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Chief Justice Roy Moore Blaming Drag Queen for his Recent Troubles
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore faces removal from office for the second time in this career, a rumored plea deal involving House Speaker Mike Hubbard lights up social media and we talk about the “Alabamafication” of America. It’s the latest from Kyle Whitmire, political columnist for The Birmingham News and AL.com.
Education Secretary John King Talks Graduation Rates, Testing and Education Reform
“We think it’s important that parents and teachers have good information each year about the progress students are making. That information needs to line up with the expectation that when students graduate, they’ll graduate for college and careers.”
Austin Reelected Birmingham City Council President
The Birmingham City Council re-elected Council President Johnathan Austin by one vote, 5-4, on May 10. The council was required to hold new elections because of a bill passed by Alabama Legislature this session.
Birmingham Mayor Proposes Budget With Employee Pay Raises, More Neighborhood Funds
The $420 million budget represents an increase of about 4 percent over the previous year.
Nevada Company Interested in Unfinished Alabama Nuclear Plant
A Nevada company says it wants to buy an unfinished nuclear power plant in northeast Alabama.
Congestion Not Likely to Improve Around Birmingham
Anyone who commutes along I-65 or U.S. 280 around Birmingham, knows those highways can get congested. But those are far from the only roadways feeling pressure. Backups are annoying and have real costs.Birmingham Birmingham Business Journal editor Ty West talks about that in this week’s Magic City Marketplace. He also explains why retail has been lagging in downtown Birmingham's revival.
Alabama Chief Justice Faces Ouster After Gay Marriage Fight
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore faces removal from the bench over his effort to block same-sex marriage from coming to Alabama despite the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively legalizing gay marriage nationwide.
Help Choose The Logo for The Junction!
The teen graphic design students of Ku'umba Community Arts created logo options for The Junction. Get to know the designers behind the logos, and help choose the official logo for The Junction!
MAP: Where Are Birmingham’s Vacant School Buildings?
WBHM's Mary Scott Hodgin recently reported on surplus property owned by Birmingham City Schools. Vacant schools are a common sight throughout Birmingham. The buildings symbolize decades of population decline and budget cuts. As Birmingham's city center and interest in historic properties grows, many hope these large structures will be revitalized. We've created a map showing where these empty schools are located. Take a look.
The 2016 Legislative Session in Review
Alabama’s 2016 Legislative Session is one for the books. Lawmakers wrapped up at midnight on Wednesday. Don Dailey, host of Capitol Journal on Alabama Public Television, join’s WBHM’s Rachel Lindley to recap what bills passed, and what bills fell short, ike a hike in the gas tax and an agreement about what to do with BP oil spill settlement money. Perhaps the largest upset was the death of Governor Bentley’s prison bill in the session’s la
What to Do With Birmingham’s Surplus Schools?
Vacant schools are a common sight throughout Birmingham. The buildings symbolize decades of population decline and budget cuts. Now, as the city center grows, many hope these large structures will be revitalized.
Federal Lawsuit Highlights Conflict Between State and Local Government
Alabama doesn’t have a minimum wage law. The state uses the federal rate of $7.25. Earlier this year, the Birmingham City Council tried to increase the city’s minimum wage, but we overridden by a bill Governor Robert Bentley signed into law inFebruary. The bill, originally flied by Mountain Brook Republican state Rep. David Faulkner, said only the state can set the minimum wage.
Bowing to Pressure, Oxford City Leaders Recall Transgender Bathroom Law
In a surprising move, the Oxford City Council rescinded an ordinance it recently passed that would’ve forced transgender people to use public restrooms that match their biological sex. The mayor hadn’t signed the order yet, which gave council members a chance to call it back, bowing to pressure from civil rights organizations.
Bentley Scandal: In Pursuit of Wanda’s Desk
This week, Rep. Ed Henry and Red Bay Democratic Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, tried to get inside the governor's office and find the infamous Wanda's Desk. John Archibald, columnist for al.com and the Birmingham News, was there, and he tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley what happened.
Oxford City Council Recalls Controversial Transgender Bathroom Law
Today the Oxford City Council recalled a controversial ordinance that would’ve forced people to use public bathrooms and changing facilities that correspond to their biological sex. WBHM’s Esther Ciammachilli was at the meeting and discusses it with WBHM Program Director Michael Krall. You can listen to their conversation above or read it below: Refresh our […]
Mayors Gather in Birmingham to Discuss Violence Against Black Men and Boys
Mayors from across the country are in Birmingham this week for a conference addressing violence against African-American men and boys. It's the third annual gathering for Cities United, a coalition of mayors formed to curb such violence.
