Issues

Strong Campaign Propels Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin To A Second Term

University of Alabama at Birmingham political science professor Peter Jones said fundraising and a "boots to the ground" strategy gave incumbent Mayor Randall Woodfin his commanding victory in Tuesday's election.

Six City Council Members Win Reelection; Parker And Hilliard Face Runoffs

City Councilors William Parker (D4) and John Hilliard (D9) will face challengers in a runoff on Oct. 5.

Here Are The Full Results From Birmingham’s City Election

A runoff election is Oct. 5 for races in which no candidate won a majority.

Two Incumbents, Including President, Ousted From The Birmingham School Board Of Education

Incumbent and Board President Daagye Hendricks (D4) was defeated by Derrick Billups. Incumbent Terri Micha (D2) was defeated by Neonta Williams. And District 1 will go to a runoff between incumbent Douglas Lee Ragland and Sherman Collins Jr..

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin Wins Another Term

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was elected to another term Tuesday evening, taking in roughly 64% of the vote.

New Schedule Effective Sept. 4, 2021

What’s happening? After an impressive 25-year run, Says You! is ending production. Billed as “A public radio show of bluff and bluster, words and whimsy,” the program airs Friday nights from 6:30 to 7, and for a while, it aired on Saturday mornings also in an hour-long format. Richard Sher, the original host, died in […]

From Optimistic To Anxious: How College Students In The Gulf South Feel About Returning To Campus

College students from Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi share their thoughts as a new school year in the pandemic begins.

Birmingham Council OKs Extra Funds For Bus Rapid Transit System

The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve using $18 million in American Rescue Plan funds to cover unexpected extra costs in construction of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit System. The BRT project, which will create a 10-mile, higher-speed public transit corridor through 25 neighborhoods, broke ground in December. But last week, Charlotte Shaw, the […]

Community Weighs In On Education Challenges Ahead Of Birmingham City School Board Elections

As the election for Birmingham City school board approaches, citizens from education and community advocacy groups speak on the problems the new board will face in the midst of a COVID-19.

WBHM Surveyed Birmingham School Board Candidates — Here Are Their Responses

The election for the Birmingham City school board is August 24. Ten candidates responded to WBHM's survey to see where they stand on COVID, academic, funding, and parent engagement.

Donald Trump’s ‘Save America’ Rally Packs Farm Near Cullman

The former president of the United States fired up supporters Saturday night, criticizing the Biden administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the troop withdrawal in Afghanistan and more.

Amid ICU Shortage, Alabama Hospitals See Record-Breaking Pediatric Caseload

Alabama's hospitals are caring for more children with COVID-19 than ever before, the latest development in an increasingly dire situation for the state's health care system.

Logan The Entertainer: Good Food and Good Music

Homer Logan has two sides to his life. By day he runs an elementary school cafeteria in Birmingham. At night he's in front of crowds as "Logan the Entertainer."

Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson: ‘I’m Really Just Begging People To Help’

Wilson said Alabama's health care system was nearly crippled during a winter COVID-19 surge. The delta variant has the potential to be even worse.

Birmingham Voters Head To The Polls Aug. 24. Here’s A Sample Ballot And What You Need To Know.

Headed to vote in the Birmingham city elections on Tuesday, Aug. 24? Check out this sample ballot and find your polling place.

What You Need To Know About Pregnancy, Fertility And The COVID-19 Vaccine

More pregnant women are getting sick with COVID-19 as the delta variant surges in Alabama. Meanwhile, health professionals are trying to combat misinformation surrounding the vaccine and pregnancy. WBHM spoke with two doctors from UAB. Here's what we learned.

Alabama’s Frontline Providers: ‘We Are Overworked And We Are Frustrated’

Amid a fourth, more rapid surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Alabama health care providers share stories from inside hospitals across the state.

How Historic Food Stamps Boost Will Bring Relief To Southern Families: ‘This Is A Really Big Deal’

Experts say the 25% increase will make huge strides in combating hunger, especially in The South. Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi will get an additional $950 million from SNAP estimated for this next fiscal year.

Birmingham Mayoral Debate 2021

On August 17, 2021, al.com partnered with WBHM, The Birmingham Times, CBS 42, Summit Media and the Birmingham Association of Black Journalists to host a virtual Birmingham mayoral debate to provide voters the information they may need to decide which candidate deserves their vote.

Candidates For Birmingham Board Of Education

There are 22 people running for the Birmingham Board of Education. Elections are Tuesday, Aug. 24.

Birmingham Council Set To Fund Rapid Transit Project Next Week

The Birmingham City Council will vote on Tuesday whether to allocate $18 million of the city’s American Rescue Plan funding toward the construction of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit system. The project will create a 10-mile, higher-speed public transit corridor through 25 neighborhoods.

WBHM 90.3 FM wins national Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM has won a national Edward R. Murrow award for Overall Excellence for Small Market Radio. The Radio Television Digital News Association’s Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news.

Who’s Running For Birmingham City Council?

Do you know who is running for Birmingham City Council? Check out this complete list.

2021 Birmingham Mayoral Candidate Profiles

The ballots are set for the Birmingham mayoral election on Aug. 24. But do you really know who the candidates are? Check out these profiles.

As COVID Devastated The Gulf South, The HIV/AIDS Crisis Was Put “On The Back Burner’

Data acquired from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Alabama Department of Public Health show that the average number of screenings for new HIV infections went down significantly between 2019 and 2020. Health experts worry that it will only make the region’s HIV/AIDS worse.

Health Official Warns About The Danger Of Being In Crowds As High School Football Fully Kicks Off

High school football games are set to fully kick off this week. Health experts say you should continue to wear a mask even if you're fully vaccinated because these events are likely to spread COVID-19.

K-12 Students To Be Tested For COVID In Schools

Cases of COVID-19 in youth are on the rise, according to the state department of public health. A new testing program in Alabama schools hopes to combat that.

Taliban Takeover Leaves Americans More Vulnerable, Says Father Of First American Killed In Afghan War

An Alabama man was the first American to die while fighting in Afghanistan. As President Biden withdraws U.S. troops from the area, the family is reflecting on his death nearly 20 years later.

Remembering A Murdered Birmingham Priest For His Faith And Courage

This week marks 100 years since Father James Coyle was murdered in broad daylight in downtown Birmingham hours after he secretly married an interracial couple. He's remembered for his faith and courage during a time of religious intolerance, racism and xenophobia.

Alabama Bans Critical Race Theory In Schools

The state board of education has now officially banned critical race theory in Alabama schools. It was never taught in the classroom, but it could impact teachers and students.

Alabama’s COVID Hospitalizations On Track To Surpass Winter Surge

State hospitals may soon be caring for more coronavirus patients than ever before. Many are already diverting resources to keep up with the surge.

HUD Secretary Touts ‘Millions And Millions Of Dollars’ Coming To Birmingham For Infrastructure

One day after the Senate passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge visited Birmingham Wednesday.