Issues
“Dreamer Riders” Head to D.C. to Push for Immigrant Rights
Immigrant rights advocates from Alabama and around the country are headed to Washington, D.C. Tuesday to urge the U.S. Senate to come up with a way to preserve anti-deportation protection from the Obama-era DACA program. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protects immigrants brought illegally as children to the U.S. so they can work or go to school. The Trump administration has said it will end DACA.
A Write-In Vote for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson or Minnie Mouse for Senate? Think Again
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill issued guidance Wednesday on casting a write-in vote in the December 12 special election for U.S. Senate.
Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper Steps Down
After weeks of speculation, Birmingham Police Chief A.C. Roper is stepping down. Mayor Randall Woodfin’s office released a statement from the chief today confirming that Roper did not reapply for his position in the new mayor’s administration.
AEC Marks 50 Years of Lessons Learned
The Alabama Environmental Council turned 50 this year. The home-grown group has been dedicated to preserving wilderness across the state. Over the last few decades, the organization has faced challenges adjusting to the political climate, and it’s evolved to meet changing environmental needs. But as AEC board chairman Keith Johns tells WBHM's Dan Carsen, its biggest success has been getting people and businesses to see the value of setting aside land.
Woodfin Inaugurated as Birmingham’s 30th Mayor
Randall Woodfin, a 36-year-old former Birmingham school board member, was inaugurated Tuesday as Birmingham's 30th mayor.
Why Only Four Major Airlines Out of Birmingham?
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and for many of us that means traveling to see family. For those who have to fly, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport is the place it all begins. In a national ranking earlier this year, Birmingham’s airport was 63rd on the list. It lost points mostly stemming from the airport’s $50 million dollars […]
Birmingham’s Millennial Mayor Moves to a Different Beat
One week from today, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s 30th mayor. His rise to the big office on third floor of City Hall is a move Woodfin has calculated for years, even though he’s just 36.
WBHM Politics: Family, the Holidays and Politics
Take a few family members, mix in some strong political opinions and plop them into a holiday gathering. It’s a perfect recipe for clashes, fraught emotions and maybe some mashed potatoes thrown against the wall. And that’s the feast we’re serving up on this edition of WBHM Politics.
Democratic Senate Candidate Doug Jones talks Roy Moore, Campaign Issues and Abortion
Doug Jones finds himself in a position an Alabama Democrat has not been in for a generation. He has a reasonable chance of being elected to the U.S. Senate. Jones faces Republican Roy Moore December 12th in a race to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
How to Solve Birmingham’s Food Service Worker Shortage
There are too many restaurants in Birmingham and not enough people to staff them.
Roy Moore, Faith Leaders Say GOP Establishment Is Behind Allegations
Pastors and faith leaders from around the country stood with embattled GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore in Birmingham Thursday, castigating the media and denying charges of Moore’s sexual misconduct decades ago.
Jones Shifts Tactics, Aims at Republican Voters
Doug Jones says the mounting sexual misconduct claims against his GOP opponent Roy Moore are credible. But Jones has been relatively restrained about attacking Moore. Jones campaign officials say they’re focusing their message on their candidate. But sometimes, the elephant in the room is too easy a target.
State GOP Unwavering in Support for Moore
The Alabama Republican Party is holding firm in its support for U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore. According to Chairman Terry Lathan, “The ALGOP Steering Committee supports Judge Roy Moore as our nominee and trusts the voters as they make the ultimate decision in this crucial race.”
Moore Campaign Says Yearbook Signature Could Be Fake
Officials with Roy Moore’s campaign late Wednesday afternoon continued to deny the sexual assault claims of his latest accuser, Beverly Nelson Young. Campaign Chairman Bill Armistead said Moore doesn’t recall ever signing Nelson Young’s high school yearbook.
Talk Radio Buzzing Over Roy Moore Allegations
The Senate Race in Alabama is a huge topic of conversation after allegations of sexual assault against Republican candidate Roy Moore. That conversation is flowing through talk radio where some listeners remain solidly behind Moore.
