News
Some Doubt Gov. Robert Bentley’s Prison Reform Plan
Critics call them five-star prison hotels. Fact is, Alabama’s prisons are among the most overcrowded in the nation. The state’s correctional facilities, designed to hold 13,000 inmates, instead house almost double that. State prisons are also chronically understaffed, a factor thought to have contributed to two recent inmate riots at Holman Correctional Facility and a fatal inmate stabbing at Elmore Correctional Facility. A Senate budget committee approved Governor Robert Bentley’s proposed solution to the problem. But there’s uncertainty as to whether that’s indeed the way out.
Fiber Internet Coming to Birmingham
For many workplaces having a fast Internet connection is critical. That’s why a recent announcement that fiber Internet would be coming to the Birmingham area has economic development leaders excited. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
UAB’s Jerod Haase Named New Stanford Men’s Basketball Coach
UAB men's basketball coach Jerod Haase has accepted the head coaching position at Stanford. Jeff Goodman of ESPN first reported the news on Friday morning and formally announced by Stanford on Friday afternoon.
Fairfield Considers Cutting Police Department to Save Money
The Fairfield City Council recently made an unconventional move: they voted to get rid of their police department in an effort to save money. But some city leaders say it’s a shortsighted response to a big budget problem.
Governor to Veto General Fund Budget
Governor Robert Bentley announced Thursday he’d veto the General Fund Budget passed by the Legislature, saying it would make the state's Medicaid system unsustainable. “The General Fund Budget is unacceptable because it lacks adequate funding for essential government services," Bentley said in a statement. "The proposed appropriation falls short of what the Medicaid Agency will require to provide services for the over one million Alabamians, most of them children, covered by Medicaid.”
ALEA Audit Shows No Discrepancies, Report Says
WBRC recently obtained a copy of an audit of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency released last month. The 17-page document, published to their website on Wednesday morning, "did not disclose any significant instances of noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations."
Inside the Financial Crisis in Fairfield
When the Walmart closed in Fairfield, the city lost one of its largest sources of sales tax revenue. The small Birmingham neighbor now faces a looming $8 million dollar deficit after years of alleged financial mismanagement. For more on Fairfield’s money crisis, and the city council’s recent vote to terminate the police department, we turn to Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD. Patterson talk's about WELD's cover story on Fairfield's financial crisis. He tells WBHM’s Rachel Osier Lindley about Fairfield’s history, and how it got to this breaking point.
Schools Close Early Because of Severe Weather
A number of Birmingham area schools have announced early dismissals or schedule changes because of anticipated severe weather.
What’s Next After Allegations of an Affair by Governor?
Governor Robert Bentley says he did not have a physical relationship with a top advisor and that allegations of an affair are not true. But he says he did make inappropriate comments and that was a mistake. The remarks come after former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency director Spencer Collier detailed what he knew of the alleged affair in a press conference Wednesday afternoon. Rumors of an affair have been swirling, fueled by the governor's divorce last year from his wife of 50 years. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about the situation and says he doesn't seen how Bentley can now lead.
Scandal Erupts Between Alabama’s Governor and Former Top Cop
Alabama’s top law enforcement officer, Spencer Collier, is fired following statements he made about an alleged affair between Governor Robert Bentley and a top adviser, Rebekah Mason. For more, we turn to AL.com’s Kyle Whitmire. Following Spencer Colliers press conference, Governor Robert Bentley held his own saying he did not have a physical relationship with Rebekah Mason. […]
Governor Apologizes for Inappropriate Remarks, Denies Physical Relationship with Advisor
Governor Robert Bentley says he did not have a physical relationship with a top advisor and allegations of an affair are not true or accurate. But the governor says he did make inappropriate comments which was a mistake.
Alabama’s Former Top Cop Says Governor Had Affair
One day after being fired, Alabama’s top law enforcement official says Governor Robert Bentley has been having an affair with his a top advisor. Spencer Collier made the remarks at a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery. Spencer is the first person to publicly confirm the rumored affair, which was fueled last year by Bentley’s divorce from his wife of 50 years, Diane Bentley.
NWS: Alabama at Risk for Strong Storms on Thursday
Forecasters say parts of Alabama could see strong storms on Thursday.
Bentley Removes Collier as Law Enforcement Chief
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has announced that he is terminating Spencer Collier as the head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
New Bill Would Make Birmingham Civil Rights District a National Park
Federal and state leaders from Alabama announced a bill that would designate Birmingham’s Historic Civil Rights District as a National Park.
Commentary: When it Comes to Opioids, Doctors Need to Focus on People, Not Pills
Opioids include pills like hydrocodone and morphine are often prescribed for pain. They also include drugs of abuse such as heroin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than 18,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2014. Public initiatives from the CDC and the White House have focused on how doctors prescribe opioid pills for pain. Last week the CDC released a guideline urging doctors to show greater care and caution when prescribing opioids.
WBHM Launches New Series Exploring Birmingham’s Ensley Community
Public Radio WBHM 90.3 FM launches “The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama” this week. To many people outside of the community, Ensley is merely a crime-ridden, impoverished place. Through radio features and multimedia stories on junctionstories.com, project creator Mary Quintas goes beyond the quick crime reports to explore what life is like in Ensley according […]
The Junction: Stories From Ensley, Alabama. Episode 1
WBHM is one of 15 stations chosen for Localore: Finding America – a national initiative to expand public media. Over the next several months, WBHM will bring you “The Junction: Stories from Ensley, Alabama” – a project created by independent producer Mary Quintas.
