his effort to block same-sex marriage from coming to Alabama despite the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively legalizing gay marriage nationwide.
MAP: Where Are Birmingham’s Vacant School Buildings?
WBHM's Mary Scott Hodgin recently reported on surplus property owned by Birmingham City Schools. Vacant schools are a common sight throughout Birmingham. The buildings symbolize decades of population decline and budget cuts. As Birmingham's city center and interest in historic properties grows, many hope these large structures will be revitalized. We've created a map showing where these empty schools are located. Take a look.
The 2016 Legislative Session in Review
Alabama’s 2016 Legislative Session is one for the books. Lawmakers wrapped up at midnight on Wednesday. Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, join’s WBHM’s Rachel Lindley to recap what bills passed, and what bills fell short, ike a hike in the gas tax and an agreement about what to do with BP oil spill settlement money. Perhaps the largest upset was the death of Governor Bentley’s prison bill in the session’s la
What to Do With Birmingham’s Surplus Schools?
Vacant schools are a common sight throughout Birmingham. The buildings symbolize decades of population decline and budget cuts. Now, as the city center grows, many hope these large structures will be revitalized.
Federal Lawsuit Highlights Conflict Between State and Local Government
Alabama doesn’t have a minimum wage law. The state uses the federal rate of $7.25. Earlier this year, the Birmingham City Council tried to increase the city’s minimum wage, but we overridden by a bill Governor Robert Bentley signed into law inFebruary. The bill, originally flied by Mountain Brook Republican state Rep. David Faulkner, said only the state can set the minimum wage.
Bowing to Pressure, Oxford City Leaders Recall Transgender Bathroom Law
In a surprising move, the Oxford City Council rescinded an ordinance it recently passed that would’ve forced transgender people to use public restrooms that match their biological sex. The mayor hadn’t signed the order yet, which gave council members a chance to call it back, bowing to pressure from civil rights organizations.
Bentley Scandal: In Pursuit of Wanda’s Desk
This week, Rep. Ed Henry and Red Bay Democratic Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, tried to get inside the governor's office and find the infamous Wanda's Desk. John Archibald, columnist for al.com and the Birmingham News, was there, and he tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley what happened.
Oxford City Council Recalls Controversial Transgender Bathroom Law
Today the Oxford City Council recalled a controversial ordinance that would’ve forced people to use public bathrooms and changing facilities that correspond to their biological sex. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli was at the meeting and discusses it with WBHM Program Director Michael Krall. You can listen to their conversation above or read it below: Refresh our […]
Mayors Gather in Birmingham to Discuss Violence Against Black Men and Boys
Mayors from across the country are in Birmingham this week for a conference addressing violence against African-American men and boys. It's the third annual gathering for Cities United, a coalition of mayors formed to curb such violence.
Bill Would Help Teachers Prevent Teen Suicide
In Alabama, suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth ages 12 to 16. A bill passed by the state legislature that could be signed by the governor would help teachers better prevent these suicides.
Y’all Talk: Submission Guidelines for Commentary
Interested in submitting a commentary to WBHM? Email Gigi Douban at gigi@wbhm.org or Michael Krall at michael@wbhm.org for more information. Through our new occasional commentary series, “Y’all Talk,” WBHM seeks to broaden our listeners’ perspectives on news and the arts by including voices of the community. What makes for a good Y’all Talk commentary? For WBHM’s purposes, […]
Birmingham Ranks Poorly on Long-Term Small Business Growth
Birmingham has a lot to offer young companies, but the city is lacking when it comes to sustaining small businesses in the long term. That’s according to a new study by American City Business Journals. They measured the nation’s largest metro areas for small business vitality, and Birmingham ranked 82nd out of more than 100 metro areas.
State’s Historic Tax Credit Expires this Month
From the Lyric Theater in downtown Birmingham to the Howell School in Dothan, a number of renovations have been supported by the state’s historic tax credit. It offered developers financial incentives to take on projects that might have come with big risks. But the bill to renew those tax credits has died this legislative session, and the tax will expire this month.
This Week in the Legislature: Prisons, BP Oil Funds and Lane Cake
The sun is setting on Alabama's 2016 Legislative session. With only two more meetings left this year, the Alabama Senate and House discussed and passed a flurry of bills this week on everything from approving Governor Robert Bentley's $800 million prison construction bond proposal to how to spend BP oil settlement funds to naming the lane cake Alabama's official dessert.
Lane Cake Named Official State Dessert by Alabama Lawmakers
Alabama has an official state bird, nut, fruit and even crustacean. The state might soon have an official state cake— a lane cake. The House of Representatives voted Thursday night to name lane cake as the official state cake. The bill now goes to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley for his signature. The effort to name lane cake the state dessert made some traction last year, but ultimately fell flat. To celebrate the cake's move towards official state-dessertdom, today we revisit this story by WBHM 2015 Summer intern Stephanie Beckett.
New Rebel Logo Part of Vestavia Rebranding
A sports-marketing firm yesterday presented the Vestavia Hills school board with an update that included a new rebel logo. Tensions over the system’s Rebel Man mascot and the name “Rebels” flared up last year. The school board has since ditched the mascot but kept the name. But the system’s rebranding process is ongoing.
