News
Scrushy Ordered to Pay $2.9 Billion
A judge has ordered former HealthSouth C.E.O. Richard Scrushy to pay almost $2.9 billion for his role in the massive account fraud which nearly sunk the company. Shareholders sued Scrushy in civil court alleging he faked profits which triggered bonuses for him. Scrushy testified he knew nothing of the fraud and other executives in the company were responsible. Plaintiff lawyer John Haley led the legal team seeking damages from Scrushy. He spoke with WBHM's Bradley George.
What Does Six Flags Bankruptcy Mean for Alabama Adventure?
Six Flags, the largest regional theme park operator in the world, filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy protection over the weekend. With a tough economy and competition from other family friendly entertainment options, the theme park industry is having to find creative ways to attract business.
Foreign Policy Priorities: A Local Perspective
What would make the world safer? What should America's foreign policy priorities be? They're not simple questions. They're meant to spark dialogue. And this week, that discussion comes to Birmingham.
Collins & Carns: Occupational Tax
Jefferson County officials are still waiting to hear whether they'll be allowed to spend occupational tax money while the legal battle against the tax winds its way through the courts. Earlier, a judge ruled the tax illegal. The county has appealed, saying if it loses the $75 million a year, the county will be financially devastated. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with Commissioners Bettye Fine Collins and Jim Carns.
Collins & Carns: Jeffco Sewer Hearing
Jefferson County officials are scrambling to determine how they failed to bill St. Vincent's Hospital, UAB and others large facilities for nearly three-million dollars in sewer services. The problem came to light Monday in a federal court hearing over whether a receiver should take over management of the county's sewer system. WBHM's Tanya Ott talks with county commission president Bettye Fine Collins and commissioner Jim Carns.
New Economic Incentive Law
This week, Governor Bob Riley signed legislation that makes more types of businesses eligible for state financial help if they locate here. In the past, Alabama's economic incentive laws only covered manufacturing jobs. The new bill expands that to corporate headquarters, research and development centers, and alternative energy companies.
Scrushy Trial Update
Former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy was back on the witness stand Thursday for a second day of testimony in a lawsuit over a long-running fraud at the company. WBHM's Andrew Yeager spoke with WBHM's Bradley George about Scrushy's testimony.
Birmingham’s Budget: Child Care Resources
Many Birmingham non-profit organizations are still reeling from the news they've been cut out of Mayor Larry Langford's proposed budget for 2010. Several high profile groups are taking a hit, including Child Care Resources, which trains child care providers and offers referral services and financial assistance to working parents looking for care.
Whitmire on Budget Woes and Kid One Transport
Birmingham's proposed 2010 operating budget is about $6 million dollars less than the current budget. It includes major cuts to some outside groups such as the downtown revitalization organization Operation New Birmingham and Child Care Resources. Mayor Larry Langford says times are tough and the cuts are necessary. But some of the groups being cut from the budget say they were given no warning.
Occupational Tax: An Overview
Jefferson County department heads have until June 1st to come up with a plan to cut their budgets by 33%. This comes on top of 10% they cut last month. The belt-tightening is all because of the occupational tax. And if that makes your eyes glaze over, you're not alone. The occupational tax and its legal limbo is complicated. We thought we'd break it down for you. We've got three reports -- the first, from WBHM's Tanya Ott.
Legislative Review and Preview 2009/05/18
The 2009 Alabama legislative session is underway and lawmakers face steep challenges this year. A economic slump means tax collections are down, social service needs are high and money concerns will overshadow all that's happening in Montgomery. Each week we'll update you on activity from the state house with our political expert, Dr. Natalie Davis from Birmingham-Southern College. She joins WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
Brunos Fallout: the Glenwood Pecans
The poor economy has dealt a serious blow to some Alabama nonprofit organizations. One group that serves children with autism and severe emotional disabilities is feeling the pain even more, thanks to the bankruptcy of Brunos supermarket.
War of Words
Facebook, Twitter and blogs are abuzz today with news of a showdown between Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford and local tavern owner Jerry Hartley. Langford and Hartley verbally sparred at Wednesday's meeting of the Five Points South Merchants Association. Hartley tells WBHM's Andrew Yeager the confrontation erupted during a conversation about regional cooperation to address the problem of "brain drain."
US Steel: Fairfield Fallout
German steel giant ThyssenKrupp announced Tuesday it may delay opening its massive steel plant under construction near Mobile. The $4.5 billion plant is currently scheduled to open for next spring. But ThyssenKrupp says its hemorrhaging money - more than one billion dollars this year - so the plant may have to wait. This comes after U.S. Steel announced it would indefinitely idle steelmaking operations at its plant in Fairfield, putting 1,700 jobs in limbo. WBHM's Andrew Yeager attended a town hall meeting Tuesday and spoke to a number of workers who are anxious and confused, but optimism as well.
Wilcox County Unemployment
When the economy turned sour, people started making comparisons to the Great Depression. But experts quickly noted it wasn't anything like the 1930's, when unemployment soared to 25%. But for one Alabama community, unemployment is that high. WBHM's Tanya Ott takes us to Wilcox County, where one in four people who want to work can't find a job.
More Budget Cuts?
