News
Why Birmingham Bills have a Hard Time in Montgomery
Lawmakers from Birmingham have complained for years about their bills running into a buzz saw in Montgomery. In fact, it's a common complaint made by big city lawmakers against state legislatures across the country. So University of Rochester political scientist Gerald Gamm and his research partner took a look at records from 13 states including Alabama. They found that while big city bills did have a harder time, none of the usual suspects added.
Leon Botstein: Music is so important because it has no purpose
UAB has awarded the 2014 Ireland Distinguished Visiting Scholar Prize to Dr. Leon Botstein. The award brings to campus outstanding scholars who are recognized as leaders in the arts and sciences. While at UAB, Botstein conducted a special performance of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at UAB's Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center. Botstein also lectured and met with students and faculty in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. He spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall
John Archibald: Judges Must Keep Private Probation Companies in Check
It's not often a low-profile state office such as the Judicial Inquiry Commission garners attention. But an advisory opinion released by that office makes a strong statement on ethics for judges in Alabama. It follows accusations some courts are violating defendants' rights. We hear about it from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
Kyle Whitmire: The Future of Common Core
The Senate Education Committee voted 4-2 Wednesday to allow local school systems to opt out of the Common Core curriculum standards, but the legislation still faces a bleak future. Senate President Del Marsh said he did not think the bill had the support to get through an inevitable filibuster on the Senate floor.
Vets say Ft. McClellan Made them Sick
Life in the military can mean being in harm's way, but not necessarily from bullets and explosions. For instance, some soldiers in Vietnam cleared trees and vegetation with the herbicide Agent Orange. The substance has been linked to cancers and other diseases, which the military didn't acknowledge until years later. A similar situation may be brewing in Alabama. Some veterans of Ft. McClellan near Anniston say they're suffering from debilitating health problems and they're blaming their time spent at the base.
Robert May: A Holocaust Survivor’s Story
On November 9, 1938, hundreds of Jewish synagogues, homes, and businesses were vandalized, ransacked or destroyed. Thousands of Jews were arrested, some even killed, by order of Adolf Hilter. Dr. Robert May of Birmingham was twelve years old and living in Frankfurt, Germany during the uprise of Hitler's power, including the night of Kristallnacht. He shares his story with us.
John Archibald: A Solicitation Through the Water Works
If you're a customer of the Birmingham Water Works, you might have missed a insert in a recent bill. The flyer offers coverage if there's a break in the water line between your house and the street. That's because homeowners, not the water works, are responsible if there's a problem there. As good an idea as that may sound, Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald says buyer beware.
Commentary: What Do Alabama Teachers and School Administrators Think of Common Core?
There's a heated debate in the Alabama legislature, and beyond, about Common Core. It's a set of educational standards used in 45 states, including Alabama, which uses its own slightly modified version. Just last week, Republican Senator Scott Beason of Gardendale said he's working on legislation that would let school systems opt out of Common Core. The state school board originally adopted the standards in 2010. Commentator Larry Lee was curious about the debate, so he went and talked to some people working with the standards -- teachers and school administrators.
Kyle Whitmire: Abortion Legislation Moves Forward
It got a little tense at the statehouse last night when the topic of abortion legislation was discussed. This week the Alabama House passed a bill to ban most abortions in the state and make legal abortions difficult if not impossible. One representative brought up the issue of race and how he thinks it plays a role in a woman's choice to abort a pregnancy.
INTERVIEW: AdvancED CEO Mark Elgart
AdvancED is a private accrediting firm working with more than thirty thousand schools worldwide. A team from its Southern Association of Colleges and Schools division arrives in Birmingham today. They're checking whether Birmingham City Schools are fixing problems that led the agency to put the system on accreditation probation last summer. It got WBHM's education reporter Dan Carsen thinking about what these firms actually do, and whether they have as much power as it seems. He caught up with AdvancED president Mark Elgart and asked him how his agencies decide which districts get accredited ... and which don't.
TEDxBirmingham: Rediscover the Magic of Birmingham
This past Saturday was TEDxBirmingham. The event featured 15 local speakers who came together with one goal: to help attendees "Rediscover the Magic" of Birmingham through new ideas. WBHM's Program Director Michael Krall was in attendance. He spoke to WBHM's Sarah Delia about his experience at TEDxBirmingham.
In Search of My Womanist Self
When someone says they identify as a feminist, some images and assumptions come to mind. But what if someone were to self identify as a womanist? What would you think then? The meaning behind these two words may sound similar, but they spark great debate. Our guest blogger Javacia Harris Bowser explores this in her monthly post for WBHM.
INTERVIEW: Anne-Marie Slaughter
Writer and scholar Anne-Marie Slaughter has had a prestigious career in foreign policy and education. Slaughter served under Hillary Clinton in the United States Department of State. But after two years on the job, she realized it was too challenging to juggle high a powered-career and family. She now heads the New America Foundation, a group that focuses on the next generation of challenges facing the United States. Slaughter sat down with WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley to talk about professional women, work-life balance, and caregiving. The conversation starts with Slaughter discussing what she's probably most known for - an Atlantic Monthly article entitled "Why Women Still Can't Have it All."
