News

Birmingham Mayor, Council To Start Terms On Different Dates

Birmingham’s mayor and council were elected at the same time, but they will not take office the same day because of state law.

As Nate Weakens, Expect Heavy Rain and Wind

Nate has quickly weakened to a tropical depression. The Birmingham metro area can expect torrential rains and strong winds to continue moving in Sunday. Wind advisories are in effect for all of Central Alabama through 10 pm Sunday.

‘Hurricane Nate is an Alabama storm.’ State Braces for Impact

Hurricane Nate could bring sustained winds up to 100 mph and gusts up to 115 mph when it makes landfall along the Gulf Coast Saturday night. Because of those high winds, the storm's impact on Alabama is expected to be dramatically greater than Irma.

WBHM Politics: A New Mayor for Birmingham

WBHM reporter Sherrel Wheeler Stewart and Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discuss the results of Tuesday's election that make Randall Woodfin Birmingham's next mayor.

Musical Healing: ASO’s Izcaray Begins Second Season

A new season of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra kicks off this weekend. The symphony’s music director Carlos Izcaray dealt with quite a bit of personal adversity last season. But he says he was fortunate to have been able to keep working throughout the ordeal. Friday and Saturday’s Masterworks concert includes works by Haydn and Beethoven. We begin […]

A Generational Change as Woodfin Wins Birmingham Mayoral Race

City attorney Randall Woodfin is set to become Birmingham's next mayor after defeating incumbent Mayor William Bell in a municipal runoff election Tuesday.

Woodfin Wins. Birmingham Voters Deny Bell Another Term

Birmingham voters on Tuesday elected Randall Woodfin the city’s new mayor. Woodfin took 59 percent of the vote to incumbent Mayor William Bell’s 41 percent, according to unofficial results. The two candidates took different approaches as they vied for the mayor’s seat in the weeks after the August municipal election. That race resulted in a runoff. Bell […]

Biden: “It Gives You Reason to Believe a Little Again”

A Democrat hasn’t won major statewide office in Alabama for decades, but polls show former federal prosecutor Doug Jones within striking distance of Republican Roy Moore in a special U.S. Senate election set for December 12. Jones had high-profile support at a rally at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham on Tuesday, including former Vice President Joe Biden.

Birmingham Voters Fill Seats for Mayor, City Council, School Board Today

Birmingham voters will elect a mayor, city council and school board members in a municipal runoff today. Mayor William Bell faces a challenge from city attorney Randall Woodfin for the mayor’s seat. Three Birmingham City Council seats are up for grabs in districts 2, 5, and 9. And five Birmingham Board of Education slots will be […]

In Tuesday’s Mayoral Runoff, Bell Touts Experience, Woodfin Pushes Change

There’s a runoff election in Birmingham Tuesday. A few school board seats and city council places are on the line. And there’s the big race for mayor – a runoff between incumbent William Bell and Randall Woodfin, an assistant city attorney.

Tripling Trials? UAB Cancer Center Head Pushes Big Goals

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is trying keep the disease from touching so many lives. It recently recruited oncology leader Dr. Michael Birrer to run the center. He tells WBHM’s Dan Carsen that when he was in training, top medical students did not go into oncology because cancer patients had few options, but things have changed.

Birmingham Attorneys and Coal Company Executive Indicted in Bribery Scheme

Federal prosecutors have indicted two attorneys with a prominent Birmingham law firm and a coal company executive for their alleged involvement in a bribery scheme related to efforts to clean up pollution around north Birmingham.

Where Trump and Roy Moore Intersect (Hint: It isn’t Religion)

What do President Donald Trump and Roy Moore have in common? The president isn't particularly religious. But Moore, whose evangelical Christian base carried him to victory Tuesday in the Republican primary for US Senate, might not need a Bible-toting president to win votes in the December general election.

WBHM Politics: Gentrification

In this episode of WBHM Politics, we hear about the rising discussion of gentrification around Birmingham.

Graham Boettcher’s Mission: Breaking Down the Ivory Tower

Graham Boettcher came to Birmingham just over a decade ago and says he's seen vast changes in the city's art scene and culture.

