Issues
New Governor Steadies the Ship of State after Bentley Resignation
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the opening days of Governor Kay Ivey's term in office.
When Single Mothers Make Too Much for Government Help But Too Little to Pay the Bills
For a single mom with two children in Jefferson County, covering life’s most basic expenses — rent, food, some health insurance — costs about $49,000 a year. A new report […]
Fourth Graders Witness History as Bentley Exits
Fourth graders from Coosa Christian School in Gadsden were on a field trip to the Alabama Capitol Building as news broke that Governor Robert Bentley would resign.
Woodlawn Students Growing a Healthier Neighborhood
Where some see blight and signs of economic decline, others see potential. Under the flight path of Birmingham’s airport and a stone's throw from busy railroad tracks, almost a dozen Woodlawn High School environmental science students are planting fruit trees. It's part of a partnership between the school, the Woodlawn Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy that's transforming vacant lots into lush landscapes meant to benefit the neighborhood.
The Way Forward in Post-Bentley Alabama
Alabama is still absorbing yesterday’s historic news, the resignation of Governor Robert Bentley after he became embroiled in scandal amid allegations he used state resources and intimidation to cover up an alleged affair. But some state leaders are already looking ahead.
Kay Ivey Moves From Lieutenant To Governor
The 72-year-old Ivey held the seat of Lieutenant Governor since 2010; the first Republican woman to hold the office. Ivey is only the second woman to be governor in Alabama.
What to Expect From Bentley Impeachment Hearings
The Alabama House Judiciary Committee begins Impeachment proceedings for Gov. Robert Bentley today. On Friday, Bentley’s attorneys tried to stop the proceedings, and a Montgomery Circuit Judge ruled in their […]
Birmingham’s Construction Boom: How Long Can it Last?
Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West evaluates Birmingham's construction boom over the last few years.
House Judiciary Committee Releases Bentley Impeachment Report
UPDATE: The Alabama Supreme Court stayed the injunction issued by Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin against the start of impeachment proceedings, allowing them to go on. Click here for more info.
Ethics Commission Sends Complaints Against Bentley to Prosecutors
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the the Alabama Ethics Commission's decision to forward complaints against Gov. Robert Bentley to prosecutors.
Alabama’s Auto Suppliers: A Dangerous Place for Workers
Bloomberg Business Week investigative Reporter Peter Waldman describes the dangerous conditions faced by workers for Alabama's auto parts suppliers.
Bills Could Make it Harder for Gay Couples to Adopt
The pending bills currently before the Alabama Legislature would give faith-based adoption agencies the right to turn away couples they believe conflict with their religious beliefs.
Changes to Historic Tax Credits May Put Legislation on Shaky Ground
Twenty million dollars. That’s how much Alabama would award each year in historic tax credits with the latest bill under consideration. There are two versions: One in the House and one […]
Arc Stories: March 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded throughout Birmingham at different Arc Stories events. A young boy thinks he’s figured out the secret to never having to wrestle with the regret; a young man’s […]
State Auditor’s Book Part of Emerging Race for Governor
Alabama state auditor Jim Zeigler has self-published book about his fictitious governorship. Alabama Media Group columnist says despite Zeigler's claim otherwise, it's a campaign announcement.
A Murder in Rural Alabama? S-Town Podcast is on the Case
The creators of This American Life and the popular murder-mystery podcast Serial released a third season today. This one’s called S-Town, and it’s set right here in Alabama. WBHM’s Gigi […]
TEDx Birmingham 2017: Possibility
This year's theme was “Possibility”. Each speaker challenged the status quo and looked for better ways to impact Birmingham and the world. Program Director Michael Krall attended and spoke about his experience with Andrew Yeager.
Birmingham’s Airport Lands in the Middle of the Pack in New Rankings
Birmingham's airport is in the middle in a new ranking of American airports.
Potential Cuts to EPA Funding Threaten Alabama’s Natural Resources
President Donald Trump’s proposed budget calls for huge cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Trump administration wants to reduce EPA funding from about $8 billion to about $5 billion. The budget would also slash the agency’s workforce by about 20 percent.
Political Shock Waves Still Reverberate a Year into the Bentley Scandal
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the year since accusations Governor Robert Bentley had an affair became public.
WBHM’s GM Chuck Holmes on WBHM, the CPB, and You
Is the reliable, respectable news coverage you get from WBHM and NPR worth 30 cents per year? Before you answer, let’s throw into the deal cultural and entertainment programs, […]
Live Coverage of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on Judge Gorsuch
NPR Politics team will live-blog the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. The live blog will include streaming video, with posts featuring highlights, context, and analysis from NPR reporters and correspondents.
Live Coverage of National Security Hearings
The NPR Two-Way blog will provide live coverage of the House Intelligence Committee’s public hearing on the investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. The live blog will include streaming video of the proceedings, with posts featuring highlights, context, and analysis from NPR reporters and correspondents.
Why the Design-build Concept Could Boost Birmingham’s Construction Industry
Some new thinking on how architecture and construction firms are organized could make Birmingham an even bigger hub for the construction industry.
Bills on Prisons, the Budget, and Driver’s License Offices Move Ahead
It was a busy week in Montgomery. The Senate passed a bill on driver’s license offices, and a prisons bill. The House debated church daycare licensing. And House representatives passed […]
Attorney Advertising is Big Business in Alabama
It seems you can’t turn a corner in Alabama without seeing a billboard advertising for a personal injury lawyer. The practice has proven to be a lucrative business builder, but it also carries a professional stigma.
Birmingham Water Works Pension Loses Millions in Fraud Scheme
The Birmingham Water Works pension fund lost more than $4 million in what’s described as a “Ponzi-style” scheme. The scheme spans from New York financial types to an Indian tribe in South Dakota to the Cayman Islands.
Suspected Bird Flu Poses No Risk to Food Supply, Officials Say
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Department issued a stop movement order on select poultry after three suspected cases of bird flu were discovered recently.
Who Benefits in Repealing Sales Tax on Groceries?
Proponents says exempting groceries from state sales tax would help low-income families and spur the economy. Those predictions could be optimistic.
Momentum Helps Women Overcome Tough Work Issues
It’s Women’s History Month, and we thought we’d bring you some voices of Alabama women who are shaking things up. Momentum is a women’s leadership program in Birmingham. WBHM’s Gigi […]
Where Alabama’s Members Of Congress Stand On The New Health Care Bill
To help Americans understand where Congress stands on the debate over this legislation, NPR and Member stations around the country have compiled a database of Congressional members’ positions on the bill.
Regions Part of an Industry Rethink of the Bank Branch
Online banking haven't made the bank branch obsolete, but banks are rethinking how they use their brick-and-mortar locations.