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What Makes Birmingham a “Food Town?”
People in Birmingham love their city’s food so much they write songs about it. We found Ja-Neen Gandy hanging out with her kids at Railroad Park eager to share her ode to Gus’ Hot Dogs. Musical tributes are just one way residents of the Magic City express their appreciation for Birmingham’s food culture. Others write […]
Crowded Homeless Shelter Looking for New Home
The Firehouse Shelter serves thousands of homeless people in Birmingham like Johnson and has been a staple to the community since 1983. But they’ve outgrown their home on 3rd Ave North. and they’re working on moving to a bigger facility.
Arc Stories: June 2016 Edition
Stories where plans put into motion take some unexpected turns. One young woman’s attempt to have a little fun at some protester’s expense, a boy who is taken on the ride of his life, and a family forced to deal with the loss of nearly all of their possessions. (Originally aired June 30, 2016 at 2 […]
Mother Suing Birmingham Clinic for Medical Negligence
Mothers-to-be put a lot of thought into how – and where – they want to give birth to their babies. And a lot of what influences that choice is how hospitals represent themselves. In Birmingham, a recent lawsuit accuses Brookwood Women’s Health of deceitful marketing and medical negligence, relating to promises they made to one […]
Fairfield Residents Need Buses, But Regular Service Changes On July 5
Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority Leaders say they want to continue serving Fairfield, but can't do it without pay. Fairfield has a $545,000 debt with BJCTA.
A Private Gym For Birmingham Airport Leader Raises Questions
High-profile positions often come with perks. But with public positions involving public money, perks can drift into illegal ethics violations. Those are the concerns around Birmingham's airport authority CEO and what's been called his private gym. We talk about the controversy with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. We also hear about the unanswered questions around the firing of a high-raking employee of the State Department of Finance.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Corruption in Alabama?
Alabama has a corruption problem. Former House Speaker Mike Hubbard is currently awaiting sentencing for 12 felony ethics convictions, Chief Justice Roy Moore is scheduled to go to trial for allegedly violating judicial ethics and Governor Robert Bentley is being investigated for possible impeachment. So, is there a way to solve the state’s corruption problem?
Thousands in Alabama Eligible for Compensation from Volkswagen
Thousands of Alabama residents may be eligible for compensation from Volkswagen following a settlement over emissions fraud.
A Birmingham Business Mystery may be Revealed, Soon
A “good news” Birmingham business mystery may soon be revealed. The firearms business is booming. Changes in the industrial economy are impacting Alabama’s waterways and roadways. Ty West is Editor of the Birmingham Business Journal. He joins WBHM’s Scott Hanley to consider some of these latest stories in the Magic City Marketplace.
The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama – Janice Houston Nixon
In 1967, 12-year-old Janice Houston Nixon decided to transfer from the all-black school in her native Ensley, to an all-white school nearby. Nixon was inspired to do so by her sister, integration pioneer Carolyn Houston Crumbley Major, who we profiled in a previous episode of The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama. In this latest installment of the […]
Alabama Families Living in Poverty Hit Hard by Welfare Reform
The number of families living in poverty in Alabama has risen, but the number of families currently receiving TANF funding has dropped.
Spencer Collier “Anxious” to Testify Against Gov. Bentley in Potential Impeachment Trial
An investigation is underway to determine whether Governor Robert Bentley should be impeached, and a discussion about Alabama real estate mogul Franklin Haney and his potential influence on state politics. The latest from AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire.
Birmingham City Council Rejects $30,000 Request For Deontay Wilder Heavyweight Fight
Council members say they support Deontay Wilder, but the city has several pressing needs.
TAKING ON TESTS: Atlanta School Students Still Recovering From Cheating Scandal
“We have lots of challenges and skepticism and there will be criticism, but also success is knowing that as we are getting this off the ground and running there are people who are saying this is great I'm glad you are doing something,” Dr. Alicia Hill says.
UAB MakerSpace Provides Place to Explore, Encourage Opportunities
Careers in 3-D printing and design are growing, and college students are taking note. A new student-run makerspace has opened in UAB’s Sterne Library. Students and faculty alike now have a place to learn and explore these new and innovative ideas.
Interstate 22 Interchange Opens Completing Link to Memphis
State leaders, along with officials from around Jefferson County and Washington D.C., cut the ribbon Monday on the interchange between Interstate 22 and Interstate 65, completing a long-awaited highway between Birmingham and Memphis.
Alabama Organizers File Federal Lawsuit, Take Stand Against Wage Theft
A group of Alabama organizers filed a federal lawsuit last week on behalf of immigrant laborers who say their employers never paid them. The workers and their supporters gathered at the steps of the Hugo Black Courthouse in Birmingham Friday afternoon to celebrate the lawsuit.