Birmingham Rolls Out its Land Bank
The abundance of dilapidated and abandoned properties around Birmingham is something city leaders have struggled to deal with. A new tool to attack the problem is getting off the ground. It’s called a land bank. We talk about it in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
A Day in the Life of a Birmingham Walking Beat Cop
Homicide rates are on the rise across the country. In Birmingham, the city finished 2015 with a dramatic 55 percent increase. In response, law enforcement is stepping up efforts to combat violent crime. One key element is to add more face-to-face engagement between police and the community through old fashioned walking beats.
This Week in Montgomery: Alabamians to Vote on Right-to-Work Amendment
Thursday the Alabama Senate passed legislation designed to enshrine Alabama's position as a "right-to-work" state in its constitution. Now, Alabama voters will vote on the amendment in November. We hear more from Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal. Also this week, a bill allowing Alabama to borrow $800 million to build four new prisons moved forward, passing a Senate Committee less than a week after two violent uprisings at Holman Correctional Facility in south Alabama. Dailey told WBHM’s Rachel Lindley about how the recent prison violence moved legislators.
Birmingham Residents Speak on Potential Changes to Mayor-Council Act
More than 100 people gathered in city council chambers Thursday night hoping to understand the latest grievance between the mayor and city council and encourage civility. Tensions between Birmingham Mayor William Bell and the city council have been high for months. In December, there was a scuffle between Councilman Marcus Lundy and Mayor Bell that sent both […]
Hear Highlights from “Issues & Ales: Crime in the Greater Birmingham Area”
There’s a perception that crime is on the rise in and around Birmingham. What’s really happening? Is fear changing our behavior and affecting relationships in our communities? How can Birmingham and surrounding communities work to reduce violent crime? On Thursday, March 10 Local law enforcement officials and community members met to discuss crime and brainstorm solutions for WBHM's “Issues and Ales: Crime in the Greater Birmingham Area.”
Former Mayor, Birmingham Officials on City’s Power Struggle
Tensions between the Birmingham City Council and Mayor William Bell have escalated over the past several months. There's also a move in the state legislature designed to change Birmingham’s Mayor-Council Act of 1955, which has determined the devision of power in the city for decades. A few weeks ago, draft legislation circulated that would transfer some powers from the city council to the mayor. Thursday evening at 6 pm, the Birmingham City Council holds an open meeting about these possible changes. We talk with Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, about what former Birmingham officials think of the current battle in Birmingham government. Patterson also discusses the growth of small business in the Magic City, and what help entrepreneurs want from the city.
UAB Minimum Wage Increase Goes Into Effect This Weekend
Alabama’s largest employer is increasing its minimum wage to $11 an hour, officials say. The decision was made before a contentious minimum wage fight between city and state lawmakers.
Prison Uprising Puts Governor’s Prison Plan in the Spotlight
Alabama lawmakers are considering a plan from Governor Robert Bentley to overhaul Alabama's prison system. It would use an $800 million bond issue to build four new prisons while closing most others. The proposal takes on renewed importance after two violent uprisings at the Holman Correctional Facility in south Alabama on Friday and Monday. In remarks after touring the facility, the governor says he can't guarantee the same thing won't happen again. We talk about the situation with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Senate Committee Approves Prison Consolidation Plan
A Senate budget committee approved a prison construction bill Wednesday. The bill would close 14 state prisons and build four large regional facilities. Senator Cam Ward was among the bill’s supporters, citing prison overcrowding issues. “Everyone says well you can’t build — and I’ve said this before — you can’t build your way out of the […]
Crime in Greater Birmingham: Literacy as Long-Term Prevention?
Police and prosecutors try to fight crime in the streets and in the courts every day. But how do you fight the long-term root causes of crime? Some people think you do it in small school rooms, one lesson at a time.
Crime in Greater Birmingham: Impact of Social Media
Elizabeth Sanfelippo is an energy consultant who lives in Birmingham’s upscale Highland Park neighborhood. She grew up outside of Birmingham, and lived in Vermont and New York before coming back to her beloved hometown. When she wants to know what’s happening in the area, she picks up her smartphone and presses a green icon with a white house on it, opening the Nextdoor app.
Crime in Greater Birmingham: Targeting the Violence
There was a spike in homicide last year and Birmingham is on pace to hit a new high this year. Studies show much of this violence isn’t random. According to data from the University of Cincinnati Policing Institute, less than one percent of a city’s population contribute to more than 73 percent of violent crime. Other cities have instituted programs to cut down on homicide, by targeting the groups and people most likely to be involved. Birmingham started its own initiative last year.
TEDx Birmingham 2016: Pure Imagination
The theme for TEDx Birmingham 2016 is Pure Imagination. Last weekend, UAB’s Alys Stephens Center was home to a day featuring featuring 18 different speakers sharing thought-provoking ideas. The goal for organizers is for these ideas to amount to big changes in Birmingham. WBHM’s Program Director, Michael Krall attended the conference and spoke about his […]
Crime in Greater Birmingham: An Increase or Perception?
Birmingham finished 2015 with an increase in homicides. That’s a reversal from the last several years where those numbers dropped to levels not seen in a generation. With that rise and the headlines that come with it, crime is pushing back to the forefront of community conversation. This week, we’ll explore crime in the greater Birmingham area. WBHM’s Andrew Yeager kicks off our series.
