News
Watch Live: Zuckerberg Testimony Before House Lawmakers
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is appearing on Capitol Hill for a second day of hearings about protecting its users’ data. The House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing follows hours of questioning by lawmakers in the Senate. Facebook is under scrutiny after revelations that the data-mining and political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica obtained the data of […]
Barons Pick Up the Pace This Season
The Birmingham Barons have their first home game of the season Wednesday against Montgomery. And like many minor league baseball teams, they're implementing some changes to make games faster and more fun to watch.
Study: Alabama Ranks Third in Premature Death
A comprehensive report published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at life expectancy and other key health measures across the U.S. Alabama ranked third-worst in premature death, but there was good news also.
Watch Live: Zuckerberg’s Testimony to Congress
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is testifying on Capitol Hill to answer questions about protecting user data. The hearing held by the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees follows news that the data-mining and political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica obtained personal information of up to 87 million Facebook users. The firm is accused of using that information […]
Tornado-Ravaged Jacksonville State Prepares to Head Back to Class
Classes resume Monday at Jacksonville State University, three weeks after a tornado slammed into the campus and surrounding community. The school was on spring break when the storm hit and that’s seen as a big reason there were no deaths. With students returning to campus, a new phase of recovery begins.
Apple CEO Commemorates King’s Legacy in Birmingham
Apple CEO and Alabama native Tim Cook returned to his home state today to commemorate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cook spoke to a diverse group of high school and college students at a Southern Christian Leadership Conference forum at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church.
50 Years After King’s Death, Birmingham Remembers
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led a civil rights movement that changed America. His assassination on April 4, 1968, set off deadly riots and protests in places like Chicago and Washington. But Birmingham didn’t have a prolonged violent response, even though some of King’s most noted victories were launched here.
The Story Behind Alabama’s Latest Public Corruption Case
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a corruption case involving two state lawmakers, a lobbyist and a California healthcare company.
State Lawmaker, Former State GOP Head Charged in Corruption Scheme
An Alabama state lawmaker and the former head of the state Republican party have each been arrested in connection with a public corruption scheme, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Birmingham Council Approves $90 Million For Stadium, BJCC Expansion
The City of Birmingham will contribute $90 million over the next 30 years toward a new downtown and an expansion of the BJCC. The council voted 6 to 3 on Monday for the plan following a four-hour and at times contentious debate.
Crowd Packs Railroad Park For March For Our Lives
Railroad Park was transformed today into a sea of signs, sparked by the energy of young people and lots of supporters in the #March4OurLives. The event, one of hundreds across the country, drew more than a thousand people.
Severe Storms Bring Extensive Damage to North and East Alabama
Crews with the National Weather Service are assessing the damage Tuesday morning after severe storms tore through the area.
Severe Storm Development Around Alabama
Two waves of severe weather are expected today around the state, including supercell thunderstorms, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.
Some Schools Closing Early Ahead of Predicted Severe Weather
With severe weather including tornadoes and large hail in the forecast for much of Alabama today, Monday, March 19, some area schools systems have announced early closings.
Friends of Nancy Swift: ‘I Think She Lived to Nurse’
In the aftermath of Wednesday's deadly shooting at UAB Highlands Hospital, friends remember Nancy Turnage Swift, the nursing supervisor who was killed, as outgoing and caring.
Witness Account of UAB Highlands Hospital Shooting
Two people are dead after a shooting yesterday at UAB Highlands Hospital. One was the gunman, who died last night of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Another shooting victim, a UAB employee, died during surgery last night. A third is in stable condition. Le’Darius Hilliard was inside UAB Highlands Hospital for a brief period during yesterday’s shooting. WBHM’s Gigi Douban talked with him this morning.
WBHM Politics: Guns, Schools and Safety
The issue of guns and schools has been in the news the past month after a gunman walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people. In Birmingham these issues became very real when a student was shot and killed at Huffman High School earlier this month. We explore the topic through a series of conversations.
Two Dead, One Wounded in UAB Hospital Shooting
Two people have died, including a gunman after an active shooter situation at UAB Highlands Wednesday evening.
Area Students Protest to Push for Safe Schools
Around the country and throughout metro Birmingham Wednesday, students from kindergarten through 12th Grade participated in National Walkout Day. They were honoring recent school shooting victims and raising awareness about the need for school safety.
Combating Alabama’s Rural Doctor Shortage
The state health department says most of Alabama faces a lack of primary-care. But there’s a University of Alabama program that’s been grooming doctors from rural areas so they can bring their skills home.
Cocktails, Costumes, and a James Beard Nomination
The Atomic Lounge serves up costumes and cocktails. The new Birmingham bar is a semifinalist for a James Beard Award.
“Opportunity” the Key Word for Birmingham’s New Economic Development Director
Josh Carpenter, Birmingham's new director of economic development, says his focus is to create opportunity for people to become empowered.
Community Remembers Huffman High School Student Killed in Shooting
Community members and students took to East Lake Park Sunday to remember a high school student who was shot and killed last week.
Few Students Return Following Huffman Shooting Death
Huffman High School was open today, but only about 150 of the school’s 1,300 students returned. The school was closed Thursday following the death of 17-year-old Cortlin Arrington
A New Way to Grow Tumors in 3-D
If you can grow cancer cells outside the body, it’s easier to figure out how to kill them. With an eye toward faster drug development and more effective treatments, a UAB biomedical engineer has come up with a new way to sustain cancer cells. He calls them "bioreactors."
One Killed, One Injured in Huffman High School Shooting
Huffman High School is closed today following a Wednesday shooting that killed one student and injured another. Courtlin Arrington, 17, was pronounced dead at UAB Hospital Wednesday evening.
Make Medicaid Recipients Work? Speakers at Public Hearing Say No
Governor Kay Ivey and other state leaders want Alabama to join a handful of states that require some able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work or go to school. But when the Alabama Medicaid Agency held a hearing on the plan Tuesday, the crowd strongly disagreed.
Legislative Wrap-Up: State Ethics Law Revisions and the Ten Commandments
The Alabama legislature considers tightening up the state ethics law and a bill that would allow the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public buildings, including schools. The bill's sponsor says it can deter a school shooter from carrying out an attack.
The Challenges and Triumphs of Foot Soldier Jeff Drew
Jeff Drew was one of the first black students to attend what was then Ensley High School. It was all white, and for students like Drew, it wasn’t easy.
WBHM Politics: When Retailers Close, Taxes Go Too
When a big-box store closes in a smaller community, that drop in tax revenue can be a big hit to the town. That's a situation Fairfield and Irondale are working through.
The “Designated University Kid” on the Alabama Community that Raised him
Eric Motley's memoir is something of an ode to Madison Park, Alabama -- a small, African-American community on the outskirts of Montgomery.
Back to Basics with One of Birmingham’s Oldest Food Trucks
The number of food trucks in Birmingham has exploded over the last couple of years. But the Travis Chicago Style no-frills white truck with a red stripe gets high marks from Birmingham residents, particularly African Americans who grew up seeing his truck.
