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Birmingham Board of Education Denies Two Charter School Applications
After hours of heated speeches, the Birmingham school board unanimously denied two applications for church-backed charter schools Tuesday night. The board itself was unified, but there are clearly real divisions in the community over how best to educate the city’s students.
Late Paying Your Property Tax? Investors See An Opportunity
What if you’re late paying your property tax? In Alabama, give it a few months and a lien will probably be placed on your property. But one man’s delinquent property tax is another man’s opportunity. Every year, these debts are put up for auction and investors from around the country buy them to make money. […]
Attorney General: Alabama Death Penalty Law “Constitutional”
The U.S. Supreme Court is refusing to hear arguments in a case involving Alabama’s death penalty sentencing scheme.
President Trump and Alabama’s Economy
We talk about what may happen for Alabama's economy under the Trump Administration in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Birmingham Women’s March Draws Massive Crowd
Weather forecasters warned of severe thunderstorms and the possibility of tornadoes, but even that wasn’t enough to keep hundreds from gathering at Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham for the Women’s March.
Live Annotation of President Trump’s Inaugural Address
Donald Trump gave his inaugural address after being sworn in as president of the United States on Friday afternoon. NPR’s politics team, with help from journalists across the newsroom, live-annotated his remarks found below. NOTE: You may also follow the Inauguration Day live-blog maintained by NPR by clicking here. Loading…
By Bus, Train, and Plane, Alabama Women Head to Washington
Beginning today, hundreds of thousands will travel to the Women’s March on Washington this Saturday. It’s a grassroots protest highlighting women’s rights. About 2,000 of those protesters are expected to come from Alabama. Nine buses will carry hundreds to the nation’s capitol, while other women will fly or carpool to the march. WBHM’s Gigi Douban talked with […]
Birmingham: A Community that Speaks for the Trees
As you travel around Birmingham, you might notice signs that billing it as “Tree City USA.” The city was given the designation because of its sprawling urban forest. The term urban forest refers to the tree-top landscape seen in some major cities, especially ones in the South. However, the issue is how to balance the vitality and existence of Birmingham’s trees with the city’s planned renaissance and expansion.
Relationship from Divorce Case the Focus For Indicted JeffCo District Attorney
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the perjury charge against suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson.
Community Paramedic Cuts Costs, Keeps People Out of Ambulances
It’s been said emergency responders’ jobs are 10 percent terror, 90 percent boredom. But there’s a new approach that uses their time more efficiently while improving community health and saving money. It’s called “community paramedicine."
Achievement, Graduation Rates Top State Superintendent’s Agenda
"There are certain schools, there are certain programs in this state that are as good as you’re going to find in the United States of America. We don’t have enough of them." Michael Sentance.
Suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Claims Innocence On Perjury Charge
Suspended Jefferson County District Attorney Charles Todd Henderson said Tuesday a perjury charge that came days before he was set to take office is baseless and politically motivated.
For Parents of Children with Disabilities, A Question of How Much Is Enough
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing a decision on whether public schools are doing enough to educate students with special needs. Under federal law, students with disabilities are entitled to a “free appropriate education.” At issue, however, is what constitutes “appropriate”. In Alabama, there are more than 83,000 children with special needs. And for the parents and educators of those children, meeting educational needs is often a struggle.
US Attorney General Lynch Gives Final Speech in Birmingham
US Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke to a packed congregation at the 16th St. Baptist Church yesterday to commemorate Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Lynch says the city’s past and King’s work have made Birmingham a beacon for civil rights in the United States.
How Birmingham Stacks Up to Other Southern Metros
We explain how Birmingham compares to other southern metros in this week's Magic City Marketplace.
Incoming Jefferson County District Attorney Under Indictment
Note: this story has been updated on Saturday January 14 at 8:10 p.m. See update below. Jefferson County’s newly-elected district attorney, Charles Todd Henderson, was indicted on a felony perjury charge Friday. Henderson surrendered at the Jefferson County Jail and was soon released on $2,500 bond. Late Friday afternoon, Attorney General Luther Strange announced the indictment, […]
New National Monument Connects Birmingham’s Past to Today
President Obama establishes the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument place many notable civil rights sites under the banner of the National Park Service.
Birmingham Civil Rights District Named National Monument
Birmingham city leaders announced Thursday evening that the Birmingham Civil Rights District, once a hub of violence and aggression toward African-Americans, is now a national monument. President Obama named it one of three new monuments Thursday, as part of his administration’s commitment to protecting culturally and historically significant places, according to the White House. Mayor William Bell, joined […]
Digging into the Birmingham City Schools
Weld editor Nick Patterson discusses what's behind some of the Birmingham City Schools' struggles.
Municipal Judges Disciplined for Modern-Day Debtors’ Prisons
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discuss the waning use of "debtor prison" tactics that find poor residents buried under municipal fines.
A message from Charles W. Holmes, WBHM’s new General Manager
My arrival in Birmingham coincided with last weekend’s snow and ice storm. But that frigid weather was no match for the warm welcome my wife Sarah and I have received from so many in Birmingham as we make this our new home. I’m so excited about the future of WBHM/WSGN and thrilled to lead the […]
Live Annotation of President-Elect Trump’s Press Conference
The NPR Politics team, editors, and reporters across the newsroom will be live-annotating a news conference with President-elect Donald Trump, expected at 10 a.m. CT on Wednesday. They will be fact-checking and providing background to his remarks in real-time. We will be paying special attention to any comments about conflicts of interest, health care and […]
Birmingham Awaiting Announcement on Civil Rights National Monument
In his State of the City address Tuesday, Birmingham Mayor William Bell said he’s optimistic President Obama will declare the Birmingham Civil Rights District a national monument.
NPR Politics Team Facts Checks President Obama’s Farewell
The NPR Politics team and reporters across the newsroom are live-annotating President Obama’s farewell address in Chicago on Tuesday night, scheduled to begin at 8 pm CT. The team will be adding fact-checks and background to Obama’s comments as he gives them. They’ll be watching in particular for remarks on his legacy, national security, health […]
Talladega Band Looks to Crowdfunding to Help Pay for Inauguration Trip
The 200-member band wants to raise $75,000 to help pay for transportation, lodging and other expenses. A total of $6,625 has been raised through 110 contributions, since the campaign launched five days ago.
How Do National Championship Foes Alabama and Clemson Really Compare?
Most analysts compare defensive lines, secondaries, quarterbacks and ground games. But the Southern Education Desk decided to look at other facts about these two southern universities.
Trump’s Infrastructure Plan Might Not Benefit Alabama Much
In this week's Magic City Marketplace we hear why President-elect Donald Trump's infrastructure plan might not benefit Alabama that much.
Latest Birmingham Metro Area Weather Information
Sunny and cold today, with highs in the upper 20s to low 30s. Precipitation has stopped, but icy roads have been reported across much of Central Alabama. Travel still isn’t advised in many areas, the National Weather Service says. For live traffic camera feeds of roads and traffic information, visit ALGO Traffic. -January 7 at […]
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions and a Look at Civil Rights
Jeff Sessions’ civil rights track record is on trial and is likely to remain a topic of conversation until his confirmation hearing. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper Weld discusses a little about how civil rights actually work.
The Year Ahead in Birmingham Politics
Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald discusses the year ahead in Birmingham politics. He also remembers former Alabama Governor Albert Brewer.
Birmingham Area Under Winter Storm Watch
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the Birmingham area.