Support Mixed For Roy Moore in Gadsden Following Allegations
The chorus of calls is growing for Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore to step aside following additional allegations of sexual misconduct years ago. Near his home base in Etowah County, the former Alabama chief Supreme Court justice still has support among some but questions from others.
Fifth Woman Accuses Moore of Sexual Assault
A fifth woman came forward Monday with powerful sexual allegations against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore. Beverly Young Nelson said Moore sexually assaulted her when she was a 16-year-old waitress at a restaurant Moore often frequented. Moore continued to deny the allegations.
Friends And A Few Protestors Greet Roy Moore In Vestavia
Judge Roy Moore saluted veterans and defended himself against allegations of sexual misconduct 40 years ago, during a speech Saturday morning in Vestavia Hills. He found a lot of support, some protestors also were on hand.
Is it Game Over for Moore?
Political consultant David Mowery offers analysis of Thursday's report from the Washington Post that Alabama Republican Senate candidate Roy Moore initiated a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32.
Why Alabama Still Has No Water Management Plan
The state has 132 thousand miles of streams and rivers. And if your land touches that water, for the most part, you can take all you want. Most states have rules about who gets how much water, and when—not Alabama.
New Report: Moore Initiated Sexual Contact With Girl, Then 14
The Washington Post is reporting Republican Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore had a sexual encounter with a 14 year-old girl when he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney.
WBHM Politics: Regional Cooperation
Regional cooperation around Birmingham is something that gets talked about but never seems to go much beyond that. A study released this summer is trying to give new life to the issue. In this episode of WBHM Politics we’ll hear about the study and examine the status of regional cooperation around Birmingham
Miles Hoffman: ‘Random sounds are rarely soothing.’
Miles Hoffman says when it comes to classical music, there’s no substitute for a live performance. Hoffman is Morning Edition’s music commentator, and he’s the founder and artistic director of The American Chamber Players.
U.S. Senate Race has Alabama Democrats Hoping for a Turnaround
Republicans have steadily eaten away at Democrats’ historic dominance of Alabama politics over the last generation and now hold firm control of all three branches of government. But there’s excitement among Alabama Democrats about the upcoming Senate and gubernatorial elections. Is this a turning point?
Woodfin Shocked the Old Guard. Now What?
In about three weeks, Randall Woodfin takes office as Birmingham’s next mayor. Woodfin worked for years as an attorney at City Hall. During his year-long campaign for mayor, Woodfin shined a light on the city’s problems and sold most Birmingham voters on his ability to fix them. Recently he spoke with WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart about what’s next and how he won.
Concussion Expert on Youth Sports: “Time to Make Some Decisions”
Brain injury specialist Dr. Elizabeth Sandel has been studying that organ and bad things that happen to it for more than three decades. With football season in full swing, and the recent publication of a study linking adolescent concussions with multiple sclerosis, we wanted to check in with an expert.
WBHM Politics: Crackdown on Airbnb
Cities, including some in Alabama, are putting restrictions on short-term rental sites such as Airbnb. And they're taking many different approaches.
Gay Men Blood Donors Not as Risky as Once Thought, Researchers Say
For decades, many gay men have been prohibited from donating blood. They were considered high-risk during the AIDS epidemic back in the 1980s. As of two years ago, they can donate if they’ve abstained from sex for a year, but some researchers say that’s unrealistic and unnecessary.
New Documentary Highlights Lesbian Struggle for Equality in Alabama
The film follows three lesbian couples, a group that directors say has historically been invisible in Alabama.
As Flu Season Begins, Shots Boost Health and Bottom Lines
It’s the start of flu season, which for many people means a date with a needle. If you’ve been to a drug store lately, you may have noticed some strong encouragement to get the shot. So why the big push? Is it just about health?
A Rash of Political Sign Thefts in Homewood
Supporters of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Doug Jones in Homewood have taken to social media to complain about a wave of campaign signs stolen from their yards around the city.
Voters Hope Woodfin Fulfills Promises For Better Birmingham
Randall Woodfin takes over as mayor of Birmingham on Nov. 28. He overwhelmingly beat incumbent Mayor William Bell in this month’s runoff. On the campaign trail, the 36-year-old Woodfin promised a better Birmingham. Now residents say they expect him to deliver on those promises.