The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama — Holy Family Cristo Rey High School
Fair or not, the words "Ensley" and "success" don't often appear together in local media reports. But tucked among vacant buildings and weedy lots a few feet from an Interstate, there's a high school with a college acceptance rate most suburban schools would envy. For the latest chapter of "The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama," education reporter Dan Carsen talks with the people making it happen to find out how this school works.
The Potential for a New Round of Bank Mergers
Birmingham’s banking industry is not what it used to be. After major acquisitions in the 2000s and the Great Recession, Birmingham is left with two big banks: Regions and BBVA Compass, which was snapped up by a Spanish financial giant. While all that activity has died down, there’s chatter we could see a pick up in mergers and acquisitions among banks. We start there in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
Former Birmingham CEO Convicted on 98 Counts of Fraud
A federal jury in Birmingham convicted the former CEO of two non-profit health clinics for the poor and homeless on 98 counts including conspiracy, bank fraud and money laundering.
Alabama AG Warns Colleagues About Abusing Subpoena Power in Climate Change Debate
In a letter to colleagues, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is warning against abusing subpoena power in the debate over climate change. Strange is the lead author on the letter that includes 12 other Attorneys General. The letter says several AGs are uniting to fight climate change by launching an investigation into whether fossil fuel […]
Does My Vote Matter? We Ask What You Think
Your right to vote is arguably the most important and coveted right a person can have in this country. When the 2016 presidential election is over, one person, the president, will represent a nation of close to 320 million people. After this primary season, more than a few of those American's have lost faith in American’s voting process.
Poultry Waste Dumping Causes Concern in Marshall County
At any given time there are roughly 5 million broiler chickens being raised in Marshall County, Alabama. It ranks third in the state for poultry production. While the industry creates more than 1,500 jobs, it also creates a lot of poultry waste. Some Marshall County residents say a Tyson chicken processing plant is disposing of […]
The Post-Hubbard Landscape for Alabama Politics
A new political landscape is emerging in Alabama following last week’s conviction of now former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard. On Friday night, a jury in Lee County convicted Hubbard on 12 felony ethics charges. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald watched much of the testimony and was there as the verdict came down. He spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Bentley Impeachment Probe Underway
A committee of lawmakers opened impeachment hearings against Governor Robert Bentley today, beginning a probe on whether there are grounds to remove the two-term Republican from office. “When you’re looking at impeaching a governor, a sitting governor, I don’t think we should take it lightly,” says House Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Jones regarding the difficulty […]
Commentary: She’lah Shreve “Have You Ever Used the F-word?”
With summer underway, some former high school seniors have a few months before they begin college. For commentator She’lah Shreve, there was a time when it looked like he might not even make it to high school graduation. Have you ever used the F-word? I’m talking about the word failure. My name is She’lah and I […]
Birmingham City Council Delays Spending Budget Surplus on Blight, Schools
Birmingham’s City council wants to use $5 million in surplus funds to tackle blight in the city and enhance school reading programs. The proposal next goes before the committee of the whole. If approved, the council would allocate $2 million dollars to tear down abandoned homes and $2 million dollars to cut overgrown grass. The remaining $1 […]
Local Islamic Leaders Denounce Orlando Shooting, Stress Unity
Islamic leaders in Alabama have condemned Sunday morning’s deadly shooting rampage at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida -- a shooting carried out by a Muslim man claiming allegiance to the Islamic State. WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart spoke with Khaula Hadeed, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Alabama.
Alabama Republicans Look to Future After Mike Hubbard’s Conviction
Alabama Republicans are figuring out what's next after now former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was found guilty on 12 of 23 felony ethics charges last week. A jury determined Hubbard used his office for personal financial gain. He was considered one of Alabama's most powerful politicians. For more on what this means for future political leadership in the state, WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley spoke with Natalie Davis, professor of political science at Birmingham-Southern College. Davis says, while Hubbard’s political career is over, his impact on the Alabama Republican Party will last for years to come.
Birmingham Remembers Victims of Orlando Nightclub Shooting
Hundreds gathered in downtown Birmingham yesterday evening to remember victims of Sunday’s mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that killed 49 people. A diverse group of faith leaders led those assembled in Linn Park in prayer.
Orlando Shooting Shakes Birmingham LGBT Community
Sunday was Birmingham's Pride celebration, in honor of National Pride month. It's a time when lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies come together to honor the LGBT community. That event was marred by what is now known as the worst mass shooting in U.S. history. Early Sunday morning a man entered a crowded gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida and began shooting. At least 49 people are dead and dozens more injured. WBHM's Esther Ciammachili spoke with Eva Walton Kendrick of the Human Rights Campaign of Alabama, an LGBTQ advocacy group. Kendrick says this tragedy has shaken the LGBT community in Birmingham.
Birmingham’s Perceived Growth: What’s Real and What’s Not
The University of Alabama at Birmingham wants to expand its role as a statewide player in healthcare through the passage of the University Authority Act approved this spring by the Alabama Legislature. It allows the school's medical branch to join forces with other healthcare facilities around the state - especially in rural Alabama.
