Issues
Hanceville delays decision on the future of its police force after corruption allegations
Hanceville residents filled the city council chambers, lined the walls and spilled into the hallway Thursday night at the council’s first meeting since a grand jury called for the city to abolish its police department.
Lawmakers advance ban on phones during the school day
Smartphones are ubiquitous in today's world including in schools. But a bill in the Alabama legislature would ban phones during the school day. We hear about that and other legislative action this week with Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Bill advances which would further protect police from criminal, civil prosecution
A recent bill in Alabama’s legislature would establish new legal protections for police officers who use physical or deadly force on a person while in the line of duty. Bill supporters say it will improve police safety, recruitment and retention. But critics worry it would give police officers immunity from criminal prosecution.
S-Town co-creator Brian Reed pulls back the curtains, goes deep into how the podcast was made
S-Town took the world by storm when it was released in 2017. Downloaded more than 100 million times, it’s become one of the most popular podcasts ever released.
In the fight over Louisiana’s execution plans, religion plays a prominent role
Faith activism against the state's plan to resume executions adds to a history of religious engagement with social questions in the South.
Advocates push for Medicaid expansion in holdout Alabama
Advocates gathered at the Alabama Statehouse Tuesday urging lawmakers to reconsider their long-held reluctance to expand Medicaid, saying the decision is hurting both working families and health care providers. But the push comes at a time there is gathering uncertainty about possible cuts and changes in Washington to Medicaid.
Under Trump, Huntsville might finally gain Space Command. It could also lose much more
The 1,600 jobs Space Command would bring to the Rocket City might not make up for potential cuts to NASA and the Department of Defense.
A new rule could speed up unused oil well decommissioning. Gulf States are suing to stop it
The rule, finalized last year, would also protect taxpayers from shouldering the cost. The states suing, however,, say it will crush independent oil companies.
Woodfin officially announces bid for third term as Birmingham mayor
He cited his investments in infrastructure, including redevelopments of blighted structures and street paving. He also didn’t shy away from what many consider to be Birmingham’s biggest issue: public safety.
Alabama lawmakers target social media
Social media is under fire nowadays, especially when it comes to use by children. Several bills in the Alabama Legislature would restrict how kids could use social media. We hear more about that and other happenings in Montgomery from Todd Stacy, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Q&A: What immigrants should know about their Constitutional rights during an ICE visit
Anxiety has reigned at some schools, churches and hospitals after moves by the Trump administration rolled back protections that had previously shielded them from visits from U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The moves have sparked conversations, including some worry and public pushback, in the South.
Inside a Mississippi man’s fight with health insurance and a hospital for life-saving surgery
Trevor Malosh’s heart surgery was finally on the books after months of negotiations with his insurance company and the hospital. Then, another setback happened.
Cullman County grand jury calls for the Hanceville Police Department to be abolished
The indictment from the grand jury alleges that five officers including the police chief of the Hanceville Police Department tampered with physical evidence, sold and distributed illegal drugs and used an official position for personal gain.
‘Our rights are under attack’: residents protest the Trump administration
A crowd of people carried homemade signs and American flags as they marched toward Birmingham City Hall through Linn Park on Monday afternoon. They chanted slogans, voicing opposition to various actions taken by the Trump administration.
Will the Eagles visit the White House after Super Bowl win? They didn’t last time
The Eagles pulled out a win over the Kansas City Chiefs this week, but they might opt out of making the traditional visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
‘Moss Appreciation Week’: a lot of celebration for a very little plant
Moss Appreciation Week is packed with events both scientific... and also silly. Moss walks, moss talks, moss movies, crafting moss-themed Valentines, and a "gastropod derby" with snails and slugs (for whom moss is a nice moist microclimate).
Crime bills go before the Alabama legislature
Gov. Kay Ivey has said public safety would be her top priority this legislative session. Ivey put that into action this week as she and several mayors from around the state took to the Capitol to promote what's been called the "Safe Alabama" package of bills. We talk about that and other happenings in Montgomery with week with Todd Stacey, host of Capital Journal and Alabama Public Television.
Glenn Foster Jr’s family uses Super Bowl to bring awareness to his death, demand justice
The former New Orleans Saints player's family called on others, including the NFL, to advocate for Foster — who died while in police custody in Alabama.
Why Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets broke up
When you're a Jet you're a Jet all the way … till the Jets decide you're not coming back next season.
Sweeping cuts hit recent federal hires as Trump administration slashes workforce
Employees across several agencies including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy and the General Services Administration have all been affected this week, with many being given notice on Thursday.
Deep cuts to NIH funding would cause economic harm across Trump-friendly Alabama
Birmingham has become one of the country’s leading hubs for biomedical research. Banners downtown brag about the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s status in the top 1% of institutions for NIH funding, bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars into the region.
Trump threatens reciprocal tariffs against other countries
President Trump is threatening to levy taxes on imports to match those other countries charge on U.S. exports.
What is your best or your worst date?
It’s the season of love and we asked attendees at WBHM’s most recent News and Brews community pop-up event to tell us their stories of love or lack thereof.
New Orleans has beefed up security for Mardi Gras. For smaller parading krewes, it’s costly
The city is requiring more police officers at parades this year, putting higher costs on smaller, independent krewes vital to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras heritage.
A rare bipartisan coalition in Alabama pushes ban on machine gun conversion devices
Conversion devices that speed the firing of semi-automatic weapons are already banned under federal law, but there's currently no state law prohibiting possession.
Retailers including Trader Joe’s and Kroger have begun limiting egg purchases
Egg farmers have been plagued by widespread outbreaks of bird flu. Experts say it's hard to predict when the industry will bounce back from the illness' effects.
Trump’s pick for secretary of education is Linda McMahon. Here’s what to know
McMahon's confirmation proceedings are likely to focus on how she would handle Donald Trump's plans to dissolve the U.S. Education Department.
As coal plants close, Colorado towns consider nuclear waste storage
The federal government hopes former coal towns will help the nuclear industry grow, by taking on the decades-long challenge of storing radioactive waste
Alabama governor vows to sign bill that writes definitions of male and female into state law
The state House of Representatives voted 77-12 for the bill that defines sex based on reproductive organs that are present at birth. The bill now goes to Gov. Kay Ivey who has vowed to sign it.
No relief: Inflation unexpectedly heated up last month
Inflation remained stubbornly high in January, as grocery, gasoline and shelter costs all rose. Egg prices saw their biggest price hike in almost a decade.
Alabama seeks to join states that allow the death penalty for child rape
The Alabama House of Representatives voted 86-5 for the bill that would allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty when an adult is convicted of rape or sodomy of a child under 12. The legislation now moves to the Alabama Senate.
Trump funding freeze could leave communities on their own as climate threats grow
Without federal support, American communities will struggle to deal with a challenge as pervasive as climate change, market analysts and environmental advocates say.
