Issues
UAB Faculty Senate Passes No Confidence Resolution in President Ray Watts
Thursday morning, UAB's Faculty Senate passed a resolution expressing no confidence in university president Ray Watts. It's the latest fallout from his decision to end UAB's football, bowling, and rifle programs. Watts has said he would not resign even if the resolution passed. WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley has this recap.
Kyle Whitmire: Leadership in the Legislature and at UAB
The Alabama Legislature met for their organizational session this week, and much of their key leadership will remain the same. What does this mean for this year's legislative session? Kyle Whitmire from AL.com and The Birmingham News joins us to discuss this, along with the potential no confidence vote for UAB President Dr. Ray Watts.
Movie Stirs Memories in Selma
The Golden Globe Awards are Sunday and one film that could pick up a few statues is Selma . The film depicts the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery marches which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act. This weekend, Paramount Pictures began free screenings in the movie's namesake town in Alabama.
John Archibald: The Northern Beltline Boondoggle
Supporters of the Northern Beltline had a good 2014. Construction began on the planned 52-mile, $5 billion interstate highway stretching across the northern half of Jefferson County. Critics have long pointed to the price tag as a reason to abandon the proposal, but some new maps and data are adding to the cry of boondoggle. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Schools Start Later Thursday Due To Cold
More than 30 Alabama school systems are delaying opening on Thursday because of forecasts of bitterly cold weather. Most of the postponements are in north and central Alabama. But systems as far south as southeast Alabama also are telling students to come later than normal. Officials are delaying openings because of temperatures in the single-digits and teens and wind-child readings that are expected to fall below zero in areas.
Nancy Worley and Alabama’s Democratic Party in 2015
What's in store for Alabama's fractured Democratic Party in 2015? A humorous holiday letter sent from party chairwoman Nancy Worley has al.com and Birmingham News political commentator Kyle Whitmire concerned about the party's future.
New Year’s Resolutions for Alabama’s Political Leaders
2014 was a busy year for Alabama -- Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard was indicted on felony corruption charges, Republicans swept all the major elections in the state and Jefferson County had, arguably, its first slow news year in a decade. What's in store for 2015? Kyle Whitmire of al.com and the Birmingham News suggests some New Year's resolutions for Alabama's leaders.
ASFA Musician on NPR’s From the Top
Andrew Downs, a double bass player attending the Alabama School of Fine Arts, recently appeared on the NPR program From The Top. Downs, age 17, spoke with WBHM's Program Director Michael Krall about his appearance on the program and about the double bass itself.
I Don’t Like Christmas and That’s OK
While Christmas can be "the most wonderful time of the year" for some, our guest blogger, Javacia Harris Bowser, thinks the season's social and financial pressures are a bit out of control. She writes about that in her monthly blog post for WBHM, along with the holiday that really brightens her winter: New Year's!
Magic City Writers Read: How the Swampers Changed American Music
The Shoals area of Alabama is known for a long list of popular musicians who recorded there in the 1960s and 1970s. Artists including Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan cut tracks in this otherwise sleepy corner of the state. But a part of the region's musical success is thanks to four men nicknamed the Swampers. In WBHM's first "Magic City Writers Read" event, author Carla Jean Whitley discusses her new book on the Swampers.
Kyle Whitmire: Is Governor Bentley Now Open To Expanding Medicaid?
Governor Bentley has repeatedly said he's opposed to the state expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. But in a speech to legislators last week, Bentley seemed to change his tune. Is Medicaid expansion on the horizon for Alabama?
Ollie’s Barbecue: The Case that Integrated Restaurants
One of the enduring images of the Civil Rights Movement is of black protesters being pulled away from lunch counters. Fifty years ago this Sunday a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively ended segregation in restaurants. That case came from Birmingham.
John Archibald: UAB President’s Leadership has been Damaged over Football
UAB President Ray Watts' decision to cut the school's football, bowling, and rifle teams has moved beyond a simple matter of athletic priorities now that a no confidence vote is in play. The UAB faculty senate on Tuesday agreed to draft a resolution expressing no confidence in Watts. They could vote on the measure next month.
Could UAB Afford To Keep Football? Depends Who You Ask
It's been just over a week since the University of Alabama at Birmingham announced it's canceling the university's football, rifle and bowling programs. UAB president Dr. Ray Watts cited the rising costs of college athletics and a report from independent consultants Carr Sports. The decision, the process behind it and the numbers in the Carr Sports report have drawn heavy criticism. But others are calling it an unpopular-but-necessary move.
A Moonshine Renaissance
Mention moonshine and you might think of an illegal backwoods still in the mountains of the South, carefully hidden to evade the authorities. In recent years though, legal distilleries have been popping up in sort of a moonshine renaissance.
Faculty Senate Vote For Reassessment of Sports And “No-Confidence” on Watts
It's been a week since UAB announced the end of its football, bowling, and rifle teams. Today at a meeting of the Faculty Senate, at least two-thirds of that body approved drafting two resolutions: a declaration supporting the school's athletic programs and a transparent financial reassessment of them; and, a "no confidence" resolution directed at university president Ray Watts. WBHM's Dan Carsen and Rachel Osier Lindley break down the day's events.