There are just five more work days left in the Alabama legislative session and Jefferson County commissioners are anxiously watching what happens to a bill concerning the county's occupational tax. A judge declared the tax illegal earlier this year, meaning the county could miss out on about $70 million in revenue. That and other financial uncertainty prompted county officials to tell department heads to prepare for massive budget cuts. WHBM's Andrew Yeager reports on how those cuts could affect one county department.
Swine Flu and Alabama
Government health officials report 40 people in the United States are now infected with swine flu. While none of those cases are in Alabama, State Health Officer Don Williamson says it's only a matter of time before there is a case here. In fact, Trussville City Schools leaders are talking with federal officials after some band students took a weekend trip to Mexico, where more than 100 people have died due to swine flu. So far, there are no reports of flu symptoms among the group. Don Williamson is monitoring the situation and spoke with WBHM's Andrew Yeager.
RealtySouth Lawsuit
Alabama real estate professionals are scrambling this week, after a major court ruling against Birmingham-based RealtySouth. As WBHM's Tanya Ott reports, the lawsuit could affect 30,000 Alabamians and cost the company tens of millions of dollars.
Legislative Week in Review
We review the week in the Alabama Legislature with Rep. Merika Coleman (D-Midfield) and Rep. Paul DeMarco (R-Homewood).
City Councilwoman Miriam Witherspoon Dies
Birmingham City Council President Pro Tem Miriam Witherspoon is dead after a sudden illness. Jeff Underwood of the Lakeshore Foundation remembers the passionate disability rights activist.
Grocery Auction
Need another sign of the times? Head on down to Calera to the Cadle Auction House, where you might find more toilet paper and laundry soap than Waterford crystal and speed boats. WBHM's Tanya Ott reports.
Anniston Update
Every month we'll hear from the staff of The Anniston Star about an issue of importance to the community around Anniston and Calhoun County. Join WBHM's Andrew Yeager for these engaging conversations.
The Economy & Nonprofits: A Conversation with Tim Delaney
Nonprofit organizations ranging from health care groups to after-school programs are hurting right now. Corporate and individual donations are down. Foundations are tightening their belts, and state and local governments are taking drastic cost cutting measures as well. All of this adds up to the very real possibility that thousands of nonprofit organizations may have to shut down.
WBHM Named Most Outstanding News Operation
WBHM-FM has won a total of eight Alabama Associated Press awards, including Most Outstanding Radio News Operation and Best Web Journalism in the state. For the third year in a row, the Alabama AP honored WBHM with the most awards of any radio station in the state.
Making Do: Vanishing Pages
So you're tired of all the grim economic news. You want to relax, sit on the couch and flip through a good magazine. Only trouble is that favorite magazine may not be there any more. Magazines across the country have folded in recent months, including titles in Birmingham. As we conclude our series "Making Do: Alabama's Economy," WBHM's Andrew Yeager takes a look at an industry not just reeling from the recession, but dealing with a change in the medium itself.
Making Do: School Lunch
Want to know if times are tough? Look at the number of kids eating school lunch. Birmingham area schools report that since the economic crunch, fewer children are brown bagging it. School nutritionists say for the price, you can't beat school lunch. But is cheaper better?
Making Do: Elder Care
26,000 Alabamians live in nursing homes. Many of them depend heavily on financial support from relatives. But as the economy stumbles, families have to make tough choices about how to care for aging relatives. Les Lovoy prepared this report for our series 'Making Do: Alabama's Economy'.
Making Do: The McCoys’ Housing Dilemma
The economy continues to weaken and Moody's credit rating company reports nearly 10 million homeowners are having trouble making their mortgage payments. People who track the housing industry say another wave of foreclosures is on its way. All the while, some homeowners are treading water, trying to stay afloat. WBHM's Tanya Ott has one Hoover family's story.
On The Line: Making Do
The economy continues to dominates news headlines. Ten million homeowners are having trouble making their mortgage payments. People who track the housing industry say another wave of foreclosures is on its way. Alabama's bankruptcy rate is among the highest in the country. Gas prices have stabilized, but high food prices continue to strain family budgets. Tonight at 6:30 on WBHM we discuss all this and more during On The Line: Making Do .
Inside Phylogeography
'Comparative Phylogeography'. Sounds like scientific gobbledy-goop. But basically, it's a branch of biology that uses genetic information to look at the life histories of different animals. And Alabama is one of the richest places to do this kind of research, because there's such great biodiversity.
Regions: Managing the Message
A recent headline in Newsweek magazine pretty much says it all when it comes to the current financial crisis - "No One Wants to Hug a Banker." Critics of Birmingham-based Regions Bank got two pieces of ammunition last week. The company announced executive compensation for 2008 and while CEO Dowd Ritter turned down a $1.1 million bonus, his total compensation still rose more than $2 million. Two days later, Regions announced it was suspending matching contributions for its employees' 401(k)s. Not exactly positive news in today's economic climate. WBHM's Andrew Yeager reports.
Alabama Prepaid College Tuition
In the last two years, the value of Alabama's Prepaid college tuition plan (PACT) has dropped nearly 50%. The tumbling stock market and increased college enrollments are squeezing pre-paid plans nationwide, but Alabama's situation is the worst. State officials hope to calm nerves by holding a public meeting in Montgomery this afternoon. But as Les Lovoy reports they're likely to hear from a lot of irate parents.
