News
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.
Gwen Webb: From the Children’s March to the Police Force
Gwen Cook Webb was a feisty, freshman cheerleader at Western High School when she was arrested for protesting downtown near Birmingham’s Kelly Ingram Park in the 1963 Children’s Marches. That same spirit propelled Webb to become the second female African American Birmingham police officer.
Attorney: Death Row Inmate’s Injuries Worse Than Expected
Attorney Bernard Harcourt, lawyer for Alabama death row inmate Doyle Lee Hamm, says Hamm’s injuries following Thursday’s botched execution were worse than expected.
Attorney to Document Inmate’s Injuries Following Failed Execution
An attorney and medical expert will visit Holman Correctional Facility on Sunday to document injuries following the botched execution of Doyle Lee Hamm. Bernard Harcourt, Hamm's lawyer, will take Mark Heath, a cardiac anesthesiologist, to do a full medical evaluation on Hamm's injuries. Hamm, the prisoner who was set to be executed Thursday, suffered serious injuries when the attempted lethal injection failed Harcourt said Saturday.
Legislative Wrap-Up: Marijuana Penalties, Religious Daycares, and Execution Methods
Alabama lawmakers debated a controversial measure this week that would ease the penalties for marijuana possession. And for prison inmates on death row, they debated an alternative execution method with nitrogen gas.
Number of Hate Groups Increased in 2017
The Southern Poverty Law Center says the number of hate groups in its annual survey rose 4 percent in 2017, spurred in part by an increase of black nationalist groups. At the same time the number of Ku Klux Klan groups dropped significantly.
Committee Probes Whether Laws Limit Access for Voters
An Alabama advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights holds its first hearing Thursday in Montgomery. It’s the first of a series of discussions looking into the ways Alabama’s voting regulations affect people’s ability to vote. There will be testimony from academics and policy makers, and members of the public will be invited to comment.
How a Small Alabama Town Pioneered the First 9-1-1 Call
In January 1968, the FCC and AT&T announced a plan for an emergency telephone number. But the Alabama Telephone Company decided to get out ahead of the feds and set up its own system.
More Alabama Women Putting their Names on the Ballot
At least 90 women are running for Congressional or state-level offices this year. That mirrors a rise in female candidates nationally.
Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Arm Teachers
This school shooting in Parkland, Florida this week that left 17 people dead took center stage for Alabama lawmakers. On Thursday, Republican state Representative Will Ainsworth announced plans to introduce legislation that would allow teachers to carry firearms during school hours. The law would require training.
Birmingham’s Noodle Mania
There's been a recent surge in new Birmingham restaurants serving up gourmet noodle bowls like Japanese ramen and Vietnamese pho.
The Governor’s Race: Candidate Lineup
Want to know more about who’s running for governor? Here are the candidate profiles as they appeared originally here by Cheryl Slocum with the non-profit news site BirminghamWatch. Eleven people have lined up to run for governor this year. Among the candidates are some of the state’s best-known names, including the governor herself, and some that […]
WBHM Politics: Women Running for Office
The ballot for state elections this fall is shaping up after Friday’s deadline for candidates to qualify. There are a notable number of women running for office this year. Alabama’s governor and chief justice are both women and they're are running to keep their jobs. The #MeToo movement appears to have encouraged some women to jump into the fray as well.
Nation of Islam Plans to Fight Crime
It’s just halfway through February, and already 15 people have died violently in Birmingham this year. The local leader of the Nation of Islam told the Birmingham City Council it’s time for the community to take action to stop the violence. He's introduced a plan to do it.
Birmingham Legion FC to Have a Home at UAB
Birmingham Legion FC, the new sports team looking to bring second-division professional soccer to Birmingham, has a home for its inaugural season in 2019, and it’ll be right in the heart of the city. Legion FC and the University of Alabama at Birmingham have signed an eight-year leasing agreement to play home matches at BBVA […]
Innovate Birmingham: A $6 Million Bridge for IT Workers
Greater Birmingham has high demand for computer workers but a workforce that doesn’t meet that demand. In 2016, the US Department of Labor put up almost six million dollars to train future IT workers. The result is a partnership called Innovate Birmingham.
Appeals Court Says Gardendale Can’t Separate From County School System
A federal appeals court says Gardendale can't separate from the Jefferson County School System, but that may not be the final word. Gardendale officials say they will appeal a Tuesday ruling by the 11th Circuit Court that overturned a district court’s approval of its separation from the Jefferson County School System.
Voters and Experts Don’t Always See the Same Priorities for Alabama
A new initiative from the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama aims to help state leaders understand what issues voters think are most important. It also shows experts and voters don't always see issues the same way.
What Were They Thinking? Cracking the Cave Art Code
Genevieve von Petzinger studies geometric patterns found in caves all over Europe. It turns out that 32 of those patterns persist across huge swaths of time and space.
Who’s in for the Alabama June Primaries?
Qualifying for the June 5 primaries ended Friday with some crowded fields and lots of familiar faces among Democrats and Republicans.
Labor Department Investigation Finds Taziki’s Violated Overtime Rules
The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Taziki’s Mediterranean Café will pay $135,844 to employees after an investigation found the company violated overtime rules.
Lawmakers Weigh Harsher Penalties for Opioid Users
The number of fatal drug overdoses is rising across the U.S. Alabama lawmakers this week considered a bill that would impose stiffer penalties around the deadly opioid fentanyl. Meanwhile, critics say more punishment could strain the state’s overcrowded prisons. Also, a bill on video voyeurism and the proposed education budget.
Former Surgeon General Satcher to UAB: Take Risks
Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher came to UAB and pleaded for bold leadership in medicine. He also explained how his own near-death experience prompted him to take risks over his long career.
Several School Systems Closing Due to Flu Outbreak
The flu outbreak is forcing several school systems in the northern part of the state to close for a few days. This comes as high absences are reported in schools across the state and health officers investigate an estimated 87 deaths, potentially related to the flu. The following school systems have confirmed closings for the following […]
ACLU Sues Alabama Over Transgender ID Law
The ACLU says Alabama’s policy violates trans people’s constitutional right to privacy, due process and equal protection under the law.
Birmingham City Council Backs New Downtown Stadium
The Birmingham City Council on Tuesday voted to back a proposed $305 million downtown stadium and expansion of the BJCC. At the urging of Mayor Randall Woodfin, the council approved a “resolution of intent” to contribute its share -- $90 million –toward the project.
Legislative Update: Uber and Lyft Regulations, Guns in Church
This week, the Alabama Senate voted to regulate ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft. And a House committee endorsed legislation sponsored by Rep. Lynn Greer that would allow people at church to defend themselves with guns. Similar bills are advancing in states from Florida to Virginia. Don Dailey, host of Alabama Public Television’s Capitol Journal tells WBHM’s Gigi Douban not all churches are on board.
Alabama Education Department Issues School Report Cards
The Alabama Department of Education on Thursday will release school system report cards, issuing letter grades assessing school performance, including test results, graduation rates and attendance.
WBHM Politics: Working in Alabama’s Prisons
As policy makers debate how to address the numerous issues facing Alabama's prison system, the experiences of the men and women who work at prisons can sometimes be hidden.
For Aging Bridges, UAB Engineer Wants to Send in the Drones
There are about 16,000 structurally deficient bridges in Alabama. It's a problem here and across the country. But a University of Alabama at Birmingham engineering professor is using a half-million-dollar grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a stopgap solution: drones.
Violinist Mayumi Masri Not Silenced by Tragic Accident
After an accident that almost severed her arm, an Alabama Symphony Orchestra violinist is working to play as she once did.