John Archibald: An Audit Reveals a Mess at the Water Works
Lawmakers in Montgomery continue to debate a bill placing new restrictions on the Birmingham Water Works Board. The water works and city are fighting the measure, but a new audit doesn't do much to help their cause. The audit, paid for by the water works board, describes loose rules, poor accounting and bad communication. We talk about it with Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald.
What’s Next For The Alabama Democratic Party?
It's been almost 12 years since a Democrat held a major office in Alabama. But recently, there seems to be new energy among Democrats. In April of last year, Mark Kennedy resigned as chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. He created a new foundation, the Alabama Democratic Majority. Kennedy's split with party leadership wasn't pretty, but the new foundation has political leaders talking.
Commentary: Why We Still Need Black History Month
Ahmad Ward is Head of Education and Exhibitions at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Working with BCRI's educational outreach, he regularly meets young people who don't have basic knowledge of Black history. In this commentary, he discusses the origin of Black History Month and why it's still necessary.
Robert Schindler: Bringing Delacroix To Birmingham
The Birmingham Museum of Art has hired a new curator for European Art, Robert Schindler. As he settles into his new role, his first task is to curate a collection of work by the French Romantic artist, Eugene Delacroix. WBHM's Sarah Delia took a sneak peek behind the exhibition "Delacroix and the Matter of Finish."
INTERVIEW: Controversial Comedian Bill Maher
For his decades-long career, comedian and commentator Bill Maher has skewered cherished customs and beliefs. Whether on his HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher," in his film "Religulous," or doing stand-up, he doesn't shy away from controversy. Politics, drugs, faith -- nothing is sacred. He'll be performing in Birmingham this Sunday, but WBHM's Dan Carsen caught up with him first. It's a serious conversation, but it starts out on a light note and ranges far and wide from there.
Political Ties to Potential Real Estate Deal Goes Deeper
Local government watchers are casting a critical eye on a proposed agreement which would have the City of Birmingham renting space in a former Social Security building for almost $140 million for 30 years. It's attracting attention because the developer gave tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions to city council members as they consider this deal. But Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discovered this story goes beyond just a potential building rental.
Kyle Whitmire: Bresette Family Lawsuit Update
Monumental Contracting, one of several contractors involved with a flight information display board that collapsed on 10 year old Luke Bresette at the Birmingham airport last year, has been cleared of responsibility. Kyle Whitmire with AL.com and the Birmingham News joins us for an update.
John Archibald: Campaign Cash and a Rental Deal
There's a potential rental deal attracting attention around Birmingham. The city council is considering renting space in a former social security building. While the move is questionable, the situation involves a shower of campaign cash as well. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald explains.
Vivian Fung: Harp Concerto World Premiere with ASO
Composer Vivian Fung is in town rehearsing her Harp Concerto with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. The world premier is Thursday night at the Alys Stephens Center. Fung spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall.
John Archibald: The View from Wilcox County
There are portions of Birmingham with significant poverty. But that pales in comparison with what some residents of Wilcox County experience -- arguably the poorest place in Alabama. Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald traveled there recently and shares his thoughts.
Ryan Kattner: On Oni Pond
The leader of the experimental indie group, Ryan Kattner, speaks to WBHM's Sarah Delia about the group's latest album On Oni Pond. Kattner also reveals insights to his creative process and his constant source of inspiration: heartbreak.
Kyle Whitmire: The Revolving Door Ban
Kyle Whitmire from Al.com and the Birmingham News joins us to discuss the details of Alabama's revolving door ban. It prohibits legislators from lobbyists for two years after they leave office.
Javacia Harris Bowser: 365 Days of Fitness
Our guest blogger, Javacia Harris Bowser, speaks to WBHM's Sarah Delia about her fitness goal for 2014.
Musician Preforms Online Concerts for Birmingham Students Stuck Overnight at School
There were many ways Alabamians banded together to help each other during this week's surprise winter storm. A doctor walked six miles to the hospital to perform surgery. A Facebook page linked trapped motorists with good Samaritans to provide aid. Even a musician in Tennessee found a way to help. Roger Day heard about the thousands of children stuck at schools. So he treated them to impromptu online concerts. He tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley how the concerts came together.
Law Enforcement Cautions Drivers Recovering Abandoned Cars
Many roadways around Birmingham are flowing with traffic now that temperatures have risen above freezing which is melting much of the snow left by Tuesday's storm. The warmer weather means drivers who had to abandon their vehicles in the chaos are now retrieving them. But law enforcement officials are still warning motorist to be careful.
Strong is the New Skinny
I have declared on my blog, on my social media networks, and to all my close family members and friends that I am going to exercise every day in 2014. Yes, I plan to work out 365 consecutive days.
Slow Progress In Road Clearing
ALDOT is working to clear vehicles from roadways once the thaw begins, today.
Coping with the Snow
Roads across the Birmingham area remain slick a day after snow blanketed a wide swath of Alabama. At least five people have died in weather related accidents. Some parents are still trying to get to children sheltering in schools. With many cities and businesses essentially shut down, WBHM's Andrew Yeager has a look at what people are doing to cope in one eastside Birmingham neighborhood.
Neko Case: The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight
Singer song writer Neko Case opens up about her struggles with depression and the role it played in her latest album.
