Issues
Jefferson County Unveils New Mural Showing Diversity
A new mural unveiled at the Jefferson County courthouse Tuesday depicts a diversity community. It's an answer to two murals from the 1930s which show slaves picking cotton and shirtless industrial laborers.
Museum Exhibit Gives a View of 1930s Birmingham
The exhibit Magic City Realism, a collection of etchings at the Birmingham Museum of Art, shows life in Birmingham during the Great Depression.
Mixed Response For Birmingham Horse Carriage Rides
In a few weeks, horse drawn carriages will be plodding around the streets of Birmingham, taking people around the city. The city council unanimously approved the carriage service last week. Some are excited about the new service, while others have serious concerns.
2018 Governor’s Race: State Senator Bill Hightower
Republican State Senator Bill Hightower says Alabama needs a business-minded approach to state government and that’s why he’s running for governor.
Eric Mackey Named State School Superintendent
Eric Mackey is Alabama’s new state superintendent of education. The state Board of Education selected Mackey today after interviewing three finalists. Craig Pouncey of Jefferson County Schools and Kathy Murphy of Hoover City Schools were finalists.
2018 Governor’s Race: Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle
Huntsville is Alabama’s third largest city, but it’s projected to surpass Montgomery and Birmingham in the coming years. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle says he can expand that kind of growth to the entire state and that’s why he’s running for governor.
Lack of Guidance Leads to Web Access Lawsuits
In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act required public places to accommodate people with disabilities. But back then, before the Internet grew into what it is now, the law didn’t address the accessibility of websites. Now, with a proliferation of lawsuits, many companies are racing to bring their sites into compliance with industry standards.
When Your Child Isn’t the Child You Expected
Sometimes children turn out differently than parents had hoped or expected. Writer and psychologist Andrew Solomon, author of Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity, looked at how parents manage to find profound meaning in raising exceptional children.
Birmingham Columnist Takes Journalism’s Top Prize
For the first time in eleven years, Birmingham has a Pulitzer Prize winner. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald won the Pulitzer for commentary Monday.
2018 Governor’s Race: Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox
Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox is best known for rebuilding that city after a devastating tornado hit in 2011. In his bid to become the Democratic nominee for governor in the June 5 primary, he's pushing for an education lottery, expansion of Medicaid, and an end to proposals that would have teachers carry guns.
No Decision in the Case of the Covered Confederate Monument
The base of a Confederate monument in Linn Park will remain covered for now. Jefferson County Judge Mike Graffeo did not make a decision after hearing arguments from the City of Birmingham and the state Attorney General’s Office. The state sued Birmingham last year, saying that the city violated the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act in […]
WBHM Politics: Election Season Overview
Election season is underway in Alabama with party primaries June 5th and the general election in November. We'll talk about the upcoming elections, some of the dynamics at play and a few key races.
Watch Live: Zuckerberg Testimony Before House Lawmakers
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is appearing on Capitol Hill for a second day of hearings about protecting its users’ data. The House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing follows hours of questioning by lawmakers in the Senate. Facebook is under scrutiny after revelations that the data-mining and political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica obtained the data of […]
Barons Pick Up the Pace This Season
The Birmingham Barons have their first home game of the season Wednesday against Montgomery. And like many minor league baseball teams, they're implementing some changes to make games faster and more fun to watch.
Study: Alabama Ranks Third in Premature Death
A comprehensive report published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at life expectancy and other key health measures across the U.S. Alabama ranked third-worst in premature death, but there was good news also.
Watch Live: Zuckerberg’s Testimony to Congress
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying on Capitol Hill to answer questions about protecting user data. The hearing held by the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees follows news that the data-mining and political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica obtained personal information of up to 87 million Facebook users. The firm is accused of using that information […]
Tornado-Ravaged Jacksonville State Prepares to Head Back to Class
Classes resume Monday at Jacksonville State University, three weeks after a tornado slammed into the campus and surrounding community. The school was on spring break when the storm hit and that’s seen as a big reason there were no deaths. With students returning to campus, a new phase of recovery begins.
Apple CEO Commemorates King’s Legacy in Birmingham
Apple CEO and Alabama native Tim Cook returned to his home state today to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cook spoke to a diverse group of high school and college students at a Southern Christian Leadership Conference forum at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.
50 Years After King’s Death, Birmingham Remembers
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a civil rights movement that changed America. His assassination on April 4, 1968, set off deadly riots and protests in places like Chicago and Washington. But Birmingham didn’t have a prolonged violent response, even though some of King’s most noted victories were launched here.
The Story Behind Alabama’s Latest Public Corruption Case
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a corruption case involving two state lawmakers, a lobbyist and a California healthcare company.
State Lawmaker, Former State GOP Head Charged in Corruption Scheme
An Alabama state lawmaker and the former head of the state Republican party have each been arrested in connection with a public corruption scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Birmingham Council Approves $90 Million For Stadium, BJCC Expansion
The City of Birmingham will contribute $90 million over the next 30 years toward a new downtown and an expansion of the BJCC. The council voted 6 to 3 on Monday for the plan following a four-hour and at times contentious debate.
Crowd Packs Railroad Park For March For Our Lives
Railroad Park was transformed today into a sea of signs, sparked by the energy of young people and lots of supporters in the #March4OurLives. The event, one of hundreds across the country, drew more than a thousand people.
Severe Storms Bring Extensive Damage to North and East Alabama
Crews with the National Weather Service are assessing the damage Tuesday morning after severe storms tore through the area.
Severe Storm Development Around Alabama
Two waves of severe weather are expected today around the state, including supercell thunderstorms, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
Some Schools Closing Early Ahead of Predicted Severe Weather
With severe weather including tornadoes and large hail in the forecast for much of Alabama today, Monday, March 19, some area schools systems have announced early closings.
Friends of Nancy Swift: ‘I Think She Lived to Nurse’
In the aftermath of Wednesday's deadly shooting at UAB Highlands Hospital, friends remember Nancy Turnage Swift, the nursing supervisor who was killed, as outgoing and caring.
WBHM Politics: Guns, Schools and Safety
The issue of guns and schools has been in the news the past month after a gunman walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people. In Birmingham these issues became very real when a student was shot and killed at Huffman High School earlier this month. We explore the topic through a series of conversations.
Area Students Protest to Push for Safe Schools
Around the country and throughout metro Birmingham Wednesday, students from kindergarten through 12th Grade participated in National Walkout Day. They were honoring recent school shooting victims and raising awareness about the need for school safety.
Combating Alabama’s Rural Doctor Shortage
The state health department says most of Alabama faces a lack of primary-care. But there’s a University of Alabama program that’s been grooming doctors from rural areas so they can bring their skills home.
Cocktails, Costumes, and a James Beard Nomination
The Atomic Lounge serves up costumes and cocktails. The new Birmingham bar is a semifinalist for a James Beard Award.
“Opportunity” the Key Word for Birmingham’s New Economic Development Director
Josh Carpenter, Birmingham's new director of economic development, says his focus is to create opportunity for people to become empowered.