Bill Would Help Teachers Prevent Teen Suicide
In Alabama, suicide is the second leading cause of death in youth ages 12 to 16. A bill passed by the state legislature that could be signed by the governor would help teachers better prevent these suicides.
Recycling realities…
UAB recycling coordinator Jon Paolone…
“First thing I did, was bought me a horse.”
Pediatric nurse and horse lover Sandra Bryant of Pinson…
Before the historic Lyric theatre…
Outreach coordinator Glenny Brock, of Birmingham…
Birmingham Ranks Poorly on Long-Term Small Business Growth
Birmingham has a lot to offer young companies, but the city is lacking when it comes to sustaining small businesses in the long term. That’s according to a new study by American City Business Journals. They measured the nation’s largest metro areas for small business vitality, and Birmingham ranked 82nd out of more than 100 metro areas.
State’s Historic Tax Credit Expires this Month
From the Lyric Theater in downtown Birmingham to the Howell School in Dothan, a number of renovations have been supported by the state’s historic tax credit. It offered developers financial incentives to take on projects that might have come with big risks. But the bill to renew those tax credits has died this legislative session, and the tax will expire this month.
Birmingham Hammers Kick Off First Official Season on Saturday
The Birmingham Hammers make their debut with the semi-professional National Premier Soccer League, or NPSL, on April 30. Fans in Birmingham's growing soccer scene -- and the players, of course -- hope competing at a higher level against teams like Nashville and Memphis will draw even more Alabamians to games.
This Week in the Legislature: Prisons, BP Oil Funds and Lane Cake
The sun is setting on Alabama's 2016 Legislative session. With only two more meetings left this year, the Alabama Senate and House discussed and passed a flurry of bills this week on everything from approving Governor Robert Bentley's $800 million prison construction bond proposal to how to spend BP oil settlement funds to naming the lane cake Alabama's official dessert.
Lane Cake Named Official State Dessert by Alabama Lawmakers
Alabama has an official state bird, nut, fruit and even crustacean. The state might soon have an official state cake— a lane cake. The House of Representatives voted Thursday night to name lane cake as the official state cake. The bill now goes to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley for his signature. The effort to name lane cake the state dessert made some traction last year, but ultimately fell flat. To celebrate the cake's move towards official state-dessertdom, today we revisit this story by WBHM 2015 Summer intern Stephanie Beckett.
New Rebel Logo Part of Vestavia Rebranding
A sports-marketing firm yesterday presented the Vestavia Hills school board with an update that included a new rebel logo. Tensions over the system’s Rebel Man mascot and the name “Rebels” flared up last year. The school board has since ditched the mascot but kept the name. But the system’s rebranding process is ongoing.
Group Looks to Bring “Bible-Based” Classes to Public School Students
School Ministries of Birmingham's goal is to establish Christian-oriented released time education (RTE) programs in high schools in the greater Birmingham area. The group's first program started at Spain Park High School in Hoover in January. Nick Patterson, editor of the weekly newspaper WELD, tells WBHM's Rachel Osier Lindley about SMB's plans and the legality of RTE programs. Patterson also discusses the third annual Cahaba Riverkeeper water quality and bacteriological testing program.
Oxford Officials: Transgender Bathroom Law is About Public Safety
Oxford city leaders say public safety is what sparked the recent passage of an ordinance that forces transgender people to use public restrooms corresponding with their biological sex. But transgender advocates say the law is unjustifiable.
Alabama Governor Faces Impeachment Threat in Wake of Scandal
A state lawmaker says he has enough signatures to re-ignite an impeachment effort against Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley. Republican Rep. Ed Henry announced Thursday that he had obtained 23 signatures on impeachment articles.
NAACP Files Lawsuit over Law Blocking Birmingham Minimum Wage
The NAACP filed a federal lawsuit Thursday contending a law that blocked a minimum wage increase in Birmingham is racially motivated. The suit names Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange and includes Greater Birmingham Ministries and two fast-food works as plaintiffs.
“I Want My South Back”
"I want my South back." That's the rallying cry from Alabama Media Group columnist John Archibald. In a recent column he lays out a Southern identity that he admits may be a fictional memory, but one he'd like see more of. He also reflects on the fifth anniversary of the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak that killed more than 250 people in Alabama.
Remembering April 27: Not all Losses were Human
Thousands of Alabamians have spent the last five years rebuilding their lives after tornados tore through the state on April 27, 2011. The storms killed more than 250 people. But the loss from the tornados wasn’t just about humans.
