Issues
Interview: UAB Space Archaeologist and TED Prize Winner Sarah Parcak
To some, the fact that “space archaeology” is actually a thing will come as news. Practitioners use satellite imagery to discover and analyze ancient ruins, and increasingly, to spot looting. University of Alabama at Birmingham archaeologist Sarah Parcak is a leader in the field, and she’s just been named winner of the 2016 million-dollar TED Prize, […]
Agencies Work to Reduce Alabama’s Infant Mortality Rate
Recently, Alabama saw national attention for the high numbers of women it prosecutes for drug abuse during pregnancy. While critics say drug testing new and expectant mothers may be illegal or unconstitutional, most realize why it’s an issue. Alabama’s infant mortality rate is one of the highest in the nation 49th, right after Mississippi. In 2013, Alabama lost approximately more than 500 infants.
Blueprint Birmingham After Five Years
Five years ago this fall, the economic development group Birmingham Business Alliance announced Blueprint Birmingham. With a big marketing push it was hailed as five-year strategic plan that would change a region that so often lags behind. With that time frame over we talk about what the plan did in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Grant for BJCTA-MAX Buses, Birmingham and UBER Negotiate
It’s been a busy time for the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority. They were recently awarded a $20 million TIGER grant to improve buses, just weeks after they controversially parted ways with their then-executive director, Ann August. For more on this and other regional transportation news, we turn to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD.
Dash Cam Video Raises Questions in Birmingham Police Shooting
Birmingham police are reviewing an incident in which an officer shot a suspect on a street in East Lake after dash cam video released this week shows the situation isn't exactly as police reported. The two officers involved say the man pointed a gun at them prompting one to shoot. That officer, Daniel Aguirre, received a departmental award for his actions. The man, Aubrey Williams, survived but faces attempted murder charges. His attorney says the video shows he did not point a gun at the officers. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. He also talks about a second mistrial in the case of a Madison police officer accused of using excessive force against an Indian man.
Phil Hammonds on Bold Goals for Alabama Education’s Future
In advance of WBHM's and the Southern Education Desk's "Issues and Ales" education forum this evening, former Jefferson County School Superintendent Phil Hammonds joined WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley to talk about his prescriptions for improving Alabama’s schools and what Bold Goals Education aims to do.
Artur Davis files suit against AL Democratic Party
A judge will hear arguments on former congressmen Artur Davis’ lawsuit against the Alabama Democratic Party; the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reopens some satellite driver’s license offices; and an update on Alabama keeping open money losing, state run liquor stores. Kyle Whitmire is state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com, he spoke with […]
Trisha Powell Crain Talks Money, Politics, and More in Alabama Education
There's never a shortage of stories coming from Alabama's schools. But before WBHM's and the Southern Education Desk's "Issues and Ales" education forum Thursday evening, we wanted to shed as much light as possible on the big picture behind the headlines. For better or worse, that backdrop always includes money and therefore politics. So our education reporter Dan Carsen sat down with Alabama School Connection founder and BirminghamWatch contributor Trisha Powell Crain to talk about that and more.
Dr. Tondra Loder-Jackson, Discusses Impact of Civil Rights On Education
In advance of the WBHM/Southern Education Desk Issues and Ales forum on the future of Education in Alabama, Dr. Loder-Jackson discussed her research on civil rights in Birmingham schools.
Musician Chris Thile on Playing Birmingham, Replacing Garrison Keillor
Virtuoso mandolin player Chris Thile performs in Birmingham Monday at UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. He spoke with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about his varied musical career, why he loves performing in Birmingham and how he feels about his next job: replacing Garrison Keillor as the host of A Prairie Home Companion.
The Financial Confidence Gap
Surveys show women make the majority of purchasing decisions in any given household. But when it comes to confidence with money, they trail men. We talk about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. Birmingham Business Journal editor Cindy Fisher Crawford tells WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about this Vanderbilt University study and what it reveals about a financial confidence gap.
WBHM Partners with StoryCorps OutLoud
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM is partnering with StoryCorps to broadcast selections from its StoryCorps OutLoud initiative recorded in Birmingham. StoryCorps OutLoud is a multi-year project dedicated to preserving the often unheard voices of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people. WBHM will share these stories on air and online Tuesdays and Fridays throughout November, 2015. […]
Birmingham’s First Female City Council Member Remembered in Statue and Film
Almost 150 people crowd around a statue in Linn Park last Friday, waiting to dedicate a statue honoring Nina Miglionico, the first woman to serve on the Birmingham City Council. Mayor William Bell and Birmingham City Council members past and present mingle with members of the Miglionico family and friends.
Hubbard Pre-trial Hearing Ends Without Much New Revealed
Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard isn't scheduled to go on trial on felony ethics charges until March, but Alabama political watchers received an early helping of the courtroom fireworks this week with a pre-trial hearing. Lawyers for Hubbard are arguing the case should be thrown out because of selective prosecution and prosecutorial misconduct. Prosecutors say it's all a distraction. We hear more about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Alabama Keeps Money-Losing Liquor Stores Open
A Perry County Judge tells offenders they can either pay their fine or give blood. And Alabama closes driver’s license offices, but keeps money-losing liquor stores open. Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, and he talks about these issues with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Jerri Hardesty: Changing Lives Through Poetry
Emotion often fuels poetry. Sometimes though that emotion is so personal it’s like being let into a secret space. That’s the way it is with poems we’ll hear from Jerri Hardesty. She’s president of the Alabama State Poetry Society. She’s won more than 600 awards and titles for both written and spoken word poetry. Hardesty […]
A Potential Change for Credit Unions has Banks Unhappy
One winner in the recovery since the Great Recession has been credit unions. They’ve seen growth in membership and lending activity. And that’s put them at odds with those who traditionally handle services like this – banks. We hear about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. Birmingham Business Journal editor Cindy Fisher Crawford tells WBHM’s Andrew Yeager about what drove that growth for credit unions.