Group Looks to Bring “Bible-Based” Classes to Public School Students
School Ministries of Birmingham's goal is to establish Christian-oriented released time education (RTE) programs in high schools in the greater Birmingham area. The group's first program started at Spain Park High School in Hoover in January. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about SMB's plans and the legality of RTE programs. Patterson also discusses the third annual Cahaba Riverkeeper water quality and bacteriological testing program.
Oxford Officials: Transgender Bathroom Law is About Public Safety
Oxford city leaders say public safety is what sparked the recent passage of an ordinance that forces transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding with their biological sex. But transgender advocates say the law is unjustifiable.
Alabama Governor Faces Impeachment Threat in Wake of Scandal
A state lawmaker says he has enough signatures to re-ignite an impeachment effort against Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. Republican Rep. Ed Henry announced Thursday that he had obtained 23 signatures on impeachment articles.
NAACP Files Lawsuit over Law Blocking Birmingham Minimum Wage
The NAACP filed a federal lawsuit Thursday contending a law that blocked a minimum wage increase in Birmingham is racially motivated. The suit names Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange and includes Greater Birmingham Ministries and two fast-food works as plaintiffs.
“I Want My South Back”
"I want my South back." That's the rallying cry from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. In a recent column he lays out a Southern identity that he admits may be a fictional memory, but one he'd like see more of. He also reflects on the fifth anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people in Alabama.
Lawmakers Pass Budget, Ask Questions Later
Lawmakers approve a General Fund budget that left an $85 million hole in the state’s Medicaid program and the head of the Alabama GOP feels compelled to defend the party. The latest from Kyle Whitmire, political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com.
Alabama City Passes Transgender Bathroom Law that Carries Jail Time
An east Alabama city wants to send people to jail for not using public restrooms corresponding with their biological sex. It’s the latest move in an ongoing battle over transgender rights in the United States. The city council of Oxford, just east of Birmingham, has passed a law preventing transgender residents and visitors from using public restrooms […]
Parker High School, Family And Community Helped Propel Top Scientist Dr. Willie May
“Obviously growing up in Birmingham, Alabama in the late 50s and 60s there were barriers, but fortunately I had lots of folks who invested a lot in me and I owed it to them not to allow those barriers to deter me.”
Birmingham Housing Market Tilts to Sellers
The housing market is cyclical as are so many things in business. After a housing-led recession and recovery, the Birmingham housing market is becoming a sellers market with far more demand than homes to go around. But the adage "location, location, location" still applies. Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West explains in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Investment in Alabama Doubled in 2015, Report Finds
A report out today from state officials shows Alabama attracted more than $7 billion in investments and added nearly 20,000 new jobs last year.
School Funding In Alabama: A View From Sumter County
In more affluent districts, local property tax revenue makes a big difference for schools. But in rural Sumter County, which is mostly farms and timberland, there isn’t much to tax. It’s also hard to raise rates on what is there.
Key Issues Linger as 2016 Legislative Session Winds Down
Only five days remain in Alabama’s 2016 legislative session, and big issues are still on the table, from a lottery bill to a possible $800 million dollar bond for building new prisons. However, in recent weeks, these important issues have been overshadowed by scandal in the wake of accusations Governor Robert Bentley had an affair with a former top advisor. This week, a lawmaker introduced a resolution that could impeachment proceedings against Bentley forward. For more on this, we talk with Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama public television. To start, Dailey tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Bentley’s recent comments to the media.
North Alabama Residents Sue 3M Over Drinking Water Contamination
Safe drinking water is an issue that’s been playing out from Parkersburg, West Virginia to Hoosick Falls, New York. It’s a question many courts are taking on. Among the most recent is in North Alabama, where residents and a water authority are suing 3M, maker of products from Scotchgard to Post-It Notes in connection with toxins in the water supply. The EPA is expected to release new guidelines on safe levels this spring. Meanwhile, the fight is on over who might foot the bill if a cleanup is in order.
Ala. Legislature Passes Ed Budget, Teacher Pay Raise
The Alabama state legislature today approved an education budget and a teacher pay raise. Conference committees approved the measures Thursday afternoon and Governor Robert Bentley has indicated his support. Assuming he signs the legislation, teachers and other educators making less than $75,000 per year, plus all principals and assistant principals, will get a four percent raise in fiscal […]
Raising Poultry Increasingly a “Raw Deal” for Alabama Farmers
Poultry production has risen in the past several decades. It's now a more than $45 billion industry in the U.S. Alabama is located in the heart of what’s considered the agricultural “chicken belt” of America. In 2013, Alabama farms produced roughly 1 billion chickens. While that may make it sound like the state's poultry farming economy is healthy, farmers tell a different story. Every one of Alabama’s chickens is produced by contract famers, and some of these farmers tell the weekly newspaper WELD that they’re getting a raw deal.
Lawsuit Could Reveal Details Around Bentley Scandal
The scandal around Governor Robert Bentley took a new legal turn this week. Former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Director Spencer Collier, who accused the governor of an affair with a top advisor, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Bentley. The governor says he fired Collier for cause and that he'll aggressively defend the lawsuit. We talk about that and other developments around this scandal with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
