Issues
JP Morgan Settles with Jefferson County
JP Morgan is paying more than 700 million dollars to settle charges by the Securities and Exchange Commission it made unlawful payments to friends of Jefferson County commissioners in order to win municipal bond business.
Larry Langford Convicted
Alabama's largest city has a new mayor today. Yesterday, a federal jury convicted Larry Langford on bribery and corruption charges, ousting him from office.
Tri-State Water Wars: Atlanta
It's called "the economic engine of the South". Atlanta, Georgia's population has exploded in the last two decades. But with that growth come environmental problems... like where to get enough drinking water. Georgia, Florida and Alabama have been fighting over who gets how much water from rivers that flow through the states. And as Tanya Ott reports a decision in the federal lawsuit could effect communities across the country.
Arrington’s Future
With Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford on trial for bribery, there's speculation about who would run for mayor if Langford were convicted. As we reported yesterday, a conviction would lead to a special election. One of the potential names on the ballot is former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington. WBHM's Andrew Yeager looks at the revival of Arrington's political organization and a possible return to the mayor's office.
If He’s Found Guilty, Who Succeeds Langford?
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford's trial is underway. As Langford's fate hangs in the balance at the Tuscaloosa federal courthouse, many in Birmingham wonder what will happen to his job as mayor if he's convicted. WBHM's Bradley George takes a look at some of the possibilities.
Birmingham Mayor on Trial
The mayor of Alabama's largest city goes on trial today on federal bribery charges. Birmingham mayor Larry Langford is accused of accepting cash, clothes and jewelry in exchange for steering millions of dollars in county bond deals to an investment banker.
Global Warming & National Parks
A new report warns that U.S. National Parks could be devastated by global warming. The report identifies 25 national parks, lakeshores, seashores and monuments most at risk from warming temperatures, rising sea levels and retreating snow.
Corruption in Alabama: What’s the Deal?
This week on WBHM we're exploring the culture of corruption in Alabama. Over the last several years, Birmingham and Jefferson County have experienced a tsunami of political corruption. From the HealthSouth accounting scandal to the convictions of several former county commissioners. And, of course, next month Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford goes on trial in a 101-count federal bribery and conspiracy case. Why does corruption seem to be such a problem in Alabama? What's being done to address it? Friday (9/25) at noon on WBHM we discuss all this and more during On The Line: Alabama Corruption - What's the Deal?
Corruption: Who’s Watching?
This week on WBHM we're exploring the culture of corruption in Alabama. When it comes to rooting out shady deals, newspapers have historically been the most vigilant watchdogs. Think Woodward and Bernstein's Watergate. Or more recently, former Birmingham News reporter Brett Blackledge's coverage of the two year college scandal in Alabama. Blackledge won a Pulitzer Prize for his reporting.
Corruption and the Economy
Over the last several years, Birmingham and Jefferson County have experienced a tsunami of political corruption. From the HealthSouth accounting scandal to the convictions of several former county commissioners. And, of course, next month Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford goes on trial in a 101-count federal bribery and conspiracy case. Les Lovoy reports on the toll political corruption takes on the our local economy and what the local business community people are plan to do about it.
What’s the Deal: Whistleblowers
The movie The Informant took second place at the box office over the weekend. It's the story of a corporate whistleblower who works with federal investigators to take down an agriculture price fixing scheme. The movie is a real case turned into a dark comedy, but off screen whistleblowers are a serious tool for law enforcement when it comes to investigating corruption. There are laws designed to protect whistleblowers and thus encourage them to come forward. As we continue our weeklong series looking at corruption in Alabama, WBHM's Andrew Yeager examines if such protections, may be overblown.
What’s The Deal: Ethics Commission
Ethics is something that usually comes from within, but sometimes public officials need a little outside coercion to keep their ethics in check. For nearly 40 years, the Alabama Ethics Commission has worked to keep state employees and elected officials honest. As we begin a week of reports on corruption in Alabama, WBHM's Bradley George examines some of the challenges facing the commission and some of the proposal for ethics reform.
Wadley Waits
It's hard to find a one company town any more. But in rural east Alabama, there is a town where three-quarters of residents work at the same manufacturing plant. Or at least they did, until the plant closed down. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports.
Stantis Leaves for Chicago
For Birmingham News editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis, Alabama's political world has not disappointed. For 13 years he's drawn on an array of characters for fodder, from former Governor Fob James to Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford. But after this weekend, Stantis trades in that scene for world of the Daleys and Blagojevich. Monday, Stantis becomes the editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Tribune. He tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager, his thoughts about the move are all over the place.
City Council Elections
Voters in Birmingham head to the polls tomorrow to pick who'll represent them on the city council for the next four years. But with all that's been happening in Birmingham area politics, from a financial crisis in Jefferson County to a mayor set to go on trial for corruption, it can be difficult to cut through and figure out what's going on with the city council races. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke to a number of political observers to gauge what might happen at the polls.
Coal Ash Controversy
Every day for the rest of the year, a long train will travel through Birmingham on its way from a power plant in Tennessee to a landfill in Uniontown, Alabama. Tim Lennox has our report on the controversy the muck on board that train is causing in Alabama's Black Belt.
