Issues
New International Baccalaureate School And Other Changes Ahead For Jeffco Middle School Students
Changes are on the way at some Jefferson County Schools following a federal judge’s approval of a realignment plan eliminating the systems’ three remaining K-8 schools and spreads the seventh and eighth graders out to nearby high schools.
Why is Commercial Real Estate such a Hot Commodity in Birmingham?
Birmingham is attracting a lot of commercial investment. Since 2011, out-of-state investors have spent more than $3.8 billion on commercial property in Jefferson and Shelby Counties. This trend is said […]
Finding a Way to Talk About Racial Inequality in Alabama, U.S.
It's time to speak of reparations. That's the headline of the latest column by AL.com's John Archibald. The piece comes following the turbulent and deadly events involving black men and law enforcement in Louisiana, Texas and Minnesota. A discussion about this controversial column.
It Might Just Be Legal
Spending practices regarding election campaign funds in Alabama are under review. How those funds are spent, now, can be looked up as public information, and there are some questions that come […]
Utz Buys Golden Flake
“The South’s Original Potato Chip” will soon be a part of a company out of Pennsylvania. UTZ Quality Foods made a merger agreement, yesterday with the company that owns Golden […]
Woodlawn Runner Jayla Kirkland Goes Against the World’s Best In Poland
Jayla’s time of 23.11 in the 200 meters captured first place last month at the prestigious New Balance Nationals Outdoor competition. In that same competition, she placed third in the 100 meter race.
Birmingham Job Market Near Peak Employment
There's good news regarding the Birmingham job market. Since 2011, the city has added more than 30,000 jobs, just shy of the 45,000 needed for peak employment.
Commentary: Paula Odogwu “…living life as the person I want to be.”
High school is a time when most students get a better idea of who they are, and what they want to be. For commentator Paula Odogwu (oh-DOUGH-goo), that transformation wasn’t easy. […]
Birmingham Reacts to a Week of Violence with Marches, Rallies and Hope
The nation is still reeling from a string of violence last week, including the deaths of two black men, shot by the police, and the killings of five Dallas police officers during a peaceful protest. For more on the reaction from Birmingham, we’re joined by Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. He spoke to WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley.
Cleanup Efforts in North Birmingham Continue As Residents Wait
Vivian Starks enjoys growing plants and raising tomatoes in her backyard garden in Collegeville. She can only eat them occasionally though because of the contamination in her neighborhood.
Judge Puts Temporary Hold on Abortion Restrictions
Two new Alabama laws restricting abortions were set to go into effect next month, but yesterday, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson blocked them, at least for now. In the latest […]
AG Puts Foot Down on Alabama’s Open Carry Law
Attorney General Luther Strange orders removal of all "No Firearms Allowed" signs around Alabama.
The Definition of Ethics In Alabama is..
If you look for a definition of the word, “ethics,” terms come up like, “moral principles,” and “the concept of right and wrong.” Appropriate behavior, or noting the lack of […]
Advocates Searching for Ways State can Improve Child Wellbeing
According to the report, Alabama ranks 46th in the country for overall child wellbeing, an area the state continues to fall in year over year. The state ranked in the bottom ten states in every category and VOICES analyzed what it would take to improve these numbers.
Strong Headwinds Against Wind Energy in Alabama
Drive through the Midwest or Great Plains and you may see expansive wind farms rising from the fields. That sight is not something you see in Alabama. Still there are those who see a place for wind energy in this state and we talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Hundreds Gather For Rally And March in Downtown Birmingham
Organizers of the rally say while they encourage peaceful protest, they want to see people push for policy changes and go to the polls to vote in elections.
House Speaker Mike Hubbard Sentenced to Four Years in Prison
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been sentenced to four years in prison for breaking the state’s ethics law. A judge in Lee County sentenced Hubbard Friday.
Who is Worse? Democrats or Republicans?
When it comes to less than stellar behavior in Alabama politics, both sides bring plenty to the table. Democrats are the party of George Wallace and the two-year college scandal. Republicans have now seen their House Speaker Mike Hubbard removed from office on ethics convictions. Meanwhile Republican Chief Justice Roy Moore faces his own ethics charges and Governor Robert Bentley faces an impeachment effort. Which side is worse? Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says it's a trick question.
Corruption in Alabama: The Role of the State Ethics Commission
We continue our examination of corruption that appears to plague Alabama politics
Birmingham City Council Delays Approving Funds For New Kingston Fire Station
Residents from the Kingston community showed up at the Birmingham City Council meeting on July 5, to ask leaders (again) to go ahead and replace their fire station. But, again, […]
Cahaba Grand Sale Leaves Void for Large Events
Alabama’s largest church, the Church of the Highlands, purchased the Cahaba Grand Conference Center for $8 million earlier this year. As that facility along Highway 280 transitions from conference venue to house of worship, it’s causing ripples through the Birmingham area event space market. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Jefferson County Schools Personnel Director Arrested On Child Sex, Pornography Charges
Authorities continue to investigate claims associated with Brett Kirkham, 39.
What Makes Birmingham a “Food Town?”
People in Birmingham love their city’s food so much they write songs about it. We found Ja-Neen Gandy hanging out with her kids at Railroad Park eager to share her […]
Crowded Homeless Shelter Looking for New Home
The Firehouse Shelter serves thousands of homeless people in Birmingham like Johnson and has been a staple to the community since 1983. But they’ve outgrown their home on 3rd Ave North. and they’re working on moving to a bigger facility.
Arc Stories: June 2016 Edition
Stories where plans put into motion take some unexpected turns. One young woman’s attempt to have a little fun at some protester’s expense, a boy who is taken on the […]
Mother Suing Birmingham Clinic for Medical Negligence
Mothers-to-be put a lot of thought into how – and where – they want to give birth to their babies. And a lot of what influences that choice is how […]
A Private Gym For Birmingham Airport Leader Raises Questions
High-profile positions often come with perks. But with public positions involving public money, perks can drift into illegal ethics violations. Those are the concerns around Birmingham's airport authority CEO and what's been called his private gym. We talk about the controversy with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. We also hear about the unanswered questions around the firing of a high-raking employee of the State Department of Finance.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Corruption in Alabama?
Alabama has a corruption problem. Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard is currently awaiting sentencing for 12 felony ethics convictions, Chief Justice Roy Moore is scheduled to go to trial for […]
Thousands in Alabama Eligible for Compensation from Volkswagen
Thousands of Alabama residents may be eligible for compensation from Volkswagen following a settlement over emissions fraud.
A Birmingham Business Mystery may be Revealed, Soon
A “good news” Birmingham business mystery may soon be revealed. The firearms business is booming. Changes in the industrial economy are impacting Alabama’s waterways and roadways. Ty West is Editor of the Birmingham Business Journal. He joins WBHM’s Scott Hanley to consider some of these latest stories in the Magic City Marketplace.
Alabama Families Living in Poverty Hit Hard by Welfare Reform
The number of families living in poverty in Alabama has risen, but the number of families currently receiving TANF funding has dropped.
Spencer Collier “Anxious” to Testify Against Gov. Bentley in Potential Impeachment Trial
An investigation is underway to determine whether Governor Robert Bentley should be impeached, and a discussion about Alabama real estate mogul Franklin Haney and his potential influence on state politics. […]
