Issues
Outgoing State Ethics Commissioner Takes Aim at Fellow Commissioners
An outgoing member of the Alabama Ethics Commission says the panel has been lax in upholding rules to keep state government in line.
Birmingham Council District 5: A Tale Of Two Cities
Seven people are vying for the District 5 seat on the Birmingham City Council in the August 22 elections. That’s the area representing most of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods from Crestwood to Smithfield. Managing this district won’t be easy. Some parts stand out as hip places to be in Birmingham, while others languish in extreme poverty and blight.
Many GOP Voters Still Undecided on Senate Candidates
Four candidates attended at the GOP Senate forum: incumbent Sen. Luther Strange, Bryan Peeples, Randy Brinson and Congressman Mo Brooks. They wanted to win votes. But as they hashed out issues from abortion to concealed carry laws, many voters left undecided.
What Birmingham Businesses Want From City Leaders
Birmingham business leaders weigh in on what they expect from city leadership. Birmingham's municipal elections will be August 22.
Bleached Creek Highlights ADEM Shortfalls, Say Critics
Alabama has some of the most ecologically rich waters in the world. But the agency tasked with monitoring them gets less funding per resident than in any other state. Some complain the Alabama Department of Environmental Management is not doing its job. They point to a contaminated creek in Shelby County as on example.
James Paul Beretta (R)
Name: James Paul Beretta Age: 58 Residence: Indian Springs Political races run: None Political offices held: None Professional experience: Alabama Anesthesia, 1992-1996; Dr. James P Beretta PC, 1996-2017. Education: Providence College, bachelor of arts, 1981; Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine (Nova), doctor of osteopathic medicine, 1988; Atlantic City Medical Center, intern, 1988-1989; University of Medicine […]
Birmingham Gentrification Task Force To Meet This Month
A new task force to address gentrification in Birmingham is set to meet for the first time later this month.
Philemon Hill: Birmingham Needs Economic Development and Strong Schools
Philemon Hill is a sports marketer. He’s promoted sporting events from baseball to golf around the Southeast. But he’s also become a fixture at Birmingham City Council and School Board meetings. Now, he’d like to make the leap from gadfly to mayor.
Bell, Woods, and Woodfin Top Poll and Fundraising in Birmingham Mayor’s Race
A WBRC Fox 6 News poll in the Birmingham mayor’s race shows incumbent William Bell, building contractor Chris Woods and Birmingham school board member Randall Woodfin leading the race as the Aug. 22 election approaches. Those same three candidates are leading in fundraising, according to a WBHM analysis.
High School Students Track Real Cybercriminals at UAB
What do fake NBA jerseys, black-market pills, and other people's bank data have in common? They’re all available through cybercrime, and they’ve all been tracked by high school students at a weeklong camp at UAB.
Birmingham’s Regions Harbert Plaza Now Minus Regions
A New York firm will try to fill a big chuck of space in downtown Birmingham's Regions Harbert Plaza once Regions leaves the office tower.
From Poverty to Potholes, Frank Matthews Wants to Fix the City
Frank Matthews has been a preacher, a media consultant and co-director of the Mayor's Office of Citizens' Assistance. Now, the he wants to become mayor of Birmingham .
The Risk Brooks Took: Choosing Sessions Over Trump
Congressman and Republican U.S. Senate candidate discusses his decision to criticize President Donald Trump over publicly berating Attorney General Jeff Session.
Arc Stories: July 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded at different Arc Stories events throughout Birmingham. What oneman discovers about his wife when she has to endure a major medical procedure; a young woman who moves to Africa to become a teacher though she has no training in how to do that; what happens to a guy when he inadvertently […]
Trump’s Attacks on Sessions Become Part of U.S. Senate Primary
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the Republican side of the special primary election for U.S. Senate.
Fernandez Sims Says Birmingham Needs A Servant Leader
Brother Fernandez Sims is a Birmingham minister. From his time in the pulpit and counseling people in the community, he says he sees the needs of Birmingham residents. He says he wants to be mayor to address those some of those needs.
