News
“Harsh and Sad at the Same Time” – Residents React to Case of Marshae Jones
Marshae Jones was charged with manslaughter in the death of her fetus after being shot in the stomach during a fight. The case has drawn international attention, with people on both sides of the debate over whether a fetus should have the rights of personhood.
Birmingham Celebrates Historic A.G. Gaston Motel Anniversary
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. often planned strategy for the civil rights movement in room 30 at the A.G. Gaston Motel. For others, it was a place for wedding receptions and fancy dances. As restoration of the famed but deteriorating structure begins, Birmingham celebrated the motel’s anniversary and its founder on Monday.
Lawyers File Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Woman Whose Fetus was Killed in Fight
Lawyers for a Jefferson County woman who was charged last week with manslaughter in the death of her 5-month-old fetus filed a motion to dismiss on Monday.
Alabama Woman Charged with Manslaughter in the Death of Her Own Fetus Awaits District Attorney Decision
Marshae Jones has been charged with manslaughter for the death of her own fetus, even though a different woman shot Jones in the stomach. Police say Jones was endangering her fetus by starting the fight.
The 15-Year Fight to Integrate Public Schools
The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 ruling in the Brown v. Board of Education case struck down racial segregation in schools. It wasn’t until 1969 the court forced school integration in a case called Alexander v. Holmes. Birmingham-Southern College professor Will Hustwit wrote about the case in his new book.
Justices Won’t Revive Alabama Ban on Abortion Procedure
The U.S. Supreme Court won't revive Alabama's ban on the most commonly used procedure in second-trimester abortions. The measure has been blocked by lower courts.
Persistent Potholes Draw Phallic Painting
Drive around Birmingham and you probably have to dodge potholes. A strategy middle school boys would love is drawing new attention to the problem. Recently, someone sprayed penises on potholes in an effort to get city officials to respond.
Young Democrats Hold Presidential Debate Watch Party
Several of the candidates have visited Alabama in the last two months, but most have not. The president of the group Birmingham Young Democrats says while many in attendance may be leaning toward a particular candidate already, the debates give them a chance to consider the full slate.
Federal Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Birmingham Minimum Wage Case
Last summer, a three-judge panel said in its ruling that the "plaintiffs have stated a plausible claim that the Minimum Wage Act had the purpose and effect of depriving Birmingham's black citizens equal economic opportunities on the basis of race."
Highlights From The Big Q: Youth and Race
In this episode of The Big Q, we discuss the intersection of youth and race. How do young people look at race? How do they handle differences? And how do educators handle acts of racism in the classroom?
Merrill Announces Run for Alabama U.S. Senate Seat
Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill is adding his name to the long list of Republicans who hope to unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Doug Jones. Merrill says Alabama needs a “proven conservative” in the Senate who will support President Donald Trump on issues like immigration and judicial appointments.
Brittany Howard Announces First Solo Album, Shares ‘History Repeats’
Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard will release her first-ever solo album later this summer.
Two Homewood Dispatchers Claim Discrimination in Lawsuit
The City of Homewood is facing a federal lawsuit after two police dispatchers say department leaders discriminated against them at work.
Supreme Court Orders Documents Unsealed In Death Penalty Case
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered documents unsealed Monday in a death penalty case out of Alabama after a motion was filed by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and NPR.
Training Better Robotic Surgeons in Virtual Reality
Surgery today can look a lot different than it did 20 years ago. In addition to scalpels and forceps, many surgeons need to know how to operate using a robot. But learning to use the device can be a challenge.
Roy Moore Announces He’ll Run for U.S. Senate Again in 2020
Alabama Republican Roy Moore announced Thursday that he is running for U.S. Senate again in 2020 after failing to win the seat two years ago amid sexual misconduct accusations.
Scales Says Jefferson County Commissioners Should Be Kept More in the Loop on Indigent Health Care Plans
After two months of waiting, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales wanted some answers Tuesday concerning the health care authority being designed by UAB Health System and Jefferson County and expressed concern that commissioners are not more involved in the process.
Birmingham Councilor Suggests Calling in the Guard If Nothing Else Curbs Crime in the City
Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt called on Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin to change his strategies for fighting crime in Birmingham, even if it means calling in the National Guard.
Birmingham-Area Republicans Gather for Trump Reelection Watch Party
Area Republicans gathered Tuesday night to watch President Trump's televised rally in Florida launching his reelection campaign. Many there say they've already made up their minds no matter who else joins the race. They'll support Trump.
Juneteenth: A Celebration of the End of Slavery
June 19th 1865 -- or Juneteenth – marked the official end of slavery in the U.S. Barry McNealy, an educator with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, says even though President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it didn’t free all slaves.
Report: Well-Being of Alabama Children Still Lags Nationwide
Alabama’s teen birth rate has decreased dramatically in the last decade. That’s according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which has ranked the overall well-being of kids across the US for 30 years.
CDC Director Visits Alabama to Discuss Ending HIV
The director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Robert Redfield, visited Montgomery on Friday to discuss strategies to combat HIV.
Southern Baptists Apologize for Sex Abuse Coverups
In the last day of the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Birmingham, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination apologized for decades of sexual abuse and cover ups in the church.
Alabama’s Chemical Castration Law Draws Criticism
Certain convicted sex offenders in Alabama will soon have to undergo chemical castration if they want to be released on parole. That’s according to a bill signed into law this week by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Southern Baptists Vote to Address Sex Abuse in Churches
Thousands of Southern Baptists are in Birmingham this week for the denomination's annual meeting. In the first day of business, the convention voted to amend its constitution to take steps against sex abuse.
University Of Alabama Returns $21.5 Million To Hugh Culverhouse
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with attorney Hugh Culverhouse, who pledged $26.5 million to the university. The $21.5 million he had given so far was returned and his name removed from the law school.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris Campaigns in Birmingham
In her Friday speech in Birmingham, Sen. Kamala Harris promised to stand up for women's access to reproductive care, take on gun control and work to give all Americans quality healthcare.
UA Returns $21.5 Million to Donor & Strips Name From Law School
The University of Alabama Board of Trustees voted Friday to return a multi-million dollar donation from Hugh Culverhouse Jr. and strip his name from the school of law.
Top Wheelchair Rugby Teams Battle it out in Birmingham
Four of the world’s top wheelchair rugby teams squared off recently in Birmingham. It was their last chance to compete in the U.S. ahead of the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
Here’s What You Missed in the 2019 Legislative Session
It was one of the busiest and most contentious legislative sessions in years. The near-total abortion ban passed by Alabama lawmakers overshadowed many other bills. What else happened?
Birmingham’s Food Desert Plan: More Grocers, Fewer Dollar Stores
Nearly 70 percent of Birmingham residents live in food deserts, neighborhoods that have no grocery store or healthy food options. Now, Birmingham city officials are working to bring more grocers to the city.
Mt. Vernon Arsenal, Searcy Hospital Among Most Endangered Historic Places
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced this week that Mt. Vernon Arsenal, which later became Searcy Hospital, is one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2019.
