Issues
The Year in Alabama Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the big stories of the year in Alabama politics.
The Year Ahead for Transit in Birmingham
In this week's Magic City Marketplace, what to expect from Birmingham transit in 2017 and the effect of an interest rate hike on Birmingham banks.
Alabama Execution Puts Judicial Override in the Spotlight
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses judicial override. Alabama executed an inmate last week whose death penalty was given by a judge over the recommendation of a jury.
The Queer Library: A New Home for LGBT Literature
The brainchild of Change Project founder Steven Romeo, every book is written by an LGBT author or contains LGBT content.
Historic Marker Commemorates Gadsden Lynching
Tuesday, a historic marker will go up in Gadsden, Alabama, commemorating the 1906 lynching of a black man, Bunk Richardson, by a white mob.
Gardendale School System Hearings End, Federal Judge Weighs Decision On Independent System
Federal Judge Madeline Haikala is considering whether Gardendale can pull out of the Jefferson County system & start its own without violating civil rights.
Alabama High School Grad Rates Inflated, Superintendent Says
“This is a black eye for the department and it makes the education system here look bad, and in some ways undeservedly so.”
What Trump Could Mean for the Steel and Coal Industries
We look at what a President Trump could mean for the struggling steel and coal industries.
UAB Breaks Ground on a new Business School
UAB leaders broke ground Friday on a new home for the university’s Collat School of Business.
Colonial Pipeline’s Shocking Safety History
Colonial Pipeline has a shocking history of what federal regulators call “significant incidents.” Its track record for safety is far worse than some other pipeline companies in the South. Colonial is currently under federal investigation following the gas leak and subsequent explosion that killed two people near Helena.
Questions Surround Mayor’s Plan for Ensley Tower
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses plans to renovate a vacant building in downtown Ensley.
Birmingham Expects a Boost from National Civil Rights Designation
What a national historic monument designation for Birmingham's Civil Rights District could mean for tourism
Two Mountain Brook Students to take the Big TED-Ed Stage
Mountain Brook High School sophomores Brett Lewis and Sean Fredella have been selected to present their talks at the first ever TED-Ed Weekend in New York.
TopGolf Complex Coming Soon to Uptown
The Birmingham City Council this week cleared the way for construction of a proposed 65,000 square-foot Topgolf complex in Uptown. The council also approved a $1.5 million incentive package to be spread out over the next eight years.
Lawsuit Adds Sordid Details to Alleged Bentley Affair
A lawsuit offers sordid details about Alabama Governor Robert Bentley's alleged affair.
First Rain After Drought is Both Good and Bad
Groups that monitor Alabama’s waterways say there are some drawbacks and are warning of potential health risks found in and around rivers and streams.
Alabama Cattle Ranchers Hit Hard by Drought
After months of warm, dry weather, it did finally rain this week. But a few days of precipitation won’t erase months of drought. The lack of rainfall has crippled the state’s $2 billion cattle industry. The drought has forced ranchers to buy hay from out-of-state and if the dry weather persists this winter, things could get a lot worse for farmers and their herds.
ACLU President Visits Samford Univeristy
Susan Herman spoke to a packed audience, answering questions about current concerns and potential roles for the ACLU under President-Elect Donald Trump.
How Birmingham is Doing Attracting Millennials
As Birmingham works to keep its post-recession economic rebound going, a part of that is Millennials. As these people born roughly between 1980 and 2000 enter the job market or advance in their careers, they’ll rent apartments, buy homes, spend money that will fuel future growth. So business leaders are keen to attract and keep Millennials in Birmingham. That’s where we start in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Provider Withdrawals Spark Uncertainty About Alabama’s Medicaid Overhaul
Alabama’s effort to transform its Medicaid system took a hit last month as several major providers decided to withdraw from the effort. More than a million people in the state depend on Medicaid for healthcare. The pull out is adding uncertainty to what’s already been a troubled process.
Charles Henderson, Newly Elected DA, Prepares To Bring Change To Criminal Justice
"What we’ve been doing hasn’t worked. I’ve been saying all along we need to do more on this side to get people the resources they need, and quit using prisons as a way to kinda brush the problem aside."
Who Replaces Senator Jeff Sessions?
Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions was an early backer of President-elect Donald Trump and as a result Sessions is expected to get a prime spot in a Trump Administration. If that happens, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley would name a successor. That opens up a new horse race. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
The Junction: The Parsonage Bombing
Ensley residents who remember that tragic event and the role the community played in the civil rights movement say this rich history is important today as Ensley looks toward revitalization.
What a President Trump Means for Business
President-elect Donald Trump won the election on a promise to make America the best place in the world to do business. But apart from backing away from trade deals, the specifics of what a Trump Administration would do for the business community are still unclear. We get a sense of what might be coming in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
“Alabama Unity Rally” Peaceful but Fiercely Anti-Trump
Recent anti-Donald Trump rallies around the nation have been marred by violence. Some feared that would happen in Birmingham, especially after social-media threats. But Saturday night, though hundreds protested, no one got hurt. That’s not to say emotions weren’t high.
Jeff Co Death Sentence Numbers One of Highest in Nation, Report Finds
Jefferson County has one of the highest rates of capital punishment in the nation, according to a report released last month by Harvard Law School’s Fair Punishment Project. The report found that the county is one of only 16 in the nation to hand down five or more death sentences between 2010 and 2015. We […]
Tuscaloosa Teacher Investigated After Pro-Trump Image in Class
A Tuscaloosa high school teacher is under investigation after projecting a pro-Donald Trump image in one of his classes.
A Trump Victory Leaves Deep Divides
Political watchers and the public are waiting to see what a Trump presidency will look like. Republican Donald Trump’s stunning victory Tuesday caps an election season that was raucous, divisive and unlike any other in the modern era. After such a campaign, a key question is can the country come together? We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
New “Nutritional Labels” For Trails Go Up At Oak Mountain
Hikers and runners who use trails at Oak Mountain State Park south of Birmingham have a new tool to help guide their outdoor fun. They’re trail signs, but they’re more than simple markers.
Alabama GOP Elated as Democrats Deflated over Trump Win
There was little doubt Republican Donald Trump would win Alabama in yesterday’s presidential election. But with a tight race nationally, Alabama Republicans and Democrats gathered at their own watch parties to follow the results.
Heavy Voter Turnout Reported Throughout Jefferson County
Election officials in Jefferson County say voter turnout has been heavy today and could surpass the totals in the previous General Election.
Live Election Day Updates & Results from NPR
Today, as results come in across the country, the NPR Politics team and member station reporters will be updating this breaking news blog in real-time.