Former Chief Justice Roy Moore Campaigns on Return to Morality
As former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore campaigns for a U.S. Senate seat, he's not backing away from his opposition to same-sex marriage or his views on religion in government.
Crowded Field of Eight Battle For District 2 Council Seat
There’s only one seat for the Birmingham City Council in District 2, and eight people want it – including the incumbent. The district, which includes the east Birmingham communities of East Lake, Roebuck Springs, Liberty Highlands, Crestwood South, Huffman and several others, has attracted a combination of young professionals and community leaders.
Still in Vacation Mode? Tax Holiday Aims to Snap You Out of It
Alabama’s back-to-school sales tax holiday takes place from July 21 - 23. It’s a chance to get folders and highlighters and a lot of clothing tax-free. If it seems awfully early, it’s because it is.
Crime, Education, Jobs Among Top Issues For Birmingham Voters
Many of those running for office in Birmingham, whether for mayor or city council or school board, have their own ideas on how to improve life in the city. But ask some of the city’s 212,000 residents what keeps them up at night, and you’ll hear the same concerns come up over and over again: jobs, education, and crime.
Corruption Probe Moves Beyond Indicted Former State Lawmaker
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses what could be next now that indicted former state lawmaker Oliver Robinson is cooperating with prosecutors in a bribery scandal.
Climate Change Analysis Predicts Losses for South
Scientists and economists have put together a detailed analysis of potential economic damage from climate change. One takeaway: Alabama and the rest of the South could suffer more than other parts of the country.
Residents Worry About More Vacancies at Brookwood Mall
Belk announced last week it will close its store at Brookwood Village Mall. Homewood residents are now wondering what's next?
Professional Soccer League Eyeing Birmingham
A professional soccer league is eyeing Birmingham for expansion.
The Ripple Effect When a Giant Iceberg Breaks Away From Antarctica
This week, scientists watched an iceberg the size of Delaware break away from Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf. The mass of ice that broke off weighs about a trillion tons. It’ll eventually melt, but as UAB polar biologist and Antarctic explorer Jim McClintock tells WBHM’s Dan Carsen, there are some long-term concerns.
Birmingham Weekly Newspaper Halts Publishing
Weld general manager, Heather Milam Nikolich, tells WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli the move is temporary.
Revisiting Birmingham’s Bid to Host the Democratic National Convention
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains why he believes the City of Birmingham's bid to host the Democratic National Convention in 2016 wasn't really about landing the convention.
Randall Woodfin Wants to Revitalize Birmingham Communities
Birmingham lawyer Randall Woodfin grew up in different parts of Birmingham. The 36-year-old is now running for mayor. He says he’s connected to communities from North Birmingham to Southtown. And if elected, he says he would revitalize those neighborhoods outside of downtown.
New Elyton Hotel Blends Old Birmingham With New
The old Colonial Bank Building at the corner of 1st Avenue North and 20th Street downtown stood vacant for years. It now opens as an upscale hotel with a polished face and a plush interior, reminiscent of the city’s history as a center for industry and commerce.
Charlemagne Records Celebrates 40 Years
The Birmingham institution has endured several music format changes from cassette tapes to online streaming. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli popped in to Charlemagne to see what this little shop has done to stay afloat during a time when record stores have almost disappeared.
Series Takes On Alabama’s Racial Achievement Gap
African-American students in Alabama tend not to perform as well on standardized tests as their white counterparts. That’s part of the so-called “achievement gap,” one of the most persistent and touchiest issues in education. But a new data-driven series by Al.com, journalism nonprofit Spaceship Media, and teachers from across Alabama aims to explore and find solutions to those disparities.
Election Commission to States: Hold Voter Info Pending Legal Ruling
President Trump’s election commission sent a letter today asking Secretaries of State to hold off on submitting the voter data it requested pending a federal judge’s ruling on a legal challenge. The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) filed a lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order on the commission’s request, saying it was an unprecedented invasion of […]
