News
Gardendale School Appeals May Delay Pullout from Jefferson County
The City of Gardendale is expected to take control of the two elementary schools in its city limits on June 1, one of the first steps in pulling away from the Jefferson County School system. But two court filings this week may delay that move.
A Very Sordid Wedding Mirrors Familiar Same-Sex Themes
The sequel to Del Shores' cult film and TV series Sordid Lives debuts in Birmingham Thursday.
Alabama Lawmakers Close Out Legislative Session
Alabama Public Television's Don Dailey discusses the final week of the 2017 legislative session.
Property Values Jump in Birmingham’s Parkside District
Birmingham's Parkside District has seen the highest increase in property values among the city's redeveloping neighborhoods.
Itzhak Perlman Returns to Birmingham
World-renowned Violinist Itzhak Perlman performs at UAB's Alys Stephens Center Sunday. He talks about his career and whether classical music is still relevant today.
The Great Gun Rights Divide in Alabama
A look at gun rights and ownership in Alabama following the death of a bill in the 2017 legislative session that would've made the concealed carry permit optional.
Former State Lawmaker Discouraged Pollution Cleanup Efforts
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses an investigation that found former State Representative Oliver Robinson tried to discourage efforts to clean up pollution from North Birmingham neighborhoods.
Crowded Field Vies for U.S. Senate Seat
Wednesday was the deadline for candidates to qualify to run for U.S. Senate in this year’s special election. As expected, it’s a crowded field.
Writer Clair McLafferty on Cocktails and the Art of Bartending
Cocktail writer Clair McLafferty talks to WBHM about her new book, The Classic and Craft Cocktail Recipe Book, and about what makes a person a good bartender.
Condoleezza Rice’s Book Explores Democracy, Segregated Birmingham
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has just come out with a new book, "Democracy: Stories from the Road to Freedom." While in Birmingham Monday, she told WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart how memories of a segregated Alabama during her childhood have stuck with her and laid the foundation for her latest work.
JeffCo Judge Overturns Alabama’s Workers’ Compensation Law
Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West discusses a Jefferson County judge's decision overturning the state's workers' compensation law.
Tank and the Bangas, NPR’s Tiny Desk Winners, Coming to Birmingham
Tank and the Bangas won NPR's Tiny Desk contest. The New Orleans-based group was chosen unanimously by judges from roughly 6,000 entries. The group is bringing their spirited, high-energy show to Birmingham Saturday and they spoke to WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli ahead of their gig.
Sex Trafficking in Alabama: What a Pediatrician Sees
Each year, an estimated 2 million children are exploited in the global sex trade. As Alabama has become part of an elaborate interstate sex trafficking network, countless underage victims need treatment. That’s where the Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Center in Birmingham comes in.
Lawmaker Investigation Tied to Pollution Near North Birmingham
Former State Rep. Oliver Robinson confirmed to WBHM he is under investigation. The investigation, as al.com reports, seems to be connected to efforts by the EPA to test neighborhoods in Tarrant and Inglenook for air pollution. Gigi Douban talked with Robinson Tuesday afternoon and offered this update.
First Public Charter School Approved for Birmingham
The Alabama Public Charter School Commission voted this month to approve a request to open STAR Academy, which will be the state’s first public charter school and will open in Birmingham. Charter schools are a contentious subject, with both opponents and supporters both citing statistics supporting their opinions.
Autism Bill May Fall Short in Legislature
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says if bill requiring insurers cover a particular type of autism therapy receives final passage, it would be a miracle.
Sex Trafficking in Alabama: Former Victim, Current Rescuer
As a teenager, Tajuan McCarty started off selling drugs. Soon, she sold herself. But not voluntarily. McCarty had become one of tens of millions of sex-trafficking victims around the world. Years later, she founded The WellHouse, a shelter and rehab facility for sexually exploited women.
Sex Trafficking in Alabama: The Crime & the Fight Against It
By conservative estimates, human trafficking in the U.S. is a growing industry worth tens of billions of dollars a year. Birmingham is not immune. In fact, it’s a regional hub. But efforts to fight it here are growing too.
Vintage Video Games Get An Extra Life
Saturn's Vintage Video Game Night gives gamers an opportunity to replay parts of gaming's past, as well as childhood favorites.
History Professor’s Book Reconstructs One African-American’s Legal Saga
In his new book "He Calls Me By Lightning," Samford University history professor Jonathan Bass writes about the 13-year legal journey endured by a Bessemer man in Jim Crow Alabama.
The Next Wave of Downtown Birmingham Development
Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West discusses buildings that could potentially form a new wave of redevelopment in downtown.
House Approves Largest Education Budget in Years
The Alabama House passed a $6.4 billion education budget this week, the biggest the state has considered in nearly a decade. Alabama Public Television’s Don Dailey gave WBHM’s Gigi Douban some of the highlights of that spending proposal, including $12 million more dollars for the state’s K through 12 schools.
The Heritage Band: Keeping Birmingham’s Big Band Spirit Alive
The Heritage Band was founded in 1976 by late saxophonist J.L. Lowe. The group is keeping the big band spirit alive in Birmingham, long after the days of the Duke Ellington-style big bands have disappeared.
Alabama’s Exotic Pet Laws Could Soon Change
Nick Patterson, editor of Weld, discusses how Alabama lawmakers are considering changing the state’s regulations on exotic pet ownership.
Judge has Questions for Special Grand Jury Meeting in Birmingham
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a special grand jury that's been meeting in Birmingham.
Birmingham Hires New School Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools have a new leader. The school board voted last night to hire Lisa Herring of Louisville, Kentucky, following days of controversy after no candidates from Birmingham or Alabama were named finalists for the job.
How History Can Heal
Vanderbilt University graduate student Stephanie Fulbright studied Birmingham and Northern Ireland to see how historic markers and other public objects can be used for reconciliation.
Regions Bank Takes Steps To Be Autism-Friendly
Regions Bank recently announced efforts to make its 1,500 branches autism-friendly. It's something many businesses across the country are doing. But there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach.
Ratings Agency Downgrades Birmingham’s Credit Rating
Ratings agency Fitch downgrades Birmingham's credit rating.
UAB Political Scientist Assesses The First 100 Days of President Trump
The first 100 days is the time when the new president could be possibly more successful than later in the term.
Historic Monuments Bill Passes, City Council Raises Blocked
This week in the Alabama legislature, the Senate voted to block a big pay raise for the next Birmingham City Council. And after hours of heated debate Thursday, lawmakers in the Alabama House passed the controversial historic monuments bill.
Income Inequality in Birmingham, Alabama
Officials say there are three main obstacles keeping people in Birmingham and Alabama from achieving prosperity: education, poverty and crime. These barriers also contribute to the growing wage gap. WBHM's Esther Ciammachilli talks about this with Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld.