Moore’s Win Wasn’t About Trump

Political consultant David Mowery offers analysis of Tuesday's Republican runoff for U.S. Senate which put Roy Moore on top over Luther Strange.

Moore Defeats Strange in GOP Senate Runoff

In a blow to the Republican Washington establishment, Alabama voters on Tuesday handed a victory to controversial former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in the race to fill the Senate seat once held by Jeff Sessions. Washington super PACS affiliated with GOP Senate leadership poured millions into appointed Senator Luther Strange’s campaign in Alabama’s special primary […]

Election Day: Updates on the US Senate GOP Runoff

Election Day: Updates on the US Senate GOP Runoff Storify by WBHM Wed, Sep 27 2017 01:37:34 Edit Election Day: Updates on the US Senate GOP Runoff A roundup of the latest on the race between Roy Moore and Luther Strange Dan Carsen@DanAtWBHM BREAKING: Brief but important update from @AP: “Roy Moore, GOP, nominated U.S. […]

As Some Vote in the GOP Runoff, Others Await Divine Inspiration

The race is on to the fill the seat once held by Jeff Sessions. And today, one candidate will win the GOP runoff: Roy Moore, the twice-removed former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, or Luther Strange, who has held the seat since he was appointed by former Governor Robert Bentley. At the Republian-heavy Gardendale […]

Candidates Make One Final Push Before Tuesday’s GOP Senate Runoff

Vice President Mike Pence addressed a crowd at a rally Monday night in Birmingham for Republican Senate candidate Luther Strange. Pence’s speech seemed at times more in support of Trump than it was for Strange as he ticked off some of the president’s accomplishments in office: rolling back the Obama administration’s Clean Energy Plan, cutting […]

Rural Hospitals Struggle, but Wilcox County’s Could Survive

Most rural hospitals in Alabama are operating at a financial loss. Since 2010, a half-dozen have closed, one of the highest closure rates in the nation. But as it turns out, a tiny hospital in the state's poorest county could buck the trend.

Denver or Bust! UAB Solar House Heads to the Rockies for Competition

After a little blood spilled, a lot of sweat poured and a few tears were shed, a team of UAB students, faculty, staff and alumni is in Denver to compete in the 2017 Solar Decathlon.

A New Chapter for S-Town Fans

A resident of Woodstock, Alabama developed a project that allows fans of the S-Town podcast to connect the place its set while raising awareness for suicide prevent.

Moore or Strange? For Some GOP Voters It’s the ‘Lesser of Two Evils’

Alabama Republican voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to determine their party's candidate in a special Senate election. The choices in the runoff? Appointed Sen. Luther Strange, and the controversial former Alabama Supreme Court Judge Roy Moore. Neither is ideal for some.

WBHM Politics: Mayor/Council Friction

In this episode of WBHM Politics, we discuss the fractured relationship between Birmingham Mayor William Bell and the City Council and how upcoming elections may affect that.

Selfies and Handshakes and Smiles, Oh My! Birmingham Mayor’s Race Heats Up

The Birmingham city election runoff is less than two weeks away, and in the mayor’s race, almost any street, coffee shop, boutique or park can turn into a battleground for votes.

Alabama Schools Chief Michael Sentance Resigns

After one year on the job, State Superintendent of Education Michael Sentance abruptly resigned Wednesday. His contract had been on the agenda for the State Board of Education meeting scheduled for the following day.

Some Irma Evacuees Remain at Talladega Superspeedway

Though most of nearly 200 Irma evacuees from Florida have left Talladega Superspeedway, there are still roughly 60 people in recreational vehicles there.

Hurricane Irma and Alabama

Resources and news items complied by the WBHM news team

School Closures Due to Irma

School closings due to anticipated severe weather from Hurricane Irma

Heading Into the Path of the Storm

As many people flee Hurricane Irma, some are heading right into its path. Irma is barreling towards Florida and is expected to make landfall tomorrow. David Goodwin, with the American Red Cross in Birmingham, headed to Florida to help.

Fleeing Irma: One Family’s Journey From Florida to Alabama

Florida's roadways are clogged with residents trying to flee Hurricane Irma. At least 500,000 residents are under evacuation orders. One Birmingham family makes the drive from Boca Raton to Alabama to stay with family for the next several days.