The Debate Rages about UAB Football
Almost a week after UAB President Ray Watts' announcement that the university's football program would end, vigorous debate continues about the decision. Our roundup of what people are saying.
John Archibald: UAB Football was not a Recent Decision
University officials say this week's decision to end UAB's football program came after a strategic planning process revealed increasing costs were unsustainable. In the days since, evidence has emerged that the university had been laying groundwork to cut football for some time. We hear more about that from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
What’s Behind the Decision to End UAB Football?
University of Alabama at Birmingham football players, coaches and staff are trying to figure out what's next after the university announced Tuesday its ending the school's football program. UAB President Dr. Ray Watts says UAB made the decision after a campus-wide study conducted by a consulting firm over the past year. But there's a perception among some that the decision to end football was dictated by the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. Kyle Whitmire from al.com and the Birmingham News explains.
The Business Impact of Ending UAB Football
While many UAB students, staff and alumni are upset over the decision to end the university's football program, the team's influence isn't confined to campus. The football program has an economic impact. We explore that with Birmingham Business Journal managing editor Ty West.
INTERVIEW: Big-Picture Perspective On Colleges Ending Football Programs
On December 2, the University of Alabama at Birmingham announced it is cutting its football, bowling and rifle teams after the 2014-2015 season. As costs to maintain athletics programs grow, some experts think this could be the beginning of a trend. Malcolm Moran, director of the National Sports Journalism Center, explains why to WBHM's Dan Carsen.
UAB Ends Football
UAB President Ray Watts has announced the university's football program will end with the 2014-2015 academic year. Listen to the complete press conference and read reactions from Governor Robert Bentley, Birmingham Mayor William Bell and Birmingham Business Alliance President and CEO Brian Hilson.
Protestors Demand Assurances UAB Football Will Not Be Cut
Today UAB supporters dressed in green and gold school colors chanted in the sun for their football team while members of the marching band played. But it wasn't a football game. It was on Birmingham's 20th Street South, in front of the university's administration building. They were responding to reports that the football program may be discontinued, and they're angry about that possibility.
Reports: UAB heading toward shutting down football
Multiple news outlets are reporting that UAB is taking steps to disband the football program this week.
Just How Bad Is Alabama’s General Fund Budget Shortfall?
Alabama has had its fare share of budget trouble, and this fiscal year is no different. Governor Robert Bentley, in a speech last week, said Alabama's General Fund could be short about $250 million. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Kyle Whitmire of Al.com and the Birmingham News discusses the extent of the state's financial woes with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley.
My Name is Birmingham: Learning to Love a Unique Name and City
Our name can have a profound impact on our lives. Names can reveal details about us to people -- often, before we even meet them. Studies show our names can affect how we do in school or our chances landing a job. So what if your name stands out in a way you're not proud of? In her monthly blog post for WBHM, our guest blogger Javacia Harris Bowser writes about how learning to love her unique name helped her better appreciate herself and where she's from.
Why Does Alabama Replace License Plates Every Five Years?
If you're like most Alabama residents, you received a new license plate in the mail this year. There was actually nothing wrong with your old one. Still, every five years, the state sends replacement plates for the majority of registered vehicles in the state. But have you ever stopped to think why? It costs the state millions of dollars and some are asking questions. WBHM's Sarah Delia has this report.
John Archibald: A Spat in the Mike Hubbard Case
A trial for indicted Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard has been delayed until next year, but it hasn't stopped people on both sides from trying to influence public discussion. Hubbard faces 23 corruption charges and Tuesday Acting Attorney General Van Davis released a statement pushing back against Hubbard defenders who say this is a political prosecution. By the end of the day Hubbard's lawyer said he would file new a motion with the court. Alabama Media group columnist John Archibald talks about the tit-for-tat.
Leadership and Diversity in Alabama’s Democratic Party
Alabama's Democratic party has long been led by white democrats, a trend that has continued after the November 4 elections. But the overwhelming majority of Democratic elected officials are black. Kyle Whitmire discusses why party leadership doesn't accurately reflect the party, along with the latest on House Speaker Mike Hubbard's ethics charges and what's next for U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller.
John Archibald: The Future of UAB Football
Alabama may be a football crazy state, but UAB's football program has always struggled to gain traction. Certainly there's the dominance of the teams at the University of Alabama and Auburn University. But UAB boosters say the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has undermined the team and is now trying to shut it down. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: Gerrymandering In Alabama
On Wednesday the US Supreme Court took up the complicated question of what kind of gerrymandering is acceptable and what kind is not. The court is being asked to decide whether a 2010 state legislative redistricting in Alabama overloaded some districts with black Democrats on the basis of race or party.
With Republicans Dominating the Ballot Box, What’s Next?
Alabama Republicans are celebrating their election victories as they maintained control of all statewide offices and all but one congressional seat. Republicans also added to their supermajority in the the Alabama legislature. That means 4 more years for Governor Robert Bentley and 4 more years of Republican dominance.
