Issues
Jay Town Resigns As U.S. Attorney Of The Northern District Of Alabama
U.S. Attorney Jay Town is resigning from his position with the U.S. Department of Justice after nearly three years on the job.
Civil Rights Foot Soldiers Optimistic About Black Lives Matter Movement
The civil unrest in America today looks a lot like protests held in the 60s, when Black Americans fought for equal rights. Foot Soldiers of that time say it's the same fight but they're hopeful change will come.
Fauci Says Alabama Still Could Rein In COVID-19, Even As Cases Spread Among Young People
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, says states that are seeing an outbreak of the virus should mandate masks and close bars.
An Update On The Pandemic’s Effect On WBHM
We don’t often turn the spotlight on ourselves, but the last four months at WBHM have been unlike any other time in the station’s history thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. In advance of WBHM's one-day fund drive, we hear from station's executive director Chuck Holmes on how COVID-19 has affected WBHM.
‘Black At Samford’ Pushes For Changes In The University’s Culture, Treatment Of Black Students
Samford University is predominantly white. Now Black students are pushing for changes to procedures and culture to treat them more fairly and make the campus more multicultural.
2020 Primary Runoff Voter Guide: Your Source Of Information For The July 14 Election
Alabama's Senate primary runoff is July 14. Check out these candidate profiles and what's on the ballot.
Supreme Court Blocks Curbside Voting, Loosening Of ID Requirements For Absentee Ballots
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday halted plans to provide curbside voting in the July 14 primary runoff and to ease ID requirements to vote by absentee ballot.
UAB To Open New Coronavirus Facility For Elderly Patients
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is creating a specialized skilled nursing facility for some COVID-19 patients in Jefferson County. Alabama's nursing homes have seen an influx of coronavirus cases since the pandemic began in late March.
Ivey Extends COVID-19 Health Order Through July
Gov. Ivey extended a public health order aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus. It would have expired Friday.
‘It’s A Reality For Us.’ ICU Nurse Shares The Impact Of COVID-19
Kelsey Jacks is a registered nurse in the medical Intensive care unit at UAB Hospital, where she takes care of the sickest COVID-19 patients. To help people understand the impact of the virus, she recorded an audio diary during a recent shift.
Face Masks Required Throughout Jefferson County Starting Monday
Beginning Monday, face masks will be required in indoor spaces open to the public throughout Jefferson County. Health officer Dr. Mark Wilson announced the new order Friday, citing concerns about the recent increase in spread of COVID-19.
Alabama Schools To Open In August, But Parents Have Home Education Option
Alabama public schools will reopen in August despite the COVID-19 pandemic, but parents will be given the option of continuing distance learning.
Community Organizer: ‘Our Protests Are Not Peaceful’
Alabama Rally Against Injustice has held several demonstrations in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd. One of the group's representatives says leading rallies week after week is emotionally draining, but necessary. The group plans to continue holding rallies until policing policies change.
First Woman To Lead The Episcopal Diocese Of Alabama
The Episcopal Diocese of Alabama will consecrate Rev. Glenda Curry as a new bishop on Saturday. She's the first woman to hold the position.
Coronavirus Cases In Ages 5-24 Double Within A Month; Alabama Hits New Record Daily High
Alabama saw the number of coronavirus cases double among 5 to 24-year-olds, according to data from the Alabama Department of Public Health. The state also recorded a new daily high of 1,129 cases between 10 a.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday.
COVID-19 Cases Hit Record High Average For The Past Two Weeks
The 14-day moving average of COVID-19 cases has now surpassed the 700 mark.
Sessions Calls On Birmingham To Reinstate Agreements With Church Of The Highlands
U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Sessions says the Birmingham Board of Education and Birmingham Housing Authority's decision to end agreements with the church is unconstitutional.
The ‘Old Normal’ Is Making Us Sick Again, UAB Doc Says; NY-Area Bans Alabama Travelers Without A Quarantine
The number of COVID-19 cases in the state rose Wednesday by 954, one of the state’s largest daily increases since the pandemic began, according to the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Avondale Added As The City’s Newest Entertainment District On July 1
The Birmingham City Council voted Tuesday to approve the creation of the “Avondale Entertainment District."
NASCAR Fans React To Confederate Flag Ban, Noose Incident
A day after a noose was placed in the garage of NASCAR's only full-time Black driver, fans at Talladega Superspeedway condemned the incident, but were mixed on NASCAR's decision to ban the Confederate flag.
Gov. Ivey Has Been Quiet On COVID-19. Does It Matter?
Unlike some other governors, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has kept a very low profile during the coronavirus pandemic, only rarely acknowledging it. But what difference does that make?
Low ICU Capacity Could Affect Non-Coronavirus Patients The Most
As coronavirus hospitalizations increase, more hospitals are feeling squeezed. The president of the Alabama Hospital Association says the state is far from getting the pandemic under control. Limited hospital capacity will most affect patients seeking care for health issues other than coronavirus.
Hundreds Gather In Birmingham To Celebrate Juneteenth
Cities across the state are celebrating Juneteenth, the end of slavery. In Birmingham, hundreds gathered at Kelly Ingram Park to commemorate the holiday.
Organizer: Efforts To Rename Edmund Pettus Bridge Must Be A Group Effort
A petition calling on Gov. Kay Ivey to rename Selma's Edmund Pettus Bridge has more than 120,000 signatures. We spoke with the Democratic strategist who started the online campaign.
Alabama’s COVID-19 Case Averages Reach New Highs
Moving averages of new COVID-19 cases have reached their highest levels since the start of the pandemic.
Removed Birmingham Confederate Monument ‘A Weight Lifted Off Of This City’
Sparked by protests calling for racial justice, a growing number of cities across the country are taking down Confederate monuments. What's next for these structures and the communities who remove them?
Former Governor Turns Attention to Criminal Justice System Following Release From Prison
Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman maintains he is innocent despite a federal bribery conviction. In a new book he says changes are needed to how prosecutors operate.
The Murals Of Downtown Birmingham Transform Vandalized Streetscapes To Avenues Of Hope
Murals can be found on plywood throughout downtown Birmingham.
UAB Treating Its Highest Number Of Coronavirus Patients Since The Pandemic Began, Health Experts Say
Alabama continues to break records as cases of COVID-19 increase at the highest rate yet.
County Officials Hope New State Intake Procedures For Inmates Relieves Pandemic Pressure
Inmate transfers from county jails to the state prison system have been reduced because of the pandemic. Local officials say that needs to change or county jails will be in crisis.
Privacy Concerns Decrease Amid Launch Of Tech Giants’ Contact Tracing App
Alabama is one of a few states getting ready to deploy a bluetooth-based contact tracing app created by tech giants Apple and Google.
As Coronavirus Cases Spike, Numbers Bear ‘Very Close Watching’
Alabama hit record highs this past week in the number of new coronavirus cases. Health officials are taking a wait-and-see approach.
