News
New Birmingham Police Chief: ‘We Are Not The Enemy’
Tuscaloosa native Patrick Smith, a long-time leader in the Los Angeles Police Department, started work this week as Birmingham’s new police chief. He’s taking the reins in the midst of a rising homicide rate and growing public concerns about violence – especially among young people.
Report: Alabama Children Improve on Health, Family Measures
An annual survey of child well-being found Alabama continues to improve.
AG Marshall Speaks Out About Wife’s Mental Health Struggles
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall shed light today on circumstances around his wife's death this past Sunday. In an emotional press conference, Marshall set the record straight about his family.
Amazon Expected to Change Bessemer’s Economy
Bessemer city officials and Amazon have confirmed that the nation’s largest e-commerce company will build a $325 million fulfillment center along I-20/59 near Bessemer City High School.
Tuskegee Researchers Find Key to Earlier Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A team of researchers at Tuskegee University has developed a new test they say may help detect an aggressive form of breast cancer earlier, especially among African American women.
Teachers, School Funding Among New Schools Chief’s Priorities
Eric Mackey is Alabama’s new superintendent of education. Before this, he was a lobbyist for state school superintendents. Mackey says Alabama schools must address poverty, teachers, and school funding.
Birmingham City Council Approves $436 Million Budget
The $436 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1 includes basic support for city services and a small cost of living adjustment for employees. But some funds and requests will be handled differently.
Alabama Power Withdraws from BCA
Alabama Power has withdrawn from the Business Council of Alabama amid concerns over leadership. A spokesman for Alabama Power said there are questions surrounding the organization’s effectiveness. The BCA says it plans to change its executive leadership.
Facebook to Build $750 million Data Center in Huntsville
State and city leaders announced Facebook's plans to build a $750 million data center in Huntsville. Gov. Kay Ivey discussed the project during a news conference Thursday in Huntsville. Ivey's office said the center will employ 100 people with an average annual salary of nearly $80,000.
Birmingham’s Love Moor is Grabbing Ears Beyond the Magic City
Birmingham singer Love Moor has been attracting attention around the Magic City. But she's pushing beyond her hometown, including an appearance at South by Southwest this spring.
Birmingham Student Puts Braille Skills to the Test
Birmingham-area student Rachel Hyche will compete this weekend in the Braille Challenge. It's her second trip to the finals in Los Angeles.
How an Alabama Congressman Got the Government to Help Pay for College
Women outnumber men on college campuses. But that wasn’t always the case. Carl Elliott, former Alabama Congressman, co-authored the National Defense Education Act in 1958, which improved science, foreign language and technology education nationwide and provided low-interest loans for college and graduate school for needy students. It also opened the door for women to attend college.
Jefferson County Approves Incentives for $325 million Amazon Project
A new Amazon facility in Bessemer is one step closer to reality. Jefferson County Commissioners approved a package of incentives for the anticipated Amazon fulfillment center Thursday morning.
Analysis of Alabama’s Primary from the Right and Left
Democrat Walt Maddox and Republican Kay Ivey will meet in the fall race for Governor. Some other races in Alabama's primary will go to runoffs first. We have analysis from Republican consultant Jeff Vreeland and Democratic pollster Zac McCrary.
Ivey, Maddox to Face Off in November
Gov. Kay Ivey won Tuesday's Republican primary with a significant lead over her three opponents, giving her a chance to be elected to the seat for the first time in November. She will face Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox in the race for governor.
Mayor Appoints New Police Chief Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith, a veteran administrator in the Los Angeles Police Department and a native of Tuscaloosa is Birmingham’s new police chief. Mayor Randall Woodfin made the announcement today.
Birmingham Lands New Pro Football Team For 2019
Birmingham is getting a new professional football team and Legion Field is getting a new tenant. The Alliance of American Football League, led by television and film producer Charlie Ebersol and former NFL executive Bill Pollian, announced Monday it will include Birmingham in its initial eight-team line up.
Alabama Governor’s Primary Race is All About Corruption
There’s been rampant corruption among state leaders in Alabama, and it’s escalated in recent years. Voters have noticed. And judging by the anti-corruption political ads and fliers blanketing mailboxes and screens, candidates in Tuesday’s primary are responding.
New Plan Will Arm Some School Administrators
A new program will allow Alabama school administrators to carry firearms, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Wednesday. The Alabama Sentry Program will arm administrators in schools that don't have a school resource officer.
Council Proposes Changes to Birmingham Mayor’s Budget
The Birmingham City Council wants to restore funding for neighborhood associations and several non-profits in its proposed changes for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s 2019 budget. The council submitted its budget counterproposal to the mayor on Tuesday.
GOP Plays to Social Conservatives in Statewide Primaries
Alabama voters go to the polls June 5th for party primaries. In addition to governor, they’ll choose nominees for lieutenant governor, attorney general and chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
2018 Elections: Candidate Profiles
Four Republicans and six Democrats are vying for the party nominations in the June 5 Alabama primaries. Here are their profiles.
Conservation Groups Push For Faster Alerts on Sewage Spills
Sewer operators are required to notify the public of sewer spills if they endanger public health. Conservation groups say it's not happening fast enough.
Three Things the New Jeffco Commission Needs to Do
The Jefferson County Commission's $4 billion bankruptcy is in the rearview mirror. But to fully recover, outgoing Commissioner David Carrington says the new commission will need to focus on these three things.
National Neighborhood Leaders Meet in Birmingham
More than 800 people from around the country are in Birmingham this week for the annual Neighborhoods USA (NUSA) Conference. Local neighborhood leaders say this is their time to show off Birmingham.
Teaching Bleeding Control as a Survival Strategy
Recent mass shootings have prompted more than thoughts, prayers, and debates about guns. They’ve also sparked interest in ways to keep people alive in critical moments after a shooting. By teaching regular people to stop the bleeding, just as with CPR or the Heimlich maneuver, people can save lives.
2018 Governor’s Race: James Fields
Democrat James Fields was the first African American to run for a legislative seat in mostly-white Cullman County. Many told him to withdraw, but he went on to win that seat in the Alabama House of Representatives in 2008. Now he's running for governor.
2018 Governor’s Race: Doug “New Blue” Smith
Democrat Doug "New Blue" Smith says previous Republican administrations have dismantled the state's "economic machinery." He would restore it if elected governor.
Amazon Eyes Bessemer for a Fulfillment Center
Amazon is strongly considering a Bessemer site for a new fulfillment center. If the project happens, it would likely bring at least 1,500 jobs.
2018 Governor’s Race: Scott Dawson
Scott Dawson is a newcomer to politics. But the Republican evangelist says he was inspired to run for Alabama governor after watching former Governor Robert Bentley’s administration fall apart amid Bentley’s alleged affair with an aide.
2018 Governor’s Race: Sue Bell Cobb
Sue Bell Cobb was the first woman to be elected Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Now the Evergreen native has her sights set on the governor’s office. Her conversation with WBHM’s Dan Carsen starts with a horrific event from Cobb’s days as a county judge when a man who’d appeared in her court firebombed her house.
Family of Slain Student Files Lawsuit Against Schools, City
Attorneys filed a wrongful death lawsuit today on behalf of the family of a Birmingham teen who was shot and killed at Huffman High School in March.
