News
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.
Municipal Judges Disciplined for Modern-Day Debtors’ Prisons
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discuss the waning use of "debtor prison" tactics that find poor residents buried under municipal fines.
Live Annotation of President-Elect Trump’s Press Conference
The NPR Politics team, editors, and reporters across the newsroom will be live-annotating a news conference with President-elect Donald Trump, expected at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday. They will be fact-checking and providing background to his remarks in real-time. We will be paying special attention to any comments about conflicts of interest, health care and […]
Birmingham Awaiting Announcement on Civil Rights National Monument
In his State of the City address Tuesday, Birmingham Mayor William Bell said he’s optimistic President Obama will declare the Birmingham Civil Rights District a national monument.
NPR Politics Team Facts Checks President Obama’s Farewell
The NPR Politics team and reporters across the newsroom are live-annotating President Obama’s farewell address in Chicago on Tuesday night, scheduled to begin at 8 pm CT. The team will be adding fact-checks and background to Obama’s comments as he gives them. They’ll be watching in particular for remarks on his legacy, national security, health […]
Talladega Band Looks to Crowdfunding to Help Pay for Inauguration Trip
The 200-member band wants to raise $75,000 to help pay for transportation, lodging and other expenses. A total of $6,625 has been raised through 110 contributions, since the campaign launched five days ago.
How Do National Championship Foes Alabama and Clemson Really Compare?
Most analysts compare defensive lines, secondaries, quarterbacks and ground games. But the Southern Education Desk decided to look at other facts about these two southern universities.
Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Might Not Benefit Alabama Much
In this week's Magic City Marketplace we hear why President-elect Donald Trump's infrastructure plan might not benefit Alabama that much.
Latest Birmingham Metro Area Weather Information
Sunny and cold today, with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s. Precipitation has stopped, but icy roads have been reported across much of Central Alabama. Travel still isn’t advised in many areas, the National Weather Service says. For live traffic camera feeds of roads and traffic information, visit ALGO Traffic. -January 7 at […]
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions and a Look at Civil Rights
Jeff Sessions’ civil rights track record is on trial and is likely to remain a topic of conversation until his confirmation hearing. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld discusses a little about how civil rights actually work.
The Year Ahead in Birmingham Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the year ahead in Birmingham politics. He also remembers former Alabama Governor Albert Brewer.
Birmingham Area Under Winter Storm Watch
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Birmingham area.
Fake News Challenged Former Governor Albert Brewer in Fierce Election Campaign
One history expert notes the bitter campaign marked an early instance of fake news.
NAACP Stages Sit-in to Protest Sessions’ Nomination as Attorney General
Leaders with the NAACP are calling on the Senate to reject President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, and staging a sit-in in Sessions' Mobile office in protest.
Musician James Mullis: An Old Soul with a Millennial’s Heart
Birmingham musician James Mullis offers his unique blend of blues, folk and Americana.
What will 2017 Bring for Birmingham’s Economy?
The new year is just two days old but businesses are eager to see what 2017 brings. We talk about what is expected in the Birmingham area economy this year in Magic City Marketplace.
Meet the Host of 1A: Joshua Johnson
Meet Joshua Johnson, the host of 1A -- a new program which will succeed The Diane Rehm Show.
Arc Stories: Holiday Edition 2016
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.
Many Schools Moving To Active Responses To Gunmen
The recent attack at Ohio State University is the latest to raise a troubling question: how should schools prepare for dangerous intruders? Many districts are moving away from the standard “lockdown” to more active responses that include fighting back, even against gunmen. But some security experts question that guidance. Joe Hendry is not one of them. […]
The Year in Alabama Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the big stories of the year in Alabama politics.
Proposed Development at CrossPlex Causing Controversy
If you build it, they will come. That’s one reason the Birmingham City Council approved the $3.7 million for infrastructure improvement at the CrossPlex in Five Points West. The project includes new roads and sidewalks around the 38-acre property.
The Year Ahead for Transit in Birmingham
In this week's Magic City Marketplace, what to expect from Birmingham transit in 2017 and the effect of an interest rate hike on Birmingham banks.
Journalism Under Fire After Presidential Election
Journalism is operating in a brave, new world following this past presidential election. Issues surrounding “fake news,” far-right and far-left media websites and the role social media plays in disseminating news stories are all factors in this change. This leaves journalists and major news outlets like the New York Times, CNN and even NPR scrambling […]
Alabama Execution Puts Judicial Override in the Spotlight
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses judicial override. Alabama executed an inmate last week whose death penalty was given by a judge over the recommendation of a jury.
The Queer Library: A New Home for LGBT Literature
The brainchild of Change Project founder Steven Romeo, every book is written by an LGBT author or contains LGBT content.
Historic Marker Commemorates Gadsden Lynching
Tuesday, a historic marker will go up in Gadsden, Alabama, commemorating the 1906 lynching of a black man, Bunk Richardson, by a white mob.
Gardendale School System Hearings End, Federal Judge Weighs Decision On Independent System
Federal Judge Madeline Haikala is considering whether Gardendale can pull out of the Jefferson County system & start its own without violating civil rights.
Alabama High School Grad Rates Inflated, Superintendent Says
“This is a black eye for the department and it makes the education system here look bad, and in some ways undeservedly so.”
What Trump Could Mean for the Steel and Coal Industries
We look at what a President Trump could mean for the struggling steel and coal industries.
UAB Breaks Ground on a new Business School
UAB leaders broke ground Friday on a new home for the university’s Collat School of Business.
Colonial Pipeline’s Shocking Safety History
Colonial Pipeline has a shocking history of what federal regulators call “significant incidents.” Its track record for safety is far worse than some other pipeline companies in the South. Colonial is currently under federal investigation following the gas leak and subsequent explosion that killed two people near Helena.
