News
With COVID Cases On The Rise, Health Officials Say They’re Seeing Last Year’s Pattern Repeat Itself
Health officials say Alabama may be headed toward an explosion in the number of COVID-19 cases thanks to the coronavirus delta and delta plus variant.
4 Things To Know About Birmingham’s Homicides So Far This Year
The city of Birmingham has recorded 64 homicides so far in 2021, according to data from the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. But what do we really know about the city's homicide victims? WBHM took a deeper dive into the data. Here's what we learned.
Birmingham Council Looking At Candidates To Fill Seats On Several Boards
Seats on several Birmingham boards and authorities will be up for grabs next month, including city council-appointed positions on the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority and the Birmingham Land Bank Authority.
What To Know About The Delta Plus COVID Variant: How Serious Is It? Will Vaccines Work?
Alabama has recorded multiple cases of the delta variant. Meanwhile, this week Louisiana identified its first case of the delta plus variant, a mutation of the delta variant.
Alabama And Louisiana Are Enacting Or Extending Medical Marijuana Programs. What About Mississippi?
States across the South are making way for more patients to legally use medical marijuana. Alabama recently passed a law legalizing it, and Louisiana is expanding its medical marijuana program. This week, Mississippi was slated to join the pack, but the Supreme Court overturned the voters’ decision.
Economic Opportunity, Community Policing Among Solutions To Birmingham’s Gun Violence
Birmingham has been riddled with crime for decades, and people are concerned about the increasing number of homicides. So far in 2021, there have been at least 60 homicides in the city of Birmingham, according to data from the Jefferson County Coroner's Office.
UAB And JeffCo Officials Plan Hospital-Based Intervention Program For Gunshot Survivors
Trauma doctors in Birmingham are treating a record number of patients with gunshot wounds. Health officials hope a violence intervention program could help reverse the trend.
Birmingham Residents Offer Solutions To Gun Violence But Some Victims Feel Hopeless
Birmingham residents are concerned about the city's gun violence. Local activists say reducing shootings has to be a community effort, with local government support. But some victims say there’s not much authorities can do.
How Birmingham’s Police Chief Plans To Slow The City’s Homicide Rate
Birmingham finished 2020 with a 25-year high in homicides. This year shows no sign of that slowing. WBHM talked with the city's police chief about how he plans to respond.
As Other States Drew Fire For Passing Restrictive Election Laws, Alabama Skirted The Limelight
National attention fell on Georgia for changes to its election laws earlier this year, but Alabama made changes too.
Lagging Vaccination Rates, Rising Delta Strain: How Gulf States Are Handling Latest COVID Concerns
With the lowest vaccination rates in the county, many people in the Deep South remain at risk.
Mayor Woodfin Seeks Community Help To Find Shooters Of Children
Five children have been killed or injured by gun violence in Birmingham this year, and city leaders are pleading for witnesses to come forward.
School Is Still In Session In This Louisiana Parish. How Is The ‘Balance Of Instruction’ Going?
Red River Parish Public Schools is the first district in Louisiana to throw out the traditional school calendar. The goal for school leaders is to provide more instruction and support throughout the year, but some parents say students are burnt out.
Children’s Well-Being In Alabama Improves, But Still Lags Behind The Country
Alabama's children are graduating on time and more children have health insurance. But the state still falls behind the rest of the country in overall well-being for children.
Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff Visits Birmingham To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccines
Roughly 30% of Alabamians are fully vaccinated.
Environmental Groups Appeal Judge’s Cahaba River Ruling To The Supreme Court
Two local environmental groups are appealing a Jefferson County Circuit Court’s recent decision to throw out the lawsuit against the Birmingham Water Works Board.
Bang, Bang. You’re Closed: Birmingham Threatens To Close Clubs With Violent Episodes
A drive-by shooting at Club Euphoria in west Birmingham left 21-year-old Lykeria Taylor dead and another male injured. Earlier that night, gunfire broke out at the club, leaving three others with non-life-threatening injuries.
Five Ways Birmingham Is Celebrating Its 150th Birthday
Mayor Randall Woodfin and the CEO of Vulcan Park and Museum announced this week a series of events to celebrate Birmingham’s 150 anniversary.
Shipt Founder, Bill Smith, Brings His Latest Startup To Birmingham
Landing, an apartment rental company, will relocate it headquarters to Birmingham, creating more than 800 new jobs.
To Curb Gun Violence In Gulf States, Activists Are Taking A Closer Look At Policing Alternatives
Over Memorial Day weekend, at least 26 shootings were reported in major cities across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. At least 10 people were killed and 17 others were injured. It was the latest example of rising homicides and gun violence across the Gulf states this year.
People in Alabama Prisons Confused, Frustrated As State Officials Withhold Their Stimulus Checks
Thousands of people in Alabama prisons received COVID-19 stimulus payments from the federal government, but state officials are holding the checks. They say people in prison will get their money, but maybe not all of it.
Birmingham Mayor Combats Violence Against Children With $125K Incentive
Since January of this year, six children under the age of 10 have been shot in Birmingham, according to police reports. Only one of the shooting incidents has led to an arrest.
Birmingham Council OKs Law To Allow Museum To Return Native American Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art will soon return several works of art to two Native American tribes that have requested them back.
Controversial New Alzheimer’s Drug Approved Despite Reservations
The drug, aducanumab, is expected to help slow the progression of the disease, but not to improve current memory impairments, according to a release from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Why Alabama’s Declining Vaccination Rate Could Spell An ‘Uncomfortable Summer’
Close to 70% of Alabamians are still not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but many people have stopped wearing masks and returned to normal activities.
Birmingham City Council To Hear $13 Million Vaccine Sweepstakes Proposal Tuesday
Council President William Parker's plan includes gift cards, savings bonds, college scholarships and drawings in an attempt to encourage more people get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Alabama Coal Workers Strike For Better Wages, Fair Treatment
The strike has gone on for more than two months with no resolution in sight.
Five Things You Need To Know About Alabama’s New Medical Marijuana Law
Alabama's new medical marijuana law is more than 100-pages long. We did the hard work and pulled out the highlights that may impact you.
Ivey’s Prison Construction Plan Meets Financial Roadblock
State officials are back to the drawing board after Gov. Kay Ivey’s plan to lease three privately-owned prisons missed a major financial deadline this week.
Gov. Kay Ivey Launches Reelection Campaign for 2022 Gubernatorial Race
In a campaign video, Ivey, 76, noted the state's economic growth, low unemployment and critical improvements in education and to the state’s infrastructure.
Indian Immigrants in Mississippi ‘Frustrated’ As Loved Ones Suffer In COVID-19 Surge Abroad
Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama have the lowest vaccination rates in the U.S. and doses are going to waste. Other countries, such as India, are still struggling with high deaths and low vaccine supply.
City of Birmingham Employees Could Receive One-Time Premium Pay
Birmingham’s 3,500 city employees could see extra “premium pay” later this month. The city council approved the one-time payments as a “thank you” for their work during the coronavirus pandemic.
