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New Report: Lack of Regional Cooperation Hinders Birmingham’s Growth
Birmingham Business Journal's Ty West talks about one of the biggest factors hindering Birmingham's growth, a lack of regional cooperation.
Marchers Urge Birmingham to Become Sanctuary City
Immigrant advocates and residents marched in downtown Birmingham Saturday from Kelly Ingram Park to City Hall. They want Birmingham to become a “sanctuary city” – one that does not use city resources to carry out federal immigration enforcement.
Arc Stories: June 2017 Edition
Four stories where plans put into motion take some rather unexpected turns. One young woman’s attempt to have a little fun at some protester’s expense; a boy who is taken on the ride of his life; a family forced to deal with the loss of nearly all of their possessions; and, bus trip goes astray. […]
Birmingham Officials Spend Hundreds of Thousands on Travel Annually
A review by the weekly newspaper Weld finds one Birmingham City Council member was responsible for nearly half of the council's entire travel budget last fiscal year.
Is Robinson Indictment the Beginning of “Alabama’s Watergate?”
Alabama is currently waiting to see what happens next in the situation involving former state Rep. Oliver Robinson. He pleaded guilty last week to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud. AL.com's John Archibald thinks there may be more indictments to come.
Focus on Birmingham Mayor’s Race as Election Revs Up
Between the mayor’s race, city council and school board – 19 seats in all are up for grabs in the Birmingham City Elections set for August 22.
Medicaid Cuts Could Hit Alabama Seniors Hard
The U.S. Senate has delayed a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. As of now, the proposed new bill would result in deep cuts to Medicaid. But a recent report says Alabama is one of seven states where rural seniors rely more on Medicaid for their health care than they do in most other places.
Redstone Arsenal Responds to Active Shooter Report
Redstone Arsenal has been cleared of potential active shooters. Law enforcement agencies Tuesday were investigating a possible active shooter situation at the U.S. military installation in Huntsville. The Sparkman Center, the area of Redstone that was locked down most of the afternoon, reopened late Tuesday afternoon.
Millennials Want to buy Homes but Face Challenges
There’s this persistent idea that millennials don’t want to buy homes. While that’s not true millennials are approaching the housing market differently.
Qualifying Begins For Birmingham City Elections
Seventeen people have already signed up for various races. All city elected jobs – mayor, council, and school board – will be on the ballot on August 22.
Ex-State Lawmaker Oliver Robinson to Plead Guilty In Federal Bribery Case
Former State Representative Oliver Robinson will plead guilty to federal charges of conspiracy, bribery, tax evasion and wire fraud in a scheme to block expansion of a Superfund site.
Investigation Shows State School Board Member Conspired Against Superintendent Candidate
The Alabama Board of Education accepted a report Wednesday that found five people, including a state school board member, conspired to keep a leading candidate from being chosen as state superintendent last year.
Thousands of Students Compete in Birmingham to be Top Speaker
Thousands of high school students are in Birmingham this week for the National Speech and Debate Association’s national tournament. WBHM's Andrew Yeager follows one Alabama student through the competition.
New National Report Critical of School Secession in Alabama
A report out Wednesday says Alabama is at the forefront of a trend: school systems breaking away to form separate districts. According to the report from the national advocacy group EdBuild, almost a quarter of the nation’s school district breakaways since 2000 have happened in Alabama.
Proposed Tower Would Rise Above Birmingham’s Five Points South
City leaders have given conditional approval for a 17-story tower in Birmingham's Five Points South neighborhood.
Get ‘Em Now: Local Peach Shortage Looms
If you love local peaches, the kind you see at roadside stands and farmers markets in Alabama, stock up now. There’s almost certainly going to be a significant dip in supply.
Humane Society Approved for New 27-acre Facility in Titusville
The Birmingham City Council Tuesday transferred ownership of the property in Titusville to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. Despite overwhelming support from residents, some in the neighborhood voiced concerns about the move. Hear more from Nick Patterson of Weld.
UAB Unveils Completely Solar-Powered House for Upcoming Competition
The project is part of the 2017 Solar Decathlon competition taking place in Denver this October. UAB is competing against 12 other teams from around the world to see which team can build the best, completely solar-powered, full-size home.
Finding Agreement in a Divisive Culture
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses a shooting that left a congressman wounded and flaws he sees in Alabama's constitution.
Special Coverage: Attorney General Jeff Sessions Testifies on Capitol Hill
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee in an open hearing on Tuesday. Senators will likely ask about his recusal from the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and what if anything he knew about President Trump reportedly asking former FBI Director James Comey to ease off the inquiry into onetime national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Alabama Receives Best Ever Report on Overall Child Well-Being
Alabama improved last year in 11 of 16 indicators used to measure overall child well-being, according to the national Kids Count Data Book released annually by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
UAB Research Finds Security Risks with Computer Created Voices
As computers get better at mimicking human speech, new security issues arise. Researchers at UAB looked at some of them.
Brothers Basketballing into their 80s at Senior Games
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors are battling for the NBA Championship with guys mostly in their 20s and 30s. But the Twomey brothers are in their 80s. They’re among the more than 10,000 athletes in Birmingham competing for gold.
Business Community Concerned about I-20/59 Bridge Project
The I-20/59 bridge replacement project has Birmingham's business community concerned as investors and developers work to revitalize the area in and around downtown. We talk more about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace.
When the Nation’s Top Polluter Drives a Small-Town Economy
The Miller Electric Generating Plant in West Jefferson is the nation's top greenhouse gas polluter. But it's boosted the town's economy, and many residents aren't concerned about pollution.
A George Washington Museum — in Alabama
A short drive south of Birmingham is a museum that might seem more at home in the nation’s capital. It’s dedicated to George Washington.
Changes to Mayor-Council Act Deepening Rift at Birmingham City Hall
Weld investigates changes to the Mayor-Council Act and what Mayor William Bell is doing with his new authority.
Scott Simon Brings Weekend Edition to Birmingham
NPR's Scott Simon brings Weekend Edition Saturday to The Lyric Theatre on June 10. He spoke with WBHM's Michael Krall about the broadcast.
Mayor Bell Takes Interest in Delinquent Water Works Customers
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald talks about why all of a sudden Mayor William Bell is voicing concern about the Birmingham Water Works' decision to start cutting off service to customers who are behind on their bills.
New Report Ranks Alabama Second-Worst in Drinking Water Pollution
Contaminants called perfluorinated chemicals or PFC’s have been detected in the drinking water according to findings released on June 8 by The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, in conjunction with researchers at Northeastern University.
Special Coverage of James Comey’s Senate Testimony
Former FBI Director James Comey is testifying before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence this week, speaking publicly for the first time since he was fired by President Trump nearly a month ago. Thursday's public hearing begins at 9 am CT. NPR journalists covering national security and politics have annotated Comey's opening remarks, which the Senate Intelligence Committee released in advance.
Birmingham Launches Film Office as State Lags in Big Productions
Birmingham is investing in a new film office, but Alabama still lags behind Georgia in film incentives.
