Front Page

No Decision Yet On UAB Football Says President Ray Watts

University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray L. Watt says "no decision has been made yet" on the future of UAB's football, bowling and rifle programs.

Awaiting a Decision on UAB Football

UAB football backers are examining a report released this week that details the viability of bringing back the university’s football, bowling and rifle programs. University President Ray Watts ended those teams in December citing finances. That sparked a huge uproar among students, alumni and some community members. But Watts he says he’ll announce by June 1st if he’ll reinstate those teams. We talk about the report and what’s to come with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.

New Website Informs Ft. McClellan Veterans of Possible Toxic Exposure

For decades Anniston’s now closed Ft. McClellan was home to the Army Chemical School and housed substances including sarin gas and nerve agent. The company Monsanto also released toxic chemicals into the environment around the area. Some veterans say exposure to these substances while at Ft. McClellan caused them an array of health problems and have called for compensation from the federal government. Those activists can now claim a small victory.

Birmingham’s New School Superintendent Dr. Kelley Castlin-Gucatan Returns Home, Prepares To Lead

Dr. G begins work as superintendent of Birmingham City Schools on July 1.

Anti-bullying license plate may come to Alabama

The Alabama department of Revenue’s legislative oversight committee gave approval to accept pre-orders for the state’s first ever anti-bullying plate.

UAB and the Alabama System Board of Trustees

UAB football boosters are waiting on a June first deadline to hear whether school leaders will reinstate its football program. But university president Ray Watts’ decision to cut the football, rifle and bowling programs in December sparked a larger conversation about whether the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees exerts too much influence over the Birmingham campus. It may be an education matter, but the business community is weighing in too. We talk about it in this week's Magic City Marketplace with Cindy Fisher Crawford. We'll also hear about a wave of hotel development in Birmingham's city center.

The A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham: A Civil Rights Landmark

Many names are associated with the Civil Rights Movement, but sometimes buildings can hold just as much importance. Once such building is Birmingham's A.G. Gaston Motel. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders stayed there and it served as the headquarters for the Birmingham movement. Marie A. Sutton wrote about the history of the building in her new book.

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM Hires New Announcer/Producer

Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM has hired Sarah Delia as a new announcer/producer. Delia comes to WBHM from Northeast Indiana Public Radio in Fort Wayne, Ind., where she hosted All Things Considered. A graduate of James Madison University and The Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, Delia was an intern and production assistant at NPR and was an intern with Studio 360.