Arc Stories: October 2015 Edition
Three storytellers find themselves in frightening situations. A camp ghost story that gets out of hand; a man forced to look death in the face; and trying to spy on religious fanatics (Originally aired October 22, 2015 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Private Probation Company Leaves Alabama
Courtroom and legal-themed shows proliferate in entertainment media, but the real nuts and bolts of the legal process don’t often attract attention. That’s not the case for a private probation company which drew outrage around Alabama for the escalating fees it charged people with minor offenses such as traffic violations. That company, Judicial Correction Services, has announced it is leaving the state and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald is among those who is cheering.
Hillary Clinton Voices Criticism of Drivers License Office Closures During Alabama Visit
Secretary of State and Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton campaigned in Hoover on Saturday. The Alabama Democratic Conference gathered at the Hyatt Regency Wynfrey Hotel, where Clinton was the guest speaker. Clinton’s comments on racial justice drew plenty of support from those in attendance.
Reopening VictoryLand
Alabama casino developer Milton McGregor won a legal victory earlier this month which appears to put to rest a five-year court battle over his Macon County casino VictoryLand. A judge said the state had no grounds to seize thousands of electronic bingo machines from VictoryLand. So McGregor is working to reopen the facility. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
FBI Closes Investigation into 1964 Ala. police Shooting
The FBI has closed its investigation into a fatal police shooting that happened 50 years ago in west Alabama. A Justice Department letter to the family of Frank Andrews says the government won't file any charges in his slaying by a Choctaw County sheriff's deputy in the town of Lisman on Nov. 28, 1964.
Why I Support WBHM: Michael Harrington
Michael Harrington’s winning design is featured on the newest edition of WBHM’s pint glass for the Fall 2015 fund drive. For a contribution of just $7.50/month or a one time contribution of $90.00, this pint glass is a wonderful reminder of your support of public radio for Birmingham and North Central Alabama, Here’s two […]
Transparency in Question when Elected Leaders use Private Email
Used to be if you wanted something done, you’d write your congressman or congresswoman. But nowadays written communication is more often done through email. A notable number of state politicians in Alabama don’t use their official state email address instead opting for a Gmail or even AOL account. That’s a problem say government transparency advocates. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Should Larry Langford Go Free?
The former Birmingham Mayor remains in jail serving a 15 year sentence. And Governor Bentley proposes a possible solution to reopen 31 rural driver’s license offices.Kyle Whitmire is the state political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL dot com, he talks with WBHM’s Michael Krall.
Lawsuit Filed to Stop Downtown I-20/59 Bridge Replacement Project
A group including residents, activists and elected leaders has filed a federal lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Transportation seeking to stop a downtown Birmingham project. ALDOT began work this fall on a plan to replace and expand the elevated potions of Interstate 20/59 in the city center. But the organization Move 20/59, which is behind the lawsuit, contends the environmental impact study conducted for the project violates federal law.
Anthony Barnes, Former Birmingham Water Works Chairman, Dies
Anthony Barnes, former chairman of the Birmingham Water Works Board and long-time Birmingham businessman died Tuesday. He was 65.
Changing Gears with the Launch of Bikeshare in Birmingham
Kiosks have been popping up in parking spots around Birmingham. These 40 stations will hold 400 bikes. They're part of Zyp BikeShare, which starts tomorrow. Cycling has devotees in the Magic City, but plenty still see it as a risky way to travel. Cycling enthusiasts hope more bikes on the road will change attitudes.
A Different Kind of Medical Drama: Local Doctors Give Voice to Bizarre New “ICD-10” Diagnosis Codes
Have you been struck by a duck? Maybe hurt in a spaceship accident? If so, the new medical coding system that went live across the nation this month has a code that applies to you. The tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases, or “ICD 10,” includes almost seventy thousand codes — roughly five […]
Alabama’s Film Tax Credits Face Some Skepticism and Critique
Most states offer tax incentives meant to attract film production-create jobs and stimulate the economy. As budgets tighten, some are scaling back or eliminating them. But even after recent heated budget battles, cash-strapped Alabama is keeping those tax credits, prompting some to question their effect on the fiscal bottom line.
Alabama Launchpad
Let’s say you have a great business idea. That’s a good start but it takes funding to get the idea off the ground. One of the ways Alabama entrepreneurs have been receiving funding for their ventures is the Alabama Launchpad competition. We talk about it in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Many Alabama Legislators Use Private Email, Limiting Public Access
The controversy continues over Hillary Clinton’s use of personal emails during her tenure as secretary of state, and it’s raising broader questions about how public officials should communicate electronically. In one survey, 33 percent of government workers said they use personal email for government business at least sometimes. The issue? Private emails are nearly impossible for the public to access. If you thought AOL and Hotmail were dead, just scroll down the list of Alabama lawmakers and check out their contact info. State senators and Representatives also list plenty of Gmail, Yahoo and emails tied to their personal websites. In Alabama, more than half the state’s House members and almost a third of senators use an email other than the state-issued .gov email address.
