News
Bill Would Allow Birmingham Church to Have its Own Police Force
A bill in the Alabama legislature would let a church in suburban Birmingham do something that appears unprecedented. It would allow this church to have its own police force. Critics say the bill isn’t constitutional and vow a legal showdown.
New Governor Steadies the Ship of State after Bentley Resignation
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the opening days of Governor Kay Ivey's term in office.
When Single Mothers Make Too Much for Government Help But Too Little to Pay the Bills
For a single mom with two children in Jefferson County, covering life’s most basic expenses — rent, food, some health insurance — costs about $49,000 a year. A new report from the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham surveyed single mothers who work full-time, and who earn less than $30,000 a year. WBHM’s Gigi Douban spoke […]
Fourth Graders Witness History as Bentley Exits
Fourth graders from Coosa Christian School in Gadsden were on a field trip to the Alabama Capitol Building as news broke that Governor Robert Bentley would resign.
Woodlawn Students Growing a Healthier Neighborhood
Where some see blight and signs of economic decline, others see potential. Under the flight path of Birmingham’s airport and a stone's throw from busy railroad tracks, almost a dozen Woodlawn High School environmental science students are planting fruit trees. It's part of a partnership between the school, the Woodlawn Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy that's transforming vacant lots into lush landscapes meant to benefit the neighborhood.
The Way Forward in Post-Bentley Alabama
Alabama is still absorbing yesterday’s historic news, the resignation of Governor Robert Bentley after he became embroiled in scandal amid allegations he used state resources and intimidation to cover up an alleged affair. But some state leaders are already looking ahead.
Kay Ivey Moves From Lieutenant To Governor
The 72-year-old Ivey held the seat of Lieutenant Governor since 2010; the first Republican woman to hold the office. Ivey is only the second woman to be governor in Alabama.
What to Expect From Bentley Impeachment Hearings
The Alabama House Judiciary Committee begins Impeachment proceedings for Gov. Robert Bentley today. On Friday, Bentley’s attorneys tried to stop the proceedings, and a Montgomery Circuit Judge ruled in their favor. But on Saturday the Alabama Supreme Court allowed the Judiciary Committee to move forward with the impeachment process. WBHM’s Gigi Douban talked with University […]
Birmingham’s Construction Boom: How Long Can it Last?
Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West evaluates Birmingham's construction boom over the last few years.
House Judiciary Committee Releases Bentley Impeachment Report
UPDATE: The Alabama Supreme Court stayed the injunction issued by Montgomery County Circuit Judge Greg Griffin against the start of impeachment proceedings, allowing them to go on. Click here for more info.
Ethics Commission Sends Complaints Against Bentley to Prosecutors
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the the Alabama Ethics Commission's decision to forward complaints against Gov. Robert Bentley to prosecutors.
Tips for Driving in Bad Weather
Though bad weather can contribute to traffic accidents, there are ways to lessen the risks. Here are tips from area law officers.
Latest Birmingham Area Weather Related Updates
Click here for updates related to the severe weather affecting North Central Alabama on April 5, 2017.
Governor Declares State of Emergency In Advance of Predicted Storms
The statewide declaration will be in effect until the threats have passed. The expected severe weather may include destructive and long-track tornadoes.
Area School Closings and Delays, April 5, 2017
Click here for a list of area closings and delays for Wednesday, April 5, 2017, due to the threat of severe weather in our listening area. Updates will be made as new information is available.
Alabama’s Auto Suppliers: A Dangerous Place for Workers
Bloomberg Business Week investigative Reporter Peter Waldman describes the dangerous conditions faced by workers for Alabama's auto parts suppliers.
Bills Could Make it Harder for Gay Couples to Adopt
The pending bills currently before the Alabama Legislature would give faith-based adoption agencies the right to turn away couples they believe conflict with their religious beliefs.
Changes to Historic Tax Credits May Put Legislation on Shaky Ground
Twenty million dollars. That’s how much Alabama would award each year in historic tax credits with the latest bill under consideration. There are two versions: One in the House and one in Senate. Some have concerns over how the Senate proposes to divide the money statewide, and the potential effect on Civil Rights landmarks. Virginia Martin […]
BJCTA’s New Fleet Offers Cheap Downtown-to-Southside Route
The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority announced last week its new Magic City Connector fleet of buses. BJCTA says the fleet will connect Downtown with Southside and should make public transportation along the 20th St. corridor a lot smoother.
Arc Stories: March 2017 Edition
Four stories, each recorded throughout Birmingham at different Arc Stories events. A young boy thinks he’s figured out the secret to never having to wrestle with the regret; a young man’s attempts to rise above the legacy left by his father; a new husband forced into a precarious situation because of the incompetence of others, and […]
State Auditor’s Book Part of Emerging Race for Governor
Alabama state auditor Jim Zeigler has self-published book about his fictitious governorship. Alabama Media Group columnist says despite Zeigler's claim otherwise, it's a campaign announcement.
How One Woman Rebooted Her Path to Success in the Tech World
Kristin Julbert is responsible for new developments for Regions Bank’s online platforms. She started working in online banking about 20 years ago — well before customers used smartphones to pay their bills. She recently spoke at a panel hosted by Tech Birmingham.
A Murder in Rural Alabama? S-Town Podcast is on the Case
The creators of This American Life and the popular murder-mystery podcast Serial released a third season today. This one’s called S-Town, and it’s set right here in Alabama. WBHM’s Gigi Douban got a preview of the first two episodes, and S-Town host Brian Reed tells her his reporting revealed some painful truths about life in […]
TEDx Birmingham 2017: Possibility
This year's theme was “Possibility”. Each speaker challenged the status quo and looked for better ways to impact Birmingham and the world. Program Director Michael Krall attended and spoke about his experience with Andrew Yeager.
Birmingham’s Airport Lands in the Middle of the Pack in New Rankings
Birmingham's airport is in the middle in a new ranking of American airports.
Potential Cuts to EPA Funding Threaten Alabama’s Natural Resources
President Donald Trump’s proposed budget calls for huge cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency. The Trump administration wants to reduce EPA funding from about $8 billion to about $5 billion. The budget would also slash the agency’s workforce by about 20 percent.
The Truth About Cats and Dogs from Allison Black Cornelius
Allison Black Cornelius has been helping others her entire adult life. She spearheaded the passage of Megan’s Law, the country’s first sex offender registry. She later founded a consulting company that helps non-profits. Now she heads the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.
Political Shock Waves Still Reverberate a Year into the Bentley Scandal
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the year since accusations Governor Robert Bentley had an affair became public.
Live Coverage of Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on Judge Gorsuch
NPR Politics team will live-blog the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. The live blog will include streaming video, with posts featuring highlights, context, and analysis from NPR reporters and correspondents.
Live Coverage of National Security Hearings
The NPR Two-Way blog will provide live coverage of the House Intelligence Committee’s public hearing on the investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. The live blog will include streaming video of the proceedings, with posts featuring highlights, context, and analysis from NPR reporters and correspondents.
Why the Design-build Concept Could Boost Birmingham’s Construction Industry
Some new thinking on how architecture and construction firms are organized could make Birmingham an even bigger hub for the construction industry.
Bills on Prisons, the Budget, and Driver’s License Offices Move Ahead
It was a busy week in Montgomery. The Senate passed a bill on driver’s license offices, and a prisons bill. The House debated church daycare licensing. And House representatives passed a general fund budget that level funded most agencies except one: Medicaid. It got a small increase, though there’s still concern among lawmakers, and some […]
