News
“Sanctuary City” Designation Could be Wishful Thinking for Birmingham City Officials
The Birmingham City Council and other officials want to make Birmingham a sanctuary city. At a meeting this week, the council unanimously approved a resolution granting the designation, which has strong support from residents. Not long after the council’s vote, however, Governor Robert Bentley shot the move down.
Alabama Legislature To Kick Off New Session With More Deliberate Approach
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the upcoming Alabama legislative session.
Alabama GOP Leader on Trump, Protests and More
There's been no shortage of controversy about President Donald Trump's first days in office, but the Republican grass roots of Alabama generally support what he's done so far. So we checked in with state Republican party chair Terry Lathan to get her perspective.
New Report finds Black Veterans Targeted for Lynching in the South
The Montgomery-based Equal Justice Initiative is building a memorial to lynching victims. The group estimates more than 4,000 African-Americans were lynched in the South between 1877-1950. Among those targeted were black veterans. These men returned from war abroad having experienced something unfamiliar to them, being treated with dignity and respect; something they didn't receive at home in the U.S. Many black veterans challenged the racial hierarchy of the South and were seen as threats to white supremacy.
Talladega President Discusses Controversial Decision To Perform At Inauguration
The Talladega College band has returned from Washington, D.C. where it performed at the inauguration of President Donald Trump. For Talladega President Billy Hawkins, the decision was not easy. Some alumni of the historically black collegTalle strongly opposed the band performing at the inauguration. The band received financial support from across the country, and contributions […]
What Constitutes Downtown Birmingham?
Amidst all the talk about downtown Birmingham’s resurgence, there’s kind of a semantic assumption -- that we all mean the same thing when we say "downtown." Labels might not seem to matter much, but to marketers and real estate folks it does have an effect.
Protesters March at Birmingham Airport to Oppose Trump’s Immigration Ban
Protesters marched at Birmingham's airport Sunday to oppose President Trump's executive order on immigrants and refugees.
Alabama Symphony Orchestra: Carlos Conducts Copland
WBHM's Michael Krall talks with Carlos Izcaray about this weekend's upcoming Masterworks concert.
Noise Music and Birmingham’s Growing Local Music Scene
When it comes to live, local music, Birmingham is still in it's infancy. From The Spring Street Firehouse, Saturn and WorkPlay have emerged as creative spaces where the city's many talented, local artists can perform and make a name for themselves.
Arc Stories: January 2017 Edition
Arc Stories features live storytelling from right here in Birmingham. No notes, no outlines. Just great storytellers sharing great, true stories. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, and always engaging.
Grand Jury in Birmingham Expands Probe
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a widening grand jury investigation in Jefferson County.
Abandoned Properties Locked In Limbo As The Tax Bill Grows
There are thousands of tax delinquent properties in Jefferson County. Many of them are vacant and in disrepair. But even burned down houses and empty lots can still rack up thousands of dollars in unpaid taxes and fees. This is the second part of our look at Alabama’s tax lien system. The Cycle of […]
Birmingham Board of Education Denies Two Charter School Applications
After hours of heated speeches, the Birmingham school board unanimously denied two applications for church-backed charter schools Tuesday night. The board itself was unified, but there are clearly real divisions in the community over how best to educate the city’s students.
Late Paying Your Property Tax? Investors See An Opportunity
What if you’re late paying your property tax? In Alabama, give it a few months and a lien will probably be placed on your property. But one man’s delinquent property tax is another man’s opportunity. Every year, these debts are put up for auction and investors from around the country buy them to make money. […]
Attorney General: Alabama Death Penalty Law “Constitutional”
The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear arguments in a case involving Alabama’s death penalty sentencing scheme.
President Trump and Alabama’s Economy
We talk about what may happen for Alabama's economy under the Trump Administration in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Birmingham Women’s March Draws Massive Crowd
Weather forecasters warned of severe thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes, but even that wasn’t enough to keep hundreds from gathering at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham for the Women’s March.
Live Annotation of President Trump’s Inaugural Address
Donald Trump gave his inaugural address after being sworn in as president of the United States on Friday afternoon. NPR’s politics team, with help from journalists across the newsroom, live-annotated his remarks found below. NOTE: You may also follow the Inauguration Day live-blog maintained by NPR by clicking here. Loading…
By Bus, Train, and Plane, Alabama Women Head to Washington
Beginning today, hundreds of thousands will travel to the Women’s March on Washington this Saturday. It’s a grassroots protest highlighting women’s rights. About 2,000 of those protesters are expected to come from Alabama. Nine buses will carry hundreds to the nation’s capitol, while other women will fly or carpool to the march. WBHM’s Gigi Douban talked with […]
Birmingham: A Community that Speaks for the Trees
As you travel around Birmingham, you might notice signs that billing it as “Tree City USA.” The city was given the designation because of its sprawling urban forest. The term urban forest refers to the tree-top landscape seen in some major cities, especially ones in the South. However, the issue is how to balance the vitality and existence of Birmingham’s trees with the city’s planned renaissance and expansion.
Relationship from Divorce Case the Focus For Indicted JeffCo District Attorney
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the perjury charge against suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson.
Community Paramedic Cuts Costs, Keeps People Out of Ambulances
It’s been said emergency responders’ jobs are 10 percent terror, 90 percent boredom. But there’s a new approach that uses their time more efficiently while improving community health and saving money. It’s called “community paramedicine."
Achievement, Graduation Rates Top State Superintendent’s Agenda
"There are certain schools, there are certain programs in this state that are as good as you’re going to find in the United States of America. We don’t have enough of them." Michael Sentance.
Suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Claims Innocence On Perjury Charge
Suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson said Tuesday a perjury charge that came days before he was set to take office is baseless and politically motivated.
For Parents of Children with Disabilities, A Question of How Much Is Enough
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a decision on whether public schools are doing enough to educate students with special needs. Under federal law, students with disabilities are entitled to a “free appropriate education.” At issue, however, is what constitutes “appropriate”. In Alabama, there are more than 83,000 children with special needs. And for the parents and educators of those children, meeting educational needs is often a struggle.
US Attorney General Lynch Gives Final Speech in Birmingham
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke to a packed congregation at the 16th St. Baptist Church yesterday to commemorate Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Lynch says the city’s past and King’s work have made Birmingham a beacon for civil rights in the United States.
How Birmingham Stacks Up to Other Southern Metros
We explain how Birmingham compares to other southern metros in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Incoming Jefferson County District Attorney Under Indictment
Note: this story has been updated on Saturday January 14 at 8:10 p.m. See update below. Jefferson County’s newly-elected district attorney, Charles Todd Henderson, was indicted on a felony perjury charge Friday. Henderson surrendered at the Jefferson County Jail and was soon released on $2,500 bond. Late Friday afternoon, Attorney General Luther Strange announced the indictment, […]
New National Monument Connects Birmingham’s Past to Today
President Obama establishes the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument place many notable civil rights sites under the banner of the National Park Service.
Birmingham Civil Rights District Named National Monument
Birmingham city leaders announced Thursday evening that the Birmingham Civil Rights District, once a hub of violence and aggression toward African-Americans, is now a national monument. President Obama named it one of three new monuments Thursday, as part of his administration’s commitment to protecting culturally and historically significant places, according to the White House. Mayor William Bell, joined […]
Digging into the Birmingham City Schools
Weld editor Nick Patterson discusses what's behind some of the Birmingham City Schools' struggles.