Civil Rights Pardons
Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford has issued a blanket pardon to those arrested in the city during the 1960s civil rights protests. Some 2,500, including children and the Reverend Martin Luther King Junior, were jailed during that era of fire hoses and police dogs. But as WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports, the move seems more about reconciling the past than altering the record books.
Businesses’ Take on the Birmingham Business Alliance
Local business owners are closely watching what direction economic development takes since the formation of the Birmingham Business Alliance. The merger between the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Development Board took place a few weeks ago. The Alliance covers a large swath of central Alabama, including Jefferson, Shelby and five neighboring counties. The union sounds great on paper, but what does it really mean for local businesses? WBHM's Varun Krishnan reports.
Jefferson County Layoffs: Wes Gregory’s Story
News headlines are filled with stories about Jefferson County's budget crisis. But behind the public headlines, there are the personal stories of nearly a thousand county employees who've been laid off and find their lives turned upside down. Wes Gregory is one of them.
Birmingham: A Hub for Green Building
Green Building is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy right now. A lot of federal stimulus money is focused on weatherization and alternative energy. And James Smith believes Birmingham can be the sustainability hub of the Southeast. Smith is President and CEO of Green Building Focus. He's gathered internationally-recognized sustainability experts in Birmingham this week for a Green Building Conference.
On The Line: Jefferson County Budget Crisis
Jefferson County faces a massive budget shortfall. County leaders and state legislators are looking for solutions, but will they be long-term or just a bandaid? Join WBHM for our live call-in program "On The Line: Jeffco Budget Crisis" Friday at noon.
City Stages Vendors Left with Bill
It's been several weeks since City Stages announced it was taking its final curtain call. The non-profit music festival had struggled for many years with a deficit. And now, local businesses who provided services for this year's festival say they're scrambling to make ends meet because they weren't paid for their work.
Birmingham Business Alliance
Birmingham business and political leaders are hoping a new economic development organization will kick start growth in the region. The Birmingham Business Alliance made its public debut Tuesday. The organization is a merger of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the Metropolitan Development Board and aims to foster economic development in the seven county, metro-Birmingham area. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with Dalton Smith, President and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. Smith says this new group will help focus economic development efforts.
Gay/Straight: Bullying Gay Students
It's a phrase many kids use almost daily: That's so gay. Experts say that the use of homophobic slurs in schools is on the rise. Two 11-year-olds recently committed suicide after being bullied with anti-gay taunts. And though a new law requires the Alabama Department of Education to come up with a policy prohibiting harassment, that new policy isn't likely to mention sexual orientation.
Scrushy Ordered to Pay $2.9 Billion
A judge has ordered former HealthSouth C.E.O. Richard Scrushy to pay almost $2.9 billion for his role in the massive account fraud which nearly sunk the company. Shareholders sued Scrushy in civil court alleging he faked profits which triggered bonuses for him. Scrushy testified he knew nothing of the fraud and other executives in the company were responsible. Plaintiff lawyer John Haley led the legal team seeking damages from Scrushy. He spoke with WBHM's Bradley George.
What Does Six Flags Bankruptcy Mean for Alabama Adventure?
Six Flags, the largest regional theme park operator in the world, filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy protection over the weekend. With a tough economy and competition from other family friendly entertainment options, the theme park industry is having to find creative ways to attract business.
Foreign Policy Priorities: A Local Perspective
What would make the world safer? What should America's foreign policy priorities be? They're not simple questions. They're meant to spark dialogue. And this week, that discussion comes to Birmingham.
Collins & Carns: Occupational Tax
Jefferson County officials are still waiting to hear whether they'll be allowed to spend occupational tax money while the legal battle against the tax winds its way through the courts. Earlier, a judge ruled the tax illegal. The county has appealed, saying if it loses the $75 million a year, the county will be financially devastated. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with Commissioners Bettye Fine Collins and Jim Carns.
Collins & Carns: Jeffco Sewer Hearing
Jefferson County officials are scrambling to determine how they failed to bill St. Vincent's Hospital, UAB and others large facilities for nearly three-million dollars in sewer services. The problem came to light Monday in a federal court hearing over whether a receiver should take over management of the county's sewer system. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with county commission president Bettye Fine Collins and commissioner Jim Carns.
New Economic Incentive Law
This week, Governor Bob Riley signed legislation that makes more types of businesses eligible for state financial help if they locate here. In the past, Alabama's economic incentive laws only covered manufacturing jobs. The new bill expands that to corporate headquarters, research and development centers, and alternative energy companies.
Scrushy Trial Update
Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy was back on the witness stand Thursday for a second day of testimony in a lawsuit over a long-running fraud at the company. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with WBHM's Bradley George about Scrushy's testimony.
Whitmire on Budget Woes and Kid One Transport
Birmingham's proposed 2010 operating budget is about $6 million dollars less than the current budget. It includes major cuts to some outside groups such as the downtown revitalization organization Operation New Birmingham and Child Care Resources. Mayor Larry Langford says times are tough and the cuts are necessary. But some of the groups being cut from the budget say they were given no warning.
